Tell me about it... I put a ton of cash in my 7.3 when I was working. If I had to do it over now, would be a gasser.
But I love the smell of diesel smoke (hillbilly incense)
I have 350 at the rear wheels in direct (Ford SVO built E4OD with metal clutch packs and 2 Hayden transmission coolers.) on the dyno. It's a fun truck for an old fart. Problem is, it's getting hard to get into, it's 6 over stock so it's up there a bit. Solid axles front and back with an axle flip in the front and lockers in both, Detroit Tru Track in the back, ARB in the front. I went for reliability not raw power. Good old school leaves on both ends with Firestone bags out back and oversize sway bars with quick disconnects. Gale Banks provided the parts, Ford SVO did the build for me. Nice to have a Ford Engineer in the immediate family.
Mine is 2 years older than yours, '97 Ford 350 XLT 4x4 CC SRW.
No emissions stuff. Take the DEF and shove it. The only thing DEF is good for is fertilizng hay fields. I spray it on. Smells like cat pee but makes hay grow.
I need a step ladder to get in the camper...lol