In the market for a new Powerstroke. 7.3 or 6.0?

[BleednBlue68]

I want a new Super Duty. I want to be able to tow a 30 to 35ft 5th wheel camper and haul some atvs too. Im leanin towards a 7.3 PS cause of all the probs i've heard with the 6.0s. But for the price of a 7.3 i can get a newer truck for the same price just about but i dont want a 6.0 if it is just gonna crap out on me. I just need some insight on which truck i should go for.

 

[snicklas]

I have a 6.0 and have no regrests in buying it. Most of the "bad" 6.0 reared their heads pretty quickly out of the gate.... I have just under 95k on mine and it is going strong.... it is actually my DD right now due to the unpredictable weather, and a car that is going TANGO UNIFORM....

If you are looking at any vehicle, I would get the VIN and have a OASIS run at a dealer and that would show any work done at a dealership..... if it looks like it was a problem child.... you may want to run away... I would try to find one that has been stock if possible, these will last the longest. Mine has been 100% stock and is going to stay that way..... the 6.0 is 325 HP / 600 lbFt Torque from the factory. I would not avoid a truck just because it has a 6.0, I would not hesitate in buying another one..... The 6.0 is a good engine, it has just gotten a bad rap......

 

[BleednBlue68]

Yea I just hear a lot about headgaskets. I mean i know i could fix it if that happens just dont want to. I am just worried if i put a real heavy load on a 6.0 that it would blow. I know that a lot of people chip them and thats what usually causes it. Now i aint gonna say im not gonna do some performance stuff to it though but I want an engine thats gonna last and give me no probs. Everything breaks down so I know it will no matter what it is. I would really like the 99 or newer super dutys though. I want a truck that is easy to mod body wise and engine wise. I've always wanted a super duty ever since they redid them in 99.

 

[snicklas]

I would say if it is left stock, and you dont try to use it like a Semi tractor, you should be fine with what you are wanting to do..... I have towed heavy with mine a couple of times and was not worried that I was going to hurt anything. A 30-35 ft 5th wheel, even a toy hauler would be in the neighborhood of 10-12k I would think. This should be within the limits of a 350 with out trouble... my Ex, which is a 250 equivelent, has an 11k trailer limit. I think the key is not to turn the powe up on them.... Ford has them tuned to about the max safe limit from the factory. Keep this in mind, A 6.0 PSD from Ford is 325hp/560lbft and a redline of ~4200 with the factory programming, but the IH (Navistar VT365) I see references for bus equipped to be 175-215 hp and in the MXT a 305hp version. So, IH to have the longevity from the engine keeps the hp much lower and has a redline of something like 2800..... similar to the IDI pumps that the Ford spec pumps have a 3800 govenor and an IH spec pump is 2800..... Just some things to think about....

BTW - they do that same with the DT466....... it is held ot something like 250hp....... when we all know they can be reliable at 600+

 

[BleednBlue68]

Just sounds like the 7.3s are more forgiving and you can definately do some tweaking to them and put some bolt ons on it and it will be one hell of a puller. What yr of powerstroke 7.3 is the best? I'd like to get the newer body style from 99 or up but i wouldnt be against the body style before it.