pre-94 , all the diesel trucks are a way better bet than there gas counter parts , and out of all the diesels they all have there advantages and disadvantages , no other diesel gets the load moving better than a cummins , the v8's need RPMs then they kick *** too , just from my experience .

 

89-93 1st gen 12 valve 5.9 liter
94-98 Second Gen 12 valves 5.9 liter
98-02 Second Gen 24 valves 5.9 liter
03-07 Third Gen Common Rail 24 Valve 5.9 liter
07.5+ Third Gen Common Rail 24 valve 6.7 liter

 

For your needs a 1st generation Cummins is going to fit the bill, in damn near stock form. My first diesel was a '92 F-250 E40D 4x4 extended cab 7.3. It WAS NOT A BAD truck. BUT, she needed help to really be able to haul.
If you were to get an IDI, I would look for a 92-94 5 speed. There were 3 engine options in 94, IDI, turbo IDI, and Powerstroke. Honestly if I were you, I would look real hard to find a 1st generation powerstroke sence you are a Ford guy. They can be had for around as much as a 1st generation Cummins. Obviously a 5speed version in any and everything is the best!

The 7.3IDI is and was a good platform, it just needed a trubo, less compression, and direct injection. But still a good engine.

If you go the 1st generation Cummins route here are some things to look for, windshield line cab rot. RUN! They rot from the inside out. 89-91.5's were Non intercooled, automatics were a 3 speed, and the heads have a 9mm injector hole that tends to crack, and came equiped with a smaller turbo commonly refered to as the "baby H1C". 91.5-93 were intercooled, automatics were 4 speed NON lockup overdrive, and the head was changed to a 7mm injector hole that isnt prone to cracking, '92's came with a huge exhaust housing so that makes the turbo very laggy to spool up, and only the 92 model year trucks.

Anyway, have fun looking, first things first, fluids, filters, belt, brakes, lines, lights, wiring. Then let the games begin! Check out the 1st gen forum for lots of good info on what can be done with the Cummins, and the IDI trucks.

OH, if you get an IDI, ONLY use FORD dealership glowplugs, NEVER parts store junk. Bad things happen.
On either side of the coin ANY of the 1st gen's were great running trucks, and reliable.

 

theres no love for the 6.5 is there

 

Thanks cowboy...and no woody it doesn't look like there is any love for the 6.5

 

def. go for the 1st gen cummins, they really relieable which means less money for fixing things and more money for upgrades. the best upgrade you can make is also the cheapest. invest in a 3200 rpm spring for twenty bucks and you have a truck that runs as goods as a new one.

 

The 12 valve for sure..
I'm a Ford man, Ford makes the nicest truck, but you cannot beat the 12 valve.
The 7.3 is a great engine too, but if I had to choose, the cummins is it.
7.3 will not get the mileage and the cummins will last longer and is easier to mod.

 

Ive had my 1st gen almost a year now and love it! look for an intercooled model with the 5 speed. 1st mods i did were intake exhaust and gauges. then did my pump mods and 3200 govenor spring.

 

How much is a turbo upgrade for a 92 IDI ?