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Message
Thinking of selling my f150 for an old f250 w/ a 7.3 powerstroke: thoughts...
Posted on 6/3/14 at 10:55 pm
Posted on 6/3/14 at 10:55 pm
So growing up I always wanted an f250. Finally bought a new super duty when I graduated in '03. Loved it!
Took a job in '10 that paid a truck allowance but required a newer truck. Sold my baby for a decked out f150, quit that job 6 months later and instantly regretted selling my powerstroke. I've missed it ever since.
We're looking to buy a new SUV for my wife which would be our "family" vehicle (my f150 is currently our family vehicle). How good/bad of an idea would it be to sell my 150 (could probably get $25k+), buy a mid 90's - early 00's f250 with a powerstroke, and put the balance on my wife's SUV?
Searching online, trucks in that year range 4x4 w/ a 7.3 go for about $10k-$12k. I don't mind (and probably prefer) the pre-super duty body style. Most of the trucks have 175k+ miles on them but I've aways heard the old adage that diesels aren't even broken in til 150k.
Tell me why this is a bad idea.
Note: my commute is 10 miles so don't care about mpg or ride comfort.
Took a job in '10 that paid a truck allowance but required a newer truck. Sold my baby for a decked out f150, quit that job 6 months later and instantly regretted selling my powerstroke. I've missed it ever since.
We're looking to buy a new SUV for my wife which would be our "family" vehicle (my f150 is currently our family vehicle). How good/bad of an idea would it be to sell my 150 (could probably get $25k+), buy a mid 90's - early 00's f250 with a powerstroke, and put the balance on my wife's SUV?
Searching online, trucks in that year range 4x4 w/ a 7.3 go for about $10k-$12k. I don't mind (and probably prefer) the pre-super duty body style. Most of the trucks have 175k+ miles on them but I've aways heard the old adage that diesels aren't even broken in til 150k.
Tell me why this is a bad idea.
Note: my commute is 10 miles so don't care about mpg or ride comfort.
13
Posted on 6/3/14 at 11:00 pm to poochie
If you can find a 99-2002 model, roll it.
Posted on 6/3/14 at 11:12 pm to poochie
I have a '97 f350 crew 4x4 with 160k miles that I would buy again in a heartbeat. Its what a real truck should be like. Rough riding, loud, and big 
Posted on 6/3/14 at 11:15 pm to lsu mike
I have a sad feeling inside every time a powerstroke pulls within earshot. It makes me sad in the cockles oh my heart. Even the sub cockles.
Posted on 6/3/14 at 11:20 pm to jimjackandjose
I've had people pull up to me asking if I wanted to sell quite a few times
Posted on 6/3/14 at 11:25 pm to poochie
The very first diesel in our family was a 97 f350 4x4 single wheel, long bed with the 7.3, they don't get much better than that. I like my '12 6.7 but looking back I would have been perfectly content with a super clean old body style 7.3.
ETA: Sorry I was rambling. If you can find one that's clean and not ragged all to hell I'd go for it. With a truck that age you can expect the occasional mechanical issue. It'll tow anything you'd likely ever need and probably get better mileage than Fords current diesel offering. Plus parts are readily available.
ETA: Sorry I was rambling. If you can find one that's clean and not ragged all to hell I'd go for it. With a truck that age you can expect the occasional mechanical issue. It'll tow anything you'd likely ever need and probably get better mileage than Fords current diesel offering. Plus parts are readily available.
This post was edited on 6/3/14 at 11:32 pm
Posted on 6/3/14 at 11:37 pm to YOURADHERE
Except a certain piece that goes in the hub when changing out the bearings. I broke one and luckily found the old kit ford used to sell on eBay. The only way you can get them from ford noe is buying the entire hub. 
