Question for the ford guys

[rockyrude]

I'm looking to replace my two wheel drive 1/2 ton tow rig with a four wheel F250 because I'm towing 3500 pounds. The question is, when is a 7.3 diesel done? I'm looking at two, a 1999 king cab unknown body miles but replaced 7.3 for 11k or a 2001 extended cab with 256k on the clock for 10k. Thanks for any help.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Question for the ford guys

It all depends how well it has been looked after. There a good engine and capable of going a lot of miles.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Fords dont have a king cab, they have supercab and crewcab.
If its taken care of a diesel should get 400,000 miles out of it.
Why are you looking at a diesel for a 3500lb trl. the 5.4 will pull it fine.
I pull 11,000 with my 5.4, it doesnt like it but will do it. And remember that you are not pulling all the time, the extra costs involved with a 7.3 add up fast.
The V-10 is a good one also, and better overall mileage than the 5.4, without so much extra expense.
If you must get the diesel, stick with the 7.3 the rest are not so good.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: Question for the ford guys

7.3 went out of production for Ford in 2003. It was dropped because it could not meet the more stringent future EPA standards. It was in production about 14 years. It is made by International. It is a great engine. Every time I bring my truck in for service, I get bombarded with requests to sell it to the dealer. It is a hot item. They last forever, are not complicated and the only truck on the road that has not only auto 4 WD but can be set manually. That helps since all auto 4 WD do have problems at times due to dirt, etc getting into the wheels. The manual hubs are great when that time comes... It fact when my auto switch does not work and I manually turn the hubs, it fixes the auto function by clearing the dirt out of the way. They also have an enormous towing capacity and can be easily modified for towing by program and or chips sets that are not too expensive. Mine is modded with a programmer and I keep it in tow mode. If I selected race mode, I can burn rubber in all four wheels. Weird seeing a big butt F350 doing that...

Anyway, I'd look at www.ford-trucks.com and snoop around the forums area (top left side of page) there for more information from the source...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I have a 2000 F350 Super Cab 4X4 with 300,000 miles on it. I would probably lean towards the truck with the newer motor but ultimately these diesels are alot like boats in that their longevity is completely dependent on how they were cared for. I put 95% of the miles on mine and I know exactly what has been done to it, I won't kid you, this truck ran a 13.2 1/4 mile so I didn't baby it but on the same token I didn't beat it badly either. I have so much confidence in that truck that when my oldest daughter asked me for the truck to take to college I had no problem with it. They are as good as they come in a diesel. The weak point is the tranny which can be replaced with a better built one aftermarket I broke my original tranny at 225,000 miles on it so I wasn't unhappy about how long it lasted at all.

This is with 285,000 miles on it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Why are you looking at a diesel for a 3500lb trl. the 5.4 will pull it fine.

I was wondering the same thing... a 1/2 ton should be MORE than adequate for a 3500# trailer. Put some money into a nice brake kit and add trailer brakes if you haven't already.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Question for the ford guys

You don't need a big diesel truck to tow only 3500 Lbs. but do it if you want to and have fun.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I have a 2000 F350 Super Cab 4X4 with 300,000 miles on it. I would probably lean towards the truck with the newer motor but ultimately these diesels are alot like boats in that their longevity is completely dependent on how they were cared for. I put 95% of the miles on mine and I know exactly what has been done to it, I won't kid you, this truck ran a 13.2 1/4 mile so I didn't baby it but on the same token I didn't beat it badly either. I have so much confidence in that truck that when my oldest daughter asked me for the truck to take to college I had no problem with it. They are as good as they come in a diesel. The weak point is the tranny which can be replaced with a better built one aftermarket I broke my original tranny at 225,000 miles on it so I wasn't unhappy about how long it lasted at all.

This is with 285,000 miles on it.

A diesel 350 doing the 1/4 in 13.2 Your kidding right?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question for the ford guys

A diesel 350 doing the 1/4 in 13.2 Your kidding right?

Nope, the sad part is I wasn't even in the top 20 in my class.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I'm looking to replace my two wheel drive 1/2 ton tow rig with a four wheel F250 because I'm towing 3500 pounds. The question is, when is a 7.3 diesel done? I'm looking at two, a 1999 king cab unknown body miles but replaced 7.3 for 11k or a 2001 extended cab with 256k on the clock for 10k. Thanks for any help.

Ford upgraded the older 6.9L Navistar Diesel to a 7.3ci version in 1988, in 1994, for one year only they added a turbo charged option to the indirect injected old school engine, this lasted only part of that model year. In late 1994 they released the first 7.3L Direct Injected Turbocharged Diesel. That motor ran pretty much unchanged other than a few updates until 2003.

I've seen various versions of this motor last well over 400K, but I've also seen a few die long before they hit the 200K mark. How well you care for it and keep up on the maintenance as required will determine it's lifespan. I ran a 1985 F250 with a retrofitted 1989 7.3L IDI motor for 450K before selling it in favor of a 1997 7.3L Powerstroke truck, which in turn I ran for 250K before selling it after it's towing capabilities were no longer needed.
If your not sure about one of those engines, fine a good mechanic and pay him to evaluate the truck and engine. Their not a cheap engine to fix or replace, so be sure what your buying. A compression and leak down check, as well as a computer scan would be in order.
The injector seals were an issue in the early Powerstroke versions, as were the IDM module which fires the injectors. If these fixes were done, even the first year models can be good engines.

Myself, for reliability, I've come to prefer the older mechanical injected engines, they still give gobs of torque but have a lower HP rating and slower acceleration. They are far cheaper to service and repair though. I miss my 1985 F250 Diesel the most.

