Pickup Truck Needed

[Donnyj]

Another way to look at this. In that price range you will buying a used truck. So the 6.0 is not an option. Think about how much repairs will be for either the 5.8, 7.5, or 7.3 engine. Diesel engine repairs are expensive. The 7.3 suffered from injector oring problems, cam sensor problems and some oil leaks out the back of the head. The oring problems could get expensive. The newer 7.3 {such as 1999 and newer} pretty much had the bugs worked out. The 6.0 suffers from head gasket concerns{ poor design with the head bolts} egr cooler problems, turbo after turbo concerns and various other concerns. All very expensive repairs as compared to the other engines. The 6.0 does come with the better trans though. Replacement parts and repair bills for the 5.8 or 7.5 are cheap compared to the diesel engines. You could buy 2, maybe 3 replacemet gas engines compared to 1 diesel engine. We don't see any customers keep the 6.0 after warranty is up. I really believe that is an important thing to keep in mind, which engine would you want AFTER warranty is up. There is alot more interesting info I could pass along about the 6.0, but that would have nothing to do with your original post about buying a used truck in the price range you stated. Good luck in your decision.

 

[JimMorrissey]

So.....IYO, I'm should look for a newer gas 7.3 or a 7.5? Which of the engines mentioned is diesel and which is gas? I'm getting a bit confused with these displacements. I'll stay away from the 6.0 for now. I'm figuring the 5.8 is gas, but I don't see them a lot. Most are 5.4 gas.

 

[jimg]

In my experience unless youre putting lots of mileage on a vehicle driven during the winter the body and frame are going to wear out long before the mechanical systems. So, its very likely the money spent to get a highly reliable/capable motor will be offset by all the work youll have to perform just to pass inspection and keep the body/exhaust system from falling apart.

 

[EddieWalker]

Anyway, I now need a truck. The truck needs to be able to pull my dump trailer (7500lb capacity) with electric brakes. It doesn't need to be perfect. It's just a work truck to pull my trailer and not kill me in the process. I'd like an airbag if possible.

Because you need to tow this trailer, and at full capcity, it's pretty heavy, I'd get a diesel and have duel rear tires. Those would be the priorities.

Have you pulled a trailer with duel rear tires? If not, it's night and day. The trailer is totally stable without any of the sway you get from single rear tires. The diesle is a pulling machine. If you're not pulling a trailer, I don't think there is any advantage for a dielel and I'd say get a gas engine. That's what I did, but for towing, you really need the diesel.

The big block gas engines will just kill you on fuel. When I had my 97 ford with the 7.3 powerstroke, I got 18mpg empty and with a load. It hardly mattered what I towed with it, the mileage didn't vary too much unless I was going way too fast, or racing over the Sierra Nevada Mtns. Even then, I always had plenty of power!!!!

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[texbaylea]

I have towed heavy trailers with my 1993 GMC 6.5TD diesel 3/4 ton HD pickup (SRW) without noticeable sway. I was pulling "on the bumper" with a weight distribution hitch. Part of the reason for no problems was using load range "E" tires inflated to 75#. You have to have the proper tires on a tow vehicle or you will have problems regardless of everything else about the vehicle.

Vernon

 

[EddieWalker]

While I agree with Vernon that the right tires are very important, I disagree with him that good tires are comparable to duel rear tires.

The same is true with single axle trailer versus two axle trailers. The difference in how they ride and handle is significant.

7,500 pounds is more than most people will ever tow, includeing those with CUT's. My little tractor weighs 4,000 pounds and it's very noticable when I pull it with my F250 truck on my 16 foot, duel axle trailer. Not just the weight, but what it does to the rear end of my truck in traffic around town and on the highway. I've pulled the same trailer with my tractor on it with a friends F350 diesel duelly, and could harldy tell it was back there. It's a HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!!!

I also just pulled a large enclosed trailer with my truck. The trailer has load distrubing bars on it and trailer brakes. It was a nightmare when a large semi truck passed me from the wind coming off of it. It was a battle to keep on the road every time it happened. My F250 wasn't near the truck for that trailer, and it was only 5,000 pounds full!!! Granted, it was a tall trailer and caught the wind more than monst trailers, but I'm convinced that duel rear tires would have made a big improvement. The previous owner of the trailer had them and said it towed great.

Towing changes everything. And heavy trailers are not like lite ones.

Eddie

 

[HGM]

So.....IYO, I'm should look for a newer gas 7.3 or a 7.5? Which of the engines mentioned is diesel and which is gas? I'm getting a bit confused with these displacements. I'll stay away from the 6.0 for now. I'm figuring the 5.8 is gas, but I don't see them a lot. Most are 5.4 gas.

Well, we have alot of opinions here....

To answer your question, they 7.3L is a diesel.. From mid '94 on it was called a PowerStroke.. Very reliable, the injector issues mentioned earlier were in the early ones and I would venture to say, if the truck is running good, they have been replaced already.. If you do have a problem with a diesel, make sure you find someone who is capable and knowledgable about that particular engine(that goes for any brand)..

