I am looking to get a used F250 4X4 crew cab diesel truck 02-10, I am trying to get solid intel on what years or engines to avoid. What years had serious problems?

 

Look for a 6.0, it has much more power over the 7.3, a much better transmission and the 05+ models have a much nicer front end. 6.0's are great motors with lots of power and a bulletproof transmission.

7.3's will go a million+ miles and are reliable but in terms of modern engines they are fast becoming dated, especially with the hit or miss 4R100 transmission, and the newest 7.3 truck being 11 years old.

Both engines will have drawbacks, The usual 6.0 horror stories are not totally true, there is lots of members on here with well over 200,000 mile 6.0's. A well maintained 6.0 will last a long time usually before needing major work. The 7.3 is a solid motor with decent fuel mileage and pulling power. The only major issue is the transmission's are not as strong as the newer models.

I had a 7.3 and rolled over 300,000 miles before I sold it and I never had transmission issues or any major motor issues.

The 6.4's are reliable engines but get horrible fuel economy, usually in the 12-14 mpg range. They are good with the proper deletes and tuning, that gets into some money and borderline illegal in most states. We have a 6.4L F550 32' boom truck with 185,000 miles on it and so far have had no major issues with it even with all the idling.

 

I can't speak for the 6.0L and 6.4L but the 7.3L is a workhorse. That being aside, if you're looking for one of those they will be hard to find with low miles. Even then that comes with it's own issues. Regardless, anything metal will rust and anything that's not will dry out. IMO I would consider age as well as powerplant as that will play into your wallet as well. Ball joints, weatherstripping, o-rings, brakes, vacuum lines, fuel lines, etc will all play into what you're willing to spend your money on after you buy it.

I wouldn't get rid of my truck for the world, but as much as I love my rig, I wouldn't buy a 7.3L if I was in the market for a truck. It would be at least 11 years old and come with a host of pending issues if the owner didn't already address them.

The new suspension and beefier front axle starting in 2005 (Dana Super 60 with 35 splines) is a big improvement over the leaf setup I have (99-04) with the smaller axle (Dana 60 with 30 splines).

I hear the 2nd generation 6.0L (2005-2007) was an improvement over the 1st generation (late '03-'04). I do read, however, of guys swapping some of the 1st gen parts onto the 2nd gen but I'm not sure which ones.

If you're looking for a 2002-2003 7.3L they are the same engine (a couple of more ponies out of the programming for the last of the line in early 2003). With very little exception there's no difference between a 2002 7.3L and 2003 7.3L.

I don't know a lot about the gassers. I think they went from 2-valve to 3-valve cylinders in 2005 which was a big improvement (for the 6.8L V10).

Depending on what you want it for might also drive your purchase. Every engine has its following. I will tell you that the 7.3L is the dinosaur and is definitely not a rocket out of the box. There's more than enough parts floating around out there to put on/in it but it is not cheap if you are looking to make a hot rod out of it.

I'll let other more knowledgeabe chime in on the rest. Hope that gets your started.

 

I had a 2000 350 drw diesel, 2002 250 V10, and now have a 2005 250 V10 - I got all 3 new and they were/are stellar.

I'm not aware of any "bad years" for super duties which is why they continue to dominate the market. Engines have their pros and cons over the years, particularly the diesels - their particulars are covered a little above and many other places in this forum.

I would not avoid any year, yet in 2005 they improved almost every aspect including frame thickness etc, suspensions, larger brakes, transmission, engines and other odds and ends.

The result: my '05 is equipped almost identical to the '02 I had but came with around 1500 lbs more GVWR and substantially more HP and torque. So, while not avoiding earlier years I would prefer the post-2005 models.

 

Without going into the various weak points of each engine:

1999-2004 Leaf spring front suspension. Gas engines and 7.3L Powerstroke have 4R100 automatic transmission. 6.0L Power Stroke has 5R110W automatic transmission.

2005-2007 Coil spring front suspension. 5R110W automatic transmission available on all engines. Brake size is increased, so minimum wheel size is now 17 inch. Frame is stronger.

2008-2010 Cooling capacity increased. Rear suspension revised, longer leaf springs.

2011-2014 Rear suspension softened for easier ride. 6R140 automatic transmission. Manual transmission no longer available.

 

If you want a workhorse and not have to worry about the engine get a 7.3

If you want power but will have to stick extra money into the motor and constantly worry about temps and problems get a 6.0

I can't comment on the newer ones, I haven't owned one of those yet.

 

And away we go...


You couldn't pay me enough to own a 7.3....

 

I love my 04. leaf sprung, i still like the ride.
06-07 were very good 6.0 years.
I know alot of people that have had problems with the 05's. For some reason...

 

Any F250 from 99-07 and 11+ are decent trucks.

08-10 Superdutys are ugly.

I am biased to the 05-07, best looking grilles.

Josh

 

x2. The upgrades to the appearance and the frame/suspension/drivetrain over the 99-03 make it my favorite iteration of the Super Duty so far.

Me either, at least not now anyway. I wouldn't trade my truck for the world, but if I was looking for a diesel Super Duty right now I'd be looking for an '07 F-350 SRW. I love the new ones but don't need to be making a mortgage payment for the next 7 years to own it.

Back to what the OP asked: A Super Duty is a Super Duty and each one has it's "things". Everybody has their opinions but it boils down to what you like, what you need, what you find and how much it costs. After that, there's plenty of experience on this forum for whatever you buy to help you get the most out of it for as long as you can.

 

Exactly. My favorite is the 99-03 and I think the 08-current models are some of the ugliest trucks ford has ever made, but that is just my opinion and doesn't mean anything is "wrong" with those models. I am just not a fan of the "make everything as big as we can" phase where the ford emblem is as big as a tire, the headlights are bigger than the fender and the grille is bigger than the one on my international pro star.

 

When I first saw the 08s I thought they were ugly too. Ive grown to love it now. Its different. Personally i think the earlier years are plain and lacking a nice interior. What, a couple subtle changes with the bumper and grill and your happy? Not quite for me. And like I mentioned, the est of the truck doesn't even hold a candle to the newer interior. But then again we are talkin diesels so you fellas would be more concerned with the engine compartment seeing as thats where yuins spend all yer free time.

 

The 05-07 interior is different than the 99-03. Not 08+ different by any means, but different enough to not look so classic or dated.

I hate to admit it, especially how anti 08-10 I have been, but I agree... that grille treatment does somewhat grow on ya. The combo of paint and chrome really helps. I really like the Excursion 08-10 Facelift conversions...





Josh

 

Yeah the 11+ is still growing on me. Some i like some i dont. Its mostly a truck by truck basis for me. They often look different to me based on how theyre parked even. But i may need medication for that. Haha

 

I may be the oddball here, but I like my trucks plain. If it isn't functional to what I want a truck to do, I don't want it. I searched for a long time to find my 2000 because I wanted manual locks, windows, hubs, transfer case and tranny, vinyl seats and no carpet. I don't even have a tape player in it and the radio goes months without even being turned on. Just my personal preference and probably not for everyone