7.3L Powerstroke or 5.9L Cummins with over 200k miles -- still lots of life, or not?

Builder · Sep 23, 2009

jas67 said:
Um, I think this thread has wondered WAY off course.
I'm looking to tow a camper, not compete in truck and tractor pulls, or drag race.

You're right. My apologies for getting off topic.

If I could get the Cummins in the Ford Super Duty, that is the way I'd go. I'm not impressed with either the Dodge or Gov't Motors trucks (both have goo d engines). The Fords seem to be the best overall package. If I'm buying a < 150k mile truck (I've decided to stay under 150k) then the differences between a 500k mile engine, and a 300k mile engine doesn't matter. The ability to hot-rod the engine to 1000 ft*lb is cool and all, but I don't need it. The stock 7.3L intercooled Powerstroke is just fine for me. I do know to avoid the 6.0.

Speaking of the 6.0L, did they ever resolve the problem? I found a decent deal on an '06 F-350 Crew cab. That is the 3rd full year for the 6.0L -- did they get it right by then?

It wasn't a singular "problem". It was many problems. So many problems in fact, it caused the demise of Ford & IH's 25 yr partnership forever-lawsuits, etc.. The problems may have been resolved, but the next problem was perception. Deserved or not, much of the GP percieves the 6leaker as a t_rd. The first 2 years of problems destroyed the 6L's reputation. Then the problem becomes that is it lowers resale value and limits the appeal to potential buyers (except to the Ford guys who think there's nothing wrong with the 6L or those who don't know any better). The other issue is the 6L was lower on HP/TQ than the competition, but that's not an issue to you. So if resale value and a bad perception of the 6L and lower HP/TQ doesn't bother you and you can get a good deal, go for it.

I was a died in the wool Ford guy like drago and d---pilot in late '06 when I was buying a new truck and the GM & Dodge were better trucks at that time. That's why I gave a GM a try. I'm pleased with my decision.

Good luck with the 6L or 7.3L!!!

QueBota · Sep 23, 2009

I am a biased owner of a Cummins 5.9 in a 2001.5 Dodge 2500.

I would go for the Cummins.

Straight 6 has many advantages over a V8 config, not to mention you can actually see and service the 5.9.

I think the trucks themselves are a tossup, with the Ford having a slight edge in all but the manual tranny department. If you are so inclined the NV5600 6 speed available in the Dodge may be the best manual tranny every put behind an engine in a pickup. Check it over carefully, some of these trannys have not been treated kindly, it is recommended to overfill the lube by a quart or so to ensure complete lubrication. Also the NV5600 is fussy about its lubrication requirements. Parts are expensive and getting hard to find for the NV5600 so that is something to consider.

I will add that the 2001.5 Dodge was the first non-Ford truck that I have ever owned. Bought if for the engine and the engine has been great. I come from a long line of Ford truck owners and took quite a bit of razzing from my Dad and other relatives about the Dodge, until they drove it. It is turned up to around 350hp/850 torque at the rear wheels, pulls very well and can deliver an honest 22-23 mpg on the highway at speeds less than 70 mph.

Dave

Builder · Sep 23, 2009

Dargo said:
I think the original poster has received quite a few replies specific to his question about 7.3L PSD engines and 5.9L Cummins engines. You seem to be the only person telling him that he has to be like you and buy a GM product or he will get junk. The picture is pretty clear.

I think you only read what you want to see and fail to give an accurate portrayal of what I really said. I advised him of problems I encountered with the 7.3L and well known problems with the 6L. I also recommended to him to be open minded and look at Dodge & GM. I don't think being myopic and only recommending Ford everytime makes any sense:

Builder said:
Whether it's Ford or Dodge, you're going to get a great deal. I would also keep an eye out for a newer Ford V-10

Builder said:
Good luck with the 6L or 7.3L!!!

I believe those are pretty strong recommendations from me to buy Ford as well. Maybe you didn't bother to read them?

