I am looking at getting a newer used truck as my old F-150 is about had it. I am looking a the 7.3 and would love to get into one. My question is what year should i look into. I was thinking 2002-2003, but as you guys know best , please point me in the right direction.

Thanks for the help!

 

This is gonna go back and forth but the older 99 have the forged rods and the later 2000-2003 have powdered metal rods but more comfort features. Others will chime in to correct me or help you, good luck with your purchase...Welcome to FTE...

 

ANY 7.3L is a good one to own.......don't worry too much about the forged rods vs. Powdered metal rods unless you rrrrealllly want to mod it. The 01's had an issue with the transmission having a bad diode, other then that........the creature comforts are a bit nicer in the 02-03's, but ya can't go wrong, these trucks are built to RUN

 

I have taken that into account, I do want to mod the truck but it will be my daily driver so its got to hold up. I don't so much care about the comfort features as my truck has none(1987 F-150 Custom, what's air conditioning?), but i do worry about the older trucks having more miles on ALL the parts. I don't know if there are certain miles where parts will start to break IE, trans at 200,000 and so on. Thats why i ask the questions!

I am looking at 150,000 as the max miles on the vehicle, i don't want a lot on it to begin with, more for me to put on it.

Thanks again for the help

 

I think the PMR's started in '01.

If you want to push the 7.3 then you should avoid the powdered rods or plan on upgrading.
Since I'm guessing your coming from an '87 F150 w/ 300, thats not gonna be an issue.

Since we're past that, theres a few upgrades on the later models, but for the most part the 7.3 superduties are pretty close. The later models have more power, it seems to climb as the years progress, but pretty much they can all be upgraded to the same power with a chip. The exception would be the early 99's, they have the older style turbo with a smaller outlet, it limits your upgrades unless you change the parts over to the later style.
As far as I can recall, all the stuff is interchangeable between the '00 and '03, aside from the rods theres not a significant difference.

What I would do (and did), is figure out which bits you really want. Find the trucks that have that, determine which is the most options for the money, lowest miles, best mileage etc.

 

Since regular maintenence is critical on these engines, and they're $$$, that was one of my main concerns. I shot for 100k, but that was a few years ago.

 

yea most have said alot already. some other points, the newer trucks gotta dana 60 up front where as 99-01 have dana 50's. wow when i look at it, the 01 is kind of the red headed step child.... pmr's and dana 50's, that sucks. sorry onward with this point, like travis said, either way you go is going to be an amazing truck, just look at what u want to do with the truck, looking for a ***** ton of power, go with a 99, looking for comfort, 02-03. hope this helps

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

 

I want my drive train in a 03. At 209, nearly 210k now, mine still runs like new. But sure wish I had a few more of the bells and whistles.

 

There are a few of us on here that have forged rods in our 01'. Our diode trans are not as good, untill we get a BTS.

Find the best condition and fewest miles you can find.

Good luck.

 

Thanks STROKIN'IT7.3, I did not know about the axles and thats one more thing to think about. Ron, thanks for the link that's very helpful! I do want power, but understand that at some point i will have to put better innards inside the engine to achieve that power goal. I will definitely stay away from the 01 as i don't particularly want to change the transmission or modify it that much. What were the differences between 02, and 03?

 

Buy the newest, nicest truck you can find. Comparing it to your piece you have now, even a stock 7.3 will seem like a rocket. You get used to it, and then put a chip on it, and you'll be one happy dude for a long time.

There are alot of differences between a 99-01 and a 02-03, as far as interior. The interiors are so much nicer, the dash looks better, more creature comforts, plus a newer truck is less likely to have defects and stuff worn out that older trucks have. Dont buy a truck you like less than another, just because it is a 99 or 00 and has forged rods.

 

Also, just remember if you do go with an 03, make sure its a 7.3, bought mine new and the 6.0 came out in that year also as the replacement motor, lol

 

Get a crew-cab dually They look cool and for pullin' they are much more stable with less sway. Why get a diesel unless you are pullin' something?

 

because it gives you more options than just taking it up the **** at the pump .