I am thinking of buying a Ford! Now thats hard for a Chevy guy to say. I am looking at Excursions for my wife to drive and to pull a camper. I know I like the 7.3 and know some about them. But I don't know enough to know what year to buy or if it matters, what to look at when I look at the truck. What problems do they have? What kind of life does the engine have and the injectors? What kind of fuel mileage does the 7.3 get

 

While my 6-Oh gets better mileage and runs the quarter faster than my buddy's 7.3 (12-13 in town 4 door short box on 33s), I haven't out performed him at the truck pulls, yet. Is it because I am running 35s (both have 3.73s) and have a shorter frame? I don't know. Both trucks are properly maintained and are EXTREMELY reliable.

The upside for you coming over from the Dark Side of the Force (you didn't think you were getting off Scot free did you?) to an Excursion, is more of them were concrete four wheelin, family rigs than purpose used 3/4 ton trucks. You have chosen wisely my Padewan learner. sorry, couldn't help it.....

 

I don't know if I have completely come over from the dark side I still like my Chevys. I know the 7.3 is very reliable but the 6.0 still kind of scares me. I need some more people to convince me the 6.0 is good so I don't miss a good truck because I am being chicken over nothing. How many mpg do you get with your 6.0? They are the big deal for this one I am sure that it make more than enough power.

And you can take some shots at me it's fine besides I am not totality a Chevy guy I am more of a deal guy.

 

Keep in mind that I am at 4000 feet in Northern Nev-odda rolling 34.5X14.5 Toyos. I get 12.5 ~ 13.5 in town and around 18 on the highway. When I went to the Phoenix area (1300ft ASL) I averaged 15 mpg in town. When I had 285/75s I got 14-15 in town and 16-18 on the highway.
Regardless of what tire I roll, heavy wind and/or pulling a load gets me between 12~14 on the highway.

the prodding is all in fun, the IFS is what kept me out of a Duramax...

 

18mpg isn't bad. The biggest reason I am looking at Excursions is diesel Suburbans are not exactly falling from the sky. I know that for the most part they are good trucks but besides just looking for strange noises, smoke, and leaks I do not know what the issues if any there are and how to check for them. If this was a 6.5 I know what to check but it's a PSD and I have never bought one before.

The prodding is fine what I need is more Ford guys to come on here and convince me why I need to buy one. I am not totally set in what to get chevy or ford and it is still going to be awhile because I am cheep and will wait around for the right deal on what ever it is. I just don't want to miss a good truck because I didn't know what to look for.

 

Ok there has got to be some of you ford guys who know what I need to check when looking at a power stroke. Come on my cousin is selling her Duramax I might slip back to the dark side. Heck if you want to rag on me for a bit go ahead I don't care just as long as I learn what to look for.

 

the 7.3 is a great motor now for the 6.0 with a set of head studs and a egr delete they are great as well

 

i know i am quite late on this but i have a 03 7.3 and love it, almost 200,000 miles and only thing that has gone out is the cam sensor, and one injector

 

Cam sensors seam to be the only problem with them. I know they are a very good engine. I just what to know what to inspect on them when I walk up to one. How to know if they have an injection system going out or any other things when I walk up to them. So I know when to walk away or if it is a good engine. Late is fine I am just trying to get everything in order so when the right truck at the right price comes by I can grab it.

 

just listen closely to the motor when in a smooth accel, make sure it sounds good an clean no extra crackles and such, take it for a test drive and see how it feels is really the only way to tell

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make sure they let you drive it, not just ride in the passanger seat