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New User
Posts: 1
| I'm considering purchasing a new trailer, a 4 or 5 horse aluminum slant, no LQ, just a small dressing room. Mostly would haul mares and mares and foals. I need to upgrade my truck and am looking for a used Ford F-250 or f-350 4x4 (I'm in Minnesota). Wondering if any of the Ford engines, 5.4, 6.0, 6.8 or 7.3, would not work and which ones (likely to be in the years 2000-2004) to avoid. This truck won't be driven a lot, probably less than 15,000 miles per year. Thanks for your help. I'm not a truck guy. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2453
  
Location: Northern Utah | I had a 97, 2000, 2003 and 2006 Ford F350 All were Powerstroke Diesel engines and I had good luck with all of them. My 2003 ( 1st year of the 6.0L diesel engine) had a few minor problems. But never left me stranded or cost me anything to repair. And it's performance over the older 7.3L was considerable. The diesels will pull better than the gas engines. But if you aren't pulling heavy loads or steep grades, the gas ones will do fine and are not nearly as affected by the cold as the diesel engines. In the really cold, you will want to add some anti-gel to your fuel and plug the engine block heater in at night. I would avoid the smaller V8 gas engine. (5.4L ) and go with the V10 if you buy a gas engine. But about 90% of the F250/F350 trucks sold have the Powerstroke Diesel engine. The diesel engines cost $4000-$5000 more new and should reflect a higher resale price in a used truck. A couple of folks I knew that bought the V-10 had a harder time selling them when they wanted a new truck. Not many folks looking for the V-10 gas engines. Everybody wants the diesel. Others on the forum will suggest you stay away from the 2003-2004 model years. Ford had a lot of warranty work on the 6.0L engine from those years. My 2003 was a pretty good truck. You can pull an Oasis report on the truck VIN # and see how much trouble a given truck has had. If the Oasis reports shows a lot of problems, find another truck. I would assume most of the 2003/04 trucks have had any warranty problems fixed by now. On mine they replaced the ICP and VGT. I drove the truck 90,000 and sold to a friend who still has it and is now approaching 200,000 miles and he's not had any problems. So the replacement parts Ford put in for me seems to be lasting just fine. My 2006 F350 with the 6.0L is at 40,000 miles. It pulls a heavy trailer daily. I've had no problems with it. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | I agree with everything Painted Horse said. I've had a 2001 7.3L diesel F350 and now have a 2003 6.0L diesel F350 and like them both. You are in Minnesota and if you are driving locally you won't be dealing with the hills and mountains I do in the Pacific Northwest so the gas engine may be fine, especially since you aren't going to be pulling a heavy LQ trailer. I agree the 5.4L might not be enough, but for gas engines have heard good things about the V10 in the Ford. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 671
Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY) | Ditto to what the others said. I have a 06 F350 dually 4X4 crew cab.So far sooooo good.just keep them serviced. |
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Veteran
Posts: 214
Location: lyle,mn | WE have 2001 Ford 350 crew cub w/V10. We pull featherlite 4 horse w/a small living quarters. We love the truck.WE have alot of power. We live in SE Min. We don't drive it alot but haul 2 horses. We didn't by a desiel for 2 reason the biggest is the cost of the engine, a diesel engine will cost you more, at the time we bought our truck gas was cheap. For the extra money it would but alot gas. The second thing it was going to be my truck and with the 2 jobs I work I drive alot of 1 mile trips during the day. Likely a year later we got a pickup and the Ford stays parked most of the time. |
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New User
Posts: 3
Location: San Angelo, Texas | Always someone and I guess I am the person. I have owned a 1999 and 2001 7.3 diesel and now own a 2004 6.0 diesel and if I had known two years ago what I know now, I would still have my 7.3. I had close to 300,000 miles on my 2001 and 200,000 on the 1999 and the only problem was I replaced a transmission on each at 100,000 miles. I pull a steel 3 horse with living quarters that is quite heavy and the 7.3 with a chip out performed the 6.0 with a chip considerably. I have had nothing but problems with the 6.0 and realize I might have a lemon but a lot of other people here in West Texas are giving up their Fords because of the 6.0 engine. |
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Regular
Posts: 90
Location: louisiana | Here in Louisiana, my friends I talk to would give their right arms for their 7.3 ford powerstrokes back and use the 6.0 as boat anchors. I have a 2002 so I am just quoting what I have been told when mentioning trading for something newer. |
