Ford 7.3 power stroke f250 any good?

Question about the 99-03 7.3 super duty but first some background. Years ago I had a 95 gmc 2500 with the 6.5 diesel. I liked the truck til it hit 80k miles and then became a money pit. One thing after another went haywire. Finally, I gave up and sold it and got an 02 tundra on which I put 150k miles without so much as a hiccup. It even pulled my old trailer over the mtn passes faster and easier than the gmc. Now i have an 07 tundra with 100k miles and ditto, never a single problem. I love this truck becayse i bever have to worry about a breakdown ruining my vacation. I maintain my vehicles well with 3k oil changes and other recommended service intervals. Our cars are either toyota or Hondas that have been completely trouble free for decades. When I sold the gmc, I swore I'd never again touch another American made vehicle with a 10' pole.

Well, we recently got a new trailer; an arctic fox 25r that is just a bit too much for the 07 tundra I'm afraid. It pulls and brakes fine,but at 7500 lbs loaded,the handling is not the most pleasant experience. I'm using an equalizer 10k hitch. My old trailer was the same length but only weighed 5k loaded and towed nicely using a Reese dual cam.

If money were no object, id just keep a new 3/4t diesel til the warranty expired and ditch it for a new one. That's not in the cards so I'm looking at some f250's with 7.3 diesels with 55-70k miles in excellent condition. What might I expect from such a vehicle in terms of ownership costs?

One of them had the front end and steering box replaced at 60k. Another had a tranny when still under warranty, another had a/c pump, belts, idlers replaced pre 70k. I realize were talking probabilities here, but am I likely to need frequent expensive repairs on a 99-03 super duty with 7.3?

The 5.7 tundra has 381hp @ 5600 RPM and Torque @401 @ 3600 RPM.
The 7.3 ford makes 250hp @ 2600 RPM and Torque @ 525 @ 1600 RPM. What practical difference will I experience dragging my 7500# trailer up 6-8% grades?

I'd appreciate hearing about how your 7.3 SD held up for you and why you sold it or why you've kept it.
Thank You!

Tow Vehicles

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
Great engine with a few minor problems.
#1. CPS goes out. But it's a 10 minute fix on the side of the road.
#2. Injector wiring chaffing problem. That can be fixed with a new improved wiring harness.

The tranny was a problem with these trucks. It was not as good as the engines.

Fix these few problems and they are great trucks that cost very little to keep on the road.
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
Not a power house by todays standards but a VERY reliable engine. My neighbor just turned 500K miles in his.
They are still highly sought after, and still pull a premium in certain truck models.
sarhvac1
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
I have 03 7.3 f250 I pull a 11000lb fully loaded 8700lb dry f/w been up and down the east coast with it pulls like a champ I never felt the need for more power even up and down the mountains in my home state of PA it just recently turned 95k miles I have it for 6-7 years bought it with 56k and the only thing I needed on it so far was brakes rotors and a glow plug relay however I have had prevent. maint. done trans maint. every 30-40k oh and I had high press. oil line fittings leak replaced for about 250.00 also had the springs and shocks replaced with heavier duty ratings but didn't need them just wanted to beef it up I think I paid around 21k 6-7 years ago with a snow plow on it i'm gonna run it till it dies or I do which ever comes first..also just did a 2300mile trip out to Michigan and averaged 12.5 MPG with towing and site seeing that's about what I average every trip had 1 time running empty down to Myrtle beach and back and averaged 16 mpg all hand calc.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
That's not in the cards so I'm looking at some f250's with 7.3 diesels with 55-70k miles in excellent condition.

Good luck with that.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 29, 2016
If you can find a Super Duty with a 7.3 PSD with less than 100k miles for a decent price it could be a reliable vehicle. We have two of them for farm/ranch use and they take a beating and the trucks just hold up plain and simple. Having said that the biggest pitfall with these trucks is the 4x4 trucks have a leaf spring setup on the front suspension that's not the smoothest ride out there. Probably not a big deal 15 years ago but after being accustomed to the coil suspension with the large swing arms like on my current Super Duty or that smooth ride of your Tundra it will have a much rougher ride in comparison. As for unloaded power it won't be in the same league in terms of get up and go, but hook a trailer to it and that's when it will shine.

Good luck...
RooDude09
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
I had an '01 7.3l extended cab long bed. Towed our 27 foot 6100 pound dry trailer just fine for four years. Should be about where you are loaded. Only problem was gearing when towing. If you don't mind a stick it worth getting one because there is one extra gear basically if you don't count the granny low. It did lack power, you really had to get it wound up for the hills. Fan came on alot after the hills when it was hot. If was however a very reliable truck always got us there. As some have said the trannys suck. They lack cooling. I put in a 6.0l tranny cooler which cured that. 7500 pounds won't stress the tranny much. Just keep in mind it required just as much or more maintenance on a low milage truck. I diligently changed the oil every 6 months being a low milage truck. Fuel filters every third. And changed the tranny fluid every year. Trucks with low miles may have sat for extended amounts of time allowing the oil to breakdown. Fuel filters that are not changed or drained of water can be detrimental to the injectors. Also oil starts to leak from sitting. Good luck in your search, sounds like you've found some good candidates for your next tow vehicle. They are VERY reliable.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2016
7500 lbs shouldn't be too much for that tundra. Might I suggest some e rated tires? I had a 2010 with factory e rated all terrains and it handled my 6500 lbs Nash trailer with ease, up and down the mountains in Eastern US. If you have enough payload with your tundra, it will make more power than that 7.3.

My tires kept my tundra feeling nice and solid, even when I upgraded to a 9500 lbs trailer... I just ran out of payload.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
I have one, owned it for 12 years or so. Did the injector wiring, brakes and rotors many times. Has 105,000 miles on it now. Tows my 9300 pound fifth up and down. Lariat model, with extra transmission cooler I suppose. Very nice condition still, and likely to be with me for many more years. Rancho shocks and 19.5 tires and wheels make it a beast.
Cool_Canuck
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
I had an '01. My first long trip towing a 5th wheel, it drove me crazy because it down shifted going over every over pass and small hills. I put a mild tune a larger exhaust and gauges in it. That turned it into a great tow vehicle. That extra power, as little as it was, was too much for the torque converter clutch. That vehicle was one of the most dependable I ever owned. Never left me on the side of the road and would start unaided at -40 deg.

The box started rusting and had it fixed once, but the guy did a chit job so I sold it and got a 2011. I haven't regretted that either.
Mr_MrsSchleppro
Explorer
Jul 29, 2016
I have a late 99 F250 Superduty 4x4 crew cab.. 7.3 It has 235xxx miles on it and I will Never get rid of it. We tow a 38' Salem 29ud3 and always get 11.5 to 12.5mpg. The good thing about a 7.3 compared to newer diesels is a 7.3 will drink about anything to where the newer diesels are very finicky about the fuel.