What generation 7.3L F250/F350 is better to start with?

[Summitdogracing]

There is the "early '99" and the "late '99 - 2003" diesel. There are not a lot of differences but a few. I know one is the fuel bowl and the heating element.

Scotty

 

[Halligan]

2000 and older 7.3's have forged connecting rods. 2001 and up is powdered metal rods. If your adding power to your truck take that into consideration.

 

[fritz]

Ordered a new truck and will be selling my 2001 F350 XLT 7.3 diesel 4x4 crew cab long bed in September. My brother in Texas ordered it new and I bought it from him last summer.

330,000 miles and running strong. Did have a Ford rebuilt trans put in it just after I bought the truck. No rust

 

[Skinhyfish]

2000 was the best year of motor

 

[Chorky]

My OBS has the RSK and a dana 60 swapped and the ride is pretty much terrible. I wouldn't dream of taking it off road in fear of rattling the brittle plastic interior apart.

Interesting, you are honestly the first person I've heard say that... My '97 D60 with 4" RSK up front and shackle flip out back with SD springs rides way nicer than my dad's brand new ram 3500, and my 2017 ram 2500 work truck.... maybe it's the shocks your using?

 

[glock7018]

Interesting, you are honestly the first person I've heard say that... My '97 D60 with 4" RSK up front and shackle flip out back with SD springs rides way nicer than my dad's brand new ram 3500, and my 2017 ram 2500 work truck.... maybe it's the shocks your using?

I am running stock OBS f350 springs which is why.

 

[Mike W.]

I wouldn't trade my 2000 F250 for anything. We have 465,000 on it and the only major has been an injection pump. Bought it new and it's used hard. Probably the best trucks ever built..