Help! Can't Decide On A Truck!!
 

Hey Everyone,

I am new here to Diesel Bombers, but have been a diesel truck fan for a long time. I am in the market to purchase a new truck and it's going to be a diesel this time around. I am kind of torn because I have always been a Ford driver and really want a 7.3L Powerstroke but I'm interested in learning more about the equivalent truck in the Dodge Cummins. I am not nor will ever be a Chevy fan (sorry!) so please don't suggest them. If you could help me out with some information on the Dodge Cummins because all I know is Fords so I am naturally lost.

Ideally my perfect truck would be between the years of '99 to '03, F-350 (preferred) or a F-250, 7.3L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel, w/ 8' bed, full 4 door crew cab or 1/2 door super cab, 4x4 (ESOF or electronic shift on the fly), SRW, looking preferably for bench seats front/back so it would most likely be the XLT model... Oh and it's got to be an automatic - I can't drive stick shift.

-Thanks in advance for insight or if you know of a truck like that for sale in the Philadelphia region.....

-DieselChick22

I had a 1999 F-250 7.3 SUPER-CAB LONG-BED, with 141,000 miles I sold it:argh: & bought a 2008 F-250 6.4, Wish I still had my 1999 7.3, cause it never left me on the side of the road, The 7.3 is the most RELIABLE powerstroke engine. The 1999 & 2000 7.3 has the strongest connecting rods, if your going to mod your truck.

thanks - I've always been a Ford driver and haven't strayed from them I love the 7.3L because I tow horses and need something with a good towing capacity (unlike my current Expedition SUV) plus I want to put a plow on it and make some money this winter - these PA winters have been rough lately...

Well ive never driven a Ford diesel, but from what I can tell you I love my dodge cummins, if you ever decide to get a dodge, if i was you go with the 2nd gen 5.9L 12 valve cummins. It is in my opinion the best engine to mod cause its so dang cheap, half the mods are free :choochoo: plus they last forever and its never caused me any trouble so far. "knock on wood"

I was just checking out a Ford 1997 owners manual and it stated one should not use a diesel engine for snow plowing. I think this is because of the low speed high load factor and the engine over heats. Maybe of the 1999 and newer models Ford does not state this I don't know. Here is the link to the 1997 owners manual you can check page 215.
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...rs%20Guide.pdf

what do u think tractors do low speed and huge load factor!:scare2: lol!

I do not know why Ford states this.

I am just saying.

Maybe Dodge does not have such warnings.

That would have to do more with the trucks cooling system than the engine itself. Tractors are designed for it. Pick-ups? Not so much.

I really have no idea if the OBS Fords have overheating troubles while snow plowing. I was just throwing that out there.

I know a heck of alot of people who plow with diesel Fords - '99 and up are okay to plow with

Im a full blooded dodge fan and so ofcourse im gona say go with the dodge but I will say this, I am also a diesel tech and I have drivin and worked on all three ( dodge, ford, and chevy) I must say that out of the three the dodge has givin less trouble and makes ALOT of power no matter which one you buy with the right mods! The ford 7.3 is also a good reliable engine and can also make really good power. The ford 6.0 on the other hand....I would advise you stay away from but thats my personal opinion. I will put it this way, if I had to buy another truck and it couldnt be a dodge I would buy a ford 7.3. I agree with mechanicaldiesel on the second gen dodge's cause they ride much beter than the first gens, alltho the first gen is my personal favorite!!!! The p pump on the second gen can make more power and its mechanical which I would take over the computer glitches anyday!