NewsW wrote:
CampingN.C. wrote:So after our beach trip average of 7.5 mpg I've started looking at some diesels online. I've found a 2000 F-350 7.3 SRW with 93K miles for $19K and the same place has a 2006 6.0 King Ranch with 138K miles for about the same price. Both 4x4 and crew cabs. Haven't looked at either but this lot always has quality stuff.
Same price, but the older one has the trusted ol 7.3 with less than 100k miles, but fewer options.
What ya'll think ?
Finding a good 6.0 is an art.
Takes a lot of sleuthing, but they are out there, and when you find them, they are incredible bargains.
The keys:
- Don't buy anything that saw a tuner, modded, claim "to have problems fixed", lifted, have gauges, ARPs, or show anything else beside FACTORY STOCK.
- Get the OASIS (FORD DEALER RAP SHEET) Report that lays out everything done under warranty, and if it got a lot of work, like heads off repairs, leave it. Ditto for replaced injectors, FICM, etc. that suggest a hard life.
- The only updates on it should be the factory authorized ones, including software updates.
Keep mileage low --- 50,000 miles is nothing and anything over 80,000 miles avoided if possible.
Years --- 2006 is good, 2007 very good.
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Next, disregard the jokers running around telling you to put XXXX "fixes" into it.
These fixes are likely to cause much more harm than good.
DO NOT INSTALL ARP Head Studs.
DO NOT INSTALL "Hot FICM"
DO NOT INSTALL EGR DELETE
DO NOT INSTALL TUNERS or other free lunch "upgrades" that claim to give you more power, better MPGs, etc.
All of them will come back to bite you.
DO NOT INSTALL almost all the stuff the aftermarket flogs.
DO make sure it has the "blue spring" factory fuel pressure upgrade.
DO make sure every maintenance was done properly with FORD spec filters and fluids and there are receipts to prove it.
If it was done not at the dealer, be rest assured it was probably botched. Leave it.
If it was serviced at "one hour oil change shops" especially ones that are no longer in business and hence have no receipts, leave it.
If there were things like mounting holes (evidence of tuner) leave it.
Once you get it ... $$$ for a Factory Spec coolant flush.. and many other things need doing.
After you decide to get one, I will come back with more ideas... but for now... that will hold you.
If you get a 7.3, you are getting an old antique that have durability issues all around the truck... old wiring.. corrosion... etc... that may not be an issue.. or can be annoying.
Personally, do you mind driving around in an antique?
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