Looking for advice on what to buy.
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 14
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Looking for advice on what to buy.
I have had my 85 F250 for about a year now however there are a few things that are starting to crop up and I am now looking at other slightly newer trucks. I have also started to of a lot more towing (upwards of 3000), beach driving, and need something that is a good reliable tower and daily. As a result I have been looking at some 1999-2007 F250s. I have a budget of about 8500 and was looking for any advice on what mileage I should stay under, if there are any glaring factory issues I need to look out for with these trucks, etc... I have been kinda leaning towards looking for a 7.3 or a 5.4 triton. (In addition not really looking for a 6.0 as even though they are cool I have heard some horror stories)
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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7.3 zf6 or v10 zf6 would be what I would be looking at in your shoes. 6.0's are awesome but there is some luck involved in their longevity - I certainly wouldn't shy away from a studded pristine truck if you are in that price range (15+k). 6.0 will only drain your pockets if you don't work on it yourself. That said, 6.0 trucks are undoubtedly the best bang for the buck on the market. Nicest trucks of the era, great trans, great power, sound great, but cost less to buy because of the 6.0 stigma. I have owned many and always loved them. I like 7.3's, also owned them, but they are turds and the 4 speed auto gear spacing sucks (not an issue with a zf6)
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2025
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Thank you both for the info. Hope other people will continue to comment on this thread so I can get as much info as possible. And again I'm not shying away from gassers (ie 5.4L V8 and an 6.8L V10) so if anyone has info on them too I'm all ears. Also any information I things to look out for like if cab, bed, or frame rot is typical on these trucks feel free to let me know.
Last edited by Klarkin27; Yesterday at 02:37 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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I would only get a 5.4 if you find a really nice truck in good shape for cheap, or you find a 5.4 zf6, also cheap. They are gutless and they are worse than the 6.0s (fixable, yes) with the spark plug issues, its just the 5.4's are cheaper to fix so they don't suffer from the same stigma that the 6.0s do.
2nd and 3rd gen cummins trucks are also very good, manual trans only of course, the dodge automatic transmissions are junk.
2nd and 3rd gen cummins trucks are also very good, manual trans only of course, the dodge automatic transmissions are junk.
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