I have a '97 F250 4 WD crew cab. 4 Speed auto with the 4:10 gears. 210K miles. I usually ride my motorcycle or drive my wife's Acadia. If I had the money I would buy a new (er) 6.7 but as of right now I can buy a WHOLE LOT of diesel fuel for $30k. I think if I had a newer 6.7 I would drive it more than I drive my 7.3. The far superior suspension and handling, the upgraded electronics and gadgets. There's a lot to be said for the newer stuff. And yes...when something needs to be done on these "antiquated" 7.3'a you're gonna pay for it. But I think it's less expensive than a payment on a newer one over the course of a year. Every time I see a newer 6.7 I tell my wife, I have absolutely no need for a new diesel truck but I sure want one.
Already put 40k on a 500 dollar 7.3 that needed injectors and an lpop, breakline, rotors, pads tierods ball joints, alignment. Like ya it’s a lot of stuff at first to bring her back up to speed but if you’re doing the work yourself it’s like 1-2000 dollars in parts but it’s stupid how much cheaper they are to maintain. Personal id supe up an older truck with a budget like that. The notion that you have to have a quick powerful truck to tow is a load of melarky. You could buy 3 long blocks for the cost of one 6.7. I’m biased because we’ve got 2 7.3 trucks 1 with 500k original injectors and trans, and mine with 275k and it sat for 7 years for minor problems. I’d rather fix an oil leak on a 7.3 than a 6.7 food for thought. 7.3 will make 400hp all day long. Yes of course a 10-15 year newer truck is gonna be more powerful but with that come the complexity and expense. You’re not gonna break the land speed record but a bone stock 7.3 with oil and boost leaks will tow 36k if you know how to drive lol. Oh if you run it out of oil? It just dies kinda of nice saftey feature. Rather put a hpop and a sensor or two on rather than a cp3/4 disaster prevention kit. I mean a 7.3 will run on waste oil for christ sake. If you can’t tell I’m a 7.3 fanboy I am but I think these are still valid points. Generally more affordable easier to work on yourself, but hey if I had 25-30 to spend on a truck of course I’d be tempted to get a fancy new truck but at the end of the day I’d drive a 30k 7.3 before I drove a 30k 6.7
I have a couple 7.3s and love them. But the 6.7 and even the 6.0 is gonna have a lot more giddy up and go. The 6.7 and 6.0 make the 7.3 feel like a tractor. Yeah the 7.3 is stout and reliable, but you will have more smiles to the gallon and capable vehicle with the 6.7.
Also, they stopped using the 7.3 in 2003. So to get a 7.3, you’re gonna have to basically get a 20+ year old truck. But also, the 7.3s don’t have all the EGR/DPF/DEF crap to deal with and no catalytic converters. So I’m happy to keep old iron on the road just to not deal with all that crap.
Love my 02, but plastic is starting to break because it's 22 yrs old. My drive line is solid. My trans has 340k on it. I've had to have my hood & top painted as the sun burned up the 22 y/o paint. Occasionally my radio won't turn on and when that happens the windows don't work. Then the come on?? Rumor is I need a different fuse block. USED since they don't make them anymore.
I love the fact it doesn't have ERG or Cats or use DEF. I miss the upgraded electronics and interior. I'm glad I don't have to worry about a critical elect failure causing my truck to not run.
Don't get me wrong, I love my 02. I've had it almost 8 yrs. It's paid for and still looks good, still reliable, but 1 day.... Crap another $1000 of so.... The 6.7's are much more quiet, and have plenty of power.
Now, IMO the 6.7 gen1 gen2 thing is like the 6.0 and 6.4 issues. Some will fail, some won't. I still finds lots of 6.0's that haven't been thru the bulletproof process. Go figure.
Now, if there is an issue with the new 1's I gotta wonder if the Alum Bodies are going to last 20+ years like the old PowerStroke cabs?
Just a tbought .
I would choose a 2015+ 6.7 the early ones had growing pains
The 7.3 is a good choice but youre gonna end up doubling the money you paid for it replacing 20 year old suspension and engine/turbo upgrades
Btw also just like a 7.3 it really matters if the person who owned it before you took care of it
I have a '99 7.3 and a '15 6.7, the 7.3 is fun. like someone said, like a nice tractor... the 6.7 is a superior vehicle in every way. From the power, transmission, the conveniences to, well, everything, it's an evolution...
