Any experience with....

[f6john]

  7.3 Powerstroke diesels of the 2002 era, good or bad. Also any experience with the 5.4 gas engine in a F350 4X4 truck. I am looking at both options in a work vehicle and was wondering what others might have found in their personal or business use. I realize the obvious that the diesel will pull more and probably get better mileage doing it but am concerned with overall cost of operation and ownership.

[22Dasher]

The diesel will be in the shop more on repairs over the gas version. That's about all news I'm able to offer you at this time. You can go to a diesel forum and fid out more info.
 

[Jack B]

My son has a 2000 F250 Powerstroke diesel he loves it and has good luck with it. Lots of power with some mods done to it

[fudgie]

We use powerstrokes in all 5 of our ambulances. 1 has been in the shop since 1,000 miles on the odo. I bet we have well over $25,000 in repairs since we bought it in 02 or so. New engine, tranny, rear end, etc. Still runs like crap now like it was when we got it. We have one that is wonderful and very little mntnc. Granted we are hard on them but still. A few of ours have caught fire under the hood.   We are now looking into GMC chassis. I say no on the fords. IMHO.

[Tropic traveler]

As a 20 year Ford parts man & former 7.3L PS owner I can share some experiences.
If you are going to go diesel the 7.3 is the way to go. We recently started a diesel shop at a Lincoln-Mercury dealership just to take advantage of all the work on the later 6.0L & 6.4L that is being done. Business has been GOOD! I see nowhere near the problems on the 7.3L that I see on the newer Ford PSD trucks. The 7.3 PSD package is about as good as it gets.  
As far as upkeep & operating costs 5.4 gas vs. 7.3 diesel.... Rule of thumb is higher upkeep on the diesel but more power, better fuel mileage {significant} & longer hard working service life from the diesel. The 7.3L & 5.4L both share the same E4OD/4R100 transmission & obviously are wrapped in the same Ford truck . In an F350 the running gear & brakes should be very close to the same as long as both are the heavy GVW truck.
Personally I had a super cherry '95 F250 PSD that got great fuel mileage & was a pure joy to drive but I never worked it. Sold it, bought a Ranger & pocketed the cash difference. I miss the PSD, damn thing got nearly the SAME fuel mileage as the 3.0L Ranger does!  
Overall, I would say go with a diesel, as long as it's a 7.3!


My sweet F250 PSD. Only had 85,000 miles. Now resides in Texas.


The replacement Ranger. Fits the needs but.........    

[ArmyValker]

the modular 5.4L motors are not bad. There are some issues with that motor. I've only replaced one due to bad timing chain tensioners, and seen some real jacked up situations concerning the use of their proprietary spark plug design in 2004. I'd make sure IF you decide to get a 5.4L that you check up on this issue and ensure either the truck has REGULAR plugs or that the plugs have been changed recently. If you want more info... type in "5.4L spark plug seized" into google and check out the traffic.

Overall, I think the 5.4l is a good motor and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another vehicle with one in it. There are many out there with 200,000+ miles on them. You just need to be aware of the quirks/issues that any motor will have.


Just another thought...
The 5.4L in a 350 with 4X4 is gonna be pretty underpowered. I've got one in my 150 and it's just ok as far as power. If your gonna be towing alot I'd DEFINITELY check out the 7.3L PSD.

[fstsix]

2002 i would prefer 7.3 I DONT recommend the New diesel has A ( DPF ) filter just google DPF problems and seen the nightmare. I had a 2006 Cummins and loved it so traded for a new 2008 and what a P.O.S . My old truck got 26 MPG and 13 pulling my 33ft tailgate trailer these diesels will go 300.000 miles of good service. So buy PRE 2006 and you got a good solid truck.  I miss my old truck.

[blackcat]

and stay away from the 6.0 powerstrokes yes they are pre-DPF but had many problems of there own (mainly injectors and rail pressure and egr valves )

i owned a 2000 7.3 powerstroke with automatic trans, no problems sold it at 75,000 miles
moved to a dodge/cummins 04.5 600 series, i went with a manual 6 speed on this truck because i have seen automatic go down on the cummins with 50-70,000 miles pulling moderate to heavy loads

as far as a maintenance point of view the powerstrokes are crammed under the hood, cummins are open and easily assessable 
cant say much about duramax , just never owned one

[Sludge]

I have two older 94 powerstrokes with the 7.3.  They have been tough as nails.  Oh, they have had a dollar or two spent on them, but if ya use them... you will spend on em.  378k on one and 290k on the other.  Other than injectors and a set of glow plugs neither has been gone into.  Well, the higher mileage one had a transmission at about 350k.  I pull with them all the time (loads heaver than are legal... ).  The newer trucks are stronger, but those are fine.  My 06 Dodge pulls circles around em, but its not got that many miles on it... yet.

I would stay away from any Ford diesel that isnt a 7.3.