F250/350 Buying Advice

[belbers1]

Hey Guys,
This summer I plan on buying either a f250 or f350 with the 7.3L powerstroke. My budget is about $10k, so it will either be a '99 or an '01. It will probably have somewhere between 130k-190k miles. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on buying, and where to look for common problems.

Thanks

[big white bufflo]

good choice on the motor the 7.3 is in my mind the last good diesle ford made there are realy no issues with this motor not like the 6.0 if left stock it will give good long service the chassie is a problem rear brakes ,ball joints ,front bearing other than those things they are a good truck the lower the mile the better i have a 7.3 97 144,000 its gold in my eyes

[jyount]

If you have chip or bigger plans, get a older than 2001, as in 2000 and down. The newer ones have powdered metal rods. Only good for about 400 engine hp. I had a 97 that ran like crazy, built my injectors and stuff.

[fordtrucksonly]

Originally Posted by jyount

If you have chip or bigger plans, get a older than 2001, as in 2000 and down. The newer ones have powdered metal rods. Only good for about 400 engine hp. I had a 97 that ran like crazy, built my injectors and stuff.

99-03 bottom end is the same on powerstrokes, 99 had a different turbocharger than the 00-03, - I've seen 7.3s run 700 horse with stock rods and pistons.

I live and breath powerstrokes, 6.0s are some of the strongest ive seen, they have some issues but they are stong.

As far as the question goes, the best years are your 02-03 7.3, as they ran 250 horse motor, earlier was 235 and 215.