Ford 7.3 owners towing 12,000 lb 5th

I have a 2003 7.3 no BELLS no FRILLS only 97k on the truck just stuck some money into new springs and shocks I don't think I could get myself to upgrade this thing just purrs along! plus on average I get around 15 mpg empty 11 towing and ME LOVES NO PAYMENT

WTP-GC wrote:

Kevin O. wrote:
Yes it is loud, yes it rides a like a truck, and no it doesn't have 800 lb/ft+ of torque.

NO, its not loud...its what a diesel should sound like
Yes, its rides like a truck. Your picture confirms that is indeed a truck.
Can't remember the last time anyone actually needed 800 ft-lbs of torque.

I find that working on my 7.3 is quite therapeutic.

X3!
It is amazing what less than 280 HP can pull and climb with!

Just a little maintenance from time to time.

Kevin O. wrote:
Yes it is loud, yes it rides a like a truck, and no it doesn't have 800 lb/ft+ of torque.

NO, its not loud...its what a diesel should sound like
Yes, its rides like a truck. Your picture confirms that is indeed a truck.
Can't remember the last time anyone actually needed 800 ft-lbs of torque.

I find that working on my 7.3 is quite therapeutic.

Kevin O. wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

shadows4 wrote:

Kevin O. wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.

I'm curious what you consider better, and reasonably priced? Also what years are you talking about???
I would be so scared to have a newer 6.7 Ford that is out of warranty..I couldn't imagine what the sophisticated exhaust system would cost to replace never mind the fuel system, turbo, and any of the DPF system?? I'll stick with the OLD technology thank you very much.. :B

X2

How about 3rd gen CR Cummins and Lb7/LLy Dmax? Those fit the bill and are as good or better than the venerable 7.3.
Used diesels are overpriced, IMO, at least the good ones, but the Fordaholics holding onto their gold plated 7.3s are at the top of the list!
When people are asking $10k for complete beaters and $17-20k for good condition, yet high mile 15 year old pickups, they're out of their mind!
Must be enough folks out there with blue oval tattoos though cause the prices sure are hiiiigh maaaaaaaan!

I just can't afford to spend $65,000+ for a new diesel pickup. Then once it's FINALLY paid for the darn warranty is up and now have to worry about what it will cost to fix when things start breaking? These new trucks are way to sophisticated for me! This is the main reason why the older diesels are so desirable, not because of us blue oval tattoo wearing Fordaholics..:B Yes $15-$20,000 seems like a lot for these older trucks but it is just a 1/4 of the price of a new one!
I paid over book value for my truck because it had everything I was looking for. Yes it is loud, yes it rides a like a truck, and no it doesn't have 800 lb/ft+ of torque. But it does make plenty of power for what I need, it's easy to work on, there is no emissions **** to worry about, and best of all it's paid for!;)

You are right on all accounts that apply to you, but I drove ,and towed for nearly 16years with a 7.3 Superduty . Two of the happiest moments owning the 7.3 was buying it ,and selling it.

There is just no way to even put a 7.3 in a conversation with these new trucks. It did its job for what it was, but again no comparison .The 7.3 is yesterdays truck, just like so many others. Great truck in its day. Not knocking it ,its just what it is.

Grit dog wrote:

shadows4 wrote:

Kevin O. wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.

I'm curious what you consider better, and reasonably priced? Also what years are you talking about???
I would be so scared to have a newer 6.7 Ford that is out of warranty..I couldn't imagine what the sophisticated exhaust system would cost to replace never mind the fuel system, turbo, and any of the DPF system?? I'll stick with the OLD technology thank you very much.. :B

X2

How about 3rd gen CR Cummins and Lb7/LLy Dmax? Those fit the bill and are as good or better than the venerable 7.3.
Used diesels are overpriced, IMO, at least the good ones, but the Fordaholics holding onto their gold plated 7.3s are at the top of the list!
When people are asking $10k for complete beaters and $17-20k for good condition, yet high mile 15 year old pickups, they're out of their mind!
Must be enough folks out there with blue oval tattoos though cause the prices sure are hiiiigh maaaaaaaan!

I just can't afford to spend $65,000+ for a new diesel pickup. Then once it's FINALLY paid for the darn warranty is up and now have to worry about what it will cost to fix when things start breaking? These new trucks are way to sophisticated for me! This is the main reason why the older diesels are so desirable, not because of us blue oval tattoo wearing Fordaholics..:B Yes $15-$20,000 seems like a lot for these older trucks but it is just a 1/4 of the price of a new one!
I paid over book value for my truck because it had everything I was looking for. Yes it is loud, yes it rides a like a truck, and no it doesn't have 800 lb/ft+ of torque. But it does make plenty of power for what I need, it's easy to work on, there is no emissions **** to worry about, and best of all it's paid for!;)

shadows4 wrote:

Kevin O. wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.

I'm curious what you consider better, and reasonably priced? Also what years are you talking about???
I would be so scared to have a newer 6.7 Ford that is out of warranty..I couldn't imagine what the sophisticated exhaust system would cost to replace never mind the fuel system, turbo, and any of the DPF system?? I'll stick with the OLD technology thank you very much.. :B

X2

How about 3rd gen CR Cummins and Lb7/LLy Dmax? Those fit the bill and are as good or better than the venerable 7.3.
Used diesels are overpriced, IMO, at least the good ones, but the Fordaholics holding onto their gold plated 7.3s are at the top of the list!
When people are asking $10k for complete beaters and $17-20k for good condition, yet high mile 15 year old pickups, they're out of their mind!
Must be enough folks out there with blue oval tattoos though cause the prices sure are hiiiigh maaaaaaaan!

Kevin O. wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.

I'm curious what you consider better, and reasonably priced? Also what years are you talking about???
I would be so scared to have a newer 6.7 Ford that is out of warranty..I couldn't imagine what the sophisticated exhaust system would cost to replace never mind the fuel system, turbo, and any of the DPF system?? I'll stick with the OLD technology thank you very much.. :B

Definitely a big factor in why I waited so long to upgrade. But note that I traded in my newer gasser 1/2 ton when I bought my Ram, not my old reliable PSD. That's also why I went with the Cummins over the new PSD or Duramax. Fewer moving parts, less complication, and much simpler to modify down the road. My family appreciates the new-found quietness and smooth ride of the Ram, though ;-)

Kevin O. wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.

I'm curious what you consider better, and reasonably priced? Also what years are you talking about???
I would be so scared to have a newer 6.7 Ford that is out of warranty..I couldn't imagine what the sophisticated exhaust system would cost to replace never mind the fuel system, turbo, and any of the DPF system?? I'll stick with the OLD technology thank you very much.. :B

X2

Lantley wrote:
I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.

I'm curious what you consider better, and reasonably priced? Also what years are you talking about???
I would be so scared to have a newer 6.7 Ford that is out of warranty..I couldn't imagine what the sophisticated exhaust system would cost to replace never mind the fuel system, turbo, and any of the DPF system?? I'll stick with the OLD technology thank you very much.. :B

WTP-GC wrote:
Ford made 2 different F250's in 97, a regular and Heavy Duty. Mine is the HD.

More trivia to help befuddle and confuse, the 1997 F250 was essentially a HD version of the new-at-the-time F150. It later was known as the F150HD, with oddball 7-lug wheels and a larger rear axle than the standard F150.