Thinking about buying a 2005 F250: Would appreciate your opinion

[Squall Line]

Hello All,

I am going to take a look at this truck on Monday: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...300328876621&viewitem=&_trkparms=tab=Watching . They are holding it at the dealer for me. I had found another truck locally, but it was an XLT with cloth, and cost quite a bit more. This one has a bit more miles, but is more within my budget, and has the comfort features that I am looking for. I intend to use this truck as a road tripper and a hauler. Long term plans call for an aluminum flat bed with some boxes underneath, a 2.5" level job up front, some tires, and mounting the second battery/ charging system/ engel from my current truck. I really would appreciate your honest opinion of the truck, and things I should look for. I have read about some of the issues on the 6.0s, but I am hopeful that this thing will be around for awhile. Any model specific things would be great to know. Can anyone venture a guess as to what kind of mileage this thing will get on the highway? Are there any must do modifications? EGR? What about improbing the mileage?

I appreciate the help,

Eric

 

[Mike S]

Eric, my 2001 7.3L TDI F350 4X4 gets 20+ on the highway, has 3.73 gears and automatic. But it is white.

Some people like the 6.0L, other hate it. I do not know who is right. I have owned a number of Ford trucks (back to the early 80's), and been very satisfied with the durability of all of them.

 

[ujoint]

You won't see mileage as good as the 7.3. On these 6.0's, scheduled maintenance is VERY important. If there are no records of oil & fuel filter changes, stay away. I'm not a huge fan of the trac bar setup on these trucks, but you should be OK with only a 2.5" kit. I would recommend a suspension lift from ICON vehicle dynamics (Donahoe)

 

[redthies]

I chose an older F350 for myself, but loved the room in the superduty and the power of the 6.0 is great. I have also heard good and bad on the 6.0. My friend who has had the best luck ( no problems in 70k miles ), says it is because he drives it hard. He does all the regular maintenance, but when he gets in it, he goes 60 miles at a go on average, and from what I have seen he is not scared of the go pedal! That won't do much good for your fuel economy, but if it keeps you out of repairs??? I live in a town where an F350 crew that isn't lifted is considered a small car, so when the local diesel specialist mechanics say don't buy a 6.0 for a short trip DD you listen. The 7.3 is more forgiving in that role.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

It's not a quad cab but this one is for sale locally. The guy told me he's turned down a couple offers for $16K. This is what I would get, only 40K miles...
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=443&sid=&tab=list/view&ad=1210207

Also I try not to buy cars on ebay (not sure if its too late) ebay is the world's biggest car market place so a great place to sell cars quickly, not the best place for buying them because sellers usually get decent pricing...

I was in the same boat and chose a 7.3 yesterday. I'm looking much higher mileage and cheaper but I could have bought a 6.0 easier and cheaper as they don't have their value. The big thing is major failures like head gaskets.

Even the 7.3 isn't overly reliable as well, but the big items like the engine itself hold up a little better...

 

[Deleted member 9101]

IMHO I would wait for one with the 7.3. It has far less problems than the 6.0

 

[Mike S]

IMHO I would wait for one with the 7.3. It has far less problems than the 6.0

Having just recently shopped for and bought a later 7.3L SD, I can assure you that they are bringing good prices because of strong market demand. If you can get a high end (Lariat or King Ranch) model in 2001 to early 2004 with moderate miles, you will retain resale value fairly well.

I had a 1984 F250 HD with the normally aspirated 6.9L diesel for many years, and it was an awesome truck. I bought it new, and it is STILL on the road in Oregon.

 

[Fish]

You're more than welcome to come buy my 7.3 F250!

 

[saltamontes]

the reliability of the later untuned, maintained 6.0 litre engines are every where as good as the 7.3 with a few simple caveats:

if its out of warranty, delete the egr cooler, install some better headbolts, change all the fluids on schedule and you will be fine.

i have both:
'02 7.3 w/ 120k (hpop, cps, ps hose, frt hubs all failed)
'07 6.0 w/ 40k (not a single problem)

when comparing reliability one need compare the entire truck, not just the motor. is it really better to get a high mileage 7.3 where lots besides the motor may break?

the 6.0 has a bad rap from its early incarnations (deserved) but carrying over that rap to the later motors is undeserved.

 

[Pskhaat]

I've been debating the 05-06 move forever now. I eagerly await your results.