Posted on 6/4/14 at 4:54 am to poochie
quote:
I've aways heard the old adage that diesels aren't even broken in til 150k
They're usually making full compression around 50-70k miles, but 150 on a 7.3 isn't much at all. Just remember that there's a whole truck attached to it with 150k on it.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 5:29 am to poochie
I'd do it. I still regret not taking my dads '02 7.3 when I had the chance. Went with a new f150 instead. I'd still be rocking that diesel 10 years later.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 6:25 am to BayouKR4
quote:
They're usually making full compression around 50-70k miles, but 150 on a 7.3 isn't much at all. Just remember that there's a whole truck attached to it with 150k on it.
I know, I'm figuring maybe a few $k initially to fix any problems and going forward, another few $k every few years.
quote:
I'd do it. I still regret not taking my dads '02 7.3 when I had the chance. Went with a new f150 instead. I'd still be rocking that diesel 10 years later.
That's how I feel. I just want to make sure that I'm not just being nostalgic and these trucks are legit.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 7:11 am to poochie
Found a 97 4 door lwb 4x4 with the 7.3 and under 200k miles recently. Couldn't sell my 150 in time though
Posted on 6/4/14 at 7:13 am to poochie
I just bought an '04 with the 6.0. Gave 9k for it with 152,000. I immediately put about another 4K in it and it now runs like a champ. Can't go wrong with an older powerstroke IMO. A lot of people talk trash about the 6.0, but it's a great engine if you take care of it and don't put a tune on it.
ETA: The 4K I spent was on new hubs and front end parts. Most of them weren't bad, but I figured while I had it torn apart, I'd go ahead and replace because they will eventually.
ETA: The 4K I spent was on new hubs and front end parts. Most of them weren't bad, but I figured while I had it torn apart, I'd go ahead and replace because they will eventually.
This post was edited on 6/4/14 at 7:15 am
Posted on 6/4/14 at 7:21 am to poochie
quote:
Note: my commute is 10 miles so don't care about mpg or ride comfort
Not really ideal for a diesel but I can understand you wanting something you had to give up. I think we all go thru that at some point in our lives.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 7:23 am to TexasTiger
Yea that short of a commute is going to be rough on it. It'll never warm up all the way. Shouldn't matter a whole hell of a lot on that motor though.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 7:56 am to BayouBrawl
quote:
I just bought an '04 with the 6.0. Gave 9k for it with 152,000. I immediately put about another 4K in it and it now runs like a champ. Can't go wrong with an older powerstroke IMO. A lot of people talk trash about the 6.0, but it's a great engine if you take care of it and don't put a tune on it. ETA: The 4K I spent was on new hubs and front end parts. Most of them weren't bad, but I figured while I had it torn apart, I'd go ahead and replace because they will eventually.
I'm really leery about the 6.0 because of all the horror stories I've heard plus a family friend owns a ford dealership and he once said that he would have rather not sold them because they were always sending a tow truck out the pick them up. But you only hear about the bad stuff.
As far as the short commute, yeah it's not ideal. It kinda is what it is. It'll get miles on weekends and whatnot, just pointing out that I don't need something that rides like a caddy and burns fuel like a kayak.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 8:00 am to poochie
Diesel of Houston has a 01 7.3 with a 6 speed manual and 160K listed for 14.
This post was edited on 6/4/14 at 8:04 am
Posted on 6/4/14 at 8:15 am to TexasTiger
Posted on 6/4/14 at 8:36 am to poochie
You can find a deal if you take your time. I got a 2000 7.3 4x4 ext. cab with a little under 200k on it for 5300 a couple of years ago. Tows a 15k lb trailer every day and up to 280k miles now. Changed a clutch not long after I got it, then U joints, power steering pump and tensioner pulley last week. Going strong still.
Posted on 6/4/14 at 8:53 am to Langston
"Minor" mechanical issues (like the ones you listed) are another thing that doesn't worry me much. Unless it's something inside the engine, I am not against figuring out the problem and fixing it myself.
I've got time, won't be looking to purchase until the end of the year, so I have plenty of time to shop.
Just need that "stupid diesel noise" as my wife calls it!
I've got time, won't be looking to purchase until the end of the year, so I have plenty of time to shop.
Just need that "stupid diesel noise" as my wife calls it!
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