To appropriately address your concerns, I'm going to explain it this way. The truck is already 20+ years old, so absolutely anything plastic is going to be showing it's age. Window switches, door panels, dashboards, grilles, etc. as will all the interior parts, and any suspension or powertrain parts.

I got my 03 used with 357k, and I think since then I've put close to 10k on her already. She was from what I see, one owner, well cared for. That last part is what will make or break the reliability factor. neglected and abused trucks do not live the same as well loved ones by any sense. Soon I plan on my radiator just because it's 20 years old, and I don't trust plastic subjected to that kind of heat for that long.

If you've got mechanical skills, and aren't scared to learn, get your hands dirty, and diagnose a little, these trucks are amazing entries into the diesel world, and the world of rugged work trucks that have stood the test of time quite well. The great part is, when you get a GOOD example, it really shines.

 

The thing to think about is a 2003 truck with a 7.3 is a great truck but it is 20 years old at this point. I had an 02 and it was a great truck. But I did all the work myself. At this point things are going to wear out besides the engine. Are you good at working on a truck? Can you trouble shoot an issue? Can you change ball joints. Can you rebuild a driveshaft? If not I would think twice about it unless you have the coin to keep it running or it has been completely rebuilt. If you're not up to doing that stuff it may get expensive to have a shop to do. I spent probably 6 months troubleshooting why my truck kept cutting out when I gave it gas. The shops couldn't figure it out or didn't want to spend the time on it since you couldn't hook a computer up to it and have it tell you the problem. I finally figures it out on my own that it was a back pressure sensor that was bad. Finally got it fixed and running correct. The point is if you can't or have the means to work on it it gets expensive.

 

o work on it it gets expensive.
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Thank you for the feedback. I would say I'm not fixing any major issues such as the ones you mentioned but willing and capable of doing all the smaller mx. Definitely something I will keep in mind.

 

Shop rates are expensive. I had the fuse box go out on my F350 (2002) and it was $1355 for the part and labor. Had a fuel injector issue and that was close to another 1k, about 400 to get my glow plug issue sorted as well. That’s the only things I’ve taken it in for. Everything else I’ve done my self. Between mods and maintenance I’ve spent 25k on this truck since 2018, **** adds up fast on a 20+ year old truck.

 

One thing to keep in mind if looking for a used vehicle...if it's been reliable for the previous owner, chances are any failures will fall on you.

Not counting all my upgrades, My 7.3 has been extremely reliable with only the typical maintenance as Dave mentioned.
I believe I upgraded injectors on my truck around 200k or so. Stock injectors are still working and in my friends truck. Stock HPOP was still good but replaced for my upgrades.

I just had to replace tie rods and drag link after 237K miles. factory alt went out 12+ yrs ago,IIRC. factory starter went out probably around the same time.
So just regular/ typical stuff but not a big deal. Finally put a PMR rod through the block about 7k ago but that was due to latest tunes and turbo upgrade, I'm pretty sure.

Overall as everyone has said, 7.3 is extremely reliable if taken care of. I love mine and will keep it till the day I die. I have no issues buying a used one as I can do all the work myself.

 

Owned my 2000 for 17yrs. Yup stuff around the engine will wear out, fail, break, rust……just like every other truck. If you can actually wrench and afford to fix some stuff you will be happy. If you buy a GOOD running 7.3 and you pay attention to it and fix stuff as needed and know what to look at it will serve you very well. I was still a mechanic when I bought mine in 2006 with 47k on it and I understood how reliable they were but also knew they are still ford f250’s that have all the same common issues. You suck it up and fix what goes wrong and move on. I have always kept up on everything on mine and it NEVER has let me down aside from a alternator goin out once out of state(5min fix) . Mine did show its age with rust so I had to eradicate ALL of it with down south rust free parts and now its back to 100%. My company still has a few 7.3’s with over 400k that are mostly run around trucks but still run great. I honestly plan to keep mine forever. It tows everi need, it goes decent with a custom tune and intake/exhaust and i know its not gonna hurt itself because they are just a anvil of a engine. I had the trans rebuilt with good parts and a new converter at 210k and its my go anywhere anytime and tow whatever truck. Im pretty much anti-new anything especially diesels. To much drama but yes they are impressive on power but literally thats it and they just dont hold up in my opinion. I say buy a nice 7.3 and enjoy it and just keep it alive and save $50k.

 

I should also add, I need to do my front axle seals and steering. All said and done, about 2k for motorcraft parts (hubs, locking hub, BJs, all the steering, and lots knows what else) and the tool need for seat them correctly. Stuff happens, even low mileage trucks will have their issues and seals wear out from age.

 

Understand and interesting to hear the opinions. Do you think you knocked out of the last bit of major expenses that was needed over the last couple years since you bought, or do you forsee this to be an ongoing battle in the future?
Curious if there is ever an end in sight or is it really that much more spent on mx then say a 5-10yr old truck.

 

It is 20 years old, but think of all the systems, modules, and stuff in a 6.7 truck that isn't even there to give trouble and cause grief and expense. I am the second owner of my 99. It is a "grandpa truck" that has had 2 mature owners that have never wrecked, abused, lifted, or "tuned" it.

A few months after I acquired mine in 2013 a friend and I took a 3,000 mile trip towing his Corvette in his trailer, but I insisted that we take my truck. He had been towing with a gasser Silverado for 10 years and had no idea how effortless towing is with a Diesel. Within a month the Silverado was gone and had been replaced with a 2011 F350 SWR 6.7. It currently has 85,000 miles on it, of which he's added 30,000 in those 10 years. He bought a 2 year old 6.7.