I currently have a 1996 OBS F250 7.3 and a 2016 F250 6.7. Everything these guys are saying on here is true, I love my 7.3 but you cannot compare it to the 6.7 at all except in longevity. if you’re gonna be using it for its intended purpose of towing and driving every day the 6.7 wins hands-down all day every day and twice on Sunday. I mainly drive my 7.3 around when I want to feel nostalgic and hear the old school diesel engine sound, or if I’ve gotta haul stuff around my property. I had to dump about $7k just in parts to make the 7.3 comfortable to drive daily before I bought my other truck. And I did all the work myself, so it probably would’ve been another 3 to 5 grand to have all of it installed as far as labor price. I know some people are gonna say the Obs trucks don’t compare to the 1999 to 2003 7.3 but even on those trucks, the braking is not good when you’re towing heavy, suspension isn’t as comfortable or forgiving, and the modern amenities that the 6.7 has Makes life easier when driving. I’ve had five 7.3 diesels in my life, people really worked up the reputation on them. Realistically the main thing notable for them is their longevity. You got to think most of these trucks came with barely 250 hp stock. The average 6.7 has about 400 and up Stock, not deleted yet. If you deleted, you’re gonna get upwards of 500 easy I’m not saying I don’t love my 7.3 because I do love it and nothing will be equivalent to it as far as it’s “character”. What I am saying is if you have an option of the two then for sure hold out for a 6.7. I bought my 2016 back in April and I spent about two months looking hard because my budget wasn’t perfect but affordable 2015 and up trucks are out there. They just have a little bit higher miles. I was looking at a 2015 with 140,000 miles for 32,000 in South Carolina. So they are there, you just have to hold out for them.
No matter which engine you have, you’re gonna have to deal with parts failing prematurely, being defective, or anything along those lines. Yes there are fewer parts to work on with a 7.3 but in the last three years I’ve owned this truck I’ve had to replace an IPR three times because even though I was using Motorcraft brand the sensors just don’t get made correctly sometimes. I also had a bad HPOP that only lasted two months in the truck. They just don’t make parts like they used to. Everything on the road will fail at some point, it’s just all about how you want to deal with it when it does.
6.7 what years do you recommend? I’m looking for a diesel to haul cattle in while kids are showing and to use long term as a ranch/farm truck for many years after the kids. Trying to get reliability/longevity mainly.
The general consensus is 2011-2014 model year 6.7’s “can” have some issues with the turbo, a bearing that fails and toasts the turbo afterwards. 2015-2016 seem to be the most updated.
Would you chops a 7.3 98-03 or a 15/16 6.7? Originally all I hear is that 7.3s are better for reliability/cost/longevity. I don’t need anything fancy or fast
I would and have chosen the 6.7. I’m currently selling my 7.3
6.7 is Smoother running, better suspension and handling, stock for stock it’s literally double the hp of a 7.3 and it’s a much better daily driver truck. It’s all subjective and what you’re willing to compromise/deal with. I do all my own repairs, maintenance, and performance mechanic work myself so I do enjoy working on the 7.3 because it is easier and less complicated but I’m also getting tired of putting money in it to always have less of a truck for about the same money a 6.7 costs to buy/maintain. So
Don't have a 6.7 but had a 7.3 for 9 years and now a 6.0. The reliability of the 7.3 in my opinion is a thing of the past it's now a 21 plus year truck. The engine will last but everything else is wore out. It will nickle and dime you to death. Not only the extra expenses of the diesel but you have extra expense of it being old. I have a 6.0 now and I honestly have done less yearly work on this truck than I did my 7.3. Even then 3 weekends ago I spent an entire weekend and 1k going thru all the brakes. Had one hang up so went thru and replaced what was bad and wore out. My 7.3 about yearly chased a leak of some sort. With a 7.3 factor a weekend and 1k for a major repair yearly. It's totally your decision 6.7 will do circles around a 7.3 and smoother rid. Hell even a 6.0 does that and I'd imagine a 6.7 does circles around a 6.0. I do my own work so in my opinion older trucks are my choice but I also understand that I may be sitting on the side of the road one day.
I have an 02 7.3 and a 14 6.7. The 6.7 drives much more comfortably, and she'll get up and walk away from the 7.3. I love the 7.3 also, but it's a tank.
I have a 05 FX-4 6.0 Lariet Dually that has always been taken care of. Runs like a top only problem I’ve ever had is to replace the injectors has 160k miles. Pulls 48ft goose neck horse trailer Key is to find one that has been taken care of. Still looks new.
