Going back to SMB.... 7.3L vs Bulletproofed 6.0L....

[Gravity]

As title says I am looking to get back into a 4x4 E series - a SMB EB50 specifically. Will be used for weekend daytrips, roadtripping throughout the west, ski resort apres activities.......
Anywho - narrowed it down to a few different options and I' am starting to get a bit dizzy or some might say analysis paralysis...
Option 1 is a well maintained w/ receipts '03 7.3L with higher miles ~150k
Option 2 is another maintained with receipts '07 6.0L with 80k and it has been partially BulletProofed (BulletproofDiesel Oil Cooler/EGR and newer Turbo, no Studs and No Tune). Just had full Mechanic checkover and no issues or items needing addressing
Both in the same rough pricing with '03 actually a little higher. 03 has LPG heat/hot water and 07 has Espar heat/hot water which I prefer.... 03 has leather which i prefer and 07 has fabric.... Both running the SMB 4x4 drivetrain w/ '03 on 33s and '07 on 35s

FYI, V10 is not really of interest - had a '01 RB50 and it was good just with some of our long roadtrips not really into the 10-12mpg

I had a 02 7.3l I installed a UJOR 6" kit on and it was a beast and still regret selling it back in '16 and I am sorta inclined for the older again but do I save some $ and start out with lower miles and fresher interior bits/pieces???

What say y'all? Do I go newer lower mile overall package with the '6.0L possible issues' or go the older tech of 7.3L? Overall mph will be of concern slightly as we will occasionally drive down to see our daughter in Tahoe ~11hr drive....

Thanks for the .02

 

[86scotty]

Unless you just have no interest in doing any of the build yourself why would you buy an SMB? I've had a few. They are overpriced underperformers in the offroad van world. Why not buy a better built home build or build one better yourself? There are superior tops, superior suspensions and superior interiors nowadays since everyone improved on SMB's ideas and methods that they haven't changed in 40 years.

Not being snarky, geniunely curious. There are lots of better than SMB home built (and otherwise) E-series vans on the market these days without the SMB premium and most have better components.

 

[NORDFORD]

The 6.0 is great, once you dump about $15k in em. It’s also not a matter of if you will. It’s when.

 

[TheRenaissanceTinker]

Unless you just have no interest in doing any of the build yourself why would you buy an SMB? I've had a few. They are overpriced underperformers in the offroad van world. Why not buy a better built home build or build one better yourself? There are superior tops, superior suspensions and superior interiors nowadays since everyone improved on SMB's ideas and methods that they haven't changed in 40 years.

Not being snarky, geniunely curious. There are lots of better than SMB home built (and otherwise) E-series vans on the market these days without the SMB premium and most have better components.

As a current sportsmobile owner (05 V10 built by SMB West) I second this. I’ve had to rebuild or replace almost every part that sportsmobile touched. They do/did absolute 💩 work.

Given the choice between the 6.0 and 7.3 I’d probably go 6.0. That said I chose a v10 twice for my road trip vans. I also have (and love) a 2wd ‘95 7.3 EB ambulance. I drive it every few days. It’s great. Ive owned 3 PowerStroke 7.3s over the years. They are loud, oil changes are stupidly expensive, and milage is about the same as the V10 but diesel costs more. Also, compared to modern diesels the 7.3 is slow and underpowered.

 

[Travler229]

As a current sportsmobile owner (05 V10 built by SMB West) I second this. I’ve had to rebuild or replace almost every part that sportsmobile touched. They do/did absolute 💩 work.

Given the choice between the 6.0 and 7.3 I’d probably go 6.0. That said I chose a v10 twice for my road trip vans. I also have (and love) a 2wd ‘95 7.3 EB ambulance. I drive it every few days. It’s great. Ive owned 3 PowerStroke 7.3s over the years. They are loud, oil changes are stupidly expensive, and milage is about the same as the V10 but diesel costs more. Also, compared to modern diesels the 7.3 is slow and underpowered.

We loved our 2007 EB50 6.0! Incredibly capable and still miss her! She sounds exactly like the one you described: not fully bullet proofed but had the major related components replaced. Ran and drove great and incredibly off-road capable. As far as items needing re-work, our sense is that the vans built in CA (now Field van) were robust although for sure a few of the systems idiosyncrasies had us shaking our head.

 

[TheRenaissanceTinker]

We loved our 2007 EB50 6.0! Incredibly capable and still miss her! She sounds exactly like the one you described: not fully bullet proofed but had the major related components replaced. Ran and drove great and incredibly off-road capable. As far as items needing re-work, our sense is that the vans built in CA (now Field van) were robust although for sure a few of the systems idiosyncrasies had us shaking our head.

My issue was with their shoddy workmanship. For example the rear crossmember was cut out with a torch to make way for the “basement” storage box but the sharp edges weren’t cleaned up or painted. Where the house battery was installed the body was trimmed back with a torch or plasma cutter and left jagged and bare to rust. The same with where the body was trimmed to fit the propane tank. At very least those cuts should have been painted. Those types of “cost savings” shortcuts are unacceptable for the prices they charge.