Ford F-250 owners

[Jamesdad]

I am looking for opinion's on the Ford F-250 crew cab truck. Preferably the 7.3 turbo diesel. What year were these made? Were they 2000 to 2004?How would you compare this engine to the newer 6.0 diesel? What is the difference between this truck and the F-350 other than the suspension? I have heard these diesel engines run forever and very dependable. Would anyone hesitate to buy a used truck with 150,000+ miles already on it? I know its a popular truck and well built, what are your opinion's out there? Thanks.
 
Jamesdad

[Jamesdad]

Is the silence telling me something...?:yikes:

[Tim5055]

I am looking for opinion's on the Ford F-250 crew cab truck. Preferably the 7.3 turbo diesel. What year were these made? Were they 2000 to 2004?How would you compare this engine to the newer 6.0 diesel? What is the difference between this truck and the F-350 other than the suspension? I have heard these diesel engines run forever and very dependable. Would anyone hesitate to buy a used truck with 150,000+ miles already on it? I know its a popular truck and well built, what are your opinion's out there? Thanks.
 
Jamesdad

The 7.3 was from 1999 - 2002.  In 2003 the 6.0 was introduced.

The 2003 and the first half of the 2004 production year had what many think was and inferior design on the injectors.

I have an early 2004 6.0 with the 2003 design injectors, but have had no problems.

Many say the 7.3 was a better design but I can't comment on that.  The one thing to keep in mind is that routine maintenance on a diesel is a lot more than a gasser.  Oil changes at a shop get close to $100 (almost 4 gallons of oil).  Additionally, diesel engines do not like short trips all the time.  If you live close to work a diesel would not be a good choice for a daily driver.  They really need to get up to temperature for a while each time you run it.

The only difference between an F-250 & F-350 is the suspension, and minimal difference at that.

Mine is closing in on 100,000 and still running strong.

For more information check out the The Dieselstop Forums

[wavery]

If I were considering a diesel with that kind of mileage, I would get an "oil analysis". That will tell you everything that you need to know about the engine. A well maintained diesel with 155K could be half life or less. A poorly maintained diesel could be shot. There is really only one way to tell for sure.
http://www.oaitesting.com/

Same thing goes for the transmission and final drive.

[Tim5055]

If I were considering a diesel with that kind of mileage, I would get an "oil analysis".

Oops, I forgot about that, great catch Wayne

The lab I use is Blackstone-Labs

[mach8274]

The 7.3 was from 1999 - 2002.  In 2003 the 6.0 was introduced.

The 2003 and the first half of the 2004 production year had what many think was and inferior design on the injectors.

I have an early 2004 6.0 with the 2003 design injectors, but have had no problems.

Many say the 7.3 was a better design but I can't comment on that.  The one thing to keep in mind is that routine maintenance on a diesel is a lot more than a gasser.  Oil changes at a shop get close to $100 (almost 4 gallons of oil).  Additionally, diesel engines do not like short trips all the time.  If you live close to work a diesel would not be a good choice for a daily driver.  They really need to get up to temperature for a while each time you run it.

The only difference between an F-250 & F-350 is the suspension, and minimal difference at that.

Mine is closing in on 100,000 and still running strong.

For more information check out the The Dieselstop Forums

The 7.3 was actually put in the super duty trucks from 99 to mid 03. Late 03 is when the 6.0 was introduced. The problem with the 6.0 is not the injectors but the egr cooler and oil cooler. They cause major problems especially on higher mileage vehicles. repairs on those can range from $1500-$3000.

In my opinion stay away from all 6.0 equipped trucks. I was a tech at a Ford dealer until July 04 and the master diesel tech there is a really good friend of mine. 08 and up with the 6.4 is no bargain either by the way. The 6.0 trucks also had wire harness issues.

The 7.3 equipped trucks are a much better vehicle if you can find one that someone wants to sell. People who have have them know what they have and want to hang on to them. They don't have as much power as the 6.0 or 6.4 but they are bulletproof. I've seen them come in with more that 300,000 miles on them-original engine, original trans, minimal smoke(all diesels smoke some).

I hope this helps and good luck!

Dave

[Jamesdad]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Dave, you said you use to work at a Ford dealer. What would your opiniion be on the difference between the F250 V-10 gas engine and the F250 Diesel 7.3. The good and the bad?
 
