Hey everyone,
Here's an update:
I got my truck (2003 F350 6.0L PS) back, from dealer #5, 2 days ago. Those of you familiar with my story know what I mean, I won't re-explain it other than 5 dealership in a months time. It seems to run just fine, but then it always does until it just shuts off - with now warning.'

Soooooooo... with all of your fine advice, I have decided to trade the SOB in on a 2000-2003 7.3L with low miles.

I have been looking all day - not being picky about color etc, only a few minor requirements. I did find one, but they wanted to take mine for almost half ($10k) of what KBB suggests ($16.7k) for trade in value. Mine is in GREAT shape, and I did the quote in KBB over estimating my mileage (160k now) He said they have buyers who are into high mileage diesels, but they have gotten stuck with them in the past and lose money so they have to confirm the buyers' buying price before they can accept it - and the buyers price was. $10k for a 03 Lariat DRW with all the perks, and only slight dings and scratches... I think not!!!!!!!

Anyway, I have been looking on Cars.com and motortrend.com (which was painful with now advanced search criteria, sorting through hundreds of trucks). Do any of you know any other good sites to browse trucks across the nation @ dealerships?

I really don't want to stay with Ford BUT everyone swears by the 7.3 and I am afraid to go with Chevy because I have heard Duramax is pooooooooooo - but the tranny is great - what to do?

Any help and advice would be awesome!
I just need to get out of this untrustworthy heap of... well you know!

 

these guys are great. really nice people:

eaglediesel.com

 

Loca, I avoided getting into the pissin match that your original thread became, but I was concerned for you anyway. I'm really glad to hear you are back in the drivers seat, and I hope the truck is truly fixed.

In that same light, I hope you give your current truck a chance to prove itself, one way or the other. They don't all suck, and let's suppose that it really is fixed this time. You've put a lot of money into it already getting the repairs, and you'll really lose big time trading it right now.

Lot's of guys here on FTE stand in long lines to dump on 6.0L and try to win converts back to the 7.3L. That's okay, that's what they believe, but there really are happy 6.0 owners out here. Even early 2003 models.

My advice is to give it as much time as you can before jumping ship. If it craps out tomorrow then you'll know, but with luck it won't do you wrong again.

Best of luck from here on out.
Bill

 

Craigslist, Auto Extra, Auto Trader are all good places to hunt.

 

Bill I see where you are coming from, but I simply cannot trust it anymore, and I can't wait to see IF it craps out again, and frankly - my wallet can't afford it either. I had to pay this last dealer $900 AGAIN to fix the problem, which I am cetain is related (the part had to be taken off and put back on by 3 of the 5 dealers in order to change the injectors - doesn't seem like coincidence to me)

At this point, I don't mind having the little extra I owe on it put onto a new loan just to get away from it.

My neighbor across the street has an 04 King Ranch - same exact truck - I talked to him yesterday and coincidentally he had just taken a new engine over to a dealer farther away (the dealer here, that mine was at, was going to WAY overcharge him) and later I saw his truck picked up on a tow truck and hauled away. He said something with the EGR? - cooler maybe? (hes a southerner, and me being from cali, sometimes I cannot understand what they say LOL - i get tired of saying "say that again") anyway he has had problems with his issue - and it threw the main bearing out - hence new engine time.

Oh another ? just popped in my head - Since my year came out with 7.3 and 6.0 - can i put a 7.3 in mine? He said he cannot in his, but it may be possible with mine.

Thanks for the help with the links - more hours of searching to follow now...

 

Not economically. Anything can be done given enough money, but ...

Bill

 

anyone know if you can search all cities on craigslist - i can only see to choose a specific city/area - and i really dont want to search every one

 

found it

 

I would be willing to bet that you will love the 7.3 mine is at 316000 miles and still going strong.
I would steer clear of chevy... you know, they no longer use solid front axles in their trucks with the newest generation. Even their one-ton vehicles...tisk tisk tisk

 

autotrader.com and craigslist.com found mine my brothers trucks a 79 benz and others bikes and boats, those two alwas do me right.

i think your doin the right thing tradin you gotta trust your truck especially in your situation, a 05 and up 6.0 is a great motor before that was hit or miss. the 7.3s are great and have been since early 90s, almost wish i had one now after driven one for a year and my brother havin one, but my at work we have 2 6.0s that are fantastic (06s).

youll be happy with a 7.3, the chevy does generally ride smoother (result of losing the solid axle) and i have heard some good things about newer duramax alot of people switched in 03/04 with the 6.0 problems i just know the ford is a tougher work truck from experience. dodge has great diesel but truck aint so good (in my opinion durability wise) mostly it seems to me they are shooting for more of a city/daily driver/light duty truck market, thats why it looks more sporty and they have rumble bee and srt and daytona.

7.3 ford they last forever very little problems might need a cam shaft position sensor at 100k miles, easy fix 50 bucks.

good luck

 

Try GetAuto.comthats where i look. Shows cars from just about any dealership.

 

316k miles!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THAT is how a truck is supposed to do it!!!!

That is awesome, and I am so happy for you - I hope I become as fortunate in the future.

I am having a hard time finding one that matches all of my criteria (and I don't think I am being that picky) - if any of you happen to know or see any trucks that would fit, or somewhere that may have one please let me know.

2000-2003 7.3L PS
manual OR auto
Lariat or better preferred but not necessary (I would hate to downgrade)
4x4
DRW NOT preferred but I will deal with them if the right truck comes along
Crew Cab
Tow package
LOW miles!!!!!!!
ANY color (other than something GOD AWEFUL - like orange etc)
i think thats it...

I have livestock and need a truck with some ***! But I like to ride in style too!
LOL back to hunting...

 

thanks fellas - more searching to be had

 

I FOUND IT!!!

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

This is the EXACT twin to my truck, minus the grille and bug guard - only its the 7.3!!!!
Thank you all so much for the helpful insight!
Now the only problem is me having to go up to New York to get it hahahaha (hope I don't break down)
There is another that is gray also, in Wisconsin, with the same amount of miles - but they don't have pics yet as the truck hasn't been detailed. They are asking more money for theirs though.

So my next question, do I need to worry about rust with it being in New York, road salt from snow etc?

I have always come from non-snowy climates so I am not sure when it comes to this. I can't wait to call them tomorrow!

If anyone looks at the link and sees something I don't PLEASE comment - I have been searching all day and my eyes ARE tired!

 

Yes, you do need to be worried about rust! NY is horrible in the winter. My entire extended family lives in upstate NY and they continually buy new vehicles every 2-4 years because of it.

If you do get a chance to see the truck in person, look over the undercarrage very carefully! If you notice fresh paint...stay away. The paint is just a cover-up for the rust (or other problems). The paint thing still applies to ANY used vehicle you look at. I've seen frame rot you could stick 3 fingers in that was covered up with bondo....and it was sitting at a respectable dealership too...