Hello, I've been a member of FTE for a while, buy I'm new to this forum. I've been riding my motorcycle exclusively for a number of years and had been planning to but a 68-71 Ranger "someday." However, I have moved back to Texas from Florida now and I'm afraid that my days of year-around riding are coming to an end. That plus the fact that I'll be using a truck for more practical purposes now has me interested in something more along the lines of a later model F250 Super Duty. I plan to play it safe and look for a 7.3L PSD (as opposed to a 6.0L.) Unfortunately, these trucks are hard to find used with a manual transmission, and I've read that the 4R100 is the weak link in these trucks.

I don't plan to do a lot of hauling but there is a good chance that I will need to pull the occasional cattle trailer or utility trailer. There is a definite possibility of pulling a fifth-wheel RV in the near future.

I would like to hear some opinions as to what years I should avoid and what years I should target. Also, I hope to stay around an $8500 budget. I should be buying around the end of this month.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from y'all.

 

For the 7.3, I would stay within the years of 99.5 to 03'. Find the one in the best shape with the lowest miles. You can't go wrong.

 

That's good to hear because I've been looking in that neighborhood as it is in my price range, thanks. Seems I read somewhere that the 4R100 was not so problematic after 2005. Should I be looking closely at transmissions for the years mentioned in the last post?

 

The 4R100 is only in the 7.3. The 5R110 is behind the 6.0. The early to mid 01' trucks have the trans with the Diode in it, like my truck. I never had any work done to my trans with 120,000 miles. When it does give up, I will get a BTS. Maybe before it gives up.

 

I know i dont have a 7.3, i have a v-10, but i do have the 4R100 and i have 140k and havent had any work done on it and by all means, i dont baby it lol. I just change the fluid every 20 to 25k with what ford recommends for that tranny

 

156K on my tranny in my 2000 v 10 with no work at all. I didnt keep up on my tranny flushes so i was told do not do it now. So make sure you find out the service/flush history. I tow a 4 place snowmobile trailer.