Well, I'm due for a new vehicle here in another 100,000 miles or so , and it's for sure going to be another pickup. I have given some thought to a F-250SD. My pops has an '02 4x4 CC 7.3L. I've driven it quite a bit since he's had it and been quite impressed with the ride, handling, and power it has. Especially the ride, not bad for something with a solid front axle! Yeah, it's a little un-wieldy in a parking lot, and you can forget about parking garages, but I don't deal with those often. I don't have to haul heavy loads or tow often, I just want something that will last a long time. I've been impressed with the longevity of these trucks. My pop's truck has 100,000 on it, still feels brand new.

I guess my question is what do I look for/avoid when shopping for these trucks. I know the 6.0L has been a troublesome engine. I'll probably have to settle on one with 80,000 miles or more on it, which is nothing for a diesel engine. What about the rest of the truck? Just thought I'd ask the Super Duty gurus

 

6.0 PSD engines are good engines. There were a few bad ones, but an Oasis report will uncover those. Any potential defects in the engine were generally unceovered and repaired within the first 50,000 miles. The engines gained a bad reputation because of repeat visits to correct a problem, which was more a problem of the technician training and dealer customer service than it was the engine itself.

Automatic transmissions; 4R100 transmissions are OK, but you should probably budget for a rebuild every 100k or so. 5R110W transmissions (used on 6.0 engines and later gas engines) is a better option.

Manual transmissions are very solid.

4 wheel drive; ESOF systems are undependable and problematic. Automatic hubs can be easily converted to manual hubs. With any 4x4 truck, examine the front hubs closely. With the hubs free and the transfer case in 2H, make sure the front axle stub on each side can turn. If it can't, you probably have some hub maintenance issues to address.

Gas engines; 5.4 and 6.8 gas engines are very dependable. Spark plug spitting on the 2 valve engines does happen, but the problem is greatly exagerated and can be fixed with thread inerts.

7.3 PSD; Great engine, only bad point being the Camshaft Positioning Sensor, or CPS (also called CMP or CAMP) sensor. Inexpensive, fast and easy to change.

Suspension - if the truck you are looking at is lifted, pay VERY close attention to the method used. Some owners do things like stack lift blocks between the leaf springs and the axle.

2005 and newer trucks have a coil spring front suspension with a tighter turning radius, but even then don't expect to whip thru a parking lot like you're driving a Miata.

If I was in the used truck market, I would probably look for a 7.3 PSD manual transmission 4x4 truck, cab and bed in your choice of configurations.

 

Yeah i agree with Redford....

Get a first generation 7.3L Superduty.

 

Thanks Redford, mstiles for the replies. I agree, too. The 7.3L is a proven engine.

Of course, by the time I'm ready to get another vehicle, some of the new 6.4L's might be in my price range!