I don't think you can really go wrong with any 7.3 DITD, but the 99-00 like ya said have the forged rods so if ya want to do extreme mods then thats the motor for ya. I have a 2001 and love it. I wish mine had the 6spd though, i like shifting. The price sounds fair for that truck. I'm not real familiar with values of texas trucks though.