[TTinKytnky]

Where to start? Selling my trusty but rusty 03 7.3 Self-maintenance is becoming too difficult. It either has fallen off, rusted off or it has to be cut off or beat with a hammer to service.

I was dead set on not going Ford again and was searching for a 17 and up Duramax as that was the year HP oiling system and higher torque numbers were applied. I suppose I owe it to myself as I live in the home of the SupeDuyty, Louisivlle, KY to see if another SD would be a good bet. Thinking there may be some good deals in this town.
Anyway, where can I find a brief rundown of what model year over year changes one should avoid or search for? For instance fully ruling out any Dodge due to tranny problems, Certian year Duramax can self destroy with HP oild pump failure and so on.

What year should I look for in a SD where no newish bugs introduced and older bigs worked out? What inherent issue or model years do I want to avoid and why? Leaning towards a 17 or 18 model. Looking in the $50K ish range with no more than 75K miles.

Links?

 

[Stroking it]

Used truck market is hot right now. Dealers are wanting anything they can get there hands on. Even Ebay is hot. I was at my dealer yesterday and they had a 19 F250 Lariat that was nicely loaded and they wanted $89,000.

 

[benz97]

Where to start? Selling my trusty but rusty 03 7.3 Self-maintenance is becoming too difficult. It either has fallen off, rusted off or it has to be cut off or beat with a hammer to service.

I was dead set on not going Ford again and was searching for a 17 and up Duramax as that was the year HP oiling system and higher torque numbers were applied. I suppose I owe it to myself as I live in the home of the SupeDuyty, Louisivlle, KY to see if another SD would be a good bet. Thinking there may be some good deals in this town.
Anyway, where can I find a brief rundown of what model year over year changes one should avoid or search for? For instance fully ruling out any Dodge due to tranny problems, Certian year Duramax can self destroy with HP oild pump failure and so on.

What year should I look for in a SD where no newish bugs introduced and older bigs worked out? What inherent issue or model years do I want to avoid and why? Leaning towards a 17 or 18 model. Looking in the $50K ish range with no more than 75K miles.

Links?

Following. I have a similar question and situation of looking into going from my 99’ 7.3L to 6.7L SD. I am interested in know what to look for.

 

[Stroking it]

So far my 15 has been rock solid I have replaced the DEF heater but everyone has done that. I have replaced the CAC pipe because they fail with the Rudy's CAC pipe. But my motor has been flawless. I don't always put cetane booster in my fuel. I only use Motorcraft oil Full synthetic because I tow with my truck. You can only use Motorcraft filters in the newer tricks. it seems to be a problem if you don't. Used truck market is still hot so finding a low millage 17 will cost big money. I would defiantly not buy anything older than a 15 They have the better turbo.

 

[westvandude]

I just sold my 2001 7.3L , it's been mostly ok. Rebuilt the turbo, put in a 1.0 A/R turbine housing, new up-pipes again, etc. Needs injectors replaced (originals @ 275k miles) and eventually exhaust manifolds (bolts rusted and leaking). Freaking oil pan is rusted pin holes leaking, jb-weld gooped it all up. I don't have time to pull the motor, sold it.

Got into a 2017 F-450 supercrew. Wow.... nice truck. XLT with navigation cloth interior. Two rear cams. Stereo sounds great. Bigger 7" touchscreen. Sync3 works good with iphone, etc. Very roomy. First year of alum body. Tows crazy good with 4.33 gears and 440hp. Yes it's 6 spd trans but no issues, I dropped in fresh oil 3x and 3rd time did pan/filter, no metal - 10spd has bearing recall. I got it at 185k kms. The only odd thing is blue smoke on cold-start for a minute or two. Doesn't run smooth then either. It's deleted so I see the smoke. If you had a dpf you wouldn't see that. An F350 would prob get better fuel economy (lower gearing) but I ended up with F450 by accident wasn't looking specifically for that, just luck of the draw. Rated gooseneck towing is 32,500lbs. It does tow my 5th wheel hitch 16k lb dump trailer way easier than my 7.3 up the hill to my place, where the 7.3 (tuned) was ready to bust a nut.

The trans hauling mode and engine exhaust brake leaves a bit to be desired - sometimes real crazy high rpm downshifts when not necessary. Plastic door handles seem bit cheap. Other than that luv it.

Engine runs smooth and so modern the interior compared to 2016 and older. Way quiet compared to 7.3L which after driving the 17' felt like a diesel lawn tractor.

Deleted and straight-piped it's not that loud at all (i'm 50+) but does sound nice when turbo boost gauge goes over half pressure, has a real scream/turbo howl to it.

Anything 2017 or newer (besides maybe new 10spd) you should be more than happy with.

 

[VWrabbitdiesel1982]

I ran into a fella Camping a while back with a 2015 F350 6.7 diesel with just over a 100,000 just out of powertrain warranty. He said the injection pump went , dealer said $5000 to fix it. When they got into it they said pump grenaded and sent metal into the entire fuel system. Suddenly the price went to $15,000 he did fix it and traded it off on a new 6.7 now that was end for me. Keep milking out your 7.3 diesel as long as you can, you simply won’t go wrong