Yall know anything about diesel Fords?

TriRacer27
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 9:46pm
I'm looking to buy a diesel ford excursion for towing and, well, excursions.

Anyone here know whether to look for one with the old 7.3L or the newer 6.0? I remember reading that the newer 6.0 made more power, but I'm curious if it holds up as well and all that. Any problematic areas I should check over before buying?


Thanks
|
jtomasik
Profile picture for user jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
jtomasik 3/28/2011 10:41am
3/28/2011 10:41am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2011 10:42am
I have a '99 F250 Crew Cab 4x4. The '99 7.3L is about the best year for that engine. Mine runs like a raped-ape. It has a few Banks aftermarket accessories on it, but nothing outrageous. It gets about 16-17mpg, and if I pull big loads around the mountains here, it only drops to about 14mpg, even if I drive it with my foot in it.

I think in the second half of '00 they went to powder-metal connecting rods. That's supposedly only an issue if you plan on really putting the fuel to the engine (like aftermarket fuel chips). The 6.0L was the demise of the Ford Diesel. The 6.4L wasn't much better, and I'm hearing these new clean-burners are horrid when it comes to fuel mileage, although I don't know for sure.


Just know that although the 7.3L is an amazing engine, it's an International design; the rest of the truck is pure Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily). I've gone through a trans at 150K miles.
TriRacer27 3/28/2011 11:45am
3/28/2011 11:45am
jtomasik wrote:
I have a '99 F250 Crew Cab 4x4. The '99 7.3L is about the best year for that engine. Mine runs like a raped-ape. It has...
I have a '99 F250 Crew Cab 4x4. The '99 7.3L is about the best year for that engine. Mine runs like a raped-ape. It has a few Banks aftermarket accessories on it, but nothing outrageous. It gets about 16-17mpg, and if I pull big loads around the mountains here, it only drops to about 14mpg, even if I drive it with my foot in it.

I think in the second half of '00 they went to powder-metal connecting rods. That's supposedly only an issue if you plan on really putting the fuel to the engine (like aftermarket fuel chips). The 6.0L was the demise of the Ford Diesel. The 6.4L wasn't much better, and I'm hearing these new clean-burners are horrid when it comes to fuel mileage, although I don't know for sure.


Just know that although the 7.3L is an amazing engine, it's an International design; the rest of the truck is pure Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily). I've gone through a trans at 150K miles.
Thanks.

What did you hear goes wrong with the 6.0? Also, what Banks stuff did you put into it? I don't plan on towing anything heavy, just a trailer with bikes in it, but it would be nice to have some extra power on reserve.
jtomasik
Profile picture for user jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
jtomasik 3/28/2011 11:59am
3/28/2011 11:59am
TriRacer27 wrote:
Thanks. What did you hear goes wrong with the 6.0? Also, what Banks stuff did you put into it? I don't plan on towing anything heavy...
Thanks.

What did you hear goes wrong with the 6.0? Also, what Banks stuff did you put into it? I don't plan on towing anything heavy, just a trailer with bikes in it, but it would be nice to have some extra power on reserve.
6.0's had tons of issues. I have a friend who had one. He bought it new. That POS was in the shop every other month with a variety of engine problems. He gave up and sold it. Stay away from the 6.0's, 6.4's, and I guess there might've been a 6.8L. Stick with the 7.3, and you'll be a happy camper.

I have the Banks Power Pack system on mine. It's amazing, and it really shines when pulling the mountains here in Colorado.
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24438
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
newmann 3/28/2011 12:10pm
3/28/2011 12:10pm
Love my 2001 F250 7.3 Power Stroke. Engine has been flawless for 155,000 miles so far with the exception of the cam sensor and a brake wire issue that were both handled under recalls. Early 6.0's were constantly in the shop. Seems I hear very little about the last year or two of the 6.0 as far as problems go but they ditched it for the 6.4 which was a whole other round of failures. Can't go wrong with the old tried and true 7.3.

The Shop

See All »
vet323
Profile picture for user vet323
Posts
3609
Joined
7/31/2010
Location
Lead, SD, USA
vet323 3/28/2011 12:45pm
3/28/2011 12:45pm
jtomasik wrote:
I have a '99 F250 Crew Cab 4x4. The '99 7.3L is about the best year for that engine. Mine runs like a raped-ape. It has...
I have a '99 F250 Crew Cab 4x4. The '99 7.3L is about the best year for that engine. Mine runs like a raped-ape. It has a few Banks aftermarket accessories on it, but nothing outrageous. It gets about 16-17mpg, and if I pull big loads around the mountains here, it only drops to about 14mpg, even if I drive it with my foot in it.

I think in the second half of '00 they went to powder-metal connecting rods. That's supposedly only an issue if you plan on really putting the fuel to the engine (like aftermarket fuel chips). The 6.0L was the demise of the Ford Diesel. The 6.4L wasn't much better, and I'm hearing these new clean-burners are horrid when it comes to fuel mileage, although I don't know for sure.


Just know that although the 7.3L is an amazing engine, it's an International design; the rest of the truck is pure Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily). I've gone through a trans at 150K miles.
TriRacer27 wrote:
Thanks. What did you hear goes wrong with the 6.0? Also, what Banks stuff did you put into it? I don't plan on towing anything heavy...
Thanks.

