OK, I'm going to buy my first diesel. Looking for a F250 or F350 2wd to tow my travel trailer. Love my 5.4 F150, but just want more power, more brakes, and more truck.

With my budget, I am going to have to buy used, and with all the reading I've been doing lot's of folks love thier older 7.3's and lots of folks love thier 6.0's. I'm looking at 2000-2003's. Well 2003's have both!

What is your opinion on the differances between an older (2000ish) 7.3 or later model (2003 or 2004) 6.0. Also, is the later 6.0's better.

Thanks for your help.

 

I don't want to start a 6.0 bash, but I would either buy a 7.3, any year really, but 99-2000 have good forged rods, or buy an '04 Cummins or Dmax if you want an '04 diesel. I would never buy a 2003/4 6.0 as there have been endless problems with these motors. I know several people first hand that have had terrible problems. If you want a 6.0, I would say at least go with an '05 or later. They seem to have fixed several of the notorious problems in the newer year trucks. Not trying to be harsh, just trying to save you big problems!

 

well, it was the 7.3's best year as far as im concerned, alot better features on the truck also, such as an available sport package, heated mirrors, etc (mirrors with turn signal). It was also the first year for the 6.0, and it had ALOT of teething problems. I'm not saying that every 6.0 produced was a lemon, however alot of them had problems. The main reason was not enough time on Ford's part due to tighter emissions standards, which forced Ford to release this engine sooner than they wanted to. The first two years of production was basically a guinea pig state for the owners. We had a 2004 F-550, a second year production truck. It was eventually bought back by ford with only 25,000 miles on it, and the engine had blown up 5 times like clockwork every 5-6000 miles. Well we have learned that this was the only truck that they know of that has been acting like this, and FMC has spent well over a million dollars in tools and equipment to try and diagnose what was happening. Engineers from England, Germany and France all have came over and scratched their heads as to what is wrong. My point being is that i personally would not buy a 6.0 made in 2003 or 2004. We do have a 2006 and two 2007 trucks with the 6.0, all doing very well. Actually the 2007 f-550 was the replacement truck and it's alot nicer with the new frontend and axle, redesigned interior, etc. If you can find a 03 or 04 6.0 truck with a full service history and NO known major problems (an OASIS report will find the shop visits), then i would say you are OK. However due to my personal experience, i would stick to a 05 or newer if you want the 6.0

Now to the good part about a 6.0. If you are going to be towing, it takes several modifications to the 7.3 engine and transmission (Automatic) to get it to perform to the STOCK power of a 6.0 The automatic transmission on the 6.0 is AMAZING with the tow-haul, it is just a treat to drive it, having so much power and such a nice transmission. The 7.3 is a real workhorse, very reliable. If you are towing and want to have just a reliable tow mule, then the 7.3 is for you. The 7.3 and a manual transmission is damn-near bulletproof. The automatic transmission seems to be the weak link on the 7.3's.

 

The late model 6 oh's seem to be a little less problematic. If it were me I wouldn't touch an 03 or 04, unless you make alot of money in Vegas, For proven reliability get yourself a clean 7.3. Will it be as fast as a 6 oh ? Probly not Will it make as much power stock? No. What it will do is pull your trailer for half a million miles if you take care of her.

 

You'll get a ton of opinions, both good and bad about each engine. I suggest going out and test driving both trucks to see which one you like best.

 

enough said about the 6.0.


As far as the 7.3L is concerned:

If you want to get into the big mods and play in the higher HP range (i.e. 400-500hp) go with the 99-2000 models with the forged rods. You can go plenty crazy with the mods on the 2000+ 7.3L's but you are playing with fire if you push her over 400 hp. I guess it all depends what you want the truck for. Either way you can't go wrong.... I have a 2003 7.3L and love driving her.

Just have fun test driving, look over the truck real good, and see which one gives you the "I gotta have this one feeling"....

Merry Christmas!

 

Check out this post for things to look for in a 7.3
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

 

my not so very stock 7.3 out tows my neighbors stock 6.0, pulling the same length Montana 5th wheels,
I did get to drive his, and drove nice, but if mine blew up today, id buy another 7.3 tomorrw, though it would be a WOP motor. but still a 7.3.

MERRY X-MAS TO ALL AND TO ALL WISH FOR A DP TUNER.

 

What is a WOP motor? Happy Holiday to you as well!

 

It is an engine builder, with lot's of innovative stuff. Wide Open Performance.

 

OK, what a lot of info! This is almost as much fun as asking regular or syn oil!

What I'm looking for is an older truck that I can afford, AT, and I'm going to use it to tow either a travel trailer or a 5th wheel and my car trailer. I'm basically only going to use it to tow or weekend warrier stuff. I'm thinking 2000-2003 7.3 with everything I'm reading.

 

Good choice. You won't be disappointed.

 

Thank you guys for all your input.

Stroker, did you see my signature? I laughed out loud when I read your tag line. I chuckle everytime I sit in my civic, it's like driving a go-cart!

(2000 Honda Civic (sorry only for 100mile commute!))

 

1999 and 2000 7.3 had forged metal rods try to see if you can get hands on them.

 

Also, if you get to looking at a 2001 model I believe it was, there was about a 6 month run of auto trannies that had a diode in them. Stay away from that. If you think you might be considering one of those, post back and I will tell you which dates they were used.

Edit: WTH, here's the link.