Hello!
I just joined this forum the other day as I started looking into some more research on the 7.3. I have been around Ford and a couple 7.3s throughout my life but I have never owned one. To be honest, a 7.3 was my dream vehicle while growing up. I am no stranger to how forums work as I am on a couple of others from previous vehicles of mine.
So here is the dilemma. I am currently in middle of a lemon lawsuit with my 2014 Ram 1500 (Yes, I know my first mistake was buying a Ram. I came from a 2004 F-150 5.4 with all the spark plug and cam phaser problems when I looked at the Ram lol.) Depending on the outcome, I will hopefully be looking for a new vehicle. Originally I had been tossing around the idea of leasing a 2016 F-150 XLT with the 2.7 Ecoboost - very impressive truck to say the least. I like the thought of getting a new vehicle every two to three years and it always being under warranty. I've had mixed feeling from other people who have agreed with my logic and others who say I'm nuts because I would never have equity. I just purchase my first house a couple months back and have a wedding date set for next October. Because of this, I started thinking about going back to an older truck to lower my payments which is where I started thinking hard about getting my first diesel - the 7.3. I have been around long enough to know the history of the 7.3 and how it is arguably the best Ford engine and diesel engine ever made. I also know how sought after a clean 7.3 is as well as the value the truck holds because of it. I have found 3 that appeal to me with only one being somewhat close to me (Southwestern PA):
2002 F350 7.3 Diesel XLT Super Cab 4WD - This one is the closest to me, just a couple hours away. I like the Toreador Red as it is very close to Ruby Red which is what I was looking at for the F-150. I also like the 133,000 miles. From the pictures it looks clean but I know that can be deceiving, especially up here in PA. One big concern is the stainless steel flares. I know its a common accessory but it is a good way to hide the typical Ford rust. I would remove the decals and most of the chrome trim and replace the front bumper which I found is pretty cheap on eBay.
2002 7.3 powerstroke 4x4 - This is almost identical to the one near me but is instead in Kentucky. I don't mind driving and I have no problem going south for a mini vacation to pick up the right truck lol. I'd actually prefer a southern truck so that it isn't rotted away like vehicles up here tend to do from all of the salt. At 155,000 miles, I have know I'd have plenty of life left in this truck.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/675247146/overview/ - This last one is the furthest away but I believe is my favorite for a couple reasons. #1 it is a Lariat which the added amentities of Leather Heated Seats and Parking Sensors are welcomed with open arms lol. #2 I am normally a SuperCab Short bed kinda guy but this long bed is growing on me fast and I can really see it in my driveway. #3 I like the color combo. I have always liked the Dark Shadow Gray but I have noticed it is not all that common to find it with a black two-tone. The black two-tone appeals to me A LOT. Should this truck ever start rusting due to the salt up here it would blend really easily with bed liner or black fender flares. I would also replace the front bumper on this one as well as it looks like that is the only sign of major damage to the truck. At 157,000 miles this one has a ton of life left as well.
I don't really want to pay much over $14,000 for any of these three trucks but I know how much the prices vary across the board depending on location. What would you pay for each one? Which one seems like the best deal?
Using the search function, I complied a list of mods that I would need to do ASAP to help prolong the reliability of the truck, especially the transmission:
If there is anything I am overlooking or missed, please feel free to let me know.
Sorry for the extremely long post, but I am trying to get the most feedback as possible. I tend to get a new vehicle every 2-3 years and the F-150 is probably all that I need at the moment as I don't haul much or tow anything - yet. I would like to purchase a boat in the coming years but that is something the F-150 can handle. With that said, my fiance has horses at her dad's farm. I'd say within the next 10 years we will be looking for our own piece of land and she will want horses there which means I will need a truck and trailer. I was thinking maybe it may be wise to purchase the 7.3 now as it is already hard enough to find a lower mileage truck that is straight and clean. This way I can pay it off and hold on to it as it seems they are not depreciating fast at all. Although I have a track record of not keeping vehicles long at all, none of the previous trucks where my dream truck.
Thanks in advance!