The 7.5L is a 460ci gas burning engine.. In the later years, they were severly underpowered because of emissions regulations and prone to exhaust manifold and valve seat issues.. If its running good when you buy it, and take care of it, it will probably last you a very long time..

The 5.8L is a 351ci gas burner.. It is based on the Windsor block like the 302 and 289 that were arround forever.. Very good engine and plenty of power.. I would be more than willing to put a stock 5.8L('94 >) against any 7.5L of the same vintage as far as overal capability and certainly fuel economy..

The 5.4L you mentioned is found in the '97 > F-150s and '99 > Super Duties.. You may not find one in your price range, but on the other hand maybe so.. They are based on the 4.6L engine that came out in the Crown Vic in '92.. Good reliable engine, but it is an overhead cam and suceptable to oiling issues if neglected in its life...

If you havent gathered yet, maintenance is the key to anythings longevity.. If you go for the 7.3L(diesel), I would recomend dropping buy the dealer and paying a check out charge for a tech to drive it and perform a boost pressure test.. If the boost is low, you could have multiple problems and I wouldnt recomend buying it if you arent familliar with them.. If its good, take care of it ad it will last nearly forever..

The 6.0L is out of your price range, so not an issue...

Hope that helps..

 

[Donnyj]

I would be more than willing to put a stock 5.8L('94 >) against any 7.5L of the same vintage as far as overal capability and certainly fuel economy..

A 5.8 will never pull like a 7.5. Never has. Never will. I have experienced both. If I ever get down to GA I will show you what a 7.5 runs like.

 

[HGM]

A 5.8 will never pull like a 7.5. Never has. Never will. I have experienced both. If I ever get down to GA I will show you what a 7.5 runs like.

OK, ... Is it stock?

 

[Donnyj]

Of course. A 7.5 on 7 cylinders will out pull a good running 5.8

We hauled a NH555 backhoe 4x4 from NC to WV. Pulled it fine. Getting it to stop....well that was another problem. Attached is the picture of the tractor. Pretty good load.

 

[HGM]

Of course. A 7.5 on 7 cylinders will out pull a good running 5.8 .

Well, I'd beg to differ on that.......


Now, what I said was

The 5.8L is a 351ci gas burner.. It is based on the Windsor block like the 302 and 289 that were arround forever.. Very good engine and plenty of power.. I would be more than willing to put a stock 5.8L('94 >) against any 7.5L of the same vintage as far as overal capability and certainly fuel economy..

Not that the 5.8L was all out superior, but overal the better choice for most folks.. That may have been a better way for me to have put it.. I know I would rather have my 5.8L with gears any day...Though I would like to have it in the 3/4 ton instead.. I have pulled much more than the chassis should have been expected to pull, 7,500lb would be no problem but like you said, stopping it needs to be considered too..

 

[qstott]

There is one item to consider about a 7.3 diesel in a Ford. Ford's powertrain warranty covers the engine until 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. There is a 100.00 deductible for each visit. In a perfect world, you could look for a F250 or F350 just less than 5 years old, and with less than 100,000. Check it out for any major engine problems and get them fixed before the warranty expires. At a recent national Ford meeting, the head of the Ford Parts and Service division state that the super duty truck owners were Fords most important customers. They know that the 6.0 has had some problems, and are willing to provide some assistance even in "gray area" warranty concerns. The original owner does have a little more leverage than the second owner however. One thing to look for when looking a a diesel is the air cleaner. Nothing will kill an engine quicker than a poorly maintained air filter. Dirt ingestion will kill a turbo and piston rings quickly. Beware of K&N type aftermarket filters. K&N says there filters never have to be replaced. They do need to be cleaned. I have seen several used diesels come into the shop with a K&N so stopped up that they have been sucked flat trying to get air past the dirt on the suface of the filter. Some people think that if you never have to replace the filter, you can just put it in and forget it. That is not the case. When looking a a used truck, a clean air filter may be a sign that the owner has taken good care of it.

 

[HGM]

There is one item to consider about a 7.3 diesel in a Ford. Ford's powertrain warranty covers the engine until 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. There is a 100.00 deductible for each visit. In a perfect world, you could look for a F250 or F350 just less than 5 years old, and with less than 100,000. Check it out for any major engine problems and get them fixed before the warranty expires. At a recent national Ford meeting, the head of the Ford Parts and Service division state that the super duty truck owners were Fords most important customers. They know that the 6.0 has had some problems, and are willing to provide some assistance even in "gray area" warranty concerns. The original owner does have a little more leverage than the second owner however. One thing to look for when looking a a diesel is the air cleaner. Nothing will kill an engine quicker than a poorly maintained air filter. Dirt ingestion will kill a turbo and piston rings quickly. Beware of K&N type aftermarket filters. K&N says there filters never have to be replaced. They do need to be cleaned. I have seen several used diesels come into the shop with a K&N so stopped up that they have been sucked flat trying to get air past the dirt on the suface of the filter. Some people think that if you never have to replace the filter, you can just put it in and forget it. That is not the case. When looking a a used truck, a clean air filter may be a sign that the owner has taken good care of it.

