F-250 diesel trucks, ...I need schooling

[-Pjackso]

Hi all,
I thinking of an F-250 diesel truck and I'm looking for OSA wisdom.

I currently have an older Ford Escape, and an older Chevy C2500 3/4 ton pickup.
The Escape (AWD) is great as a daily driver and does awesome! (summer/winter, doesn't matter) The Escape (daily driver) gets good mileage and I can get 80% of the stuff I need in the back. Occasionally I use the factory roof rack.
The 3/4 ton truck get used maybe 4-5 times a year - only when it's needed for heavy loads/ pulling the trailer/etc. The truck gets 12 mpg empty or loaded, so I only drive it when needed. The downside is that since it doesn't get used often - the mice will build nests and eat wires. (I've repaired the same set of wiring 3 times!) So I started loading the engine compartment with mouse poision, and periodically check it for refilling purposes. That seems to help.

The wife has been hinting that I should sell both vehicles, and just buy 1 pickup to replace both - so we can reduce the number of vehicles, insurance, and maintenance hassles.
I'm a Ford guy, so I'm playing with the idea of an F-250, diesel, 4x4, crew-cab. ....Short-bed preferred, but not a deal breaker.


This will be my first diesel, and geez - there's a steep learning curve for which one to get (or stay away from). 7.3/6.0/6.4/etc....
Reliable, durability, and ease of maintenance is paramount. (I can do wrenching when needed)
Low-mileage/high-mileage, older/newer models, pros/cons?

I'm currently leaning towards an older (1999-2003) 7.3 power-stroke for the sole purpose that they never die.
But a 6.0 deleted diesel makes stupid power, and can get decent mileage!


I'm completely new to Ford diesel trucks.
So - I'm looking to the wisdom of OSA diesel gear-heads.
Please type slowly and use small words - otherwise you'll loose me.

If you had to buy a Ford diesel truck (1999 or newer) knowing ALL of its strengths and weaknesses (engine/trans/etc) - and plan to keep it for 15 years - what would you get? and why? Where's the best-value balance?
Oh - and has the crazy truck prices leveled out at all? Or is this still a sellers market?

Thanks.

 

[tyromeo55]

You could spend stupid money on those diesel trucks even if you get a good one. Unless you have a real need for it I'd recommend you get a gasser

 

[Okie4570]

Lol, this is going to be like which ice cream flavor is your favorite.
- simple answer would be any 7.3l, 6.0l or 6.7l....do not even consider a 6.4l, no matter what anyone says do not waste your time or money on one.
-longer answer....

the 7.3l was known for it's reliability which most were. Problem being is that now they are old, and if you find a low mileage one, the rest of the truck is still 20y old. They are slow, loud, and are pulling turds compared to the 6.0 6.4 and 6.7. We had a 02' Excursion from almost new to 300k, we spent a lot of money on it and I do 99% of my own work, I'll never have another 7.3l, ours was a money pit.

The 6.0l is hated by alot, loved by alot. Great thing about buying a 6.0l now is that if it had any bugs or issues, and it's still on the road, those issues have already been dealt with. You're still looking at getting a 15-20yo truck. The 5sp trans behind the 6.0l was incredible, 1000x better than the 4sp behind the 7.3l. I had an 03' from brand new to 333k, it was a great truck, I didn't have the issues that a lot of 6.0l owners had. I'd have another one if needed.

Stay away from the 6.4l.....

The 6.7l is awesome, the 11' had a few bugs, but like the 6.0l, those will have been worked out for you. 12'-16' got lots of "issues" resolved and are very solid. 17'-21' are having some electrical issues, bizarre ones too. The 6.7l pulls like two 6.0l, there's zero comparison and it's awesome. My 12' f350 has been great, has 178k miles as of now.

So I would say a 06' or 07' deleted and studded 6.0l or a 13'-16' 6.7l that's deleted. 6.0l that sit had troubles, they need to be driven. I've owned every "Ford" diesel from the 6.9l to the 6.7l except for the 6.4l. ALL used diesel trucks are bringing crazy prices right now, just a heads up.

 

[Okie4570]

Now for my non diesel plug....most people that have them don't need one. Find a 08'-10' v10 or a 13'- current 6.2l v8 and it will do everything for way cheaper, way cheaper. Fuel is cheaper, maintenance is way cheaper, less parts to go wrong on a gasser, and if there are repairs needed, they can be taken care of at a fraction of the cost over diesel engine repairs. If you're not hauling/towing heavy and frequently, you probably don't "need" a diesel.

 

[Rustytigwire]

Moth balls for mouse deterrent. Drill holes in plastic coke or medium pill bottle put moth balls inside. Keeps them from migrating.

