I am not trying to fan the flames, but I am sure this will.

I have done a lot of searches and research on this subject but most of the information has been based on new truck purchases.

I am looking for a F-250 SC 4x4. I have been looking at used ones in the $15,000 to $20,000 range, usually right about $18,000. On average I am looking at a 1999 or 2000 PSD with 110,000 to 130,000 miles or a 1999 to 2001 V-10 with 50,000 to 90,000.

If the condition and trim level/options are equal which one on average would be a more reliable vehicle.

I will be using this truck for camping and road trips. I live in the Colorado Rockies at an elevation of 6,600 feet and make monthly trips to Denver (400+ miles round trip) over several passes along I-70. The winters are cold and I do not have easy access to a plug for a block heater, as we live in a townhouse with only one garage (and the wife gets it for the Volvo). I don't have to use it as my primary vehicle because I have a company truck (a Toyota Tundra-don't get me started on this pos). So it will be sitting outside for days at a time.

I have never owned a deisel, but I am not afraid of them and am actually leaning that way because of the whole resale of a high milage truck, but I am want to know what the regular service is for a 7.3 PSD and what I should do as soon as I buy a PSD with that kind of milage for peace of mind.

I plan on keeping the truck for 5 years and driving 75,000 to 100,000 miles over that time. I do not own anything that I need to pull but would like to have a pull behind camper or a pop up camper shell in the next few years

Also, can someone explain to me what thermal cycles are.

So back to my original question, all things being equal which is a better purchase? The 1999 or 2000 PSD with 110,000 to 130,000 miles or a 1999 to 2001 V-10 with 50,000 to 90,000?

 

Yo, Mtn. Folk. Here's the skinny on the thermal cycle. How many times has the engine been brought up to operating temperature, and then cooled off to ambient (the air temp where the truck is). If it was used as a grocery chaser, the diesel probably will last no longer than the gas. Large semis run several hundred or a thousand miles between cycles, hence the long engine life. Lots of cars, on the other hand, are only run a couple of miles, and that's why you see some with only 60,000 or 70,000 that smoke like a fiend. The soccer mom PSD is not the one to buy, I'd go for the gas model (cheaper from the start), especially if you are not going to be towing. I have the v-10 in Idaho, but would go with the diesel if doing it again, some of our hills are steep and long. Towing a boat (4,200+ lbs.) slows it down pretty well, but unloaded, there is no problem. That's my take on the deal.

 

i can say from experience that 6600' elevation WILL have an effect on performance!

will it make the truck undrivable??? NO.
will it use more gas, AND have less power up in the hills? YES. your foot will be on the floor far more than at say, 2500', and this will use fuel.
the diesel will get better milage up there, and have far more power due to being force inducted.
now, my colorado experience is limited, but i really doubt you ever encounter temps where you HAVE to plug in to get the truck started...wisconsin, some parts of idaho, and much of the northern east coast, ABSOLUTLY.
i live at 4000', and FREQUINTLY drive in the 7500-9000' range with my psd, and there is not much difference in performance...some, but not anything like the power drop off i had with my 01 mustang gt.

i say, get a 04 6.0L, finance it for a decade, and have some fun! :-)


good luck either way.

 

Im with Matt, bye a New one, seems like alot, but after 5 yrs, youll have it about PD for, and at the same mileage, your thinking of buying now. Some people may not agree, but i bought a 97' Expedition, with 88k miles on it little over a yr ago , it now has 110k on it, hardly any problems, but still paying for it, with alot of miles on it.

Buy what ya want .

Later,,,,,,,,,,,Mark

 

I was out 2 weekends ago in nw Colorado. Temps in the morning were -9F. I have a 2001 Powerstroke and I still have 15w40 oil. I did not plug it in (forgot the extension cord). It took 4 tries to get it to start, but it did. Ran rough for awhile, but not too bad.

I live in Denver. I never plug it in.

Steve