I recently visited and his 6.7 is for sale. He's tired of the Check Engine light coming on every other time he drives it. He's had the EGR cooler serviced 4 times in 30k miles. He spends about 3,500-5k a year on fixing stuff. He's had dumb stuff happen that cost a lot of money at the dealer to fix. He's done towing long distance, he can borrow a truck if he needs to tow.

I haven't spent $5,000 on my 99 in 10 years including oil changes, tires, brake pads and other normal stuff. I've never had a valve cover off. It has never stopped running, never failed to start (other than flat batteries), never put me in a motel room waiting for repairs on a ruined trip. My friend's and my experiences with our trucks have been quite different. His has cost him about 4,000 a year for 30,000 miles of service and mine has cost me 5,000 total for 125,000 miles of service for the same 10 year period. 7.3 for the win.

I wouldn't be concerned about "20 year old stuff breaking". There isn't much there to break in the first place. The 7.3 are very simple trucks. Especially for a skilled DIY'r to maintain.

 

IMO with any older vehicle, unless you can make repairs yourself, it'll add up real fast in terms of maintenance/repair costs

My vehicles go to the shop for state annual inspection, everything else I've done myself for the last 27 years since I first learned to drive.

 

It seems like you’re pretty dead set on getting one. I’d watch BAT (bring a trailer) for a clean low miles one owner rig with all the documentation you want.

 

A couple of threads to read you might find helpful:
https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/you-just-bought-a-7-3-now-what.534353/unread
https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-99-03-psd.4422/unread

 

I love my "old 7.3". I lucked up and found the old boy 7 years ago this month. Although not a professional technician, I am able to do most maintenance repairs myself whereas on a 6.7 there would be no way. Parts from Ford are becoming increasingly harder come by as they are steadily obsoleting them. I hope to keep my truck for the foreseeable future as it does all I need or want it to do. If that means working on it from time to time the so be it.

 

I hope you do make it to a million miles but I'm a bit skeptical. A lot can happen in the next 645k.
In my experience, compression is in the low 300's around 300-330k, sometimes dipping below 300.
But i am happy that your's is still doing great and hope it makes it

 

I hope you do make it to a million miles but I'm a bit skeptical. A lot can happen in the next 645k.
In my experience, compression is in the low 300's around 300-330k, sometimes dipping below 300.
But i am happy that your's is still doing great and hope it makes it

I thought the same thing so I checked my valve adjustment when I put my glow plugs in at 250,000 and it didn’t move at all still where it’s supposed to be when the motor was brand new so I did a compression test and it was well over 300 it might have been 400 I forgot it was so long ago all I remember is was well in spec. and I checked them all.

 

I also read all of the responses before I comment. I have an ‘03 CC SB SRW 4WD that I purchased brand new in ‘03. It has 341,000+ on it, and has never left me stranded. I do preventative maintenance on it regularly as my wife and I tow a smaller 5th wheel across the U.S. each summer. I’ve did the steering box one year, water pump the next, high output alternator the next and so on. I have the maintenance done on schedule, and have a good diesel shop that knows what I expect. Yes, I had to do injectors at 300,000 miles, and yes, it was expensive. But compared to the fuel system problems and expenses in the new 6.7 Fords, and the turbo problems among others in the new Dodges, I’m miles and dollars ahead of the newer trucks, with no payments and lower insurance and DMV fees to boot! I will keep my 7.3 till I die, and my daughter has already called dibs onit when I’m gone!

 

That's the One Thing that I Try to get people to Understand but for some Reason most Don't: It's Cheaper to Pay a Repair Bill ONCE Than it is to Make Monthly Payments for YEARS!!!!
I'm at about 278k and I'm planning now for a Complete Rebuild with Ceramic Turbo Upgrade Injector Upgrade Intercooler Upgrade and "MAYBE" taking Her to 500HP and Adding an Engine Brake but still Unsure about the Last 2 But I Agree Regular Maintenance Is KEY

 

I really appreciate the excitement in this thread.

Google Search

Post pics of the truck.

 

I really appreciate the excitement in this thread.

Google Search

Post pics of the truck.

I see the link you are referencing, however nothing seems to answer my question. I know the motor will last forever, my question is how long will everything else last, given that it is aleady 20 years old.

 

With that little use a gasser is going to be much for suited for the needs, other than addressing the "I always wanted one" factor.

 

Agree with you completely, that would be more practical. Trying to think how much "I always wanted one" is going to cost vs a f150

 

I have a 2002 I bought brand new and I have 355,456 miles and still going strong I believe I will get 1,000,000 miles no problem out of mine and I tow a lot of that answers your question.

 

I Read through All the Comments B4 I decided to say something
First I Think it would be Wrong for Anyone of Us to Say what May or May Not Happen because ANYTHING is POSSIBLE!!! How many times have you purchased a pack of Batteries or something else and went to Use them and they were Dead? That's Part of "GAME" of Chance we play when we Buy Vehicles
I got a 01 F350 7.3L SD CC Lariat Dually with an 8'ft. Bed 274,500 miles for Less than $5,000 because the Owner had 2 Accidents and was Convinced that the Truck was Jinxed!!!! So far I've welded in New Cab corners on both sides and bottom body panels by the Doors because they were Rusted,New Rear Springs,New Shocks,New Batteries,New Serpentine Belt,Oil Change,2 New Idler Pulleys,New Running Boards.Now I said All that to say that A Lot of Issues/Problems can be Eliminated with Good/Proper Preventative Maintenance If Given the Proper LOVE and ATTENTION a Diesel Engine will Perform FOREVER
So it Shouldn't be a Situation that Scares You Away from it as Long as you can get some Kind of Back Ground on the Truck,You Have a Good EYE for Seeing Problems and MOST Importantly
NEVER NEVER NEVER Buy Anything that You Can't See and Hear Run
If They say Trust Me it Works RUN AWAY