It is a big deal after the warranty runs out and it needs fixing and you want to do the work yourself and you have no way of lifting the cab. Not many people have a lift.

Fun (as in "informative") read:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nty-issue.html

Also interesting that Ford has instituted an engine hour limitation to the usual mileage limitation on their ESP extended warranty plans:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-warranty.html

BTW, I bought the ESP 100K warranty for my 7.3 van because I used the 100K warranty for the '93 Bronco to replace the E4OD orig transmission at 58K and then to replace the replacement trans 15K later. No problem so far with the van's 4R100 as of 160K.

I agree, when the warranty is out they charge you way more then the 1 1/2 hours to pull the cab and replace plus recharge the air etc..

While not trying to cry out to back my point - I saw that $3000 for a replacement DPF, and $1000 to clean one. This is nothing new for the OTR trucks, it's factored in as an operational expense. All of this is as per the thread in one of the links. I don't know the veracity of the information posted, but it makes sense. I'm not saying the prices are sensible, I'm saying it makes sense that all this new technology will go through growing pains (in our wallets). Like our 7.3Ls in 1999, it will take years to get the systems attached to the engine under control for the consumer - or diesels will become disposable instead of serviceable.

$8000 for a diesel upgrade on a 2015? Yup. I remember the 7.3L was of like shock-value for the first Superdutys. All one has to do is go on Craigslist and price two identical Superdutys from our era (like condition) - one with the 6.8 or 5.4, and the other with the 7.3L. BWST got $17,000 for his 2002 a few months ago - in the Seattle area. A stock-ish gasser won't bring that.

That would make the 7.3 about a $10,000 option.

What was the reason BWST decided to sell his 7.3 in the first place?

I just got 20,000 for mine 2 weeks ago

Good for you yfz 450! I know when I ordered my 7.3 E350 in 2002, the 7.3 was a $5k upgrade. Because diesels are rare in vans and because (deserved or not) the 6.0 has a bad reputation, the 7.3 is often referred to as the "holy grail" on the sportsmobileforum.com

Did you mean 6.8L? The 6.2L is not of our era.

I've sometimes wondered what kind of cash I could get today for a forged rod 2000 7.3L F-550 4x4 Lariat Crew Cab, all AD injectors (pre LL#8) with every option available at the time, along with many more "hidden" factory upgrades made available since that time... that has been fastidiously cared for, and that comes with all genuine Ford service CDs, and four banker's boxes full of records and documents, with full synthetic front to rear, oil changed every 3K with receipts and the box tops from all the Motorcraft filters installed to prove it, and less than 57,000 miles. Oh, and a custom sculpted utility "pickup" bed that is exactly like the $160,000.00 gray F-550 featured on DieselPower magazine. And a Reese Titan V hitch, a front receiver hitch,a built in 15K winch, a full Banks Power Pack (with the Ottomind chip and the Transcommand sealed in separate ziplock bags, included). New Michelin tires too ($400 each, and there are seven). Plus another set of seven tires and wheels (for snow / summer switching). And Centramatic wheel balancers. And a bunch of new spare parts. And over 30 gallons of synthetic oil, spare filters, etc. It would just about take the entire capacity of the F-550 to haul every related item away, making someone a very happy camper.

What do you suppose all the above is worth, if I were to make a move like yfz 450 recently did?

What would I replace it with? Probably that 6.8L that I think you meant. But it would have to be of a post blow out plug, and post stuck plug, era.

"Deleting" is not an option for me, and if it takes deleting to run a 6.0, a 6.4, or a 6.7 to make it work reliably long term, then that's not a viable choice. I don't need the stress of breaking federal emissions tampering laws on top of the stress of polluting my own air, which is part of the crux of the original question... which motor would you choose... the cleaner, more powerful, but more complicated and currently less reliable 6.7, versus the dirtier, less powerful (stock), but more reliable and simpler to fix for the self reliant 7.3L.