What did you hear goes wrong with the 6.0? Also, what Banks stuff did you put into it? I don't plan on towing anything heavy, just a trailer with bikes in it, but it would be nice to have some extra power on reserve.
6.0s are horribly unreliable and a pain in the arse to fix (that is a bad combo, friend). The 7.3s are no cheaper to fix than any other diesel, but imo (I own a shop) they are more reliable than most-esp. the later years, as jto said. Plan on injector harness replacement @100k and keep an eye on the glowplugs/relay and keep fresh oil in it and you should be fine.
jtomasik
Profile picture for user jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
jtomasik 3/28/2011 1:14pm
3/28/2011 1:14pm
Mine has 205K on it. I did the glow plugs, glow plug harness, glow plug relay (that's common), and cam sensor (Ford did that as a recall). No other problems with the engine.
brent26wood
Profile picture for user brent26wood
Posts
1103
Joined
11/1/2006
Location
Washington, DC, USA
brent26wood 3/28/2011 1:37pm
3/28/2011 1:37pm
7.3....nuff said
Mr. G
Profile picture for user Mr. G
Posts
4225
Joined
12/23/2009
Location
Riverside, CA, USA
Mr. G 3/28/2011 3:19pm
3/28/2011 3:19pm
If you get the 6.0 get 05 or newer. I have an 05 with 26K on it and have had two EGR coolers replaced by the dealer at no cost. There seems to be very different experiences from owner to owner W/ the 6.0 but later years are better. The new Ford diesel has 400HP and 800 Ft. Lbs. of torque!
Sparkalounger
Profile picture for user Sparkalounger
Posts
1664
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Sparkalounger 3/28/2011 4:19pm
3/28/2011 4:19pm
my '05 6.0 has been nothing but a headache... i don't even care to recall all the things that have gone to shit on it. wish i could afford to get rid of it... it's in the shop as i type this for a whistling turbo, they think it is from a cracked exhaust manifold, this should be cheap...
TriRacer27 3/28/2011 8:32pm
3/28/2011 8:32pm
Cool. Thanks for the info guys. 7.3 it is.
UpTiTe 3/29/2011 8:44am
3/29/2011 8:44am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2011 8:46am
I have had them both and I like the 6 better. If you're going to get a 6, make sure it 07 or newer.

The 6 gets better millage while being smoother stronger, faster and cheaper to maintain.

The 7.3 is a good motor too, it pulls a load a bit better.

Honestly you wont go wrong with either one, but once you get about 175k, start saving for injectors and Glow plugs. Thats about a 5 k repair.

i have an Excursion, you'll love it. Mine has a V10 and it pulls really good too, but it sucks down the gas under a load.
500guy
Profile picture for user 500guy
Posts
12469
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
500guy 3/29/2011 9:07am
3/29/2011 9:07am
Mr. G wrote:
If you get the 6.0 get 05 or newer. I have an 05 with 26K on it and have had two EGR coolers replaced by the...
If you get the 6.0 get 05 or newer. I have an 05 with 26K on it and have had two EGR coolers replaced by the dealer at no cost. There seems to be very different experiences from owner to owner W/ the 6.0 but later years are better. The new Ford diesel has 400HP and 800 Ft. Lbs. of torque!
if you have had 2 egr coolers in 26K you have some other problem causing this, either sand in the block causing erosion or a manifold leak causing the VGT to have higher then normal pressures.

Find a Dealer that can find the root cause not just fix the damaged part.


These guy's are correct the 6.0 is a problem child. 7,3 very tough . 6.4's much better then 6.0 and the new 6.7 so far so good just lots of emissions shit hanging off it.

also all of you guy's especially 6.0L owners stick with Motorcraft filters there has been lots of issues with the cheaper ones.
ns503
Profile picture for user ns503
Posts
4608
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
NS Toolies, CA
ns503 3/29/2011 5:59pm
3/29/2011 5:59pm
What was the last year for the 7.3?
500guy
Profile picture for user 500guy
Posts
12469
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
500guy 3/29/2011 6:40pm
3/29/2011 6:40pm
ns503 wrote:
What was the last year for the 7.3?
2003 early build they introduced the 2003 6.0 after That. For all practical purposes 2002 was the last full model year for the 7.3L

For all you guy's thinking to buy one don't think they will be trouble free and not expensive to maintain but the 7.3L if not destroyed when you get it and well maintained will give lots of miles of good service.
500guy
Profile picture for user 500guy
Posts
12469
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
500guy 3/29/2011 6:42pm
3/29/2011 6:42pm
I know a good 2002 7.3l here in AZ that has been maintained excellent and only has 90K on it if anyone is interested email me for info

Long wheel base crew cab 4X4 big tires, chip/tuner 4"exhaust and air box only blemish is the paint on the hood is faded.
midpack
Profile picture for user midpack
Posts
151
Joined
12/2/2006
Location
Tuttle, OK, USA
midpack 3/29/2011 7:27pm
3/29/2011 7:27pm
brent26wood wrote:
7.3....nuff said
x2 mine has 245,000 miles

Post a reply to: Yall know anything about diesel Fords?