I would estimate that transmission life expectancy behind a diesel Powerstroke is most likely around 100K to 150K. Anything beyond that is a gift if your towing. I've yet to get any automatic transmission to survive beyond the 150K mark in any vehicle. Seals and clutches all wear and deteriorate with heat and age.

 

[dvandsm64]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I was wondering the same thing... a 1/2 ton should be MORE than adequate for a 3500# trailer. Put some money into a nice brake kit and add trailer brakes if you haven't already.

i wondered too. i tow a @8000lb. camper with my f150 with 4.6liter and it does just fine.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I guess I should of clarified, the 3/4 ton isn't only for the towing, 15 sheets of drywall squats my 1/2 ton pretty well. It's a '95 with the standard suspension and with two wheel drive, between the ramps and the winters it gets to be a handful.

 

[mcastles]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Hi

interesting discussion since I have been some concerned about my own situation. I have a 2005 Expedition with the 5.4 L and air suspension. I pull a 5000 lb boat in New England where everything is up or down, no flat ground. I do have trailer brakes, so no problem there but I worry about the longevity of the Ford. It has 67k miles, but the torque converter went out at 60k miles, maybe totally unrelated to towing. The transmission seems to be by far the weakest link on this truck.

Bottom line I was considering an F250/350 for better towing capacity.

any comments

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I wouldn't hesitate purchasing one of these trucks at the right price, just realize that a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is typically a work truck and therefore has been used and abused the way it was intended. I would look at replacing all the bushings in the front end, shocks, tie rods and possibly Ujoints just to tighten the ole lady up a bit. The longer the truck the easier the tow on the highway problem is.....PARKING!!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I see absolutely no reason to have a 3/4 ton truck, much less a diesel if you are towing only 5K lbs or less. The only exception is if you tow at least once or twice a week all year long. Otherwise, an F150 will be more than adequate, especially the 04+ models. The 5.4L gasser is a perfectly capable engine which has been a great engine since 1997. The maintenance/fuel cost savings on a gasser will outweight the benefits of a diesel unless you tow heavy weight or drive lots of highway miles (where the diesels can get good mpg's).

I cannot attest to the tranny life on the diesels (other than Dodge being the WORST in tranny life). My past 3 Ford trucks have gone over 150K before I sold them, and I never touched the tranny once on any of them aside from a fluid flush/filter every 60K. No slipping in any gear and excellent towing on the 5.8L(351w), and two 5.4L's.

I love diesels, and the 7.3L is one of the best that Ford ever made, but I just don't think it's necessary in this instance. The 1/2 ton will also ride better and have better road manners when not towing.

My next truck (currently in an '08 F150 Lariat) will be a new F250 with the 6.7L, but that's only because we will be getting a 27'-29' cruiser which will be pushing 10K lbs.

 

[mcastles]

Re: Question for the ford guys

great insight and thanks for the advice. I'll just hang with what I have for now, especially since the ole boat is wrapped tight and is 10 degrees outside

happy holidays to all

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Question for the ford guys

the only truck on the road that has not only auto 4 WD but can be set manually. That helps since all auto 4 WD do have problems at times due to dirt, etc getting into the wheels.

Its not the dirt, its the vacuum seals that go bad. then the auto hubs wont lock. Thats when you have to use them manually. As long as all the vaccum parts are good its just the same as twisting the hub to lock it in.
I replaced my auto hubs some years back, as the seals are 125.00 each for the large and i think 75 for the small ones. You need 2 of each. New hubs were like 100.00 for Warn on sale. I think that was the cost.
Now i have to get out every time, but its was worth it.

 

[cashdollar2]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I've had the chance to own many ford trucks! Depending on how you drive them, a diesel 7.3 on most ford trucks is just getting broke in around 150,xxx miles, my friends dad has a 89 f350 with the 7.3 and it just rolled over 400,xxx. The only problem with the newer fords ( around 99 and up) are the transmissions. They seem to only last half as long so keep that in mind.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Question for the ford guys

As per my signature, I have an 01 f250 with the 7.3. I bought it after selling my 05 Tundra due to a lack in towing/hauling. I used to burn 3/4 of a tank towing our old boat, a 25' Cobalt on a tandem axle. With the 7.3 I towed it out to Deep Creek Lake in Western MD. For the MidAtlantic that's about as mountainous as we get. The truck logged about 13 mpg for the trip. Not bad. I currently have 155k on it and have been told by many to expect between 400-500k before any major service is needed. As noted, the trans is the weak link.

If you are looking for a "non work" truck, look for a Lariet or heavily optioned truck. It most likely was not loaded with tools and beaten on a daily basis. BTW, tires get REALLY expensive, too. I paid close to a grand this summer and they were on sale! As soon as you step up to an E rated tire the price goes through the roof! Oh yeah, and my average oil change is about $75. 15 quarts if I remember right...

 

[xeddog]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I have read several replies questioning why you need a diesel just to pull 3500 lbs. My experience is going from a 1977 3/4 ton Dodge with a worked on 360 v8 to a 1999 Ford F-250 SD standard cab with the 7.3L diesel pulling just a little more weight at around 4000 lbs. While my Dodge pulled it ok, the Ford pulls it GREAT. The Ford is a ton heavier (literally! 3250 lbs vs. 5600 lbs) and the extra weight seems to help with stability. The power of the diesel is good for staying up with traffic, getting up hills, and the turbo helps a LOT in the mountains. And to top things off, I get much better gas mileage with the diesel while towing. Bottom Line: I'd do it again in a heartbeat!


Wayne