Hey all I'm searching for a diesel 4x4 to purchase. I currently own a Dodge dakota it is terriable on gas. I would like a bigger truck. I'm lookin into the 99-05 250/f350 or an excursion. I'm also looking at the cummings inline 6. I know a little about the dodge. My Father in law owns a brand new one pretty good on gas.. The dodge is over priced... but i really want a FORD!!! my budget is around 15k or so I'm paying cash...
I really want a diesel because they run forever, get better gas mileage than gas. and I miss a full size truck. I also want a Solid axel fron end!
My questions are:

Whats the average MPG city and highway? I heard the 7.3 gets around 18...? true?

I heard that the 6.0 diesel motors of the years I'm looking at had fuel injector problems? Is this True?

How many miles can i realistically expect out of a diesel?

Are there any weak parts in these trucks or area of concern?

What do i need to look for when purchasing a diesel? Any concerns i should have?

I'm looking at the Crew cab 250 or 350 short bed. With all the options, hopefully a small lift with 35" tires or smaller.

Thanks in advance!

 

ok let me speak from my experiences. i currently have an 06 ford stroker 6.0L its been to the dealer 3 times in 2 months for service, each costing over 2 grand. thank god its under warranty. as far as maintenance goes this truck sucks! its rediculous compared to the other diesel brands. if you go buy a diesel, find you a 97 ford, or a 96-97 cummins 12v. both with manual trannys. thats what i should have done!

 

I too am about to get into the world of deisel. I've driven plenty, but have never owned one. Dodge will pull, pull, pull, but dodges A/C sux. I currently have a 5.4 f250 and I can say that there's no match to the A/C.
Listen to this guy. He compares 6.0 to 7.3 pretty well. After watching his vids I'm leaning toward the 7.3.
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...&cop=&ei=UTF-8

 

I have alot of experience with the cummins (dodge), but my "family trucks" are all fords. I have an '87 F-350 6.9L with a Banks sidewinder turbo on it. It competes just as well as the 7.3L, gets about 15-18 mpgs, and has over 800K miles on it. The engine has been rebuilt in that time, but the original lasted about 400-450K miles. They are almost indestructable as far as ford engines go, and pretty damn good even as cummins and bigger diesel engines go too. If you want a good ford ide get a good 6.9L. If you like the dodge engines, but want a ford you can drop a cummins 5.9L into a ford for fairly cheap, and have almost the "perfect truck"! The only thing missing would be an allison transmission!

 

I have a 2001 w/ a 7.3 and I love it, around town I get around 15mpg and 18-20 highway.
now keep in mind mine is crew cab and 4wd

 

i have a 97 7.3 i love it! it has 216,000 on it and still runs like a raped ape. i get 18.5 avg. mpgs with an edge chip,k&n intake system and bully dog 4" turbo back exhaust. if you want a dodge id go with what the other guy said..99 and older diesels but make sure the front ends have been rebuilt or that will be the first thing to go. my boss and manager have 05 and 06 dodges and nothing but motor problems and front ends.

 

I have an 04 4x4 ext. cab. 6.0 powerstroke with only 46,000 miles on it that I will let go pretty cheap. Injectors already goin out. My first and last ford experience.

 

I have a 2000 F-250 7.3L. I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!! Other than routine maintenance, it's been the best truck I've ever owned. My good friend is also a devoted Ford truck owner and just purchased an 07 F-350. He said he will never own another Ford truck. The warranty has expired and he is still fixing crap on the truck.

I have gotten 18 mph with my truck since the day I got it. It has 290k miles and runs like a scalded ape. I change the oil every 5k and every other oil change I also change the fuel filter, air filter, wipers, as well as the oil. At an oil change place it usually runs around $200.00 for the works depending on if I have any coupons.

I've changed the a/c compressor and accessories, the wiper motor, both batteries and the alternator. If you look at the top of the forum, you'll see the latest problem I've had, which was minor.

I am starting to have minor issues such as dash lights going out, electronic door locks stopped working, rubber molding at bottom of doors coming off, and the cover on the overdrive button just came off this morning. All of these are very minor fixes and it's a testament to the durability of this truck.

All in all, if you can lay your hands on a 7.3L truck, get it and go. The blue book on my truck, in fair condition, is still right around 9k. I paid 18k for it in 2001 with 60k on the odometer.

Robert