So I have been on the hunt for a vehicle to use to tow my family and camper around, I have been looking for a V-10, but finding one in decent shape seems to be quite a task (in my price range). Recently a 1995 F350 with a 7.3L has come up for sale, that I am interested in, but I have kind of avoided diesels because I am concerned about the potential for expensive repairs. I know that the 7.3 is a great motor, and should have plenty of power for what I want to do. If the truck has been well maintained and is in good condition, should I really be concerned about getting a diesel for occasional use? What about the automatic of this year truck, can it be trusted? The truck itself has 150,000 miles or so on it, so not many at all.

I have pulled trailers with my dad's 2001 7.3 F350, would this truck have similar power? Seems to be quite effortless pulling with his truck, kind of nice really.

 

Hey brother,
My grandpa left me his 92 F250 7.3 and it has been fairly easy to work on so far. However I have no done anything extensive. I towed my wifes car with it and I drive it everyday. Not really sure if this helps but I like the 7.3

 

I was in a similar situation to you 4 years ago..... looking for a 12V Cummins in a Dodge, and came across a 130,000 mile crew cab 7.3 1995 F350 2wd. I wasn't crazy about the style of it, but once I saw how comfortably my family fit in the crew cab, I was sold. I bought it with 130,000 miles, and I've had it for 4 years, and 40,000 miles. Very dependable truck. Initially, some trouble with cold starting, but replaced glow plugs (easy to DIY), glow plug relay (even easier), and starter relay (easiest of all), and since then, it's been a very dependable and simple truck. Adequate power. Very highly rated engine. I haven't had any trouble with the transmission, but I put a deep pan on it, and a larger cooler. I run Amsoil synthetic fluid in it. I contacted the original owner, who said about the transmission "I put the big unit in it at 95,000 miles", but he couldn't tell me any specifics about what that meant..... it shifts firm and quickly, and just as nice now as the day I bought it four years ago.

Of course, once a vehicle is 20+ years old, what matters as much as the vehicle itself is the care and maintenance regimen its been treated to. A careful previous owner that kept up on the maintenance could mean a vehicle that lasts another 200,000 miles with few problems. An owner that takes the "why bother maintaining it when I'm just going to sell it anyways" approach will likely result in a more expensive and less enjoyable ownership experience for you! If they have good records, that'll give you a pretty good indicator what kind of life its had.

In summary, I've found the 7.3 PSD to be a very good truck. Never let me down. Easy to work on. Parts are very reasonably priced. Really, a pretty basic vehicle that just works for me. Lots of compliments from people all over the place too!

I say go for it! Once you get it, maintain it well, and it will give you many happy years of motoring.

 

I just picked up a 95 PSD a couple weeks ago. It's my first diesel since high school. A lot of people tend to avoid the OBS 7.3's with auto's because the E4OD transmissions can be a weak point and are expensive for a shop to rebuild. In my opinion, the E4OD is not too hard to rebuild at home as long as you have the correct tools and it saves you a lot of money.

The 2001 7.3 PSD has some more power and a 4R100 auto transmission(a little beefier than the E4OD) but will be close in comparison.

Pre 94.5 model years have a 7.3 but they are IDI and share next to nothing with the 7.3 PSD other than displacement. Most idi 7.3's were non factory turbo so the power is not even close to the 7.3 PSD, just fyi.

 

Thanks for the input. I am quite interested in the truck that is for sale. It has what looks like a "conversion" interior, with a custom center console, extra lights along the headliner, and custom paint. In the pictures all well done. I will try to look at it this weekend. I just don't want to get something that will leave us dead on the highway on our family trip. But honestly, anything in my price range could do that. Actually anything at any price could do that.

 

The only hiccup mine had was the belts blew on it. So that left me on the side of the road but honestly that was my own oversight. As long as your tentative (proactive) to the truck it should treat you fine. I think you should try and think of it backwards (if you go to an older truck, you can at least attempt to work on it yourself). As with a newer vehicle you will end up at a dealership.

 

No. less power.
95 was 215hp
2001 was 250 for auto, 275 for stick

As for occasional use, it is fine. My 5 diesel sit more than they get driven. But when they get used, they are being USED, not just driven around.

Buy yourself a battery tender and change the oil once a year or every 5k(whichever comes first)

As for the auto trans, by now it had to of been replaced(and updated)