Not that most of you knew I left lol.

I sold my 7.3 a year ago mostly because the body was going and I didn't want to get into that at all and I needed a very reliable truck to do a trip to Utah and back pulling a big fifth wheel.
I ended up buying a 2012 F450 CC, LB, King Ranch with air ride hitch and suspension. Its an amazing truck and did everything it was supposed to but is too large for my regular needs. I am selling it now and am looking for its replacement, which brings me back to here.

Am I crazy for wanting to go back to a 7.3??? lol Is it too old of a truck/platform for the future, like 10+ years? Are parts going to be an issue going forward?
Is a 20+ year old truck too old to be a wise purchase for a daily driver and whatever else is required of a truck ?
I'm asking these questions to you guys because I've found a common mindset on this forum.

I'm thinking either 3/4 or 1 ton, dually or not but as I look I realize that I really don't trust or like the other options out there for one reason or another, which brings me back to Ford. I definitely do not want anything (Ford) between 2003.5 and 2013. Then the question of gas or diesel. With the price of fuel right now and the fact that I don't actually need a diesel makes me think maybe I should save a bunch on the purchase price and fuel costs and go with a gasser.
The newer trucks are VERY nice inside with all the options but I can't help but see all the potential problems that come with them lol.
I'm not looking for new either, not interested in payments....

So this is where I'm at. I really like the simplicity of the 7.3 and the fact that I can do the work myself. I am very familiar with the 7.3, after owning one for 15 years and have an idea of what I would like to do to it if I did get one.
The gas engines (probably 6.2) would be much newer and have much less miles than a diesel. Twhhe 6.7 diesel is on the table to for sure.

What is everyones thoughts on what you would buy and why?

Thank you all who spent the time to read my "plight".
And double thank you to any who respond.

 

im sticking with my 95

People in the IDI area are keeping their non electronic beasts running

Do what you want! dont worry about our stinky opinions

 

Eeew dude. What are you eating for your opinion to be stinky?

 

from a maintenance view point,
I would get the V10 gasser if I have to replace my current 7.3L diesel

why?
I have a 2001 K1500 Suburban that towed my 8000 lb toy hauler for years.
yes, that 5.3L gas engine is anemic with 3.73 gears,
if I let it wind up in 2nd gear, it will run 75 mph all day long hauling the mail because it does not start developing Torque until it hits 3,000 rpm....

that 5.3 gas engine has a big Plus to it.
the only thing I have had to do, was replace the Intake Manifold gaskets and the PVC

it is a bit tired at 230k miles, but it starts and runs like Brand New today, still yet. Totally reliable and will take me anywhere I want to go.

but, it needs the gear set changed to pull 8k loads.

the diesels have low end Torque, but we pay for that with increased maintenance.... I have put as much into my Excursion as I paid for it 2 years ago.... if I had bought a V 10, all I would have done, is change the rear differential to a higher number than 3.73

 

Welcome back! Tough choice.

I won’t try to bend you any direction, but I don’t think the 7.3 is going to be obsolete any time soon. Lots of them still on the road. Riffraff, CNC Fab, and KC Turbos are regularly coming out with new products.

Check out the video in this other thread by KC. Shoot, maybe you can win their giveaway. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...deas-here.html

 

I think any are good options. Set a budget and start looking around to see what you find. The 7.3 will be around for many more years so don’t let that deter you.

 

If I could JUSTIFY spending 50k on a decent used truck vs building the 6.7 I want 120k I would have one.

Then again my father has a brand new king ranch ultimate and that is loosing 5k a year on trade in. I can justify spending 5-800 a year on my 7.3 vs 5-800 a month for a payment and then loosing 5k on top of that.

Plus I like the way it sounds when I hit the skinny pedal.

Only you know what’s best, if you can work on them and can be ok with having to replace a couple things here and there every year, the 7.3 is a smart move.

 

Thanks again for all the input!
It is a tough choice! lol I guess it might come down to whether or not I can actually find a 7.3 worth owing and priced reasonably.

I really have nothing against gasers, I've just been drawn to the longevity of the diesel and after my great experience with the 7.3 I find myself wanting to go back to it.

So I guess my next question would be, does anyone have a line on one of these trucks? My preferences are cc,lb, no rust and the zf6.

Lets see where this goes

 

I got my 7.3 because 6.7's while nice are stupid priced for a working vehicle and dealing w/ emissions on them is bs.

7.3's are fairly simple and at the moment I'm still young enough to work on it myself - and it's tractor simple. I may not be able to in a few more years, but hopefully I'll have a few years of little work to do on it before I 'time-out'.