I'm currently pulling a 5K lb Jayco with a 2007 Silverado crew cab (5.3L, 4 spd, 3.42 gears) and feel the TV is under powered, expecially when I hit a moderate incline. I'd like to step up to a 3/4 ton gas or diesel eventually but it's not in the budget until I get the DWs Explorer paid off in a few years. My uncle has a 2000 F350 crew cab with a 7.3 he purchased new (over 130K miles on it) and offered to sell it to me well below blue book. If I took the offer, I'd have to sell the Silverado (it's paid for anyway) and use the F350 as a daily driver. What are your thougths? Would you sell a newer TV for an older TV with more miles? People say diesels last much longer with proper maintenance but the age of his TV is making me think twice. I'd probably drive the F350 for a few years until I could swing the payment on a new 3/4 ton.

I would say do it if the truck is in good shape. The 99-early 03 7.3L are highly desirable. Since it is you uncle, can you ask him to borrow and test pull your TT with it before committing to purchase?Otherwise, you would be very pleased with an upgrade to a 2007.5 3/4 ton GM pickup with 6.0L and 6-spd trans. You gain about 13% more power, plus a lot more gearing from the 6-spd. You gain 2 towing gears, cruise at lower engine speed, and probably get similar fuel economy. An uprade to this from your current paid for truck should be less than $3k for similar equipment as your half ton.

The 7.3l Ford Diesel is a good engine. It needs very regular oil changes.

Sounds like a good deal to me. If you trust your uncle, that is the best way to buy a used vehicle!Pros: You get more truck, more motor, room to grow to a bigger trailer in the future, better towing economy, better towing handling.Cons: rougher ride, noisier (inside/outside).My trailer weighs about 6k (before any toys). No bigger than my trailer is, hills don't slow me down at all.

boogie_4wheel wrote:Sounds like a good deal to me. If you trust your uncle, that is the best way to buy a used vehicle!Pros: You get more truck, more motor, room to grow to a bigger trailer in the future, better towing economy, better towing handling.Cons: rougher ride, noisier (inside/outside).My trailer weighs about 6k (before any toys). No bigger than my trailer is, hills don't slow me down at all.----Great little post.As with the cons, with noise. My buddy, had some dynamat installed in his truck. it made a world of difference. nice quiet cab now.

Acquiring the F-350 7.3L from a family member assuming it has had regular maintenance would be a no brainer. The difference in capability and performance will astound you.

TV upgrade or downgrade? | Good Sam Community

Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I believe that you have rather large diameter tires. Couple that with the 3.42 gears will give the trans a real workout. To get the power out of a 5.3, you need to spin it up by running a lower gear. The idea of limiting engine RPM will actually be harder on the engine and trans.
The 7.3 will deliver high torque at a low RPM, but that will stress the transmission, thus the trans failures with the 7.3. FYI, on the passenger side valve cover, you should find a label stating the horsepower of the 7.3.
2edgesword
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I think it comes down to how much time you will spend towing the trailer versus driving the truck solo.

This year was a little unusual for me since I towed 4,000 miles (includes a trip from NY to FL) but most years my tow distance is maybe 10% ~ 20% of my driving. The other 80% ~ 90% is regular commuting. For me making the jump from a 5.3L gas to a 7.3L diesel wouldn't make sense...but that's my opinion.

The more the tow percentage increases the more it would make sense in my mind to make the switch but I'd have to be in the neighborhood of maybe >30% to start thinking about making the switch.
Kalabin
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Another thought and maybe someone that knows the 4-speed tranny for that model year might be to swap the 3.42 gears for 4.10 or 4.30 gears. Just depends on how much your planning on spending for the other truck.
Iraqvet05
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Lantley wrote:

Do you tow that much? Does your current truck really struggle?
A 7.3 is a great motor I have owned 2 of them, but a 2000 is now 13 years old. It won't last forever and will show its age as a DD.

We have gone on 7 short trips (within 2 hours of the house) this year and plan to go more next year and farther away. The 5.3 does great on flat roads at 60-65 but throw in a small hill and my trans temp hits over 200 (factory tube and fin trans cooler) and the speed drops to 50 or lower. The Silverado is in great shape but is starting to use oil (about a quart every 3k miles). My though was to buy the F350 and keep if for a few years until my finances are more secure...having kids in daycare is a huge expense right now. I'd probably drop some money on a 4" exhaust and/or a tuner and guages to help increase the hp.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
The 7.3 is a good reliable engine, but be aware that it stinks, smokes and makes a lot of noise. The horsepower is way less than you have now. I understand that there were some transmission issues, so you best check what years are involved.
Lantley
Nomad
Sep 10, 2013
fla-gypsy wrote:
Acquiring the F-350 7.3L from a family member assuming it has had regular maintenance would be a no brainer. The difference in capability and performance will astound you.

I agree the 7.3 will have no problem towing the 5k trailer. It will be a night and day difference vs. your current truck in towing performance.
But in daily use and in every other category it will be a 7 year older truck!
In the end the whole deal maybe a wash. If your current truck is in poor shape or you need to make a change go for it.
But I would not call the overall change an upgrade. If you could make the 7.3 a dedicated tow vehicle the purchase maybe worthwhile.
But if you lose your current 2007 DD and must drive a 2000 DD that's a step backwards regardless of the towing performance.

Do you tow that much? Does your current truck really struggle?
A 7.3 is a great motor I have owned 2 of them, but a 2000 is now 13 years old. It won't last forever and will show its age as a DD.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Acquiring the F-350 7.3L from a family member assuming it has had regular maintenance would be a no brainer. The difference in capability and performance will astound you.
bigcitypopo
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
boogie_4wheel wrote:
Sounds like a good deal to me. If you trust your uncle, that is the best way to buy a used vehicle!

Pros: You get more truck, more motor, room to grow to a bigger trailer in the future, better towing economy, better towing handling.

Cons: rougher ride, noisier (inside/outside).

My trailer weighs about 6k (before any toys). No bigger than my trailer is, hills don't slow me down at all.

----

Great little post.

As with the cons, with noise. My buddy, had some dynamat installed in his truck. it made a world of difference. nice quiet cab now.
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Sounds like a good deal to me. If you trust your uncle, that is the best way to buy a used vehicle!

Pros: You get more truck, more motor, room to grow to a bigger trailer in the future, better towing economy, better towing handling.

Cons: rougher ride, noisier (inside/outside).

My trailer weighs about 6k (before any toys). No bigger than my trailer is, hills don't slow me down at all.
wcjeep
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
The 7.3l Ford Diesel is a good engine. It needs very regular oil changes.