What to look for....diesel trucks

[Ryan_V]

I'm looking at a diesel truck to pull my camper. My truck isn't an every day driver, so I'm looking at something that I can actually afford. I'm looking into fords...around a 2000-2005 3/4 or one ton with high miles. I've never owned a diesel before, so what should I be looking for?? Example...i'm going tonite to look at an '04 with 166xxx on it. What kinds of questions should I be asking and what should I look for? I'd like to find an 01 with the 7.3, but those are hard to come by, and they still bring a mint!! mostly looking at fords...just because they are in my price range for the most part.

thanks for any advice!!

[Scott K]

My ideal ford diesel would be the 03 f350 7.3, then the 02, 01. I wouldnt go any older then the 01. I also wouldnt get a 6.0, but that is just my opinion, but I think it is the popular opinion as well.

[jeffreyd]

dodge all the way. watch the 6.0 early models as they had some bad problems with injectors etc. the 7.3 is a good engine, ton of them out there. fuel pump issues are common and i would imagine injectors with the low sulfur fuels. a truck in the early 2000's would have been broken in on higher sulfur fuel the new stuff does not have the same lubrication abilities as the older fuels. i would make sure to inquire what the truck was used for as far as heavy towing etc. good luck.

[blakeb]

cummins

[Valv]

Go with Dodge and you won't have any problem, regardless of years made.

[jeffreyd]

cant remember what year the 7.3 had cavitation issues. The cylinders would get holes in the sides from the water jackets corroding them.

[Scott K]

cant remember what year the 7.3 had cavitation issues. The cylinders would get holes in the sides from the water jackets corroding them.

That would be 6.9

[jeffreyd]

7.3 had problems also, mostly when they first came out. we had several ambos with the 6.9 and 7.3 both had the issue but the 7.3 with the injector burried in the head was the biggest issue

[Scott K]

I am sure there were some 7.3 that had some problems with cavitation, and if there was, it was in the pre powerstroke days, 94.5 and earlier, and was caused by improper or lack of cooling system services. In 1986 Ford came up with the coolant additive to prevent cavitation, you had to add it every 50,000 miles, or when doing a cooling flush. I started at the Ford dealership in Sept 1990 as a diesel mechanic, and worked as a Ford diesel mechanic until 05, I can honestly say, I have seen only a couple 7.3 with any sort of corrosion in the cylinder heads, or block from electrolysis. The 6.9, I can say I personally have either replaced the long blocks, or re sleeved about 50 of them. Now I am not saying it cant happen, in our jobs, we all know, anything can, and will happen. But they were far from being common for it.

Although, like I said, I wouldnt recommend any Ford diesel older then 01, for many reasons.