New and need info. Which one to get 7.3L or 6.0L???

[SJB]

NEW AND NEED INFO. WHICH ONE TO GET - 7.3L or 6.0L???

I'm new to the forum and could use a little help. First off, I currently have an '01 Superduty w/ the V10. I'm looking to trade it in for a used diesel. Due to $$$ I will be looking for an older one (probably '99 - '05). I really know nothing about diesels. So I was wondering out of the two (7.3L and 6.0L) which one would be better? Are there any particular problems with either to be aware of? Pros and cons to each? Any particular model year to stay away from?

Also due to $$$, I might be limited to one that will have some miles on it. How many miles should a diesel generally get before needing new engine, etc?

Lastly, how many mpg on average does a diesel really get in the city and hwy (I generally like a lifted truck with 35's)?

Sorry for the newbie questions. Just trying to become a little more informed for when I start shopping......Thanks for any help.

 

[BDJack]

Welcome

First of all welcome to the forum!
I highly reccomend going for a 7.3!
More reliable, as in normally higher mileage with fewer issues than 6.0's! 6.0's tend to have head issues quite frequently.
7.3 injectors are very tolerant should you choose to try WVO/Biodiesel in the future to save $$.
Learn from my mistakes and either get a 99 crew or 00 up 7.3 anything. The 99 Supercab is a bit smaller/rear seats are terrible if you need underseat storage at all. 00 they switched how the seats folded.
Shoot for a 7.3 with around 100,000 miles, they are available, you can generally catch a deal (Caught an unusually good one @ 10K,+2500Trade-in) and the engine is barely broken in.

Happy hunting!

 

[SJB]

Thanks for the info. I'm only looking for crew cab 4x4's. My current superduty is an '01 F350 crew cab 4x4 v10. It is a good running truck, but crappy on gas as to be expected. I don't tow anything now, but hope to in the near future. I've been told by buddies who have switched to diesels that it is night and day as far as towing power compared to their regular gas motors of the past (which is why I'm now looking for a diesel).

Ford advertises 50 more hp with the 6.0 liter and better fuel mileage. Is there really a real world noticeable difference in these areas between these two engines (7.3 and 6.0)?

 

[BDJack]

Hmmm

Real talk, my buddies 6.0 had a little more pep before I did the Fuel Pressure Regulator Mod (search fpr on this site), but his is in the shop so frequently, he often borrows mine. That is most peoples experience with the 6.0, although there is one guy on here with a 6 that has never ahd problems. Go figure

 

[JLDickmon]

lots of guys on here with butt-loads of trouble-free miles with 6.0's..
nothing wrong with them..
they ARE a different animal than a 7.3 however, which has Achilles heel's of it's own...

 

[BDJack]

lots of guys on here with butt-loads of trouble-free miles with 6.0's..
nothing wrong with them..
they ARE a different animal than a 7.3 however, which has Achilles heel's of it's own...

There are always exceptions, as I said, but statistically, which motor have you heard the worst about? I believe there is even a metric ***** ton of info under the 6.0 issues on this site about head stud, head wall weakness/thinness causing issues. Check for yourself, but thats my personal experience with my buddies and others trucks, and from reading up on here.

Cant help but notice that you got a 7.3 Dickmon

 

[SJB]

Is one more maintenance friendly than the other? Since I've never owned a diesel, I don't really know what regular maintenance is required on them (other than oil change). I like to do as much of my own maintenance as possible on my own vehicles (sorry, just don't trust most of the shops). So is one easier to work on? For instance, do you have to rip half the engine compartment up to do routine maintenance on either engine?

What about noise levels? Being that I'm new to diesels, I'll have to get used to the noise. Is one noticeably quieter than the other?

 

[SJB]

lots of guys on here with butt-loads of trouble-free miles with 6.0's..
nothing wrong with them..
they ARE a different animal than a 7.3 however, which has Achilles heel's of it's own...

What are some of the Achilles heels of the 7.3?

Again, thanks for the input so far. It definitely helps.

 

[BDJack]

Hmm

I have only done maintenance on my 7.3, that said, it is ridiculously easy, compared to some crazy crap I have had to do with gassers I have owned.

Noise levels, I have a feeling you will come to enjoy either one you end up with, only exception being in drive thru's, for which you will need a 120 horse capable tuner with a drive thru setting to quiet it down. Thats what I am currently telling the wife to get mine....

 

[SJB]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Please keep the info coming.