Earlier this year I was really on the bubble about leaving the world of the 7.3. The investment needed to keep my truck on the road was tearing me up just too much. The engine core seems still rock solid, yes, at 476K, but constantly replacing the truck all around it was getting really old.

But eventually I decided that at least I know many of the fail points of 7.3s after driving them for so many years. And perhaps a good way to get some ROI on the money spent on my truck would be ... to buy another one.

And I figgered any truck in my price range will just have a similar set of problems coming at me - taking on the payments for a new small house, err, brand new heavy duty, good towing truck, just isn't in my future for many years to come.

And then also I was suddenly offered an F350, a little bit out of the blue.

I have already made the first 2 payments on it, taking over payments from someone else. I will probably pay it off next year at some point.

I am kicking around what to do with the F350, going forward. One main thought I have is to simply pull the engine, which is at only 218K, and put it in my truck when it's time comes, which has oh so many new, or 3rd time or 4th time new components on it. Plus I bought my 250 in a southern state where I work every winter - so the body is in incredible condition, compared to a salt state. The 350, on the other hand, is from a salt state and was used for plowing some too. And the 350 is a regular cab whereas the crew cab of my 250 is just generally more useful all the way around.

So a main question I have is - what differences are there between an '00 model year 250 and an 01 model year 350, aside from the rear axles? (This 350 is not a dual-axle).

The 350 has a rebuilt trans in it already, I don't know the specifics on it yet. In theory it was "beefed up some" due to it's application as a plow truck but I have no idea what that means. This truck is back in my hometown and I haven't had much chance to talk to the shop that has worked on it. The kid selling it doesn't know a whole lot about it either. What are the odds I can re-use this transmission from a 350 in a slightly older 250?

Another main option is to keep the 350 road-worthy and ready to go (currently needs a water pump and tires), and perhaps just make it my winter truck as I stay in the north more in the coming years, and preserve the 250 a little better that way.

 

You show a late '99 on the one truck so the trans is the same for both. I would keep the 350 for the plow truck and save wear and tear on the 250. Just my .02 worth.

 

The 99MY essentially ends Mid-Year with the 99.5 MY - There are many differences. The only notable difference between the 99.5 and the 00 is the Cross-Member between the Frame Rails at the Front.

So, anything prior to a 99.5 is considered a Early 99.