Some time ago (I'm thinking 2000?) Ford made it necessary to pull off the entire cab in order to do any major work on the Powerstroke diesel engine.

Does anyone know exactly what year that was, because I want to buy a diesel-powered 4x4 and wouldn't own one that required that much garbage to fix a cylinder head.

Also.......any recommendations on what make/years to buy? I own a very nice 2001 Dodge gasser but the Dodges have a dash cracking problem that I want to avoid and from what I've heard the Chevy Duramax is a fuel hog.

Ford = tire eater!
Duramax = fuel hog!!
Dodge = interior/transmission problems!!!

Which is the most durable, best fuel mileage, and easiest to work on, between the three of them?

I want to keep the price tag under 10 grand.

Thanks for your educated input.

 

if you go with ford you wanna stay with the early and late body style 7.3. the ford 6.0s have real bad head stud problens an recuire whole front end of truck to be dis-assembled

 

Go with a 7.3 (94.5-early 03), and you really shouldnt have to any major work that would require pullin the cab. For your price range, a 7.3 would probably be the best bet. A 94-98 12v would be awesome, but its gonna be an old truck. The 12v is the best light duty diesel ever made IMO, with the 7.3 Powerstroke in second.

What are you wanting to do with the truck?

 

Go with a 7.3L like the rest of these guys said. They look like a pain to work on but you can do alot with out pulling the cab IMO.

 

6.0's are when they started making cab removal necessary for major work.

Where are you located?

 

That would be 6.4's. You can do pretty much anything with the cab on in a 6.0, but it's just easier to take the cab off. Good mechanic can have the cab off in 45 minutes... it's really not that difficult. 4 bolts hold the cab to the frame on the trucks.

For under 10 grand you don't really have any options anyways... you can get a decent 7.3 or a 12V dodge... auto trannies suck in both of them.

 

So the E4OD or 4R100 may not be the best out there, but I still think they're better than the 47RH.