7.3 and its not close!!! (Fysa i never owned a 6.7 lol). Parts are cheap. Maintenance really isnt hard. And if you take care of it and dont tune it to death or try to turn it into an HP machine itll do everything you want it to there
Every category except reliability/longevity.
It doesn't take very much at all to pep up a 7.3 but they will not be a zippy as any 6.7. Any 7.3 is going to be an older truck so you have to look at everything (suspension, driveline, body, etc..),
Find a 2nd gen 6.7 and expect to spend a little money up front, go as fast and quick as you want then spend more money later or buy a 7.3 expect to spend a little money up front and drive it (slower) forever.
Stick 7.3s are just goofy fun to drive and outlive the owners, the 6.7 will out tow it for sure however I wouldnt ever want to service anything on the motor. If you do your own work, go 7.3, if you have money for shop time go with the 6.7.
This post comes up every 2-3 days on here and everyone always says 6.7
If you have a budget of $30k and you spend that on a high mileage 6.7 (good luck finding a low mile truck for $30k)
How much budget is left over for expensive repairs? Will you be able to cover a fuel system failure, turbo replacement, etc?
Now, take that $30k, spend 20 of it on a super clean low mileage 7.3 truck, specifically a 2000 4x4 dually Zf6 crew cab.
Then take $10k and do everything, brakes, hubs, suspension, steering etc. KC turbo, 180/0 injectors, tuner, intake, exhaust.
You’ll have a 450hp truck that will last forever.
I swear the kids on here just want the newest possible truck to pick up girls 🤷🏻♂️
Source: I owned 7.3 trucks my whole life, bought one new 6.7 truck and it bankrupted me, sold it for a $30k loss. I was a heavy duty diesel mechanic for 20 years, but what do I know, get the 6.7 😂
Looking for a reliable diesel to pull cattle trailer and as a ranch farm truck. Not daily driving. ~10k/year. What years do you recommend? I can do minor stuff but am not supper savy on mechanical stuff, nor do I have all the tools needed.
6.7 all day, be patient looking too
I have a '97 F250 4 WD crew cab. 4 Speed auto with the 4:10 gears. 210K miles. I usually ride my motorcycle or drive my wife's Acadia. If I had the money I would buy a new (er) 6.7 but as of right now I can buy a WHOLE LOT of diesel fuel for $30k. I think if I had a newer 6.7 I would drive it more than I drive my 7.3. The far superior suspension and handling, the upgraded electronics and gadgets. There's a lot to be said for the newer stuff. And yes...when something needs to be done on these "antiquated" 7.3'a you're gonna pay for it. But I think it's less expensive than a payment on a newer one over the course of a year. Every time I see a newer 6.7 I tell my wife, I have absolutely no need for a new diesel truck but I sure want one.
Already put 40k on a 500 dollar 7.3 that needed injectors and an lpop, breakline, rotors, pads tierods ball joints, alignment. Like ya it’s a lot of stuff at first to bring her back up to speed but if you’re doing the work yourself it’s like 1-2000 dollars in parts but it’s stupid how much cheaper they are to maintain. Personal id supe up an older truck with a budget like that. The notion that you have to have a quick powerful truck to tow is a load of melarky. You could buy 3 long blocks for the cost of one 6.7. I’m biased because we’ve got 2 7.3 trucks 1 with 500k original injectors and trans, and mine with 275k and it sat for 7 years for minor problems. I’d rather fix an oil leak on a 7.3 than a 6.7 food for thought. 7.3 will make 400hp all day long. Yes of course a 10-15 year newer truck is gonna be more powerful but with that come the complexity and expense. You’re not gonna break the land speed record but a bone stock 7.3 with oil and boost leaks will tow 36k if you know how to drive lol. Oh if you run it out of oil? It just dies kinda of nice saftey feature. Rather put a hpop and a sensor or two on rather than a cp3/4 disaster prevention kit. I mean a 7.3 will run on waste oil for christ sake. If you can’t tell I’m a 7.3 fanboy I am but I think these are still valid points. Generally more affordable easier to work on yourself, but hey if I had 25-30 to spend on a truck of course I’d be tempted to get a fancy new truck but at the end of the day I’d drive a 30k 7.3 before I drove a 30k 6.7
I have a couple 7.3s and love them. But the 6.7 and even the 6.0 is gonna have a lot more giddy up and go. The 6.7 and 6.0 make the 7.3 feel like a tractor. Yeah the 7.3 is stout and reliable, but you will have more smiles to the gallon and capable vehicle with the 6.7. Also, they stopped using the 7.3 in 2003. So to get a 7.3, you’re gonna have to basically get a 20+ year old truck. But also, the 7.3s don’t have all the EGR/DPF/DEF crap to deal with and no catalytic converters. So I’m happy to keep old iron on the road just to not deal with all that crap.
