I have an '02 F-350 with the 7.3. Love 'em both, still a real nice truck with low miles. Thought I might upgrade to the '06 with the 6.0. I heard a lot of mixed feelings about the reliability, power and economy of the 6.0. I also don't want to buy the new truck and then they come out with an awesome engine and new body style. Also don't want to wait for a new engine and it turn into a flop! Any opinions?

 

If i was in your shoes i would wait a few years and see what happens with the new engine and body style to see if you like it. If you don't like the new body style or the engine is a total flop (not likely..) you can always find a used 06.

 

For a start, welcome to FTE!!!

How desperately do you want a new truck? How many miles do you have on your current rig? What do you do with your truck?

If you can live with your 7.3l for another year to 18months, check out the 6.4l, and if it doesn't seem to be to your liking, slightly used 06 6.0l's will still be around.

 

My '02 has only 33k and looks new. I was worried about the emissions that were taking effect in '07 and thought I should get one of the last '06s to be safe. I was assuming the newer engines would have problems. It sounds like many Ford guys are holding their breath for that engine over the 6.0.

 

I'd say wait.

I'm unsure how big of an effect the new low sulfur fuel will have to our 7.3L. I was reading somewhere that the sulfur adds lubrication to the system...and aids the injectors over an extended period of time. Thoughts?

 

Unsure to be honest. In my '99 I ran off road fuel (illegally), regular road fuel, and bio diesel - they all seemed to run about the same. I haven't been keeping up with the new emission laws and fuel requirements, but I understand they are getting considerably stricker. I appreciate your opinion. I think I will wait to see what happens with the new engines. I like my truck, plus there is a bit of a horsepower war going on, and Ford is currently at the bottom, I don't think they will stand for that for long. I worry the new engine will go down the same path as all the newer engines - higher reving engines. The 7.3 generates more power at a lower rpm, I like that in a diesel.

 

i have a 2002 7.3 as my personal truck, and my work truck is a 2006 f-250 6.0 FX4 SCSB.

you are right about the engines, the 6.0 loves to be revved, and can safely be revved when stock. you can see 3500 no problem with acceleration. the torqueshift transmission is AWESOME! i love driving the 6.0 when in an aggressive mood. it handles awesome (firm but not hard) because of the FX4 package. the front coil springs ride very nice, it is a pleasure to turn with it. it's wheelbase is also 30'' shorter than my truck, so keep that in mind. i also love how the 6.0 sounds. very different, and i like that.

my 2002 is a great truck too, can't forget that. in stock form, it can't touch my work truck. but i have lots of stuff done to my truck, and it can easily blow by even a modded 6.0. it also likes to be lugged. i can easily pull hills at 1500 rpm in OD, when i can pull the same hill in my work truck and it will have to shift one or TWO times to maintain the same speed. the 6.0 is a high-strung engine, whilst the 7.3 likes to be kept below 2500 for best torque and mileage. since it is an automatic, i have done some mods (sonnax, TC lockup, chip has custom transmission burns too) to make this thing put the power to the ground, because it is pretty weak in stock form unlike the torqueshift. i am going to upgrade my stocktorque converter to a stock 6.0 converter soon, because it is triple-disk (will give the same great torque transferring style when not locked up as the 6.0 has) and it is relatively cheap, with adapters.

if i were you, i would keep the 7.3 unless you have $45000 to blow on a new truck. i believe that FMC has worked out almost all of the problems by the 2005 model year. we have a 2004 f-550 with the 6.0, and it has been nothing but problems. my 2006 only has 1200 miles, but no problems. i would keep the truck you have now, and if you feel the need for more power, come browse the 1999.5-2003 7.3 powerstroke forum, and we can direct you to what will fit you best. you will not believe how detuned the 7.3's are in stock form. i have heard that the 7.3 is factory tuned to 50% of it's potential. the way i have mine now, it is about 80% tuned to "unsafe limits" and it can haul ***, but still have longevity. come on over to the 7.3 forum.

 

strokin is the 6.0 alot quieter in the cab ??

 

Hey guys I was just wondering if the auto trans in the 7.3 is a good,reliable transmission.I have never driven a 7.3 with an auto, ONLY A 6.0 WITH A TORQSHIFT.Is there a big difference in reliability?

 

In my opinion, YES.
The 4R100 (trans behind a 7.3l) is quite good with an aftermarket "make-over".
The 5R110 (torqshift) is a great transmission standard.

 

I would say the 4r100 is good for at least 100,000 miles from our experience.(2000 7.3 at 118,000+ and a 99.5 7.3 at 85,000 without being rebuilt) As long as you aren't hopping up the power on it. If you want to turn it into a race truck you would probably be best off with a tranny build up.