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Bridgeport,wv and Gaffney,sc | I have a 99 7.3l with 135k on it chiped and i was considering tradeing for a new F350 then i reconsided very quickly. I second the 7.3l. My dullay is a daily driver as well as a rodeo rig on the weekends and Only thing i replaced was the clutch at 127k.Its get serviced reguarly and good solid truck. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | Have a 2000 7.3, have an Edge programmer on it, and it will walk the dog. Also get 18-22 mph unloaded, and about 16 pulling a 10' LQ 3h GN. We live at least 70 miles from any interstate, in the Ouachita mtns... love the truck. have 140000 miles on it thus far. Have head the same story from others about 7.3 being desirable, but no experience with others. We live in a hotter part of the world, and the diesel does not overheat in the summer mountains pulling the trailer, a big plus for us.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
Location: md | I have a 97 7.3 and a 05 6.0 I will sell the 6.0. It has 21K miles on it. |
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Veteran
Posts: 254
Location: Dickinson, TX | No one asked my opinion, but I'll give it to you anyway. Another plus for the 7.3L Power Stroke. The 6.0 debacle, Ford's unwillingness to match Dodge's price for a similarly-equipped truck, and my negative experience with Ford on another new vehicle I had that was defective from 5000 miles on, are why I'm driving a 2006 Ram with the Cummins now. Ford MIGHT get my business back one day, but not until their new truck prices and new truck quality are back in check. The Dodge has been PERFECT in the 17,000 miles I've owned it and hasn't disappointed while pulling any load on any hill. It flattens I-26 through Asheville while pulling 10,000 pounds. If I were buying used, I'd go with a 2001 or 2002 F-350 with the 7.3 and a MANUAL transmission. Sounds like you don't need a chip to add power, given the topography of your area. As a matter of fact, I would advise against it (but I don't know anything--I buy trucks with the intent to make them last 10-15 years!!) |
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Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA | I would give anything to have kept my 7.3 and never gotten the '05 6.0L.
There are a few, and I MEAN only a few, good 6.0s out there but it isn't worth taking a chance to find one. I loved my 6.0 for 12,000 miles, then it broke down 6 of the 7 times I towed with it. NOT FUN! I really take care of my trucks too. THey all get the scheduled services and yearly state inspections. I even change the oil more often than required. The 6.0s were just a bad mistake by Ford and we are paying the price. That being said, you probably will not find a good 7.3 because no one wants to give up theirs! I would look at the Chevy 2500 or 3500 with the Allison tranny. Great truck record! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 274
Location: Memphis, TN | While you've received good advice here, I'll throw my 2 cents worth in just for flavor. I had a 02 F250 with the 5.4 gas. Good truck but not enough pulling power for my 3H slant GN trailer, IMHO. Ford has had some trouble with the 6.0 Diesel and alot of them have been bought back or traded in because of problems. These trucks can be a good deal if Ford has fixed the motor problems. I bought an 05 F250 with 61K on it. Ford took the truck back on trade because of much trouble with original owner. They put a new motor in it at 60K and put it back on the lot. I think I got a good deal and have my fingers crossed on the motor. Be sure to ask your Ford dealer to run an OASIS report on any 6.0 truck you are considering. It will show all the work or claims Ford has had on that vehicle and give you a pretty good idea of the history. Good Luck and happy trails |
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Regular
Posts: 83
Location: Minnesota | I had an '03 F250 with a 6.0 and put 97,000 miles on it. I traded for an '06 F250 also with a 6.0, which now has 60,000 miles on it. I've never had any problems. I love the engine ... it's quiet and has more power than the 7.3 (I've never used a chip) and I get 19-20 mpg highway when I'm not pulling ... 15-16 with my 3-horse Trails West behind me. The 7.3 was a great engine and I wouldn't hesitate to own one, but I've liked my 6.0's even better. I guess I got real lucky with the two I've owned. |
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Veteran
Posts: 108
Location: TX | I had a 02 Ford F250 Powerstroke that got stolen in Feb. That was a trailer pulling machine. It got 16-17 mpg pulling a load and 19- 20 unloaded. I never had any trouble out of that truck. I bought an 07 Chev Duramax as it's replacement. It doesn't have the power the Ford had. Wished I'd got a Ford now, but I was scared of the 6.0 and of the new twin turbos. I'll try a Ford again in the few years when they get the "new" worked out of the twins. I should have found a used 02 Ford 7.3. Live and learn. |
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Ford truck questions