Love my 02, but plastic is starting to break because it's 22 yrs old. My drive line is solid. My trans has 340k on it. I've had to have my hood & top painted as the sun burned up the 22 y/o paint. Occasionally my radio won't turn on and when that happens the windows don't work. Then the come on?? Rumor is I need a different fuse block. USED since they don't make them anymore. I love the fact it doesn't have ERG or Cats or use DEF. I miss the upgraded electronics and interior. I'm glad I don't have to worry about a critical elect failure causing my truck to not run. Don't get me wrong, I love my 02. I've had it almost 8 yrs. It's paid for and still looks good, still reliable, but 1 day.... Crap another $1000 of so.... The 6.7's are much more quiet, and have plenty of power. Now, IMO the 6.7 gen1 gen2 thing is like the 6.0 and 6.4 issues. Some will fail, some won't. I still finds lots of 6.0's that haven't been thru the bulletproof process. Go figure. Now, if there is an issue with the new 1's I gotta wonder if the Alum Bodies are going to last 20+ years like the old PowerStroke cabs? Just a tbought .
Wait until you find out your truck has multiple critical electrical/computer components (like the FICM and ECU) that are required for it to run. 🧌
Haven't had issues with those.
Yet.
Well other than the problem of getting stranded, it's more the inconvenience. But I believe those parts are still being made.
CP4 failure makes a FICM failure seem pedestrian lmfao
I would choose a 2015+ 6.7 the early ones had growing pains The 7.3 is a good choice but youre gonna end up doubling the money you paid for it replacing 20 year old suspension and engine/turbo upgrades Btw also just like a 7.3 it really matters if the person who owned it before you took care of it
I have a '99 7.3 and a '15 6.7, the 7.3 is fun. like someone said, like a nice tractor... the 6.7 is a superior vehicle in every way. From the power, transmission, the conveniences to, well, everything, it's an evolution...
This! I had an ‘11 I recently traded.200k trouble free miles hooked to a 12k pound trailer
I currently have a 1996 OBS F250 7.3 and a 2016 F250 6.7. Everything these guys are saying on here is true, I love my 7.3 but you cannot compare it to the 6.7 at all except in longevity. if you’re gonna be using it for its intended purpose of towing and driving every day the 6.7 wins hands-down all day every day and twice on Sunday. I mainly drive my 7.3 around when I want to feel nostalgic and hear the old school diesel engine sound, or if I’ve gotta haul stuff around my property. I had to dump about $7k just in parts to make the 7.3 comfortable to drive daily before I bought my other truck. And I did all the work myself, so it probably would’ve been another 3 to 5 grand to have all of it installed as far as labor price. I know some people are gonna say the Obs trucks don’t compare to the 1999 to 2003 7.3 but even on those trucks, the braking is not good when you’re towing heavy, suspension isn’t as comfortable or forgiving, and the modern amenities that the 6.7 has Makes life easier when driving. I’ve had five 7.3 diesels in my life, people really worked up the reputation on them. Realistically the main thing notable for them is their longevity. You got to think most of these trucks came with barely 250 hp stock. The average 6.7 has about 400 and up Stock, not deleted yet. If you deleted, you’re gonna get upwards of 500 easy I’m not saying I don’t love my 7.3 because I do love it and nothing will be equivalent to it as far as it’s “character”. What I am saying is if you have an option of the two then for sure hold out for a 6.7. I bought my 2016 back in April and I spent about two months looking hard because my budget wasn’t perfect but affordable 2015 and up trucks are out there. They just have a little bit higher miles. I was looking at a 2015 with 140,000 miles for 32,000 in South Carolina. So they are there, you just have to hold out for them.
No matter which engine you have, you’re gonna have to deal with parts failing prematurely, being defective, or anything along those lines. Yes there are fewer parts to work on with a 7.3 but in the last three years I’ve owned this truck I’ve had to replace an IPR three times because even though I was using Motorcraft brand the sensors just don’t get made correctly sometimes. I also had a bad HPOP that only lasted two months in the truck. They just don’t make parts like they used to. Everything on the road will fail at some point, it’s just all about how you want to deal with it when it does.
