Bought a 7.3 today

[FloridaEd]

I had made up my mind to buy a 2006 Dodge 3500 CTD. I've always been a Ford man, but could not stomach the 6. 0 liter engine. After having my '00 F-250 PSD's tranmission serviced today, Providence, Divine or otherwise caused me to look to the left as I was driving home and spotted the prettiest 2001 Dually LWB F-350 Lariat I have ever seen..... and I have been looking hard for the past month or so.



Short story, I'm now driving a LWB dually with a big crewcab and 7. 3 diesel engine. For not very much money, either. I'm happy to have a 16-valve pre-EPA model, too.



Even better, this rig was owned by another old retired military f*art like me. Most, but not all, G. I. 's maintain equipment obsessively. You never know when you may have to shoot the crap out of somebody, or run like crazy. Either way, well-maintained equipment is a must.



So, I will defer joining the in-line legion to another day. This new (to me) rig should last me 7-10 years... . if I last that long.



Florida Ed

 

[Graphic man]

congrats on the new truck!

Dad Drives a 2000 crewcab 7. 3 diesel DRW he pulls a 40' travel surpreme fifth wheel trailer,

26,000 lb truck and trailer with over 100,000 miles on the clock he has had no problems at all

it has been a awesome truck to him!!

him and i :-{} ford and dodge :-laf :-laf

 

[DHayden]

Nice low miles too. If I have to see someone in a ford I'd rather it be a good 7. 3. I hate to see people get hammered on stuff like the 6. 0

 

[bmoeller]

Sounds like a nice truck. Keep a spare cam position sensor handy. Some engines go through them like candy. Others, they'll last 100k+ miles. Just never know. IIRC, it takes a 10mm wrench and a small pry bar to get them out.

 

[JUeckert]

congrats ed,a few months back i spent many a day looking for a fair priced 02 or 03 ford with a 7. 3,found several nice ones,but the prices were too high. bought a 05 dodge brand new for a bit more money,didnt even consider a used 03 or 04 6. 0. fact is between price and the track record of the 6. 0,i decided to try another dodge. .

 

[Heavyweight]

I like the 7. 3 as well. My Dad has a 99, with 130,000 miles without any major mechanical issues.

 

[C. Harlan]

Congrats on the new truck! Now ya got to post some pictures! Hope it lasts a lifetime! I have been pondering getting a new used truck, but I just dont know. In the mean time, I bought a boat, but I think I am going to sell it. It is really not practical, however it is fun to go out on! Oh well, just wanted to give you a thumbs up on the new truck!



-Chris-

 

[FloridaEd]

bmoeller:



Tks for reminding me about the CPS. I had a spare in my '00 PSD with the correct socket, ratchet, and extension. I'll go back and pick it up.



Florida ED

 

[DBogo]

welcome to the club congrats on teh new truck

 

[DWeiler]

congrates

Good luck and have fun with the 7. 3,i logged over 400000+miles delivering bread though-out the city with a few 7. 3s. Watch the transmission,i cook one about every 60000-70000 miles ,true about CPS too and keep her plugged if your near the cold weather,faithfully won't start once it gets below-15 celcius. Never had to replace a turbo or open up the engine though, replace a few injectors. The 7. 3 is ok with me ,a little underpowered(a chip will fix that)better than the 6. 0 by far. Neighbor has a boyfriend who has the new 6. 0,bin in the shop 1/2 dozen times this year alone :-laf . Later.

 

[bmoeller]

bmoeller:



Tks for reminding me about the CPS. I had a spare in my '00 PSD with the correct socket, ratchet, and extension. I'll go back and pick it up.



Florida ED

You're welcome.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

I'm down in Liberal KS with the company F-450 6. 0L PSD. 3600 miles from Alaska. Second trip I've made with this truck. 20,000 miles and all I can say is I hate the 6. 0L. I owned a 7. 3 and loved it. This 6L is junk. I've got a list of problems on it already.



They 7. 3 is a good engine. The Cummins is evern better. The 6. 0L is worth 10 cents.

 

[JTryles]

You know guys (and gals)... I was thinking, that if this post was the other way around... Say he bought a Cummins and posted on the DieselStop site. I can almost guarantee he wouldn't have gotten such a positive response. Despite all the bickering that goes on over in the Comp forum I think that just goes to show the type of people we got on this board. I think we all deserve a collective pat on the back!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You know guys (and gals)... I was thinking, that if this post was the other way around... Say he bought a Cummins and posted on the DieselStop site. I can almost guarantee he wouldn't have gotten such a positive response. Despite all the bickering that goes on over in the Comp forum I think that just goes to show the type of people we got on this board. I think we all deserve a collective pat on the back!

Ain't THAT the truth!

 

[DWeiler]

I'd have to agree as well,---another worker friend of mine put a deposit on a 6. 0ltr today,tried to talk him out of it but he is one of those die hard Ford men. OH WELL,i'll just have some one to argue with a little more,but it would never get to a point of insults or deraughatory name calling like some other diesel sites :-{} . I wished him luck and was happy for him. PS---He is going from a 2001-7. 3crew(no problems in 100000miles) to a 2005 6. 0crew---one step forward and a couple back i guess :-laf :-laf :-laf . My opinion only so take for what its worth. DW

 

[Nate]

I like the power of the 6. 0 A ALOT better than the gutless 7. 3Ls... we about 30 trucks at work between 12v and 24v Cummins and the 7. 3 and 6. 0 Fords.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

The 7. 3 in my opinion pulls better than a 6. 0 at the same HP numbers. Of course a 210hp 7. 3 against a current 6. 0 will loose out. But the 7. 3 came on a lot sooner than the new 6. 0 and it doesn't need to do it by spinning up to the moon.



Good luck on the 7. 3, I like them and wouldn't bat an eye at buying another one.

 

[Grizzly]

Congratulations Ed. I know you have been wanting your "Dream Truck", CTD, for a long time, but sounds like you feel comfortable with Ford. That's good, you have to go with you gut feelings. You would have been happing with the Cummins also, but that water under the bridge now. The 7. 3 is a much better choice than the 6. You did good, low mileage, good price and equipped the way you want. Enjoy it. Grizzly