1999 7.3l vs. 2005 6.0l F250

[zell66]

I am currently looking at these two trucks to replace my 95 GMC 3/4 ton suburban with 7.4 l big block. The 1999 model is a two wheel drive and they're asking 4995 for it the 2005 model unknown if it is four wheel drive or two wheel drive they're asking 2999 for it. The earlier model has 244000 miles on it the newer model only has 120,000 miles on it. My biggest concern is I have never owned a diesel before I don't know which engine is better or if the price is match the truck. Obviously to me the 2005 model seems awful cheap for the new year in low mileage. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated thank you.

the new trailer we purchased is a 1996 Jayco 38 foot with a dry weight of 10200 pounds

[oldtrojan66]

ihagfo has the right idea on the first page of this thread. I have an 06 6.0 and felt it was worthwhile to take it to GA to have the guys at powerstrokehelp.com do a 6K dealerproof (someone got the rights to "bullet proof" so they can't use it). Around 100k to 120k is when the problems usually started showing up. IF you have no current problems with the engine, that's the way I would go. For the lower dollars up front you have the potential for a long lasting truck with other great features. PM for details, or Google powerstrokehelp and see what they offer. hth

[jasult]

Stick with the 7.3
I just bought a 99 F350 DRW to add to my fleet of 7.3 trucks. This one will be dedicated to my 5ver

[Twain]

Funny, I was just given an offer of a 06 F350 DRW 6.0 w/lots of extras my 99 F350 7.3 doesn't have; Lariat trim, 4x4, FX4... Anyway we got the 99 from him two years ago and a few months back he went to trade in the 06 for a new F550. He never heard of the 6.0 issues, never had them, but the dealer explained that they have repaired a lot of 6.0 and didn't really want his trade. So he kept it and kinda offered us a trade; he's the original owner of both trucks. Told us he didn't want to give us a bad truck, but thought it was worth more than the dealer wanted to give. Right now I'm, sticking with old, loud 7.3, but a 7 year newer truck is tempting...

[The_Texan]

Here is a Craigslist ad for a 2002 low mileage 7.3. Remember, everything is negotiable.

[BigToe]

It may be a bit of a stretch in Arkansas, but $8K-$15K is what folks are paying on the left coast. (Literally, to a retrofit company actually called "left coast diesel"). If going the keep it stock route, the Ford dealer often hits 6.0 and 6.4 owners with five digit repair bills between $10,000 up to $18,000.

On the other hand, in 13 years, I paid a total of $15 for a cam shaft position sensor that I installed... in the glove box. That's it as far as engine repair. And truth be told, I haven't even needed it yet on the motor. I'm still on the original camshaft position sensor. Furthermore, I didn't even have to spend that $15, because Ford issued a recall beyond the original 5 year warranty. It just wasn't worth it to me to find the receipt and submit the paperwork for the reimbursement.

So, which do you choose?
An older engine with a well known $15. potential repair?
Or a newer engine with a well known $15,000. potential repair?

Even if it is only a $5,000. repair in states with a lower cost of living, the economics of potential risk is clear.

[Grit_dog]

$8-15k to bulletproof a 6.0 may be a bit of a fetch, but you are still looking at $5k+ or alot of bustin wrenches and a decent shop to work out of. Personally I wouldn't get a 6.0 unless I KNEW it's maintenance history (and had the $ to spend for EGR delete, head studs, etc). They are much more susceptible to damage due to un timely maintenance than pretty much any other light duty diesel save for the old GM 6.5TD.

[bucky]

The 7.3 was not built by Ford, but still the best engine for reliability ever put in a Ford truck.

[Dave_H_M]

I recommend you ask google. :W

[BigToe]

The 2005 coil springs, integrated brake controller, upgraded transmission, tighter turning radius, a more modern looking front grille, etc, won't matter one bit when you're stuck on the side of the road with a catastrophic five figure, cab off, three week repair to have to finance.

The cost of having to pay for two tows at once to pull you off of the side of the road... one for your truck, and another for your trailer, plus the nights at the local motel and the rental car, will likely far exceed the cost difference between the two trucks you are considering.

I take it back... the tighter turning radius might come in handy for the tow truck driver to steer your disabled truck in line with his flatbed.

If you are just now trading up from a 95, it doesn't sound like you are looking to waste an extra gallon of fuel to be the first guy to the top of the mountain pass. So unless you have an extra $8,000 to $15,000 in cash handy to cover the well known, well documented repairs needed to either fix or "bullet proof" a motor whose history you have no idea about, I'd take a pass on the 2005.

The 7.3L may be bit slower (although I've seen highly modified 7.3L's pull 11 something second 1/4 miles at the track), a bit older, and turn around in a bigger circle, but at least it manages to do so on it's own power. There was an article two years ago about an RV delivery guy reporting over 1.2 million documented miles on his 7.3L. And many more mileage reports exceeding half a million miles and still running strong.

The 6.7L from Ford looks promising. But that remains to be seen long term, and remains an order of magnitude more expensive to get into.

[ib516]

Airstreamer67 wrote:
If you get a Cummins, make sure it's not the "53" block, which can crack, and make sure the dowel pin has been fixed, which otherwise can move and ruin the engine.

The dowel pin issue was what model year 1998 and older? And the 53 block was up to 2001? Both are older units than the OP is considering, though they are issues to look out for is shopping for a much older rig.

[Andymon]

I have a 99 F250 with the 7.3. I paid $9900. Had it checked out and the shop said it was basically like new with 170K on it. Whoever had it before me knew how to take care of it. Heavy duty tranny cooler, new tires, brakes, shocks, wheel bearing...you name it. I love it!

[Stefonius]

A lot of people have mentioned the difference between the two diesel engines, so I won't get into that, but here are a few other things to know:

The 2005 will have a coil spring front suspension (as compared to the leaf springs on the 1999). This will give it a MUCH better turning radius. My 2003 F450 has the turning radius of an aircraft carrier.

The 2005 model was offered with an integrated brake controller that senses brake pedal pressure and applies the trailer brakes accordingly. It's a much smoother and more efficient way to stop than an auxiliary unit that relies on a pendulum to sense when you're slowing down. IF the 2005 was equipped with it from the factory, it's a nice option to have.

Most folks I've met will agree that the 2005 front end looks better.

The 2005 has a better automatic transmission and larger cooling system for the tranny. The cooler can be retrofitted to the older truck.

If properly maintained, the 2005 truck should get better fuel economy and run MUCH more quietly. I love my 7.3, but it is not a stealthy engine by any means. I have to turn it off to use a drive-thru speaker. Come to think of it, I have to k-turn in many drive-thru lanes as well. Both of those things are good for my diet, as I tend to avoid fast food when I'm in the truck.

[Airstreamer67]

If you get a Cummins, make sure it's not the "53" block, which can crack, and make sure the dowel pin has been fixed, which otherwise can move and ruin the engine.

[whsk]

I am biased,get a cummins!-that 6.0 can be be a money pit-7.3 is a good engine but with 244000 you will be replacing parts on a regular basis-whsk