I imagine that as each state eventually increases enforcement and detection of emissions violations (it's spreading now, just like it did for gasoline powered vehicles), the value of the 7.3L for those who want to be free from state imposed restrictions will increase.

(PS... this is not a veiled for sale ad. My truck isn't for sale. The question asked is just part of exploring the "What if" proposition of initial and long term value between the engines of the eras.)

The 7.3 holds it's value way better I would say than any other ford engine. I had a 2006 6.0 that I sold 2 years ago before I bought my 7.3 and I had a hard time selling it. It had 89,000 miles xlt super cab short bed and I had a hard time getting 15,500 for it. The 6.0 name has been tarnished and that was why I wanted to get rid of it when I did. The 7.3 I just sold had 47,000 miles xlt super cab short bed 250 and my phone was ringing off the hook literally when I put the ad on craigslist I got 2 calls in the first hr. They will bring the cash you want but you need the right buyer that knows what they are looking at. I had guys calling asking if it had a turbo they obviously didn't know. I wish there were people calling me asking that when I was selling the 6.0 if you do decide to sell just wait for the right buyer. People are gunna say how can you ask that for a 12 year old truck but they don't have a clue what's under the hood. If you want to see rediculous priced trucks look up toyota tacomas. I sole my 7.3 and a 97 350 with the 460 in it to put my down payment on my new 6.7 and so far I love it.

If you find the right buyer, probably about half what hundreds of brand new 6.7's sell for every day.

Have you priced late 70's Ford Camper Specials with a 400?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F-250-Ranger-xlt-trailer-special-1979-ford-f-250-4-x-4-ranger-xlt-trailer-special-/251527614209?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3a9036cf01&item=251527614209&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
That's got to be at least double what it sold for new.

That's kinda' pricey, even for a frame-off resto. Obviously he found the "right" buyer, and likely both of them are thrilled with the deal.

That would have been a nice truck to own, especially in virtually new shape. But, of course, it wasn't a Lariat....... :)

Pop

I had that EXACT same 79 F250 4x4 truck, down to two tone paint scheme and the 400 engine. Only mine WAS a Lariat. ;) All the extra dash trim work, the full factory "gauge" package instead of idiot lights, the dual fuel tanks, the cast iron NP205 transfer case, even the factory Ford CB radio. I sold it for $3,800. The guy I sold it to flipped it for $7,200 less than a year later. Now this one linked above sold for $11,700. SOLD, not asking. That is about twice what the truck cost brand new in 1979.

I do regret selling that truck, and would not have sold it were it not for the fact that it was a regular cab. In the early 80's, I shopped in earnest for the same year truck as a SuperCab F-350, because I hated the new tinny plasticy squarish unimaginative body style change in 1980. But everytime I found one, it would be gone before I could get there, so I just lived with what I had.

I didn't make the same mistake twice. My replacement was the largest cab available, with the highest GVWR available. And I don't think I'll make the same mistake twice selling it too early either. I should probably wait until I can get twice what I paid for it, just like that ebay'er did. Maybe by then all the kinks with the 6.7 will finally be ironed out.

(that is a joke, of course, because I'd have to wait longer than I'll be alive)

Money woes... his employer downsized, like Microsoft is getting ready to do.

We need an FTE-enhanced spell-checker.

My wife's co-worker found a 7.3L that just rolled onto the lot and hadn't been detailed yet. He didn't sign, because he wanted to look into it. When he asked me for input, I said "If you didn't put a deposit on it, the salesman called somebody on a waiting list, and that truck was sold before you even left the lot." My wife's co-worker looked into it, and discovered the err of his ways. He got the next one, though.

My last truck was the predecessor to the Toyota Tacoma 4X4 (with 185,000 miles on the 3.0L V6). I put it on CL, and a guy called from 3 hours away. We set up an appointment for him to meet me, and the truck was sold 4 hours after I listed it. I guess I should have asked for more money, but I was already $1000 over bluebook.

Well, that and the fact that he had nothing but trouble with his 7.3's injector cups SEVEN times.