2002 F350 Lariat with 7.3L Diesel

I own a 99 1/2 7.3 Crew Cab Dually. Bought her in mid 04 with 39k on the clock and now showing 253k. The weak link is the auto transmission. Rebuilt mine at 155k and replaced the torque converter. She goes in tomorrow for what I suspect will be some rear end work. She's recently sporting a small rattle like nails are floating in the hub.

I haul a 4k lb. truck camper with a couple of mods, specifically Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and Ride Rite air bags. Mileage while loaded is between 11.5-13 mpg, depending on terrain. IIRC, it maxes out towing a 13,200 lb. GVWR 5er. While unrefined, it's been a great engine. I should be able to get another 100k + miles out of her if I just keep throwing a few parts her way. By the way, we're both looking a little long in the tooth. But, we shine up pretty good.:B

As the others have said the 7.3 is strong but it doesn't have near the ponies of the newer diesels. It is also loud and smokes pretty badly. That's the bad news; the good news is that they are about has bullet proof as they come. I have a friend who got one really really hot when the water pump went out crossing LaVeta pass in Colorado last summer. He got that engine so hot I would not have given a plug nickel for the engine. I helped him get it to an excellent diesel shop and they replaced the water pump and decided they had better plane the heads to be sure. They checked the valves and they held vacuum so well that they went no further. The guy said there was almost no wear so they put it back together and it runs like a top. By the way the truck has 255,000 miles on it! I would say thats pretty bullet proof. My friend has turned down many offers of people wanting to buy it. If it has been maintained and it will handle the trailer ok from a power standpoint I would go for it. JMHO

The only weak point is the transmission. Figure on a new one any time over 100,000 miles.

Transmissions were awful.

We own a 2003 F250 Lariat with the 7.3L diesel engine that we purchased new. Have towed a 38' Monatana 3400RL 5th wheel for the last 6 years. Now have 135,000 miles on the truck of which 30 to 40,000 miles have been towing the 5th wheel or a 20' 12,500 lb equipment trailer. Absolutely no engine problems at all. The weak link on thses trucks is the transmission. Our trasmission started heating up more than nornal the last couple years. Added an additional supplemental transmission oil cooler. That brought the transmission temps back to normal.

Snap it up quick if proper maintenance has been done.

It could be argued. They are indeed a very good engine. The only down side is weaker performance than newer rigs but it will serve you well otherwise.