Truck Decision UPDATE: Decison Made (pending)

Dirtpig wrote:
I love my 6.0 PSD. had it since it was 2yrs old with 27,000km. I will say that do not go buying a 6liter without first purchasing a scangaugeII or edge insight CTS which allows you to monitor all of the necessary parameters which will immediately show signs of if the truck is in need of repair work. Also i would recommend having the latest flash on the PCM, which will also warn you of impending problems (doom). (overboost, etc will throw a wrench/limp mode). I also would never buy one without first hitching up a heavy load or putting camper on the truck and flooring it up the longest steepest hill you have near you to see if it self destructs. If it doesnt and all necessary parameters are within spec then u have a keeper.

So many of these trucks on the road have been abused/chipped/messed with and they are going to cost you some cash to fix up.

If you see any with red juice in the degass bottle or a coolant filter then the dude new how to look after his truck. I would shy away with any that have tuners.

I could write a book on what to look for/run from lol. I think a full "bulletproof" costs around 5k but i have not yet had to do it.

Very good advice,also get an oasis report from the dealer before you buy. It lists anything done on the truck by a Ford dealer. A lot of the complaints on these engines that you hear about stem from some one either not watching (i;e scan gauge) or adding a programmer. There are a lot of them out there that "kids" have gotten to hot rod and those are the ones to stay away from.

A couple of thoughts to ponder:

1 Ford has had major problems with the Harvester International engines, to the point of law suits between Ford and International.

Seems like a big paint stroke with this statement. 94.5-2003 7.3 International is one of the best, if not the best Diesels ever put in a pickup, FACT.

Finally sold my truck at $24,900. Now the hunt for a replacement at $15k or less. We will see. Just re-read all of the great replies. Really appreciate everyone's comments.

Yes, I have consistently heard great things about the 7.3. Have a friend that still drives one approaching 300k miles. Will definitely consider that if I can find the right one.

Most of the gassers I am finding in my price range are the Triton V10. Also have heard great things about this motor reliability wise, but the knock is awful gas mileage. Anyone have a different experience?

martyn8677 wrote:

mike mck wrote:
This thread seems to be getting a bit off track.
Stay focused folks.
OP wants to sell his current truck for $25K and buy a 1 ton for !5$ and spend the bal of $10K on a camper.
He is looking for opinions on what 1 ton truck to buy for $15K or less. I'm thinking that leaves out 2010 or newer off the list.

Just for fun I ran a 2008 XLT F350 6.4 diesel excellent condition thru Kelly blue book. $11,700.00
Same truck with V10 Gasser $12,400.00.

I find LOTS of Ford Powerstrokes available in my price range with low miles (for a diesel), compared to Chevy/GMC and Dodge. Coincidence? I don't think so.

My takeaways from this. Don't think I want to roll the dice on a Powerstroke, though just in terms of looks, is my favorite truck. I will take another look at Dodge. But, from what I am reading here, no reason I shouldn't consider a gas engine, which may be my best option.

BTW, campers I like in early buying phase to upgrade to: Adventurer 86SBS, AF 811S, Lance 855S.

If I were to find a killer deal on a dually, I may jump on it, and that would open up other camper possibilities.

Thanks again everyone for the great replies. I love this forum, and have learned a lot since I started reading it.

Martyn
All powerstrokes are not the same. I don't think you can go wrong with a 7.3L It's looking like the 6.7 may be as good a motor. 6.0 got a lot of well deserved bad press. I'm not sure how heavy a truck you are looking for.
If you are looking at Fords at $15K or less you can find lots of 6.0's but not sure I would go that direction.
As you are talking a TC with slide out I can tell you I hauled a 94 Caribou with a 94 F350 dually. Did the job but as mentioned did get lean turning out of parking lots. I just can't imagine hauling a slide out camper with a SRW truck. Believe me a long bed crewcab in srw or drw is no different when it comes time to park.
When I came across my 1999 F550 with pick up bed I was sold. $7K, No squat or lean. It just does not care what is in the bed. 4.88 gears.
Empty on flat highway under 70 MPH gets 15 MPG. Loaded with camper towing 5000 lbs headed from Phoenix into the mountain's to Flagstaff got 10 mpg.
From the outside it looks no different that a F350 until you look underneath. I didn't even know there was a Dana 135.

All I can tell you is my F550 with 7.3 fills all my needs and more. Is probably more truck than I need but that adds to the comfort factor. Many advise why buy more truck than you need. My answer is comfort factor. I would advise buy as much truck as you can afford.
Am adding a couple images to show the F550 looks no different than the F350 from the out side with the exception of the 19.5 tires.

My opinion of going to the larger truck applies to Dodge and Chevy as well.

brirene wrote:

Desertboy wrote:

mike mck wrote:


I ended up with a 1999 F550 with the 7.3 power stroke with pickup bed. Already bullet proof from the factory.

Now that's some advice.

Except for this statement, which I'm curious about. Bulletproof Diesel is a private company that remans Ford oem equipment into upgraded, more effective parts that perform better and address the now known problem areas with the 6.0. So far as I know, Ford won't "factory install" these parts. Which is why I'm curious. Is that what happened, or were the upgrades actually aftermarket? Curious minds want to know! :)

Not a modified 7.3. Not familiar with bulletproof diesel. My statement is related to the 7.3 powerstroke not the 6.0. M 7.3 has over 240,000 miles and runs with no issues. My sons has over 300,000 and again no issues. Great motor you can expect 500,000 miles out of.
Hence the generic term Bullet proof.

