how long does the 7.3L last?
#16
Originally Posted by Orezona
All Ford vs the other brand aside, this is some very solid advice. Rep points due, because you brought a dead-end thread to some useful information.
#17
Originally Posted by Budkole
???? I cant believe what im reading! Surely you must be kidding ....and why make excuses for ford or international?
#18
met a guy who worked in detroit for ford and he stated that the 7.3 was designed to go 1mil miles on 50k mile coolant changes and 3-5k mile oil changes. straight from a ford/international engine engineers mouth, that doesn't mean the trans. will and definatley not the expected things like water pump,alternator,starter but he swears 1 million miles. sure would be nice if he is right
#19
7.3 or bust
If you are looking for a high mileage truck, I would definitely go with the ford. The cummins is probably in good shape. . . but the truck isn't. Engine aside, I have never really seen a dodge outlast anything. They just aren't built as solid and with as good materials. Now if I were buying a lower mileage truck, I would still go with the Ford. One. . . it will last better in the higher mileage years. . . and the V block sounds so much better than the inline. you can't go wrong reliability wise with either the cummins for the 7.3. . . but the engine doesn't always make the truck. There are vital components connecting the engine to the road. And ford is #1 in my book for that one.
Ford. . . looks good, sounds good, and will be around for a long time. . . plus nobody ever says. . . "its still a ford" despite the engine and any mods
Tim
Ford. . . looks good, sounds good, and will be around for a long time. . . plus nobody ever says. . . "its still a ford" despite the engine and any mods
Tim
#20
I'm new to this sit but have been swaping motors for a while like most my life and the 5.9 for a 7.3 is popular but few and far between.its very intimidating.I have had my hand in 2 or them.the best thing to do is find a salvaged truck.just have a lot of time and a thick billfold.O and a 3208 in a ford, go to a truck pull in Merced CA.the radiator is mounted in the bed.my buddy runs a detroit 4 banger.not fast but will pull a house down.
#21
I recently sold my 1996 f250 with 280,000 on the clock and although it still ran great it did have its fair share of problems. I smoked bad on startup and had some blow by but the motor was never the concern. The problem with a high mileage truck is all the parts conected to it and then it nickel and dimes ya to death. Not to mention it has a lot of miles on it to be negelcted by lots of different owners. Beware especially of the transmissions, or at least the autos.
#22
Well, I just purchased my first PSD, a 2002 F350 7.3L this summer with 212,000 miles and I'm darn proud of my purchase. I've had no issues at all with the engine OR transmission. Had to replace the drag link and a set of tires when I purchased it and of course I changed the oil & filter, but that was it. I'm looking forward to many years and many miles! I average about 12K per year, so check back with me in about 7-1/2 years, when I hit 300,000 !
Last edited by PA_Ford_Man; 01-18-2007 at 06:33 AM.
#23
Ditto, Pa_Ford_Man !!
Differences between your and my situation are:
114K on the clock,
making my first oil/filter changes this weekend,
absolutely NO maintenance issues
the 265 Michelins were virtually new when I got it
When they check with you in 2013 for the 300,000 mile update, I'll only be at about 210,000 miles.
Differences between your and my situation are:
114K on the clock,
making my first oil/filter changes this weekend,
absolutely NO maintenance issues
the 265 Michelins were virtually new when I got it
When they check with you in 2013 for the 300,000 mile update, I'll only be at about 210,000 miles.
#25
Originally Posted by FasterGun
Check out the ex 'Heavy Equipment service truck' in my gallery...
Its now on a new life as one of my welding trucks....
F-450, 161000 miles
Its now on a new life as one of my welding trucks....
F-450, 161000 miles
#26
I have a 95 powerstroke that has over 240k on it. in the last year it has had all of its problems. Before then none. But all typical things. I just put in its first cam position sensor in today. Its has alt. and water pump and i just blew a powersteering hose, and just had a tranny rebuilt. just normal stuff that goes wrong after 200k. But the moter itself is in great shape. its all the wear and tear parts that is breaking.
#28
I had a 92 that had over 300K on her when I sold it, it is still going strong today,
My 99 had over 260K on it when I purchased it, and has over 286K now. It has been a good truck. I pull a 5th wheel flatbed with a compact tractor on it and it does a good job. Like some others have said, a little background checking in the truck you are about to purchase will help you and your decision. If regular Maintenance was being done, and the truck dosen't seem to have any noticible problems, and the price is right, I would not hesitate at the chance to buy a hi milage SD 7.3. There is alway's going to be the normal wear and tear items to replace no matter what the milage. Just spend some time on here and search alot of threads, to get more knowledge on these trucks, and you can't go wrong. Just my .02
My 99 had over 260K on it when I purchased it, and has over 286K now. It has been a good truck. I pull a 5th wheel flatbed with a compact tractor on it and it does a good job. Like some others have said, a little background checking in the truck you are about to purchase will help you and your decision. If regular Maintenance was being done, and the truck dosen't seem to have any noticible problems, and the price is right, I would not hesitate at the chance to buy a hi milage SD 7.3. There is alway's going to be the normal wear and tear items to replace no matter what the milage. Just spend some time on here and search alot of threads, to get more knowledge on these trucks, and you can't go wrong. Just my .02
#29
All i can say is we have many Ambulances where i work that are 7.3s with over 300,000 on them. Our ambulances take a lot of abuse with temps in summer and winter and stop and go coming in after a 12 hr shift and going right back out and the engine running for most of the shift. They still run just fine. look at airports city vehicles and public service vehicles and see how many are 7.3s and 6.0's a lot.