I just joined this forum the other day as I started looking into some more research on the 7.3. I have been around Ford and a couple 7.3s throughout my life but I have never owned one. To be honest, a 7.3 was my dream vehicle while growing up. I am no stranger to how forums work as I am on a couple of others from previous vehicles of mine.
So here is the dilemma. I am currently in middle of a lemon lawsuit with my 2014 Ram 1500 (Yes, I know my first mistake was buying a Ram. I came from a 2004 F-150 5.4 with all the spark plug and cam phaser problems when I looked at the Ram lol.) Depending on the outcome, I will hopefully be looking for a new vehicle. Originally I had been tossing around the idea of leasing a 2016 F-150 XLT with the 2.7 Ecoboost - very impressive truck to say the least. I like the thought of getting a new vehicle every two to three years and it always being under warranty. I've had mixed feeling from other people who have agreed with my logic and others who say I'm nuts because I would never have equity. I just purchase my first house a couple months back and have a wedding date set for next October. Because of this, I started thinking about going back to an older truck to lower my payments which is where I started thinking hard about getting my first diesel - the 7.3. I have been around long enough to know the history of the 7.3 and how it is arguably the best Ford engine and diesel engine ever made. I also know how sought after a clean 7.3 is as well as the value the truck holds because of it. I have found 3 that appeal to me with only one being somewhat close to me (Southwestern PA):
2002 F350 7.3 Diesel XLT Super Cab 4WD - This one is the closest to me, just a couple hours away. I like the Toreador Red as it is very close to Ruby Red which is what I was looking at for the F-150. I also like the 133,000 miles. From the pictures it looks clean but I know that can be deceiving, especially up here in PA. One big concern is the stainless steel flares. I know its a common accessory but it is a good way to hide the typical Ford rust. I would remove the decals and most of the chrome trim and replace the front bumper which I found is pretty cheap on eBay.
2002 7.3 powerstroke 4x4 - This is almost identical to the one near me but is instead in Kentucky. I don't mind driving and I have no problem going south for a mini vacation to pick up the right truck lol. I'd actually prefer a southern truck so that it isn't rotted away like vehicles up here tend to do from all of the salt. At 155,000 miles, I have know I'd have plenty of life left in this truck.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/675247146/overview/ - This last one is the furthest away but I believe is my favorite for a couple reasons. #1 it is a Lariat which the added amentities of Leather Heated Seats and Parking Sensors are welcomed with open arms lol. #2 I am normally a SuperCab Short bed kinda guy but this long bed is growing on me fast and I can really see it in my driveway. #3 I like the color combo. I have always liked the Dark Shadow Gray but I have noticed it is not all that common to find it with a black two-tone. The black two-tone appeals to me A LOT. Should this truck ever start rusting due to the salt up here it would blend really easily with bed liner or black fender flares. I would also replace the front bumper on this one as well as it looks like that is the only sign of major damage to the truck. At 157,000 miles this one has a ton of life left as well.
I don't really want to pay much over $14,000 for any of these three trucks but I know how much the prices vary across the board depending on location. What would you pay for each one? Which one seems like the best deal?
Using the search function, I complied a list of mods that I would need to do ASAP to help prolong the reliability of the truck, especially the transmission:
- 6.0 Transmission Cooler
- PHP TS 6-Pos Chip
- Triple Pillar Pod w/ Exhaust Exit Temp, Transmission Temp, and Boost
- 6637 Air Filter
- Spare CPS Sensor
If there is anything I am overlooking or missed, please feel free to let me know.
Sorry for the extremely long post, but I am trying to get the most feedback as possible. I tend to get a new vehicle every 2-3 years and the F-150 is probably all that I need at the moment as I don't haul much or tow anything - yet. I would like to purchase a boat in the coming years but that is something the F-150 can handle. With that said, my fiance has horses at her dad's farm. I'd say within the next 10 years we will be looking for our own piece of land and she will want horses there which means I will need a truck and trailer. I was thinking maybe it may be wise to purchase the 7.3 now as it is already hard enough to find a lower mileage truck that is straight and clean. This way I can pay it off and hold on to it as it seems they are not depreciating fast at all. Although I have a track record of not keeping vehicles long at all, none of the previous trucks where my dream truck.
Thanks in advance!