Help...torn up about my '96 7.3

[DesertDug]

I just turned 340,000 miles. It back in the shop another $200 fix. It seems of late every other month or so it's another sensor, icp, or what ever going out.

The truck is old and worn, but I have a connection with it. Of course there is no note on it, which I really like. I can't afford to go to a new truck, but a new to me is staring to work its way into my mind.

So today, while I missed work, I started looking at trucks. $20,000 or so for 2005-7 f250s with the dreaded 6.0 and 150,000+ miles. 2007 ram with Cummins same price range.

What to do, help a fella out.

[Mconner]

Cummins all the way and delete it that will cure all problems

[ostey22]

Keep it! I own a 2001 7.3 but it has 167k . Has long as it doesn't leave you stranded it's better than $600+ monthly payment. Just my 2cents brotha.

[Mconner]

I know how you feel my dad was in the same situation and he bought a 15 cummins loves it and he had a 97 7.3L with 1,300,000 miles had to be a record and he still has it drives it to this day

[ostey22]

I know how you feel my dad was in the same situation and he bought a 15 cummins loves it and he had a 97 7.3L with 1,300,000 miles had to be a record and he still has it drives it to this day

Um that's really impressive! my dad had 400k on his till Ike got it.

[Mudslinger]

DO NOT buy a 6.0 Ford Diesel, no matter what was done to it unless it was replaced with a 7.3 or possibly a 6.7!

[DesertDug]

I know how you feel my dad was in the same situation and he bought a 15 cummins loves it and he had a 97 7.3L with 1,300,000 miles had to be a record and he still has it drives it to this day

Ya they are a beast of an engine, but it's all the other stuff that seems to finally be wearing out.

[DesertDug]

DO NOT buy a 6.0 Ford Diesel, no matter what was done to it unless it was replaced with a 7.3 or possibly a 6.7!

Ya this is what I have been thinking, but nothing in the 6.7's are in my price range.

[bphillips]

I know how you feel my dad was in the same situation and he bought a 15 cummins loves it and he had a 97 7.3L with 1,300,000 miles had to be a record and he still has it drives it to this day

Good god how do you consistently put almost 70k miles a year on a vehicle? I travel a lot but geez

[DesertDug]

What are people's thoughts on a 2007 ram2500?

[bphillips]

Ya this is what I have been thinking, but nothing in the 6.7's are in my price range.

If you want a newer diesel look into the work truck type models. Mine is a tradesman or something odd like that. 2011 Duramax, 4x4, 140,000 miles and it's worth around 20-25k now.

Doesn't have all the luxuries. Vinyl floor, no power seats, cloth seats, manual 4x4, but still has power locks and windows.

[DesertDug]

I know 7.3 run for ever, but what about other motors? What kind of mill age could one expect?

[bphillips]

I know 7.3 run for ever, but what about other motors? What kind of mill age could one expect?

If you want a Ford I would only look to 7.3 or the '11 and newer 6.7

Duramax has a lot of good ones but until '11 they all had their quirks such as injectors or various issues. Usually one time fixes

Cummins I would shoot for 04.5-07 5.9 or the new motor


Just my personal opinion

[westtexducks]

Are you dead set on having a diesel? What size truck you looking for single cab? Crew cab? Lots of towing or just ever once in awhile and then a 3/4 ton gets it done with ease? If your only occasionally towing I wouldn't look past the f-250s with the gas motors in them. My dad has a 3/4 ton 5.4 gas single cab f-250 and it is a great little truck does every thing he could ever ask of it and will still pull the occasional heavy load and it does strain it a bit compared to a diesel but it gets the job done for those odd once every few months pulls.

[DesertDug]

No not set on a diesel, just seems that trucks in my price range have high mileage on them and I worry about a gas engine that has 110,000 miles over a diesel with the same.

Is this bad thinking on my part?