Red-Ford

I don't need a diesel as of right now, however within the next 2 years I'm aiming to get either a 5th wheel or a camper. Yeah a gas truck could do the job, but I think diesel would do better. Right now I'm weighing options between a couple things. Do I need a diesel today? No, but it comes down to I'm a stupid kid and want one lol.

I'm leaning towards an Excursion though because those will keep my tools dry and give the dogs more room. I won't be able to get a 5th wheel, but I can still get a decent trailer.

fordguy2100

you can always get one of these if you want an excursion

* also believe that second pic IS an excursion

Red-Ford

Well that's an option, never knew they made those lol. Thanks for posting that I'll have to look into those.

acdii

Well since no one answered your question on the 7.3, I'll give it a shot. Early 99's, those built in 1998 have a smaller turbo, but a really good one, and forged rods. Early 99 Powerstrokes were the cream of the crop. Later years, I believe starting in 01 went to powdered rods and tended to go bang when you added power to them. They were still very good strong running engines, but if you were to upgrade injectors, turbo, etc. you had to be careful not to over do it on the later years.

I had a 98 1/2 F350 Dually with the 7.3 and loved that truck. Damned fuel prices made me park it and it rotted while it sat in my garage to the point it cost more to get it on the road than it was worth. I really wish I still had that truck now that fuel costs came down, but it needed a new transmission that was $4500 at the time.

Things I know to look for on the 7.3 trucks. Check the oil pan for rust, they were notorious for rusting out. Check the intake side of the turbo for dusting. If you see sharp blades on the spool, pass on it, dust got past the filter and sandblasted it. Check that the steering box is tight and the brakes all work properly and have no rust. Most important of all, listen and watch the tach when accelerating, specifically look for what is called Shift Flare. Its a slow lock up of the torque converter, and feels like the trans is slipping. Early year had this issue which over time wears out the TC clutch plates and you lose the lockup. When it happens you will see the tach climb then fall as it locks up.

Other things to look at, front hubs, notorious for failing, ball joints are weak and usually go around 60K miles.

Now for the plus, no DEF, no Cats, exhaust upgrades are easy from the turbo back, Pretty sure you can still get Wicked Wheels for the turbo(which if you find a really nice truck but found the turbo got dusted, the WW makes for a good repair option). Plenty of simple low cost mods like pillar gauges, hpop mods, fuel system mods. The 7.3 was a beast.

acdii

Wow, that could help max out the towing capacity of an F150 Ecoboost! Pretty hard to get to GCVWR of 17000# without going over the trucks GVWR.

Red-Ford

Thank you acdii for your response on the 7.3, I really appreciate it!

I ended up buying a 2013 Ford Fusion the other day instead of the truck mainly because the ones I could afford had a lot of issues or seemed to have issues but were very sketchy. I don't mind a sketchy truck as I used to drive one (my old '99 F-350), but when my local job is 1k miles+ round trip, I need something more reliable. I bought the car assuming I'll be buying a truck later on. The truck might just be for home use as that's all I really need a truck for, or I might decide I want a nice truck instead of the car so I'd sell the car and put more money towards a truck.

acdii

I had 2 2013 Fusion Hybrids. First was a POS, barely got 32 MPG and fouled all 4 plugs in 4600 miles. Replaced it with a Job2 Hybrid, and that car was great. I Really like the Fusions, but my lower back does not, so had to replace it with the F150.

Red-Ford

32 MPG out of a hybrid? I'm averaging 27 (mixed city and highway driving) with the standard 2.5L engine.

I've noticed the seats aren't all too comfortable, I'm a wider guy so the side bolsters don't help me at all but it is what it is.

acdii

Thats what I said, but Ford claimed that it was working properly both before and after the plugs fouled. I got rid of it and got a Job 2 Titanium instead and I was getting about 45 MPG in that one consistently. SO Ford, tell me again how that other car was working properly again?

I had to get rid of it because my job is an hour 15 away and after 45 minutes in the Fusion, the pain in my lower back and legs became unbearable. I always did have some discomfort driving a car, no matter how comfortable they were, the seat position is what does it, if I can't sit as if in a chair like I do in the truck and did in the Flex, then after a while I get shooting pains down my legs. It really sucked because I really liked that car, and couldn't beat the gas mileage.

Oh and that 2.5 is great engine, good choice for power. That same engine, with the exception of the head, is in the first gen Fusion Hybrid, and I was getting 65 MPG highway with one. I had a 2010 Fusion Hybrid and that too was a good car. Only thing on it that broke over the time we had it was the drivers inside door handle. Fixed it myself in 10 minutes and $35.

Spamfritter

I could get 28-29MPG out of my 2005 GTO with the 6.0L LS2 in it. I've never been impressed with any of these economy cars that can't manage more than 35MPG with gutless engines that are soul crushing to drive.