7.3 vs 6.0
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7.3 vs 6.0
Ok. I know its been beat to death but I might have a different scenario to consider.
Which would you buy ? I need a good farm truck that gets the best mpg. Don't care about bells and whistles or how it looks. Power is non issue as its only for highway and commuting. Strictly for a feed truck that can handle a lot of highway miles. Willing to modify to make it more reliable. If you had to buy and make one the most economical to drive which would it be? budget is 10-15k. 4x4 a must.
Thank you everyone.
Which would you buy ? I need a good farm truck that gets the best mpg. Don't care about bells and whistles or how it looks. Power is non issue as its only for highway and commuting. Strictly for a feed truck that can handle a lot of highway miles. Willing to modify to make it more reliable. If you had to buy and make one the most economical to drive which would it be? budget is 10-15k. 4x4 a must.
Thank you everyone.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Likes: 17
From: Salt Lake City
Would get a farm truck for farm duties. And a Civic or Corrolla for the commute/ highway miles/ mpg and dependability. A 6.0 without a lot of investment and risk is not a commuter vehicle. And a 7.3 is pretty darn old... if maintained it is a great truck... but unless hauling a load the diesel provides no benefit.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 785
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If you can get a good enough deal on a 6.0 they are great. But you need to find one that has been studded correctly and not run to death with too much tune. Or one that is not and plan on dropping the coin yourself to stud the thing. Properly built and tuned the 6.0 will beat the 7.3 on mpg. Or just go with any 7.3 that is still running and they are good to go. Do you need a diesel? A gas truck might be just as good an option if you don't need to tow a lot.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
While engine to engine comparisons are good, you need to also look at other factors.
Pretty much everyone agrees that the 7.3L is a more reliable engine than the 6.0L, but the automatic transmission behind the 6.0L (5R110W) is a much better towing transmissionthan the automatic transmission behind the 7.3L (4R100).
The 2005+ trucks also have bigger brakes and coil springs on the front suspension, which equates to a sharper turning radius.
When it's all laid out, a 6.0L truck can usually be acquired for less money. ARP head studs, some deletions or upgraded parts under the hood can make the engine reliable, powerful and durable.
Pretty much everyone agrees that the 7.3L is a more reliable engine than the 6.0L, but the automatic transmission behind the 6.0L (5R110W) is a much better towing transmissionthan the automatic transmission behind the 7.3L (4R100).
The 2005+ trucks also have bigger brakes and coil springs on the front suspension, which equates to a sharper turning radius.
When it's all laid out, a 6.0L truck can usually be acquired for less money. ARP head studs, some deletions or upgraded parts under the hood can make the engine reliable, powerful and durable.
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If you can get a good enough deal on a 6.0 they are great. But you need to find one that has been studded correctly and not run to death with too much tune. Or one that is not and plan on dropping the coin yourself to stud the thing. Properly built and tuned the 6.0 will beat the 7.3 on mpg. Or just go with any 7.3 that is still running and they are good to go. Do you need a diesel? A gas truck might be just as good an option if you don't need to tow a lot.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 409
Likes: 106
From: Wasilla
If your budget is firm, and you want to keep the truck for a while, look for a 7.3 with a manual transmission that has been taken care of and is not from the rust belt. But be aware finding parts for the older trucks is an increasing challenge. If you can afford to invest more over time look at an 2005-2007 6.0 with an automatic. Again one that has been taken care of and is not from the rust belt. Then go through everything as budget permits. With good management and planning you will wind up with an really nice, mostly newish truck with 25-30K total investment. Good Luck, Russ
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 23
From: Tennessee
has had the
I have owned both and my 2001 7.3 was a problem truck ie: injectors, wiring harness, and fuel injection module. I trade for a 6.0 and have way fewer problems and am still happy with it. I have don 2 turbo cleanings and the turbo was replaced under warranty also. I have done ball joints and 3 pinion. seals in 108,000 miles. It now needs 2 injectors.
Oh yes, welcome to the forum.
I think the key to success with a 6.0 was maintaining the cooling system. I started flushing and changing the coolant at 20,000 miles and still use the Ford yellow gold coolant.
I would look for a low mileage truck either way you go.
My 2001 SRW 7.3 4x4 with a 3.73 rear end got around 19 mpg on the road. The 03 dually with a 4:10 rear end will barely 16.5 mpg on the highway.
It is the luck of the draw when buying a 20 year old truck or car.
Good luck in your search.
Ok. I know its been beat to death but I might have a different scenario to consider.
Which would you buy ? I need a good farm truck that gets the best mpg. Don't care about bells and whistles or how it looks. Power is non issue as its only for highway and commuting. Strictly for a feed truck that can handle a lot of highway miles. Willing to modify to make it more reliable. If you had to buy and make one the most economical to drive which would it be? budget is 10-15k. 4x4 a must.
Thank you everyone.
Which would you buy ? I need a good farm truck that gets the best mpg. Don't care about bells and whistles or how it looks. Power is non issue as its only for highway and commuting. Strictly for a feed truck that can handle a lot of highway miles. Willing to modify to make it more reliable. If you had to buy and make one the most economical to drive which would it be? budget is 10-15k. 4x4 a must.
Thank you everyone.
Oh yes, welcome to the forum.
I think the key to success with a 6.0 was maintaining the cooling system. I started flushing and changing the coolant at 20,000 miles and still use the Ford yellow gold coolant.
I would look for a low mileage truck either way you go.
My 2001 SRW 7.3 4x4 with a 3.73 rear end got around 19 mpg on the road. The 03 dually with a 4:10 rear end will barely 16.5 mpg on the highway.
It is the luck of the draw when buying a 20 year old truck or car.
Good luck in your search.
Last edited by Tennesseepowerstroke; Dec 22, 2020 at 07:47 PM. Reason: spelling
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I had an early 99 f250, 2wd, 7.3. Bought it at 92,000, gave it to my son with 407,000 miles. Always pulled 6000 lbs work trailer,. I replaced 3 sets of batteries, had ball joints replaced, transmission rebuilt at 300,000, probably 3 sets of brakes, u joints at 405,000. Best truck I ever had, I now have 2016 f250, 4wd, with 183,000 miles. Truck came from oilfield., that's ok with me. I don't know much about 6.0, heard too much wrong about them.
good luck
good luck
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
Mine was a '97 OBS with the 7.3 and E4OD transmission.
While the tranny sucked buttermilk, the truck itself was trouble-free. If well-maintained, these will approach the million-mile range.
It wasn't a strong tow-vehicle, but it was as reliable as a hammer and it never gave me any problems. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.
While the tranny sucked buttermilk, the truck itself was trouble-free. If well-maintained, these will approach the million-mile range.
It wasn't a strong tow-vehicle, but it was as reliable as a hammer and it never gave me any problems. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
I've owned both from new, 1999 F350 7.3 4x4 CC Dually, and a 2005 F350 6.0 4x4 CC Dually. Traded the 1999 on the 2005, big mistake. While the 6.0 was like a hot rod it quickly developed problems. Got rid of it while it was still under warranty. The 99 was the best truck I ever had. Currently have a 2002 CC F550 no problems. I'm the second owner 150,000 miles on her. Just wish it was 4x4.
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carbonboy2000
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