Thanks, Jamesdad

[viking camper]

I am looking for opinion's on the Ford F-250 crew cab truck. Preferably the 7.3 turbo diesel. What year were these made? Were they 2000 to 2004?How would you compare this engine to the newer 6.0 diesel? What is the difference between this truck and the F-350 other than the suspension? I have heard these diesel engines run forever and very dependable. Would anyone hesitate to buy a used truck with 150,000+ miles already on it? I know its a popular truck and well built, what are your opinion's out there? Thanks.
 
Jamesdad

Also remember in 03 they introduced the 5R110 (5 speed with a tow haul mode) or "Torqshift" along with the 6.0L diesel. They are better than the 4R100 (4 speed) that is behind the 7.3L. The 4R is a good box, better than most of the "others" on the road. It will need to be freshened up every 200000 miles or so (average). I know alot of people who have the 6.0L and love it. I know a few who miss the 7.3L they traded in........

[Crowbar4]

I do all the diesel repairs for a shop in town and can tell you without hesitation the 6.0 is junk.  I have yet to see even one make it to 100K mi without a warranty issue.  On the other hand the 7.3 has proven very reliable.  I have seen a few with 500k mi on them.  The 7.3 came out in 1989 not 99 but was not direct injection until mid 94.  You will want a direct injection for sure.  The early ones 94-95 had problems with the lifters so try to avoid those.  stick to 96-02 and you should be good.  The most common problems I see with the 7.3 are the cam sensor (which has been recalled and suposedly fixed), the valve cover gaskets which are also a wiring harness, and injector o-ring problems.  None of these are a big deal and would not deter me from buying a 7.3.  I know very little about the 6.4 except for my friend who is a diesel tech at Perry Ford in Poway said "it's worse than the 6.0".  High mileage is not a concern if the truck has been well maintained.  Also avoid any truck with aftermarket air induction equipment, they are great for power and performance but bad for longevity.  This includes the K&N filter.  The way the K&N filter is set up it is in the tire splash area and gets pretty much anything you drive through thrown on to it.  Hope this helps, Bryan

[brainpause]

Tim, make sure you romp her and git her hot every now and then! Get her hot or those variable vanes will get sticky.

Just for interest, go to YouTube and find a 6 video series by Powerstrokehelp (I think that's right). I watched them all. He directly compares the 7.3 & 6.0.

[mach8274]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Dave, you said you use to work at a Ford dealer. What would your opiniion be on the difference between the F250 V-10 gas engine and the F250 Diesel 7.3. The good and the bad?
 
Thanks, Jamesdad

The v10 is also a good engine, however, it likes gas very much. It doesn't have the torque the 7.3 does but will still do very well.

crowbar4, the trucks from 99-03 were the first ones called "Super Duty". The 7.3 did come out in 89-your right but they were indirect injected and gutless. They had alot of problems with fuel pumps/distributors.

Dave

[brainpause]

The v10 is also a good engine, however, it likes gas very much. It doesn't have the torque the 7.3 does but will still do very well.

crowbar4, the trucks from 99-03 were the first ones called "Super Duty". The 7.3 did come out in 89-your right but they were indirect injected and gutless. They had alot of problems with fuel pumps/distributors.

Dave

I had heard that they need to rev high to make HP. Thus, when towing especially, they really drink the gas.

From a board that users have larger trailers, I haven't heard a lot of great things about the V10, although they are rare.

Larry

[handfixer]

I been thinking about purchasing a Ford F250 myself diesel myself.  I hear Ford is going in-house and making their own 6.7 V8 diesel engine for 2011 model year super duty trucks. The new diesel engine "Scorpion" is suppose to get 3 mpg or more, 40 more horses and 70 more pounds-feet torque.  Currently, ford's diesel engine is produced by Navistar. Ford has been having some problems with Navistar.  If your thinking used, I have heard and read 7.3 liter diesel engine is legendary.

[aw738]

One of my employee's also works as Diesel tech at the local Ford Dealership and has informed me of what the problem is. Ford is buying the short block (lower part of the engine below the cylinder heads) from Navistar. They are manufacturing their own cylinder heads and that is where the problem comes from.

['tiredTeacher]

Geezuz!  How big is your pop up that you want a 250 to tow it??