7.3 vs. 6.0 vs. 6.4 my opinion - Diesel Forum

midnightsmoker79 · 10-23-2007, 05:00 AM

Let's start with the:

7.3.
Very good dependable, long lasting, good mileage truck that does respond well to mods. This truck is under powered by today’s standards but don't forget this truck is the pioneer of the diesel horsepower wars. I see this truck daily pulling very large/heavy loads and still has a track record that can not be beat. Rough at all ends this truck is still a great buy today for many pulling needs and the interior hold up well.

6.0
Despite a rough history I have owned 2 of them and have yet to have any major problems other than some EGR issues. I often tow around 12k and always run SCT tuners and at time run with out. The 6.0 in stock form also get great gas mileage under 2000rpm which runs around 70mph +. A 6.0 with mods will also smoke the holy SH_T out of any regen truck. Incase your new or many of you have forgot. The 6.0 was also the guinea pig for big power gains and companies like SCT and edge all got rich off of this. As for towing this truck handles as much as you can throw. The Trans and other area of the truck all are consistent with what is going on with the new 6.4.

6.4

Well I don not own one. However I purchased the 6.0's for a reason. I wanted nothing to do with the emissions crap on my sole truck. I like to toy with things and I felt back in late 06 that the new 08 was not going allow. However I follow ford closely and have driven the 08 and I like it. It rides smooth (better than a 6.0, but not by a whole lot, however this comparison is a 18" wheel short bed 6.4 to a 20" wheel long bed 6.0, hardly apples to apples). It has good stock power and is quieter that a stock 6.0. As far as a head to head race goes in stock form I believe the 6.4 will win by at least a few lengths. However, it will not spank the 6.0 the way the 6.0 spanked the 7.3. I like the interior better but I still like the 05-07 interior. That is not enough for me to be upset about. I have everything this truck has but in a different layout.

Overall I think ford made a good product consistent with the times and is doing trying to fix its unhappy customer base. If in the future I have an injector problem/turbo/head problem I will just upgrade to after market components. There have been threads showing high mileage already being obtained with no major issues in this forum for the 6.0. I can at anytime afford to buy a 6.4 however I will be staying with the 6.0 for the long haul.

Brad777 · 10-23-2007, 09:53 AM

I totally agree with your viewpoints. Good write-up.

outlawinil · 10-23-2007, 10:14 AM

Pretty much agree with everything your said here. I have owned all three. The 7.3 got great fuel mileage once I chipped it and learned to slow down. The 6.0 had the awesome turbo whistle that you had to show off and hot rod it. Your exactly right, it would get decent mileage if you could keep the rpm down and the mileage number went up with it's age once things got loosened up.

What people here don't understand about the 6.4L is that it's not Ford pushing the "emmissions crap". It is an EPA law set in place during the Clinton-Gore era (Dec 2000) of reducing the sulfur content in diesel by 97%. "Significant lead time has been provided in the rule for the introduction of new cleaner fuel into the marketplace to ensure no disruptions in fuel supplies and reduce costs. Engine manufacturers will have flexibility to meet the new standards through a phase-in approach between 2007 and 2010. The fuel provisions will go into effect in June 2006."

Most diesel trucks and buses have not used pollution control devices similar to those used on cars for the last 25 years. The 6.4L is not here because the 6.0L was a bad engine. It is here to meet the EPA requirements.

Stymie · 10-23-2007, 11:48 AM

in your write up, about smooth riding, you forget one point. the 6.0 was in the leaf sprung trucks too. Not everyone is coming from an 05-07 6.0. but i agree with the rest of the write up. i had a 6liter and until 130K had no issues with it. at that point it was injectors and egr.

midnightsmoker79 · 10-24-2007, 04:24 AM

You are correct about the suspension on the 2003 and 2004. I had a 2wd that had coils up front. However the 4wd did come with leafs. I never drove a 03-04 with front leafs. However the 2wd drive had a really nice ride. It just required more front end alignments due to the TTB style front end.

Captcaper · 10-24-2007, 06:58 AM

I got into the 6.4 as of this past Thur..I had an 02 7.3..with only 140K on it ran great up until I sold it. No problems except Ball Joints..and ESOF stuff.

I wanted to wait a year until there was lot's of 6.4's out and maybe getting into a good used one. Although I never drove a 6.0. I didn't want the baggage the 6.0 was to bring with it..I have to do to much to get this truck set up for my uses I wanted a truck I could depend on.

I believe Ford has done this..after all the 6.4 is just a improved 6.0..They took a engine that was in the ball park and gave it a home run. They will never go backwards..They always push ahead..and from what I've been reading I didn't have any reservations about this one. Despite ongoing problems with International.

I know I'll have good luck with this as I did the 7.3.. I drive it like an old man..Actually I am an old man [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

I use it but don't beat it.. It will never see mods done to it..unless it's OEM pretty much..

tsak01a · 10-25-2007, 10:55 PM

Good write up but I would add the 08's have many tranny upgrades such as a stronger torque conveter, better clutch packs and different shifting patterns. The 6.4 has a little more power at the lower RPM's, better head studs and stronger frame. I have owned all kinds and I am not saying one is better than the other, I have loved all my Ford trucks, but the 08 has huge improvements over the 07's.

S c o t t

TurboForMyTurbo · 10-26-2007, 01:33 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captcaper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe Ford has done this..after all the 6.4 is just a improved 6.0.. </div></div>

The 6.4l has almost nothing in common with the 6.0l

**KINGTUT** · 10-26-2007, 02:06 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TurboForMyTurbo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captcaper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe Ford has done this..after all the 6.4 is just a improved 6.0.. </div></div>

The 6.4l has almost nothing in common with the 6.0l </div></div>

Huh?

Captcaper · 10-26-2007, 07:55 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TurboForMyTurbo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captcaper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe Ford has done this..after all the 6.4 is just a improved 6.0.. </div></div>

The 6.4l has almost nothing in common with the 6.0l </div></div>

when reading about the 6.4 last year I came across some info that said the last 6.0's produced had the 6.4 heads and some other refinements.
Just a rumor?

lari2001 · 10-26-2007, 11:09 AM

Very nice write up, I agree with all points, I currently have all three right now (well, we have an 08 F450 c/c lariat in our fleet) and I can't knock any of them, I hate the reputation that the 6 liter gets, mine just turned 130,000 miles and it has been awesome. The only complaint I have is the powerstrokes don't tune up like the cummins and duramax do, I'm hoping that the 6.4 will do better at the track and sled pulls.