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Need a new(used) diesel Truck -But am scared to give up the 7.3
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Need a new(used) diesel Truck -But am scared to give up the 7.3
I have a 7.3 2001 f250 with 195k and want to upgrade. I tow 7,ooo almost daily and think nothing of hooking up and towing with it but need a change. All the reports I read about a 2008 6.4 scare me, and I don't know where to turn. I like the 2007 5.9 dodge and the 2006 or 7 gmc or CHEV without the filters. Biggest problem is that in season I can not afford one day of downtime without a truck. Any suggestions? Love the 7.3 but after 190k in the drivers seat i need to change - The more I read everyone just talks about problems and not what works.
I have a 7.3 2001 f250 with 195k and want to upgrade. I tow 7,ooo almost daily and think nothing of hooking up and towing with it but need a change. All the reports I read about a 2008 6.4 scare me, and I don't know where to turn. I like the 2007 5.9 dodge and the 2006 or 7 gmc or CHEV without the filters. Biggest problem is that in season I can not afford one day of downtime without a truck. Any suggestions? Love the 7.3 but after 190k in the drivers seat i need to change - The more I read everyone just talks about problems and not what works.
Why do you need to get rid of it if it still runs good and is paid for? From what I've read, you will regret selling the 7.3 after dealing with a newer diesel. Think hard, that 7.3 is one of the most proven diesel power plants around. The 5.9 Cummins would be my first choice of you have to get a newer one.
Do not be scared to give up your 7.3.. Ford was your friend until they pushed the 6.0 & the 6.4. light duty diesel engines. These are found in nothing but the F series -frankly no one else wants them.
Of course you could try the 6.6 light duty Isuzu in the chev-I would take it over the Ford. Or you can......
set your sights on a medium duty Cummins-found in trucks & equipment all over the world. Tried & true.
Order a 2011 Ford with the 6.7L diesel. Out of the box huge torque and great fuel economy. Coupled with the best HD truck in my admittedly biased opinion.
I have a 7.3 2001 f250 with 195k and want to upgrade. I tow 7,ooo almost daily and think nothing of hooking up and towing with it but need a change. All the reports I read about a 2008 6.4 scare me, and I don't know where to turn. I like the 2007 5.9 dodge and the 2006 or 7 gmc or CHEV without the filters. Biggest problem is that in season I can not afford one day of downtime without a truck. Any suggestions? Love the 7.3 but after 190k in the drivers seat i need to change - The more I read everyone just talks about problems and not what works.
I sympathize with you. Our business is almost exactly the same. Unfortunately, there is no good answer any longer.
Expecting that kind of service from your next ride is going to set you up for dissapointment and let down. This forum is notorious for folks telling you about 300-400K miles but it is just not realistic with no down time.
Having the same type of business as you, I opted for TWO 6.0 ltr. Fords. Actually, had to buy one off the lot when one was going to the shop for a week. That's what happens when you can't afford a single day without it.
We are now moving to a Freightliner with a cummins 8.3 ISC with an '07 F-350 sitting in the shop strictly as a back up vehicle, but we tow more than double your load, so this would be overkill for you.
Since your 7.3 doesn't owe you anything at this point, have you considered keeping it as your back up vehicle and getting a late model 6.0?
I have the same year truck with 202k. If you can't afford any down time then you should have 2 trucks. Just keep the 2001 as a backup. It is not going to be worth a whole lot anyhow.
Location: Solomons, Maryland / Now just visiting Marathon
Posts: 4,683
How do you go from a fire-snorting PSD to an Isuzu?????
Ya don't.
I agree with Dreamweaver, keep it as a back up.
If you need a new seat, just go to a salvage yard and get one.
As for a primary truck, do you want a new one? ($$ ?)
If so, then yes, the 2011 F-250.
If not, there are a fair number of F-250 - F-350 with low miles to be had at good prices.
If ya run something the way it was intended (a real truck), there will be down time at some point.
And yes, you can really expect to get OVER 300k miles on your PSD.
If automatic, you can expect a trans swap at some point, start planning for it.
Other than that, you already know about the care and feeding of your PSD.
The 7.3 is a damn good power plant, think before you toss it aside.
