Which Superduty Powerstroke

I am considering buying my first used Diesel 4x4. Which year of truck would you recommend. I am looking for a f-350 single wheel 4x4 Crewcab Diesel with an automatic . I am very mechanically inclined and do all my own work on my vehicles and Harley that I currently own. Any info is greatly appreceiated. Thanks  

Honestly, if you weren't real picky about interior looks or anything, i would go with a '99- early '03 super duty. If your looking for a ford, just get something with a 7.3L. the '94-97 trucks are great as well if you could find one in good shape. The only problem with '94-'97 trucks is they are not intercooled, so if your looking to ad power, you may want to start with an intercooler. hope this helps you out.  

If it doesn't have the 7.3L diesel, or at least the 6.9L diesel, I wouldn't touch it.


Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner

I dunno. I like the 6.4's. And they're proving to be pretty reliable... but it's still early.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

I Have a 2000 7.3L F-350 and could not be happier with it.  Aftermarket companies keep coming out with new parts and upgrades for this engine and there really is no replacement for displacement.  you can easily make power mods without messing with the computer too much and the 7.3L will last forever. Plus with the money you'll save buying a used 7.3L you can start upgrading right away  

I agree, the 7.3 is definately the engine to go with if you want good power, and also reliability.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

Thanks for all the info. I am starting to look at 99-03 trucks with 7.3 and an automatic .One more question Did any F-350 come with the Dana 50 or were they all Dana 60? Did any F-250 come with a Dana 60? Thanks again for all your help and info.  

Later F250's... Like 05+ had the Dana 60. But I don't think it's a big deal. The 50 is plenty strong.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

Thanks for the info. Now lets get some thoughts. I found a 2001 f-350 4X4 supercab shortbed with auto and 7.3. $10,000. Truck looks like new 240,000 miles. Seems like a lot of money for a truck with a lot of miles. How far (miles) will these engines safely go. Thanks  

One thing I will add to all of this, and you might want to consider.  The general rule of thumb is that 99-00 trucks will have factory forged rods, which are superior to the PMR(powdered metal rods) that are found in the 01-03 trucks.  There are a couple trucks out there now running setups in the upper 600hp range on stock forged rods.  So if power is part of your scheme look into a 99-00.  There is an engine serial number to identify if you have forged rods or not to be 100% sure, and IIRC if you look in the inspection port on the side of the block neer the oil filter you can see if the rods have a nut or a bolt.  If it has a nut = forged.

These motors are fun to work on, nothing about them (mechanically) is hard, just time consuming, IMO.  Just like anything you will end up cussing them and throwing tools, not that I would know anything about that  but overall they are fun.  

theSLEEPER444:
I dunno. I like the 6.4's. And they're proving to be pretty reliable... but it's still early.

Yeah I really wish I would have waited a little and shopped for a 6.4.  

7.3's aren't cheap anymore, even with high mileage. I just got a truck exactly like you're talking about, in mint condition, 150K miles, under 11,000.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,