 

[dennishoddy]

Here is my response.
In 2017 we had a Tundra 1/2 ton gasser. 383 HP with 430 lbs of torque, 6 speed tranny.
We towed a 29' bumper pull RV that weighed 12,000 lbs loaded as weighed on a CAT scale.
Pulled that rig thousands of miles at highway speeds needing an air bag set up to keep the bed level with zero issues except for one on a 8 degree grade where we had to stop mid climb so the wife could take a pic. Speed limit 65, we could only get to 60.
In the years traveling while pulling RV's, with a Toyota gasser always wondered if a diesel would be better. More torque, equal HP.
In 2019 we summered at an RV park in Antinito Co for two months. During that two months, three diesels, one a chevy and the other ford lost engines to intercoolers, with the other ford to losing head gaskets. Chevy guy had to sell his two year old back to a dealer for chump change and buy a new truck as he had to get home.
Ford guy that lost gaskets was next to me. He spent a month tearing it down, putting the parts on the picnic table and rebuilding it on the spot. He got it running and left.
Next ford guy losing intercooler was a friend with the 6. something. Zero diesel mechanics in the area even at dealerships. He finally found some guy that used to be a diesel mechanic that currently worked for the highway dept. Said he would work on it on weekends. A month later, it was ready with a $9000 tab.....not really fixed but it ran. When getting it back to South Tx it cost buddy another $3000 to get all the BS the guy in Colorado screwed up fixed. Now we are looking at $12K for an older truck that wasn't worth that much but they had to get home a month later than planned.
Last year we bought a new rv and f-250 Super Duty with the 7.3 liter gasser, 10 speed tranny and 4:30 pulling gears.
5th wheel Rig weighs in at a tad more than 16,000 lbs depending on how we load it.
I can set the cruise on 70 mph and drive all day long going up mountains in the western states we visited this summer while maintaining the 70 mph speeds. Never had an issue with the 430 hp and 480 lb torque.
IMHO, the 10 speed transmission is the star of the game for pulling loads. Impressive.
If for instance I cratered the 7,3 gasser, I can buy a complete engine installed for around 7K, and every dealership can do it vs the diesel where limited dealerships can do it.
So, to the OP, this is my personal experience. Unbiased as I thought I would need a diesel to pull the load we have now, but in reality, we didn't need one.
Others may disagree, and I'll respect their opinions.
We have pulled that rig 24,000 miles since last August when taking possession of the truck so not speaking of some weekend pulling.

 

[Okie4570]

Here is my response.
In 2017 we had a Tundra 1/2 ton gasser. 383 HP with 430 lbs of torque, 6 speed tranny.
We towed a 29' bumper pull RV that weighed 12,000 lbs loaded as weighed on a CAT scale.
Pulled that rig thousands of miles at highway speeds needing an air bag set up to keep the bed level with zero issues except for one on a 8 degree grade where we had to stop mid climb so the wife could take a pic. Speed limit 65, we could only get to 60.
In the years traveling while pulling RV's, with a Toyota gasser always wondered if a diesel would be better. More torque, equal HP.
In 2019 we summered at an RV park in Antinito Co for two months. During that two months, three diesels, one a chevy and the other ford lost engines to intercoolers, with the other ford to losing head gaskets. Chevy guy had to sell his two year old back to a dealer for chump change and buy a new truck as he had to get home.
Ford guy that lost gaskets was next to me. He spent a month tearing it down, putting the parts on the picnic table and rebuilding it on the spot. He got it running and left.
Next ford guy losing intercooler was a friend with the 6. something. Zero diesel mechanics in the area even at dealerships. He finally found some guy that used to be a diesel mechanic that currently worked for the highway dept. Said he would work on it on weekends. A month later, it was ready with a $9000 tab.....not really fixed but it ran. When getting it back to South Tx it cost buddy another $3000 to get all the BS the guy in Colorado screwed up fixed. Now we are looking at $12K for an older truck that wasn't worth that much but they had to get home a month later than planned.
Last year we bought a new rv and f-250 Super Duty with the 7.3 liter gasser, 10 speed tranny and 4:30 pulling gears.
5th wheel Rig weighs in at a tad more than 16,000 lbs depending on how we load it.
I can set the cruise on 70 mph and drive all day long going up mountains in the western states we visited this summer while maintaining the 70 mph speeds. Never had an issue with the 430 hp and 480 lb torque.
IMHO, the 10 speed transmission is the star of the game for pulling loads. Impressive.
If for instance I cratered the 7,3 gasser, I can buy a complete engine installed for around 7K, and every dealership can do it vs the diesel where limited dealerships can do it.
So, to the OP, this is my personal experience. Unbiased as I thought I would need a diesel to pull the load we have now, but in reality, we didn't need one.
Others may disagree, and I'll respect their opinions.
We have pulled that rig 24,000 miles since last August when taking possession of the truck so not speaking of some weekend pulling.

That was a 6.4l that the oil cooler failed and puked oil up through the coolant bottle all over the engine and underside of the hood lol. I remember you sending me the pic, I'll have to look for it.

 

[TedKennedy]

7.3 all the way! Keep in mind if you buy a 4x4 F250, you better strap in when you leave the driveway. I love my 2000, but it is easily the roughest riding truck I've ever owned, and I have replaced all front end parts, so yeah... they are just rough.

 

[MR.T.]

Save yourself a bunch of trouble & find a Dodge with the 5.9 Cummins.

Stock, they will out pull any ford .

 

[TedKennedy]

Save yourself a bunch of trouble & find a Dodge with the 5.9 Cummins.

Stock, they will out pull any ford .

Great engine, that Cummins. Too bad they put a Dodge around it.