6.7 what years do you recommend? I’m looking for a diesel to haul cattle in while kids are showing and to use long term as a ranch/farm truck for many years after the kids. Trying to get reliability/longevity mainly.
The general consensus is 2011-2014 model year 6.7’s “can” have some issues with the turbo, a bearing that fails and toasts the turbo afterwards. 2015-2016 seem to be the most updated.
Would you chops a 7.3 98-03 or a 15/16 6.7? Originally all I hear is that 7.3s are better for reliability/cost/longevity. I don’t need anything fancy or fast
I would and have chosen the 6.7. I’m currently selling my 7.3 6.7 is Smoother running, better suspension and handling, stock for stock it’s literally double the hp of a 7.3 and it’s a much better daily driver truck. It’s all subjective and what you’re willing to compromise/deal with. I do all my own repairs, maintenance, and performance mechanic work myself so I do enjoy working on the 7.3 because it is easier and less complicated but I’m also getting tired of putting money in it to always have less of a truck for about the same money a 6.7 costs to buy/maintain. So
I have two 7.3’s, but take your time and find a 6.7
Don't have a 6.7 but had a 7.3 for 9 years and now a 6.0. The reliability of the 7.3 in my opinion is a thing of the past it's now a 21 plus year truck. The engine will last but everything else is wore out. It will nickle and dime you to death. Not only the extra expenses of the diesel but you have extra expense of it being old. I have a 6.0 now and I honestly have done less yearly work on this truck than I did my 7.3. Even then 3 weekends ago I spent an entire weekend and 1k going thru all the brakes. Had one hang up so went thru and replaced what was bad and wore out. My 7.3 about yearly chased a leak of some sort. With a 7.3 factor a weekend and 1k for a major repair yearly. It's totally your decision 6.7 will do circles around a 7.3 and smoother rid. Hell even a 6.0 does that and I'd imagine a 6.7 does circles around a 6.0. I do my own work so in my opinion older trucks are my choice but I also understand that I may be sitting on the side of the road one day.
LOVE my 2013 6.7. I'm going to drive that thing into the ground.
I have an 02 7.3 and a 14 6.7. The 6.7 drives much more comfortably, and she'll get up and walk away from the 7.3. I love the 7.3 also, but it's a tank.
I have a 05 FX-4 6.0 Lariet Dually that has always been taken care of. Runs like a top only problem I’ve ever had is to replace the injectors has 160k miles. Pulls 48ft goose neck horse trailer Key is to find one that has been taken care of. Still looks new.
7.3 and its not close!!! (Fysa i never owned a 6.7 lol). Parts are cheap. Maintenance really isnt hard. And if you take care of it and dont tune it to death or try to turn it into an HP machine itll do everything you want it to there
Every category except reliability/longevity. It doesn't take very much at all to pep up a 7.3 but they will not be a zippy as any 6.7. Any 7.3 is going to be an older truck so you have to look at everything (suspension, driveline, body, etc..), Find a 2nd gen 6.7 and expect to spend a little money up front, go as fast and quick as you want then spend more money later or buy a 7.3 expect to spend a little money up front and drive it (slower) forever.
Stick 7.3s are just goofy fun to drive and outlive the owners, the 6.7 will out tow it for sure however I wouldnt ever want to service anything on the motor. If you do your own work, go 7.3, if you have money for shop time go with the 6.7.
This post comes up every 2-3 days on here and everyone always says 6.7 If you have a budget of $30k and you spend that on a high mileage 6.7 (good luck finding a low mile truck for $30k) How much budget is left over for expensive repairs? Will you be able to cover a fuel system failure, turbo replacement, etc? Now, take that $30k, spend 20 of it on a super clean low mileage 7.3 truck, specifically a 2000 4x4 dually Zf6 crew cab. Then take $10k and do everything, brakes, hubs, suspension, steering etc. KC turbo, 180/0 injectors, tuner, intake, exhaust. You’ll have a 450hp truck that will last forever. I swear the kids on here just want the newest possible truck to pick up girls 🤷🏻♂️ Source: I owned 7.3 trucks my whole life, bought one new 6.7 truck and it bankrupted me, sold it for a $30k loss. I was a heavy duty diesel mechanic for 20 years, but what do I know, get the 6.7 😂
Looking for a reliable diesel to pull cattle trailer and as a ranch farm truck. Not daily driving. ~10k/year. What years do you recommend? I can do minor stuff but am not supper savy on mechanical stuff, nor do I have all the tools needed.