I just came across the older diesel and thought about making the switch. The only reasons I'm considering it are; the diesel has more power pulling our travel trailer through some of the mountains around here, the 4WD would be an asset for some of the primitive camping we do in the desert and the older truck has 50,000 less miles on it. My 5.4L now has 140,000 miles but still runs great. Purchase price for the 2000 is about what I paid for the 2004. Both are XLT SuperCabs. Oh, another reason the diesel piqued my interest is that it's the 7.3L that everyone raves about here. Any thoughts?

 

If the features on the 2000 are worth the money to you, then I don't see any down side to this. It's basically the same truck. I'm sure your 5.4 struggles towing in the mountains, and the 7.3 will put a big smile on your face when you hitch up.

If the dollars and cents make sense, I say go for it.

 

I agree, if it's the right truck at the right price. Who cares if you go backwards 4 years in model...I don't, it's just a number. If it will do you a better job, go for it.

 

Sure, it makes sense. I'm a huge 5.4L fan, but even I will admit that they do have limits, especially the 2V engines.

The 7.3L PSD is a solid engine. It's one glaring flaw (the CPS) was fixed, so no worries there.

 

This is becoming an interesting decision. On one hand I really like the truck I now have. I'm satisfied with the 5.4L engine. The only complaint if you could call it that is the occasional pull through the mountains. Even then, I've done what was mentioned here and just let the truck find a suitable gear and maintain a higher rpm. I'm still able to maintain the speed limit for the most part. It just feels a little unsettling at first with the engine working a little harder. On the flats and marginal hills the match seems perfect. I'm also not looking forward to the increased noise and fumes from the diesel. On the other hand, the diesel has a 4WD. I've already been stuck once with the 2WD in soft sand. It also has 40k less miles.

I had to do a little search on the CPS redford mentioned but it seems that it's a simple fix if hasn't been tended to already. Decisions, decisions ....

 

Techniclly you should only smell fumes when you next to the exhaust! My 6.0 didnt smell at all in the cab, the 7.3 I have now does but just a little. Wife doesnt complain to much You said the 5.4 shifts in the hills? Youll love the deisel, they dont shift! It will fly up the mountains in od! I had a f250 with the 6.0 and a stick shift, I pulled a gooseneck trailer with another full size truck on it, never had to down shift. I left the cruise on all the time Im on the highway. And that was in the mountains of Vermont. Now I have a 2000 one ton dual with the 7.3 and 4.10 gears. That thing is unstoppable. My brother inlaw kept harrasing me that his v-10 could blow me away pulling a trailer on the interstate. He doesnt like to talk about it anymore ! Hope this helps, and let us know if you go with the diesel.

 

Having made the switch from the 5.4 to the 7.3, I would do it again in a heartbeat. You'll love the difference. And fumes? What fumes? Noisy, oh yeah, but only while getting up to speed. Cruising speed is bearly noticeable.

However!!!!! Be prepared to get bitten by the "gottamodit" bug.

 

Ouch, just thought of a possible snag. Does the 4WD sit higher than the 2WD? I barely have enough clearance now getting it into the garage.

 

Probably a couple inches, but it varies truck to truck, plus possible differences in tires, clearance lights, etc. The stock heights are given in the owners manual IIRC.

 

Never mind, the truck apparently sold over the weekend.