Diesel Delimma

[Lusk Racing]

I have a 2002 F350 with the 7.3L Powerstroke with 222,000 miles on it. I have just spent quite a bit of money having some rust repaired on the bed and putting a new transmission/converter in the pickup in the last 3-4 months. I now apparently have a head gasket issue that needs repaired. At this point I am considering trading to a newer truck, a 2008 F350 with the 6.4L Powerstroke and 185,000 miles on it. My 02 is an XLT pretty basic truck not a lot of bells and whistles and the 08 is a King Ranch with all the bells and whistles. My question is do I go ahead and fix the 7.3 and hopefully be done with any major repairs on it, or do I upgrade to the newer truck? I am mostly unsure of the mechanical side of things on the 6.4 and I am looking for any of you 6.4 gurus to tell me what risks I am looking at on the 6.4.

[Badass2000GT]

What job is the 08? Basically when was it built? If it was built in '07 I would stay away from it and fix up the 7.3

[Lusk Racing]

How do I tell? Is it on the door tag?

[Badass2000GT]

That or the engine or get an oasis report.

[dblack1]

If it hasn't been maintained with 10k mile fuel filter changes I'd run.

A high mileage 6.4 is a money pit unlike none other. I've seen trucks with lowers miles and what I consider decently cared for shit the HPFP. I know of a 10 model with that just got the fuel system replaced with 50k miles. All of these diesel trucks are money pits with miles on them. I've got a few friends that have some 200k+ 7.3's and they pour money into them every other month on something. A lot of the repairs aren't engine related, just the rest of the truck falling apart around the engine.

I will say the 6.4 is a much better truck over all, and the transmission is light years ahead of the 7.3. It is also a much bigger PITA to work on. I replaced the hPOP on my 03 7.3 and I wouldn't even dare to work on my 6.4 even though I'm sure I could. It is just a giant clusterfuck under the hood

Call a dealer with the VIN and get the oasis report.

[dee]

Stay away from the 6.4 in general.

[War Machine]

I'll buy the 7.3. I sell the shit out of them, hell sold two today.

As for the 6.4, Im not a fan. I'd buy an 05 and up Duramax

[Badass2000GT]

Stay away from the 6.4 in general.

[Badass2000GT]

I'll buy the 7.3. I sell the shit out of them, hell sold two today.

As for the 6.4, Im not a fan. I'd buy an 05 and up Duramax

Obviously none of you been in a tuned 6.4. If you haven't then y'all shouldn't even be talking.

[War Machine]

Obviously none of you been in a tuned 6.4. If you haven't then y'all shouldn't even be talking.

Fuck tunes

[Badass2000GT]

Fuck tunes

Lol um ok

[Cam_Stang]

I sold my 03 F-350 dually in November with 195k on it. I "think" I sold it a little before it became a money pit but who knows it may have been a good truck for a few more years.

[dee]

Every 6.4 our fleet has have all had to have major work done and none have over 100k. Everything from complete fuel systems, turbos and oiling problems that required heads.

[Lusk Racing]

What exactly is an Oasis Report?

[Rreemo]

What exactly is an Oasis Report?

It's Ford's networking data-center (all info/history tied to vehicle VIN)....any dealership can run an Oasis report for you.


Hard to say in your situation without knowing your truck's history, but I will tell you I've owned 3 different 7.3's, and I also worked on them for a few years before I left being a dealership wrench. At just over 200K with a fresh trans/converter, it should have quite a bit of life left in it as long as it has been well maintained up until this point. Other things to consider at that mileage...

- front end work
- U-Joints
- injectors (and pump)
- IPR Valve
- injector harnesses
- glow plugs
- HPOP
- Front thrust bearings (it it's a 4x4)
- ...and always keep an extra CPS in the glovebox.

I'd also suggest doing some reading over on www.thedieselstop.com