re: Buying a used diesel truck: what should I know?

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The 5.7, 6.2, and 6.5 were not included in that statement.

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those old ones wouldn’t pull the hat off your had.....when they ran.

Gm built lots of big diesels (all of the detroits) that were spectacular. Saying GM shouldnt be in the diesel business is asinine.


And no I have not owned a 6.0. I know lots of people who have, and I am vaguely familiar with the diesel engine market in general. Compared to the 7.3 yes they are poo. The 6.0 was revolutionary at its release and these days is a good bargain. Brand new it was horrible.

OP is not looking to spend 40k on a brand new 6.0. Hes looking for a good value pulling truck. The 6.0 in 2019 is perfect for that and arguably the best option out there.

I think I am going to bow out of this thread because my blood pressure is fixin to blow my pop off valve thinking about some of the shitty diesel trucks I have been around in my life.

The OP didnt put it in this thread but in another he stated he would need to tow a tractor 5 times a year. Didint give the distance or exact size of the tractor but 100hp was thrown out. That size tractor with trailer would be right at the listed max for 3/4 ton gassers but if not going far I said he should be good.

DWNSFT what are your thoughts?

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thoughts on a 97 Ford F250 HD 7.3?

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I’d drive one

Hell I didn't think they still made 1ton gasses.


After a little research I see Ford is coming out with a 7.3 and GM a 6.6 gas motor.

Interesting to see them going away from the reliable 6.0

Kind upset that I bought a 6.2 gasser and theyll have a 7.3 out soon. I'd have loved to have that instead, its going to be a pushrod engine. The 6.2 is great but the 7.3 is going to be more betterrer.

Lots of fleets arent buying diesels anymore because they cost too much and the 7.3 should give better life and loaded fuel mileage than the 6.2

I think it's been around for a while in Van's and shite. I wouldnt hesititate to buy one.

Hate to see the 6.0 go away but it's time. It's a dinosaur and while it is reliable the new generation engines are making more power and burning less gas doing it. My current truck ( f250 4x4 with 4.30 gears) is at 15mpg lifetime average. Pulling a 24' boat back from Texas I averaged 11.5mpg. On my commute it gets close to 17.

My old 6.0 Chevy got 12mpg normal driving and would be 9ish pulling that boat. It never sniffed anything close to 15mpg.

Eta: OP said he wanted a diesel so that's why I wasn't on my "dont buy a diesel" horse. The 6.0 is a good option. Lots of used duramaxes out there that are reasonable as well. The Dodges seem to be overpriced to me becuase they have the 5.9, just like the Ford 7.3's are grossly overpriced.

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So do you 6 liter fans actually own and drive a 6 liter?

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Not a fan but yes and yes

I own 3 of them and have had very few issues.

They are great deals simply because everyone believes the internet nonsense, not claiming they are the greatest ever, just the bang for the buck is hard to beat.

There are some issues but they are very easily dealt with.

The biggest issue was Ford never envisioned folks trying to add 200+ hp through tuners and the engine was not designed for it, head bolts just can not deal with those pressure levels, unmolested they are decent workhorses.