Hi everyone, new member here. Currently have a 05 Expedition but upgrading to f250 for towing 11k lb boat. Been reading a ton on this forum and others, so thanks in advance!

I'm a DIY guy but probably don't/won't have the time to be doing larger engine projects.(kids)

My basic question is this:
Is there any substantial benefit to a 2015 6.7 with about 100k miles v. A 2003 7.3 with some of the normal upgrades (suspension & 6.0 cooler) and 170k miles? (Both crews)

I really can't find anything on the forums that suggests the 6.7 is better in any big way (aside frpm creature comforts) to justify twice the price. Is this a correct assumption? I'm only using it for 5k miles/yr.

I've found quite a few 02/03 7.3s in great condition with 140-170k miles and half the price of a 6.7 ($17k). Are there any hidden issues with an old 7.3 that the seller can pawn off without easy detection?

Thanks !

 

I'm fond of the 7.3 and the 99-04 super duty so I might be a little bias...stock trim the 7.3 is gonna be slower, steering isnt precis like the new trucks. 4r100 is so so (I dont like it in my truck) BUT a quality rebuild will make it damn near bulletproof for less than 4k. I happen to like the leaf spring setup on the older trucks, I've been in the new fords with coil springs and I dont see now feel a better ride. People like all the new fancy dashs and traction control crap on the new trucks. Me personally cant stand it, I want to fix my truck myself IF a problem ever happens, I dont want it towed in to the dealer in five years because a traction control or anti skid sensor goes bad and the pcm shuts down my truck. A 7.3 will run even if your absolutely horrible on maintenance OR if you get a bad batch of fuel....a 6.7 will destroy itself if more than a shot glass of water gets into the system (many members have had this happen here and a complete fuel system is need at like what 8k! 6.7 is gonna be much faster, steers better ,apparently rides better and has all the new cushy unneeded interior fancyness auto manufacturers made customers believe they need. Me I'll keep my 2004 F350, added a full touch screen HD radio with DVD/blue ray player, full stereo system, if I want heated seats I'd add a kit for less than 200 bucks. I've tweaked my suspension for the look I want load capacity I need and the ride comfort a 1ton truck should have. And it didnt cost me 60k plus and 700 dollar payments either and it still to this day gets me compliments almost daily

 

Yes there are. I spent $100 to have a 3rd party mechanic (that knows the 7.3L) take a look at mine before I bought it.

It's the tortoise vs. the hare. The 7.3L is a workhorse (as SuperDutyScaler mentioned) but is long in the tooth. There is still a healthy aftermarket for it for a reason but the "newest" ones are almost 17 years old.

There are risks to either one and it depends on where your priorities lie. While they are similar trucks they could not be further apart. I recommend sitting down and writing down what you want for your "new" truck in order of importance. Each truck has a list of pros and cons and you can see how they line up with your priorities.

I recommend cruising the 7.3L and 6.7L forums and read some thread titles to see what kinds of things people are dealing with. Everything has its trade-offs (performance, age, technology) and only you can decide what you can afford, what issues you don't mind dealing with, and what makes you happy.

Drive a couple and that may help you decide too. I recently had my truck totaled and decided to get out of the diesel game. I was sure I was going to get an F-150 EcoBoost. The Ford dealer was my first stop and thought it was all done but the color until I sat in it...then it was back to the drawing board. No matter how much research you do nothing beats some hands-on investigation.

Just my .02

 

The two trucks you mention aren't in the same ball park with each other. The 6.7 is better in every way. Reliability, power, ergonomics, towing features, capacity, noise, air conditioning, heating, etc. The list is endless. Also, 7.3s are way overpriced due to the 6.0 and 6.4 reputation. I've owned both, and will never buy a 7.3 again. The 7.3 can be very reliable, but that's because it doesn't have a lot of power.

 

I think, most things considered, you're looking at the same beast either way. The 6.7 has mountains of power and will have mechanical parts/support for years to come. The 7.3L is a lot weaker (about the same power as a 3V 6.8L Gas, maybe consider that?) but is older and it won't last forever. Nor will the part supplies.