The OP never mentioned towing, so I have to chime in that a gasser with 3.73 gears is just fine for hauling a heavy camper like my AF 990. Truck + wet camper + gear + people and dogs scaled at 12,700 lbs and no problem with acceleration or climbing hills. I get between 9.75 and 10.75 MPG now and don't want to get even less with lower gearing.

The only thing I ever tow with my camper is a very light 2 man fishing boat. Weights about 300lbs plus the trailer.

Desertboy wrote:

mike mck wrote:


I ended up with a 1999 F550 with the 7.3 power stroke with pickup bed. Already bullet proof from the factory.

Now that's some advice.

Except for this statement, which I'm curious about. Bulletproof Diesel is a private company that remans Ford oem equipment into upgraded, more effective parts that perform better and address the now known problem areas with the 6.0. So far as I know, Ford won't "factory install" these parts. Which is why I'm curious. Is that what happened, or were the upgrades actually aftermarket? Curious minds want to know! :)

Desertboy wrote:

mike mck wrote:
I will start with general thoughts.
My son is a master tech and works on all brands. A few years ago I was looking to replace my 94 F350 7.3 IDI dually. Looked at all 3 brands. Sons advice from the start. Stay away from the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 too much risk involved. Might get a good one might not.
ford 7.3 Can't miss
Dodge 5.9 Can't miss
Chevy duramax Nice motor stay away from chipped motors.

Dodge diesel trucks.
Great engines and drive trains. As others have stated even ford puts em in the F650's. Interiors cheap and most were coming apart.
Chevys.
Just didn't find any I liked for various reasons. Son has worked on a few and the hi dollar tickets were always consumer abuse of some sort. Chipped to the point they over boost creating any number of problems or not having issues checked until they stop the motor. Once repaired the Duramax is a beast. His words not mine. Can you go wrong with an Allison trans?
Fords
I ended up with a 1999 F550 with the 7.3 power stroke with pickup bed. Already bullet proof from the factory. Paid $7K
Reason I bought it
Did I mention $7K for a clean F550. 7.3 powerstroke Last year available is 2003 I believe.
Payload. I carry a 4K LB camper and the truck does not even squat.
19.5 tire and wheels. I towed a M105A3 for a while but now just a 14 ft utility trailer with Rhino on it. I never have to calculate weights either payload or towing. No expensive suspension mods.
Truck had pulled horse and livestock trailers all its life for 2 different ranch owners here in AZ. I bought it with close to 200K miles. Am now at 248K. One thing that has not been discussed is the trans. At 244K I replaced mine with a ford Reman for $2600.00.
My mechanics advice on Fords. Just can't go wrong with the 7.3 powerstroke. 6.0 why take a chance, 6.4 why take a chance. 6.7 Nice motor similar to the duramax.
Well my 2 cents

Now that's some advice.

You betcha!

That's just what I was thinking too!

It's certainly comprehensive - with everything followed up upon with facts and figures.

Makes me glad I've got perhaps the best of all worlds; a one ton dually Ford with the 7.3 PSD, and a bulletproof transmission - all that is a complete joy to drive and own!

mike mck wrote:
I will start with general thoughts.
My son is a master tech and works on all brands. A few years ago I was looking to replace my 94 F350 7.3 IDI dually. Looked at all 3 brands. Sons advice from the start. Stay away from the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 too much risk involved. Might get a good one might not.
ford 7.3 Can't miss
Dodge 5.9 Can't miss
Chevy duramax Nice motor stay away from chipped motors.

Dodge diesel trucks.
Great engines and drive trains. As others have stated even ford puts em in the F650's. Interiors cheap and most were coming apart.
Chevys.
Just didn't find any I liked for various reasons. Son has worked on a few and the hi dollar tickets were always consumer abuse of some sort. Chipped to the point they over boost creating any number of problems or not having issues checked until they stop the motor. Once repaired the Duramax is a beast. His words not mine. Can you go wrong with an Allison trans?
Fords
I ended up with a 1999 F550 with the 7.3 power stroke with pickup bed. Already bullet proof from the factory. Paid $7K
Reason I bought it
Did I mention $7K for a clean F550. 7.3 powerstroke Last year available is 2003 I believe.
Payload. I carry a 4K LB camper and the truck does not even squat.
19.5 tire and wheels. I towed a M105A3 for a while but now just a 14 ft utility trailer with Rhino on it. I never have to calculate weights either payload or towing. No expensive suspension mods.
Truck had pulled horse and livestock trailers all its life for 2 different ranch owners here in AZ. I bought it with close to 200K miles. Am now at 248K. One thing that has not been discussed is the trans. At 244K I replaced mine with a ford Reman for $2600.00.
My mechanics advice on Fords. Just can't go wrong with the 7.3 powerstroke. 6.0 why take a chance, 6.4 why take a chance. 6.7 Nice motor similar to the duramax.
Well my 2 cents

Now that's some advice.