2003 7.3 diesel or 2005 6.0 diesel

[Big Bend Brian]

I’ve enjoyed this forum thoroughly and have used the search function extensively. I’ve learned a TON-thank you very much!!

I’d like to ask a question that I haven’t seen addressed. I’ve got two different car specialist looking for a specific X for me at auctions but to date they haven’t found one yet. I’m looking for a low mileage (50-60K) 2003 7.3 diesel 4x4 but none have surfaced yet aththe auctions they attend. I’ve found a couple on E-bay but in my opinion they are asking too much. Since my specialists haven’t found one yet I’m considering widening my search to include a 2005 6.0 diesel 4x4 (low mileage).

My question is: Would you consider the 2005 6.0 diesel 4x4 or hold for the 2003 7.3 4x4? My goal is to have the low mileage as I will keep this vehicle for 10+ years. I’ll be pulling a 7,000 lb boat often and want a reliable engine. I tend to hold onto vehicles for 10-20 years (still have my 1987 Toyota 4Runner since new) and our other vehicles are 10 yrs old too (since bought new). I’m concerned the vehicle will wear out before the diesel, hence the look for the low mileage.

This X will be a daily use vehicle. I average 18,000 miles annually. Running my children around and doing family adventures. I would perform a couple of basic mods (exhaust, air cleaner, & maybe a chip) to tweak it’s performance but I am not gonna trick it out.

I currently have a 10 year old 5.4 liter Expedition with 181K and it’s on it’s last leg. It’s had a hard life pulling a 6,500 lb boat/trailer rig and I’d rather have a larger vehicle for a safer ride with the family when we go on fishing trips. In fact, the Expedition is no longer dependable, hence my thoughts about broadening my search parameters for a quicker find of an X.

Brian

[excursionism]

Originally Posted by Big Bend Brian

My question is: Would you consider the 2005 6.0 diesel 4x4 or hold for the 2003 7.3 4x4? My goal is to have the low mileage as I will keep this vehicle for 10+ years. I’ll be pulling a 7,000 lb boat often and want a reliable engine. I tend to hold onto vehicles for 10-20 years (still have my 1987 Toyota 4Runner since new) and our other vehicles are 10 yrs old too (since bought new). I’m concerned the vehicle will wear out before the diesel, hence the look for the low mileage.

based on your criteria, i would expand your 03 7.3 search to include higher mileage vehicles. our 05 6.0 has ~70K on it and is the family truckster with similar requests made of it as you. a co-worker has a 01 7.3 with >260K and is pulling similar duty. though i have my fingers crossed, i don't have the same good feeling about our 05 making it to quarter million miles in 8 years with minimal service hiccups that the co-worker has had with his 7.3.

of course, you could find a v10 for cheap and pay a visit to fordcummins.com - Increase Horsepower with Ford Cummins Diesel conversion kits and have the best vehicle with the best diesel.

[01excursion7.3]

Personally, I'd expand your search to include 2000-2003 7.3's with under 125k. And since you like to keep things for a while, try finding an Eddie Bauer or limited. 2002 and 2003 should have the optional rear entertainment center for the kids.

BUT, I like the look of the 05's, so I'd also increase your mileage there a little. (I'm about to do a 05 nose swap on my ex.

[03f250stroke]

2003 6.0 FTW!

[Dave]

6.0 FTW. Honestly you cant go wrong with either

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

if i had a choice i would do the 6.0L.. more power and a bullit proff trans... think of it this way.. with the 7.3L your going to have to drop at least 3k into a built trans... on the 6.0L your gonna spend around the same to stud it and do a EGR delete... but you have 5speeds which will get you way better MPG and it will produce more power off of just a tuner than the 7.3L

[Dan"gerous"]

My buddies 04 6.0 is 3,000 miles shy of 300,000.......

[6.0POWERHOUSE]

7.3s a very reliable engine more so than th 6.0 but on the other hand awhile back i seen a 2003 6.0 dually f350 with 379,000 miles on it but im sure its had its fair share of problems

[I.H. Powerstroke]

i work at a dealership and see alot of both motors the 6.0l has more upper valve train issues like poor cams and bad rockers and injectors proun to going out. the 7.3l has had its own issues but for the long haul i see a alot more
7.3l make it alot more miles and abuse than the 6.0l has been able to handle. just my opinon the 7.3l is much more reliable in the long run.

[Dieselking]

6.0's have issues. as already mention with the EGR cooler and the head bolts stretching and cracking the head gaskets. Id advise you to get thicker head gaskets and get head studs.

7.3L don't really have many issues, the earlier years did but thats the past, I believe it was something with the seals in the turbo kept leaking and what not and had a few harness issues.

Make sure you get the EGR delete kit you can bypass the egr with this as well, if you don't do this you"ll be changing the EGR alot. other then that there really isn't really any issues upon that.