7.3 vs. 6.0 - Diesel Forum

bigfred · 07-02-2009, 11:28 AM

shopping for a used f-250 diesel , 2001 thru 2007 one person has one with 7.3 and told me that the newer engine (6.0) is weeker i don't know anything about fords or diesel this will be mine first one if i decide to buy one can anybody shed some light on the difference in the two engine.and no the guy with 7.3 was'nt selling his.

9715ricky · 07-02-2009, 11:56 AM

Have had both. If your buying one under warrenty then don`t be scared of the 6.0. Its strong but does have little issues that popup regular. The 7.3 is my personal favorite cause its just tried and true. You will get a few less miles per gallon and stock for stock the 6.0 is stronger but a nice bullydog chip can even up the odds nicely. The 7.3 just runs forever. The 6.0 will to but with more work to keep it going. I just wouldn`t have 6.0 thats not under warrenty unless you got deep pockets.

bigfred · 07-02-2009, 09:30 PM

thanks ricky , found a 2002 with a 7.3 ,41,000 miles dealer is asking 26,000 personally i think its high for a 7 years old truck gonna see him this week end try to see if hll go LOWER. forgot to ask whats the maintenance like its not gonna cost arm is it

99SD250 · 07-03-2009, 05:09 PM

id say thats a tad high price, but at 41,000 miles shes not even broken in...

**my03psd** · 07-03-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99SD250

id say thats a tad high price, but at 41,000 miles shes not even broken in...

I agree and she'll go forever.

bigfred · 07-04-2009, 10:47 AM

yeah i thought its a little high , gonna check another truck out with crew cab , 4x4, basically fully loaded for $ 19,000 with 55,000miles hope it looks clean as the first truck.

**my03psd** · 07-04-2009, 12:49 PM

This is w/o knowing any options reallyUsed Car Value - Ford F250 Super Duty Pickup-3/4 Ton-V8 Supercab Lariat (4WD)

**PowerstrokeConverters** · 07-04-2009, 01:34 PM

7.3 is a workhorse, easy to work on and maintain it, mechanics love it.
Dieselpower magazine has an issue now that cover every 6.0 problem year by year.
I would go with a 7.3 but you should know that you wont be racing 6.0's around or Cummins for that matter, it ain't for that.
But it will give you plenty of life and trouble free driving.
Anybody that has a 7.3 and knows about all of the diesels out there are keeping theirs for sure. Even Wikipedia says that the 7.3 is one of the best diesel engines out there!
You should pay around $15-20k for a nice one.
If you want to lift it later, get a 4x4 because the 4x2 can only get so much lift.
Do the "puffing" test: open the hood, remove the oil filler cap, go and start the truck and then put the palm of your hand over the open filler , almost closing it with your hand. You should NOT have a puffing pressure, specially with the engine cold.
Have fun and let us know what you bought!!

bigfred · 07-05-2009, 12:03 PM

will my search continues went to check the truck at the dealer right off the bat bustard tells me it has a salvage title What how come you guys did;nt list that on the add,chew his ass some more and leave,thsat ok i will find one hopefully before hunt'n season starts

**PowerstrokeConverters** · 07-05-2009, 01:55 PM

Yep, don't rush it either, once you buy it it will be w/ ya for a while so no hurry there.
E-bay is no good for your location?

Countrygirl43 · 07-12-2009, 09:18 PM

Bigfred, we are looking for another truck too. Got ours 6 months ago and it is falling apart left and right. Our mistake.

We rushed it......

I need something to tow my big horse trailer. And I am scared to death of the 6.0's.

**PowerstrokeConverters** · 07-12-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countrygirl43

Bigfred, we are looking for another truck too. Got ours 6 months ago and it is falling apart left and right. Our mistake.

We rushed it......

I need something to tow my big horse trailer. And I am scared to death of the 6.0's.

Even the 7.3 as true and tested as it is can give you problems but not on her own fault, but tthe previous owners lack of prev. maintenance.
I bought mine from a retired coouple, the license plate read "tow4fun", that tells you that she had a hard life (maybe) but she tows like a dream and never gave me any major problems (only cps,water pump,starter), obviously well maintained. So, I am sorry that yours gave you less than optimun performance, but most likely if you keep it and fix it, it should give another 300k miles of service easily.
I intend to drive mine until I die, then hopefully my kids will drive it as an antique....lol

catch&release · 07-13-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countrygirl43

Got ours 6 months ago and it is falling apart left and right. Our mistake.

That's the risk with buying used. We all know that the 7.3L will run for a LONG time if taken care of, but the rest of the truck around that 7.3L will need lots of care as well. I had my truck checked out with full scan and bumper to bumper before I bought it. It easily passed our emissions testing. I have had the truck for almost 9 months now. And the test results from the first oil sample I sent to Blackstone with 5000 miles came back with flying colors. However, being used and having over 120k miles on it, I still always wonder what might or could go wrong with it. I changed all the fluids (except the coolant......will do the flush and changeover to ELC here soon with all new hoses, 203 degree thermostat, and housing), filters, and serpentine belt, put in new batteries, fixed the drain valve leak with new O-rings, put on the AIS Heavy Duty air filter system, and still have to do the bellowed up-pipes replacement. Then there's tires eventually, alternator, power steering pump, water pump, ball joints, U-joints, clutch, transmission, etc, etc...........just lots of stuff to maintain and replace when broken even if you get a good truck. That's why you have to price all this stuff into the buying equation as well.

Todes · 07-13-2009, 11:54 AM

7.3 Hands down!

26k is high, I bought my 2002 7.3 with 124k miles for $16k...the dealer was asking $24k. But I pointed out to him that the truck had been infact wrecked twice, once in the front and once in the bed side. He denied the wrecks over the week of talks but I finally broke down and pulled my own vehicle facts report and laughed when I showed it to him. That brought the price down to 18 asking and then after a test drive I came back with an offer of 15 because the A/C needed a new clutch and there was an oil leak from somewhere(too cold to find out where at the time, def from the top of the motor) and we setteled at 16!

Point is don't be affraid to start WAY low and to nit pick every detail. My favorite say "look I have to fix this at my cost" And if you really start to get interested in a firm offer....spend the $20 extra bucks and get the carfax! That can shut any dealers mouth in heart beat! NOTE: not all care dealers are two timeing a#!$&*#$$@!! but I have dealt with them and this one wasn't a nice guy by anymeans. Go into the first meeting with an open mind and after talking make your mind up if he's a good guy or not.

7.3 diesel Man · 07-13-2009, 01:06 PM

I have a 7.3 1999 with 118k and the only thing I had to do is to put in AC (which was very very expensive) and my dad has a 7.3 2000 with only 120k and he only had to replace the front brake lines. 7.3 engine should out last the rest of the truck if it is kept in good condition.