I am faced with putting in 4-5,000 into a truck that books out @ $9,000 with 195,000 miles. The bell housing is cracked so when it goes I will need a new trans, and the truck needs tires. All other services have been done as needed. Just spent $ on ball joints, tie rods, and breaks. As usual the u-joints are going to be needed. Just put in new alternator and two batteries. It always is something, I was just thinking it could be something, in a more comfortable and different truck. Just need to depend on something every day for work, when the truck does not run, I can' t service the boats and make $.
Given the choice I would have two trucks, but it is not a option.
Location: Solomons, Maryland / Now just visiting Marathon
Posts: 4,683
If you are at that point, I would agree.
Problem is, you'll need to find a used one that didn't tow often.
That's where the wear comes from.
Sure would be sweet to get a new one though, eh?
06-07 classic in a CHEVY or GMC will honestly be an excellent option if you leave it stock(but stock in one of these is pretty strong at 365HP). It will give you some of the better milage and was a proven reliable rig with the updated 6 speed ALLISON. An 04-07 5.9L in a DODGE is a good engine, and the 48RE proved itself to be pretty good. 05+ 6.0L's in the FORD can be good engines, but blocking the EGR and installing head studs and new gaskets is reccomended. I persoanlly would avoid all of the current offerings with a DPF(07-10) as they have reduced milage due to theraw fuel that is injected into the engine to keep the exhaust hot enough for regens. The 2011+ with UREA are said to get better milage as they won't need the raw fuel injected in to heat the exhaust up due to the different catylist system in the exhaust that uses UREA for FORD and GM(DODGE is sticking with dumping the raw fuel in for the DPF for now).
Bear in mind that all of this is if left basically stock. With some aftermarket add ons they ALL can be made good and reliable, but the new emissions equipment has been the major killer of the reliability, milage, and longevity that diesels used to have.
I am faced with putting in 4-5,000 into a truck that books out @ $9,000 with 195,000 miles. The bell housing is cracked so when it goes I will need a new trans, and the truck needs tires. All other services have been done as needed. Just spent $ on ball joints, tie rods, and breaks. As usual the u-joints are going to be needed. Just put in new alternator and two batteries. It always is something, I was just thinking it could be something, in a more comfortable and different truck. Just need to depend on something every day for work, when the truck does not run, I can' t service the boats and make $.
Given the choice I would have two trucks, but it is not a option.
lol. It is always something. I just did ball joints, alternator, and batteries too. I put shocks and tires on it when I bought it so good to go for a bit there. I am keeping my 2001 F250 but if I had to replace it I would probably take a shot on a Dodge with the 5.9. Friend of mine uses them at work and they have been good.
I am faced with putting in 4-5,000 into a truck that books out @ $9,000 with 195,000 miles. The bell housing is cracked so when it goes I will need a new trans, and the truck needs tires. All other services have been done as needed. Just spent $ on ball joints, tie rods, and breaks. As usual the u-joints are going to be needed. Just put in new alternator and two batteries. It always is something, I was just thinking it could be something, in a more comfortable and different truck. Just need to depend on something every day for work, when the truck does not run, I can' t service the boats and make $.
Given the choice I would have two trucks, but it is not a option.
I would buy a gently used truck if you decide to go that route. A new one would be very expensive. Look at it this way, $4-5K and you have a truck that would hopefully be ready for another 100K miles. A $40-50K truck is gonna cost you probably $800/mo., which would be $4-5k in what, 5-6 months? You're gonna spend the money either way, you just have to decide if you want an ongoing payment or if you want to keep maintaining a truck that is paid for.
Our government, unfortunately, has ruined just about every diesel option out there.
I agree! I've got a 2007 5.9lL Cummins and I trade up every couple years, not sure what to do now. I don't want to buy the first model year of a motor so where do I go now? I may very well buy a 3/4 ton ... GAS... truck in the future. For what I'm towing the gas motors are nipping on the heals of the diesels as far as MPG and have more HP and torque than the first diesel I bought years ago.
Look at the new Ford guys. I know I am annoying all you, but seems like the best bet for a new truck in face of the regs put on the industry. Try Ford.com
Look at the new Ford guys. I know I am annoying all you, but seems like the best bet for a new truck in face of the regs put on the industry. Try Ford.com
Need a new(used) diesel Truck -But am scared to give up the 7.3 
