It's time to trade up from my '99 F150 5.4L and I'm wanting a F250 - I think.

I don't *commute* to work, and mostly use my truck to pull toys (boat / snowmobiles) - looking @ getting a camper this spring. So it's time for some more muscle if I'm getting a new (to me) truck. The 99 half ton has been a great truck, and I hate Dodge/Chevy (not sure why).

Reading the thread here on the 6.0 SD engine - seems like 03-04's tend to have problems, so that means 05-06 (don't have 30k to spend right now). I'd like to stay as close to 15k as possible, but might push it up to 20k.

Thinking about the 6.0L diesel, but want something dependable - so feel free to share your thoughts (i.e. what would you do in my shoes?)

?s - I like the Lariat (have this now) and KR packages (along w/ the Fx4 being a must - 4x4) - are they worth the $? Is the mpg on a F250 better than a similar year / motor F350? Should I just bump my search to F350 - even though I'm not doing any crazy towing?

Thanks in advance if you have any opinions.

 

I went from a '98 F150 to an '06 F350 DRW King Ranch 2WD. The truck is in excellent condition with the exception of the tailgate and rear bumper. Looks like someone tried to break into the locked tailgate (gouges around tailgate handle) and the previous owner must have backed into something (dent in bumper). Everything else is fine. Leather is even in very good condition. I bought the truck a few months ago for $19K. Of course, the price of fuel probably helped me. Just keep looking around. Deals are to be had.
During the summer/fall I was getting about 16MPG in town and around 17.5 highway. Winter, I'm down to 14ish. 6.0 has some issues, at least mine does but I'm still under warranty. When it's running good, it's a beast. I don't tow but I regularly fill it up and haul 2 tons. Never would even know there's anything in it! I loved my 150 but I cannot tell you how much better the 350 is!
Oh, there is added cost of owning. Obviously fuel, insurance, license plates, tolls, oil changes.....all well worth it to me!

 

The only difference between an F-250 and F-350 is the rear lift blocks, GVWR, and insurance costs. $15K would put you into a decent mileage nicely equipped 7.3 with 4x4. My 7.3 gets 17-18 MPG doing mostly highway.

 

I picked up an 06 F350 CC 6.0 FX4 with 126k on it in November for 14k plus 4k for what I owed on my 04 F150 Fx4 and I wouldnt go back. I would look for a clean used truck with a little higher mileage and a clean OASIS report and a clean Carfax. The other thing that I would look for is a V-10 because you wont be paying the premium for the diesel and the V-10 is a very capable work horse.

 

Nice idea. Right now is definitely the best time to buy. If your willing to spend up to 20k you can get an extremely nice, clean, low mileage truck. Mine is a diamond with every possible option with 40k miles and the dealer wanted 20k for it(stock of course). I payed even less with my trade. My loan officer was freaking out because when she looked up the book value it said 35k.

There are some sick deals out there guess thats the only benefit to high diesel fuel costs.

Sig by Screenfx.tk

 

Thx for the reply Angus. Appreciate the info on mpg w/ the 6.0.

What was the mileage on the 06 KR 350 when you bought it?

I think I'm sticking w/ SRW vs DRW. And like the lariat and KR over the XLTs for hauling the family out for weekend fun.

 

Wow, that is GREAT mileage for a 7.3L!

I'm not sure I'd need the ^ GVWR, but maybe a good idea for re-sale value when I want to sell in 5 or so yrs.

Estimated % of increased costs (insurance, etc.) when bumping to the F350 vs. F250???

And is the 7.3L >>> the 6.0s?

 

Just remember that the KR interior are a little high maintenance due to the type of leather they use is not sealed like the Lariat leather is.

 

Just from reading on the internets and talking with friends, most guys who have the 7.3 average 15-18 MPG unloaded. My all time best was 18.1, but I've modded it since then and need to get it out on a long road trip. My worst mileage ever was like 13, and that was coming back from California. I woke up, and my buddy was doing 90.

Re-sale cost differences for an F-250 vs an F-350 would be very minuscule. As long as it has some standard options, it should sell well.

Insurance differences, I cannot comment on. But, I do know that for me (21 year old white male, no tickets, no accidents on record), the insurance difference from my 4x4 F-250 to a 4x4 F-150 is less than $10 difference a month.

And YES, 7.3 >>>>> 6.0. There are a handful of 6.0 owners on this board, and out of them, the only ones I know of that don't have problems are RollingRock and FL4x4. Common problems for the 6.0 include (but not limited to) headgaskets, headstuds, EGR, turbo, injectors. Common problems for the 7.3 include bad CPS (10 min fix), bad fuel bowl heater (unplug and replace fuse, 10 min fix), and a leaky fuel bowl drain ($2 in o-rings, 30~ to change yourself). Now, the 7.3s do have injectors and turbos that go bad, but not nearly as often as the 6.0. And obviously, maintenance is a HUGE issue. If the motor wasn't taken care of by the previous owner, it is screwed.

 

My old man used to have an F350 with a 7.3, hes also had the 6.0 and I have the 6.4. If my 6.4 ever blew up I would try and toss in the 7.3, it was a good engine. In any case go with a diesel

 

When your 6.4 blows up, skip the 7.3 and head straight for the common rail Cummins.

 

.....good point

 

For a gasser: The 3V V10 with a 4:30 gear is a great, reliable, smooth, and powerful powerplant.

 

Well, it appears that they stopped making the 7.3 in about 2003 - and while those trucks are cheaper, most have > 120k +++ miles.

What can I do to make sure I avoid a problem 6.0? Would the service issues (dealer warranty work) be listed on the carfax and/or oasis (sp) reports? Other reports available? Will dealers provide these (free) and then I'd need to pay on my own for private party trucks? Sounds like $ well spent.

Any specific warning signs to watch out for - to avoid a problem truck/engine?

Appreciate the comments - it's helping the cause.

Thx.

 

Even at 120k++ miles the 7.3L is a good choice!