FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
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FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
I'm shopping for a dually F-350 Crew Cab. I need to tow my 38 cig on a steel trailer. Figure about 10000 lbs. dry boat and a 4500lb trailer. I'm looking for something in the 2000-2005 range ($19000-28000ish). I know the tranny's in 03 had some issues, but I don't know much more than that. What motor package do I want or more importantly, which one don't I want? Both 6.0 & 7.3 are turbo diesels...correct?
Can anyone lend some insight? Also, 4x2 or 4x4...will I really kick myself if I go with the 4x2? I will only tow maybe a few hundred miles a summer and usually only put in fresh water... I will mostly drive this truck as my everyday vehicle. To and from work...out to dinners...to see clients...road trips with the family...Trading in my 04 Nissan Armada. (I know...4x4...right?)
Can anyone lend some insight? Also, 4x2 or 4x4...will I really kick myself if I go with the 4x2? I will only tow maybe a few hundred miles a summer and usually only put in fresh water... I will mostly drive this truck as my everyday vehicle. To and from work...out to dinners...to see clients...road trips with the family...Trading in my 04 Nissan Armada. (I know...4x4...right?)
#2
21 and 42 footers
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
4x4 either motor just avoid the 03-04 6.0 motors......everything else will be just fine! If it's a daily driver I'd consider single rear wheel.
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
I agree about the 4x4 issue. Steep, wet ramp+10,000 lbs of boat and trailer=? Ifound my 05 f350 king ranch on ebay for
30k. If you go with a 7.3 td, you definatly cant go wrong. A very proven, reliable power plant. I have found the best truck prices in Texas.
30k. If you go with a 7.3 td, you definatly cant go wrong. A very proven, reliable power plant. I have found the best truck prices in Texas.
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
SRW vs DRW??? Is there a big ride difference when NOT under load?
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
I like the "new" stuff, but when it comes to vehicles, I like the old reliable stuff, when it breaks it is a pain i nthe azz. So, I would, and did, op for the 7.3L. There are probably some really good 6.0L's out there, but I know there are plenty of problems too, and mechanics know the 7.3L better. So I stayed with that, and am real happy with mine. Others may think differently, but I use mine about like you are going to use yours.
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
Whatever you do don't go with a 6.0 motor, no matter what year they all are bad. Have personally owned 03, 04, 05, 06 they all suck, had 7.3 they were pretty good motors. we have 2 6.0 in the shop as i write this, getting injectors for the 10th time on one of them. It has had injectors put in twice in 3 weeks, didn't even make it 350 miles since last injectors. The guys in the service department said not to buy the 08's because they are already having problems.
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
Whatever you do don't go with a 6.0 motor, no matter what year they all are bad. Have personally owned 03, 04, 05, 06 they all suck, had 7.3 they were pretty good motors. we have 2 6.0 in the shop as i write this, getting injectors for the 10th time on one of them. It has had injectors put in twice in 3 weeks, didn't even make it 350 miles since last injectors. The guys in the service department said not to buy the 08's because they are already having problems.
Damn.... not good.
#9
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
I recently drove a newer 6.0L Harley Edition. It had a considerable turbo lag; and its just not fun to drive. In my 2000 7.3 PSD, you stomp on the go pedal, and it moves.
Jim,
Trying to get around in the city with a dually is going to be a PIA-to impossible. However, a long bed (you want the long bed for towing stability and cargo capacity) crew cab (which I know you want) is not going to be much easier. The LB CC still has the same turning radius, it just drags a smaller circle with the inner fender (to which you have to be cognizant).
In 2005, Ford switched to a Coil Spring front suspension (vs. leaf spring) which drastically improved the turning (radius) capabilities of all of the Ford SDs.
I still get around just fine with my Aircraft Carrier sized, Sherman Tank sounding 7.3L Leaf Spring Suspension CC LB Dually. Sometimes it takes an extra 1 or 2 points to negotiate a turn, but you get used to it.
Its a shame there are no factory equipped 7.3L w/ Coil Spring suspension.
As said previously, on the whole, the '03 and '04 6.0L PSDs had a lot of issues.
With towing 15000 lbs. and such a beautiful family, I would not want to give up the stability and prowess of the full monty 4x4 Dually. There is NO comparison. The SRW is adequate. Rear Air Bag Suspension improves such, but the DRW is awesome. (I also installed Air Bags on my dually).
If you pick up a truck with some age, use the saved cash to pick up an Accord or something to run into the city with, or just make sure Patty is comfortable with driving the dually occasionally, and take her car. I LOVE watching Mary Sue drive my truck.
Also, you want the 4.10 Rear Axle no matter what. 41L or 37L will be stamped on the actual pumpkin of the rear axle.
Give me a holler with any questions. There was a nice '02 White with Tan ring around the bottom 7.3 CC LB dually on a lot here in Richmond this week. Gone in 2 days. Folks know the 7.3s are MONEY.
Jim,
Trying to get around in the city with a dually is going to be a PIA-to impossible. However, a long bed (you want the long bed for towing stability and cargo capacity) crew cab (which I know you want) is not going to be much easier. The LB CC still has the same turning radius, it just drags a smaller circle with the inner fender (to which you have to be cognizant).
In 2005, Ford switched to a Coil Spring front suspension (vs. leaf spring) which drastically improved the turning (radius) capabilities of all of the Ford SDs.
I still get around just fine with my Aircraft Carrier sized, Sherman Tank sounding 7.3L Leaf Spring Suspension CC LB Dually. Sometimes it takes an extra 1 or 2 points to negotiate a turn, but you get used to it.
Its a shame there are no factory equipped 7.3L w/ Coil Spring suspension.
As said previously, on the whole, the '03 and '04 6.0L PSDs had a lot of issues.
With towing 15000 lbs. and such a beautiful family, I would not want to give up the stability and prowess of the full monty 4x4 Dually. There is NO comparison. The SRW is adequate. Rear Air Bag Suspension improves such, but the DRW is awesome. (I also installed Air Bags on my dually).
If you pick up a truck with some age, use the saved cash to pick up an Accord or something to run into the city with, or just make sure Patty is comfortable with driving the dually occasionally, and take her car. I LOVE watching Mary Sue drive my truck.
Also, you want the 4.10 Rear Axle no matter what. 41L or 37L will be stamped on the actual pumpkin of the rear axle.
Give me a holler with any questions. There was a nice '02 White with Tan ring around the bottom 7.3 CC LB dually on a lot here in Richmond this week. Gone in 2 days. Folks know the 7.3s are MONEY.
#10
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Re: FORD F-350 WHAT MOTOR PACKAGE?? 6.0L or 7.3L V8?
I have a 06, supercab, 4X4, SRW, 16,000 miles. I tow a 35' Mistress about 6 times a summer. No problems with anything on this truck. 19 to 21 mpg running from 60 to 75 mph non-towing. 11 to 12 mpg towing at 60 mph.