7.3 update

The earlier 03-04 6.0's were trouble makers for sure I'd probably avoid. I think in 2004.5 that engine got a round of technical revisions that made them a little more solid. They are for sure more finicky and less idiot proof than the 7.3 PSD. Plenty of grandpas have run them up over 500,000 miles though if left stock and well maintained. Idiots with tuners blow them up, and 325/560 was already pushing it a little at the stock power level in the Ford. It was designed to be a 200-250 hp school bus engine.

Also in 2005 Ford made a huge round of revisions to the trucks themselves that were mostly all for the better, so 2005-07 could be a nice platform for a working truck. 2008 and newer you're into the 6.4 era and early 6.7's. Very risky used truck purchases and very expensive to fix. All the emissions junk. High pressure fuel pumps that go bad. 2015-16's are decent if you can come across one that looks right. Not a fan of what they did with the truck with the all new 2017 with the smaller aluminum cabs and thinner gauge boxed frames. 2020 they went with the 10 speed transmission, not a fan compared to the old reliable 6 speed. You're really kind of in no-man's land to me once you get past 2007. A 2015-18 Cummins with the Aisin would be a better idea I'd hate to say it, but those can come with issues and pricey repairs as well.

 

They were still installed in the E-series chassis up till 2010 or 11. The 6.4 would not fit in the vans as I understand it. No manuals in the vans...5R110W automatic only but those were pretty solid. I don't know if the motor continued to receive improvements past the 2007 model year after it quit being used in the F-series.

 

No idea, but i am probably looking to retire my 2002 290kmi 7.3 soonish (next 2 years) too much body rust and worried bout the transmission (auto) if you were thinking about getting a spare, rebuild and having it ready to drop in (currently in an f250 lariat)

 

No problem, as i said, i like the truck and its fine (well, rust, seat and thinking im close to transmission lifespan) but i just dont use it to its potential, so been thinking of getting rid of it

 

I had a 96 e350. It had the Bulletproof iron block v8. I had over 200,000 miles on that van. It ran great and I never had a problem. I had an idler pully blow apart and it kept running. The belt didn't come off! I made it through the day. The big issue was it was rusting away. I wound up buying a newer e350 and junked the '96 because I had no place to keep it.

I didn't realize how bad the newer Ford diesel and certain Triton motors were.

A few years ago I bought the e450 with an 18-foot box. It's a V10. I like it. Terrible on gas, but it handles the weight, and the hills with ease.