Needing a suggestion

[FuturePharmD]

Ok.. so I have been prowling the forums for a couple of days now and I figured the best thing to do would just be to ask. I am looking for a truck. Figure 250 with the extended cab and the short wheel base. I have several friends with Dodges and they hate on the ford diesel all the time, but I love the way that the trucks have looked forever and my grandfather is a ford guy so don't want to go dodge. Here is a list of my wants/needs that the truck will be doing. Heaviest hauling will be smaller boats, lawnmower trailers and just general towing. I seem to put lots of miles on vehicles so looking for dependability. Need 4x4 (work at a hospital and live in northeast Tennessee so it snows). I am really just torn between 6.0 and 7.3. Seems like there are lots of pros and cons for both but looking at gas mileage, maintenance, and simply general issues. Any help or advice you all could give me prior to purchasing my first diesel would be amazing. This forum seems amazing and I look forward to becoming part of the power stroke owners club.

[cliford]

first off, welcome to the .org as for the truck... 7.3 you really cant go wrong really solid motor. as for a 6.0 there is some recall work but after that and head studs i think its a solid motor. someone with more knowledge will chime in. there are a ton of other posts about this as well so your the search function on the front page to the right of the screen

[CT Performance, Inc.]

7.3 and for the best looking a OBS of course!

[Strokeorcroak]

yeah i haven't really heard many people talk about anything going wrong with an OBS under 200,000 miles other than a tranny...

I would say the 7.3L is your best bet, the 6.0 is a lot more powerful but not as dependable and your not looking like your needing power so just get a low mileage 7.3L and you'll love it..

Maybe even spend the saved money on an exhaust, intake, and custom tunes to play around with

[FuturePharmD]

That is about what i figured from reading around the forums. So now the search is on for a 99-2003 7.3 ext cab 4x4. Thanks everyone

[cliford]

Originally Posted by FuturePharmD

That is about what i figured from reading around the forums. So now the search is on for a 99-2003 7.3 ext cab 4x4. Thanks everyone

one thing i will say is if you plan on making more power with it, i would stay away from lat 01 and up. they have PMR' which are powder metal coated rods. they are not strong and can put a nice window in your block.