IMO I'd get the 6.7 if you can swing it. Take it to a good shop for a once over - maintenance records are a plus. Have a Ford Dealer do any TSBs that need done.

If I had to get a sub $10k truck I'd look at the 7.3s maybe (they can be had), but anything higher and certainly not.

 

I have a 2002 and like it a lot. It has all the power I want to keep our 10k lb fiver moving at freeway speeds. The truck was babied for 10 years before I bought it which likely helps how much I like it.

If I was in the market for a new truck today I'd be taking a hard look at the 7.3 gas when it comes out. I expect it will have all the power a light duty truck needs, be less sensitive to fuel contaminants, and have less expensive complexity than the 6.7. I also expect it to actually be about the same or better for overall cost to operate than a 6.7 in a light duty truck. If moving up to medium duty then I'd likely consider the 6.7.

 

Title is deceiving. All things can't be equal between 6.7 and 7.3. I've owned both and the 6.7 is hands down the winner in every category. It will run circles around a 7.3. Unless it would put you in a financial pinch I would recommend 6.7.

 

Is this a serious question?

Comparing a 250hp 7.3 with a 4R100 against a 440hp 6.7 with a 6R140 isn't exactly apples to apples, more like apples to tomatoes. A 6.2 gasser from 2011 up would run circles around a 7.3, engine, transmission and truck wise....they're light years apart.

 

Title should have had a ? at the end, but I can't edit it. Maybe a Mod can put that in?? I'm new to the diesel world and didn't realize there was such a big difference in power between the two. During my initial research on other forums, the 7.3 was highly recommended, and more so, over any of the later models, hence I figured they were very comparable.
Finances don't prohibit any truck, just comes down to "value" for me. Kinda sounds like going with a 2015 or later 6.7 is the way to go.


See above. I'm total newbie when it comes to diesel. Based upon many forums highly praising the 7.3, I thought they were very comparable to the 6.7. And the high price tag for used ones, seemed to reinforce that belief. And seems like the 6.0 and 6.4 should be avoided, even if bulletproofed.

 

Thanks. Seems like the issues with the 6.0 & 6.4 have really tainted everything past the 7.3. A novice like me, reading everything I can, easily walks away thinking the only way to get a reliable Ford diesel is to spend $20k, on a 16 year old 7.3 with 1XX,XXX miles!

 

The 7.3L has about 1/2 the power (HP and torque) of the newest diesels.

As a comparison a 2019 Titan Cummins XD has more power and near the same towing/hauling ratings as my 2003 F-250 7.3L...and with only 5.0L of displacement.

 

OP: Have you actually driven either of the trucks you mentioned?

About the only common feature the two trucks the OP is asking about share is the fact that they're overpriced The 2003 is a 17 year old truck, with 17 year old truck issues and problems no doubt. The 2016, like all "newish" used trucks is also overpriced; nothing the OP did or said, that's just a fact of life.

$17k + tax&tag for a nearly two decade old truck is overpriced by a much higher margin when you consider what you're (or aren't) getting.

Solely comparing to that 2003, any 2011+ 6.2 gas truck will run circles around it considering the engine, transmission, suspension and the fact that you have a truck with that many fewer years of use and abuse. That said, I'd like to see the expression on your face the first time you drive any year 6.7.

 

Thanks for the info. I've only driven the 6.0. Not a 7.3 or 6.7. So would you think a 6.2 gas will tow an 11k lb boat just fine, considering I'm only towing a few times a year? And I don't need to win any speed competitions. Just get my boat to the ocean and I'm happy.

 

I have a 2011 6.2L and it tows my 11,200lb toyhauler just fine. It will defiantly be slower than a newer diesel in the hills. A buddy of mine has a older superduty with a 7.3L with a smaller toyhauler than mine and we tow about the same speed in the hills.

 

Had a 1997 F350 with the 7.3 and full Banks set up. Loved the truck and it was powerful, until I got my 2011 6.7l. Both good trucks, but it's the 6.7l for me. It would pull my house if I asked it to.