Bill_C · Sep 23, 2009

Yep, my apologies also for getting off course. (By the way, the shop that got the horsepower numbers I referenced isn't too far from me; I've been there, bought parts from them and am scheduling a dyno run with them...so I have gotten out!!!)

As others have said though, really any of the Big 3 trucks are quite good. They all perform quite well and by the same token they all have a few minor weak points. If somebody gave me a new Dodge or new GM, I sure wouldn't turn it down.

jas67 · Sep 23, 2009

I'm going to see the '06 tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted.

I did more research, and it looks like the 6.0L issues where resolved by the end of '04. The 6.0L has 50HP more than the 7.3L -- what's not to like

Also, starting in '05, Ford changed the front suspension to give it a 5' smaller turning circle, and added the integrated brake controller. So, it looks like this truck has a couple of features that I won't get with the 7.3L trucks.

And, yes, I like hot rodding too, I just won't be doing it with this truck. There was a post on TBN recently from a garden tractor puller getting 100 HP out of a Kubota D1105 (same engine that is in my B7610, 24 HP stock). I think that is very cool -- but I won't be doing that to my B7610 either

I am very impressed by the HP & Torque numbers that can be gotten out of the Cummins, and if I could get the Cummins in the Ford truck, that is what I'd buy.

I have two nephews that are Ford service techs (for a local Ford dealer), one of which is their diesel specialist, so besides my preference for Ford, this also gives me two great resources if problems should arise.

I do appreciate all the input, and will update you all when I get a truck.

Diamondpilot · Sep 24, 2009

I have a 04 and a 06, one with the old front suspension and one with the new. The new style give a much better ride. As for the brake controller just be aware it was a option. I have it on my 06 and its by far the best controller out there.

Chris

Reg · Sep 24, 2009

If by "Camper" you mean something that will go only to camp sites that have hard paving everywhere, then MAYBE you don't need 4WD.
If there is even a slight chance that you will have to tow on wet grass up a slight grade, at LEAST get one with a limited slip rear axle - BOTH is better, but I regard limited slip rear as a MUST HAVE.

Same with towing your tractor around, if you will only ever be on hard road surfaces you won't NEED 4WD, but that might limit you to loading/unloading at roadside.

jas67 · Sep 24, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
I have a 04 and a 06, one with the old front suspension and one with the new. The new style give a much better ride. As for the brake controller just be aware it was a option. I have it on my 06 and its by far the best controller out there.

Chris

The one that I'm looking at has the brake controller (it is in the pictures of the dash). I'm actually leaving in a few minutes to go look at it in person.

Jay

jas67 · Sep 24, 2009

Reg said:
If by "Camper" you mean something that will go only to camp sites that have hard paving everywhere, then MAYBE you don't need 4WD.
If there is even a slight chance that you will have to tow on wet grass up a slight grade, at LEAST get one with a limited slip rear axle - BOTH is better, but I regard limited slip rear as a MUST HAVE.

Same with towing your tractor around, if you will only ever be on hard road surfaces you won't NEED 4WD, but that might limit you to loading/unloading at roadside.

Many of the camp sites we go to have dirt and/or gravel roads, and some have some grades that might be tough in 2WD if it is wet. For towing the tractor, it would always be paved roads -- as you stated, I can unload curbside.

RobertN · Sep 24, 2009

FWIW, I helped a buddy with concrete today. He has a F350, guessing about a 2001 or thereabouts. 7.3...

He bought i used with a little over 100k miles. I drove it today. It has 285k miles on it now. Drivers seat was about wore out, but otherwise it seemed to be good. Body was good for a concrete guy... Ran good. I towed a concrete buggy around. A lot of the miles he has put on it has been hauling concrete tools, a Bobcat in a dump trailer ect.

He had some issue with the auto tranny linkage, but that is about it. Not the tranny, but the linkage itself.

He is not easy on hos rigs. He takes care of them, but he also uses them...

I towed the concrete buggy with that truck, and a Bobcat on a trailer with mine. I prefer the power band on my Dodge-Cummins, but the 7.3Powerstroke towed nice for the short distance I drove.