I would RUN from a diesel with an aftermarket oil type filter...

As for the waranty, one thing to remember(not often thought about) is that if the truck was bought back(by Ford) for problems and customer satisfaction, the waranty is gone.. So a low mileage truck may not always be as good of deal as it seems, buyer be ware..

 

[Donnyj]

There is one item to consider about a 7.3 diesel in a Ford. Ford's powertrain warranty covers the engine until 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. There is a 100.00 deductible for each visit. In a perfect world, you could look for a F250 or F350 just less than 5 years old, and with less than 100,000. Check it out for any major engine problems and get them fixed before the warranty expires. At a recent national Ford meeting, the head of the Ford Parts and Service division state that the super duty truck owners were Fords most important customers. They know that the 6.0 has had some problems, and are willing to provide some assistance even in "gray area" warranty concerns. The original owner does have a little more leverage than the second owner however. One thing to look for when looking a a diesel is the air cleaner. Nothing will kill an engine quicker than a poorly maintained air filter. Dirt ingestion will kill a turbo and piston rings quickly. Beware of K&N type aftermarket filters. K&N says there filters never have to be replaced. They do need to be cleaned. I have seen several used diesels come into the shop with a K&N so stopped up that they have been sucked flat trying to get air past the dirt on the suface of the filter. Some people think that if you never have to replace the filter, you can just put it in and forget it. That is not the case. When looking a a used truck, a clean air filter may be a sign that the owner has taken good care of it.

Excellent post!! There is no doubt I would take my chances with a 7.3 after warranty long before a 6.0.

HGM I believe you made a good suggestion earlier about having a qualified diesel tech perform a performance test on any used diesel before buying. That performance test will be well worth the money spent.

 

[qstott]

The easiest way to gain some knowledge about a vehicle is write down the Vin #, and call your local dealer. Ask them if they could give you the warranty repair history, and warranty start date. These records are kept for a few years, even after the warranty has expired. I like to see a vehicle with few warranty trips into the dealership. 2 or 3 is great, and if more than that I would hope that they would just be recalls of some sort. Repeated repairs for expensive items like injectors and turbos would tend to trouble me. If a vehicle is bougt back by Ford, and cannot be returned to "warrantyable" (is that really a word?) condition Ford will not allow the vehicle to be resold. That does not mean that an owner could become frustrated and simply trade it. The warranty history would help you find that kind of situation.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Finally bought a truck. '01 Silverado Z71 / 1/2 ton / LS / 5.3 / 4x4 / Extracab / spray-in bedliner / tow package with electric brakes / 56K miles / $12,500. It appears to be well taken care of (all records) and the miles are relatively low for the year. Tires are good. I'm looking forward to picking it up on monday morning. I looked within 500 miles of VT and PA. It's the nicest rig for the money I could find since my original post.

Oil undercoat which appears to work very well in these parts, although I've never had it done personally. They superheat oil then high pressure spray it inside the door and rocker panels, under the frame, etc. Apparently one has to remember to do it now and again to be effective long term.

Thanks for all the replies. Quality posts all around.

 

[arthr31]

I would RUN from a diesel with an aftermarket oil type filter...

why?

i have an oil based aftermarket filter (aFe) in my diesel and it's fine... Of course its getting cleaned every 6 months...

Congrats on the truck, Jim. Looks really nice, keep the rust off!

 

[HGM]

why?

i have an oil based aftermarket filter (aFe) in my diesel and it's fine... Of course its getting cleaned every 6 months...

Congrats on the truck, Jim. Looks really nice, keep the rust off!

They only stop debris because of the oil.. On a diesel, especially, the volume of air coming through the air cleaner sucks the majority of the oil off the element very quickly..I have seen many dusted(dirt ingested/low compression)engines due to these filters... Even with regimented filter service its a gamble..Also, if you happen to have a Mass Airflow Sensor, it will have a nice coating of oil on it for dirt to stick to as well, this will skew the reading... If you dont go off road, naturally your chances are better.. These filters were originally designed for racing, maximum airflow with a filter element(better than no filter at all )... Now, everyone sells them as the "required" first modification.. Bad idea..

 

[arthr31]

hmm. thanks for the persective. I don't go off road, unless you call my dirt driveway, field side roads, and landscape yards offroad.....

I do like the extra air, but i don't drag race, intentionally at least!

Would you recommend a BHAF without the oil instead? I know I don't really need to modify the filter unless i'm making big power, but i'm getting to that point already, almost 400hp on my cummins at this point... .

sorry to hijak the thread ! Nice truck Jim! Hey, i'm headed up thru randolf and then northfield to montpelier in a few weeks- are you around there ?
(I lived in northfield and barre for a few years...)

 

[HGM]

I wasnt familiar with the BHAF, but it looks like the way to go... Donaldson makes a filter for it and they are known to be high quality and flow.. Hate to spend your money, but that would be my recomendation...

K&N style filters do have their place, just not in the average Joes truck/car...

BTW, I meant to congratulate Jim as well...Nice truck, hope it fits your needs well..