Help on choosing Ford PS!!

[Grangerg]

I currently own an 01 Dodge 2500 Cummins, but due to an upcoming addition to the family, the quad cab will no longer be big enough & I want to get into a crew cab (for extra room). I am looking at F250 & F350 from 2001 - 2003. Can you all help me out with some extra input on what to get/look for as far as manual/automatic, 6.0L/7.3L, etc. I do haul quite a bit & have never hauled with an automatic & am a little hesitant on even considering. I have also heard the horror stories on the 6.0L, should I stick with the 7.3? Thanks for ALL your help!
Granger

[Andy]

The 7.3 is a good truck, no doubt. I have heard horror stories on the 6.0 also, but then a lot of others swear by them. If you are looking between 2001-2003 anyways though, your probably going to get a 7.3L anyways. The 6.0L's started at the end of 03. As far as manual or automatic tranny, its up to you. Diesels put out a lot of torque, so I typically figure I might be able to save myself some proble4ms by going with a manual tranny. Plus, I love shifting!

Anyways, good luck with your search, and let us know if we can help any further!

[99Smokin73Stroker]

A crew cab was one of the main reasons I bought my truck. I wanted all that extra room after having a 95 chevy ext cab that was just good for tools and anorexic chicks. Lem is right, if you're looking for those years you're going to see more 7.3's. Personally I would go with the 7.3 due to it's very solid reputation. We've all heard and read the 6.0 horror stories and I wouldn't want to hear another one. But it is your preference. I do think the transmissions backing the 6.0 are better than what you'll find behind the 7.3, however i've had my 99 7.3 for over a year and a half and as hard as I've been on it it has held up well. (knock on wood) I don't know if the previous owner has gone through it or not though. If you wanna stick with a dodge, check out the mega cab. You're lookin at between 23k and 30k for a used 01-03 psd. Mega cab could be brought home for maybe as little as 37 or 38 if you're a good enough haggler!

[turbotime]

Yeah, i would say to go with the 7.3L with a manual tranny. If you are hauling some serious weight and want to climb the hills with the best of 'em, i would reccoment putting in a shift kit, tranny cooler and gauges just because that is some significant useage. My buddy who is head tranny mechanic at Ford (locally) says that there are two NO NO's to hauling; one is to haul in overdrive -ever- and the other is to back up a trailer (mostly under extreme conditions like backing up hills, but to avoid having to back a trailer whenever possible).

I am sure that you would love it if you got one, but stick with the manual in the 7.3's. In the 6.0's I hear that an auto tranny is great for hauling (but no personal experience here)

~Turbotime