Time for a new truck (again...)

[acefuture]

About a year ago I was in the market for a truck and posted a thread on here. I was looking to go from my old half ton to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I ended up buying a 2000 F350 7.3 and it has been an interesting experience. Now I'm looking for something new(er). I've done a TON of upgrades to the 7.3 and it's left me stranded several times now. And with my business getting busier, shorter turn arounds in the dunes, and hopefully more frequent trips to baja, I can't afford to be left stranded. At this point i've been paying almost double what a payment would be on a new truck, in just upgrades to the 7.3 every month. Time to move on.

So here's my question. I'm doing the deep dive on new(er) trucks, specifically Fords. Since ive been in a Ford family, it's what I'm familiar with. Ford owners: what do you like and dislike about your truck? I do not care for the new front ends on the 23-24s. The 20-22s are my favorite, with the 22 being the standout with the upgraded dash screen. But I've heard a couple people mention the 6 speeds in the 17-19s were a stronger trans than the new 10 speeds. Interested to hear what experiences you guys have had with your newer powerstrokes. How do they pull? Daily Drive? MPGs? Etc.

 

[Realbadlarry]

I have heard the transmission stuff.....the 6 speed is still really nice. They all have their issues.....  but stranded in a 2000?  was it abused as a child? 

 

[Sand Shark]

If looking used I would probably avoid the covid built years when Ford was scrambling for parts and to produce the trucks.   This would go for all the other truck manufactures.  End of 2022 build should be fine.  

 

[Rorschach]

How much for the 7.3?

 

[tjZ06]

...but stranded in a 2000?  was it abused as a child? 

That's a ~24 year old truck now.  @acefuture didn't mention the miles on it, but it could be 30,000 or 3,000,000... 

-TJ
 

 

[acefuture]

I have heard the transmission stuff.....the 6 speed is still really nice. They all have their issues.....  but stranded in a 2000?  was it abused as a child? 

Unfortunately it sounds like all trucks do. 

I assumed all of the maintenance that was never done. Turbo, EBPV, Oil Coolers, Injectors, CPS, IPV, ICP, All new front end steering, tires, alignment, Ball joints, brakes, new seat covers, head unit, speakers, the list goes on. I've done almost everything. And yesterday it died in the middle of a busy street at 5pm on my way home from work. Absolute nightmare.

If looking used I would probably avoid the covid built years when Ford was scrambling for parts and to produce the trucks.   This would go for all the other truck manufactures.  End of 2022 build should be fine.  

End of 22 would be my #1 pick or a 2019 would be the next.

How much for the 7.3?

I have over $24k into it including what I bought it for. It won't be cheap once I get it finished and posted. It will have all major 7.3 issues dialed once I sell. Bummer that I spent a year working all the issues out just to sell, but I'm throwing in the towel

 

[acefuture]

That's a ~24 year old truck now.  @acefuture didn't mention the miles on it, but it could be 30,000 or 3,000,000... 

-TJ
 

230k miles and sat for the last 5 years until I bought it. Just needed everything done. I've spent a lot of money on it 

 

[ChEFF]

I bought the 2022 F-350 King Ranch Brand New. Love It. Too new and un-used to help this TOPic. Carry On. Peace

 

[Kraut_n_Rice]

The company I work for has a few "newer" PSDs (in a variety of years) that they use to tow equipment around the country.  10-12k loads.  The newest one with the 10 speed it reported to get better mileage by a large margin, and is the favorite to tow with.

 

[Shiggins37]

I have had a 2002 7.3, 2004.5 GMC 2500, and currently have a 2019 F250 with 6.7. That gives me a bit of experience with a couple of different views on it. I have owned the f250 since early 2020. I put a level kit and 35’s on it right away along with icon reservoir shocks 2.5’s in the front and 2.0’s in the back. Unfortunately it came stock with a 3.31 rear end instead of the 3.55. I was shocked how easily it towed our 36’ 5th wheel toy hauler that is about 14k-15k lbs loaded depending on what we have in it. I verified weights on the scale since I am particular about knowing exactly where I’m at. It tows like a dream with no area where I felt a need to regear it to the 3.55’s or 3.73’s . Mileage wise I get about 13-14 mpg town driving and about 17-18 freeway. I do have a light right foot and keep it pretty mellow though. Engine is completely stock and no tuning either. I recently went with 37’s and it still has tons of power to spare. I haven’t towed yet with the bigger tires but no longer have my trailer so towing wise I’ll probably only be occasionally towing a 14k lb bumper pull enclosed and the flatbed with rzr on it. I have loved the truck since the day it showed up. The shocks made a huge difference in handling over the crappy fabtech shocks I had initially. It uses very little DEF. I probably use 5 or 6 gallons a year. I don’t drive a ton though….. I’ve put 40k miles on it since April 2020. I wouldn’t hesitate buying a 17-19 super duty. I know tons of guys that have that year range and not one has had an issue with theirs. One friend has a deleted one and said it’s insane and gets well over 20mpg freeway if he keeps it at 70 or below. Please let me know if you have any more questions. 
 

no idea why I can’t rotate the photo…. Sorry

 

[Dockmaster]

I have a 2017 F350 with the 6.7 and the 6 speed. I love the truck and it has been very reliable. But it is not a daily driver and only has 55k on it. I tow a lot with loads varying from light to heavy. I really appreciate the 21k rating for bumper pull. Only issue I’ve had other than maintenance is a small radiator weep (knock wood).  I stuck some Bars stop leak in it about 5k ago and no issue since. I’ll replace the rad when I get some free time.  I went from an 02 withe 7.3 to this 2017. Night and day difference on power, ride quality, creature comforts, etc. 

 

[acefuture]

I have had a 2002 7.3, 2004.5 GMC 2500, and currently have a 2019 F250 with 6.7. That gives me a bit of experience with a couple of different views on it. I have owned the f250 since early 2020. I put a level kit and 35’s on it right away along with icon reservoir shocks 2.5’s in the front and 2.0’s in the back. Unfortunately it came stock with a 3.31 rear end instead of the 3.55. I was shocked how easily it towed our 36’ 5th wheel toy hauler that is about 14k-15k lbs loaded depending on what we have in it. I verified weights on the scale since I am particular about knowing exactly where I’m at. It tows like a dream with no area where I felt a need to regear it to the 3.55’s or 3.73’s . Mileage wise I get about 13-14 mpg town driving and about 17-18 freeway. I do have a light right foot and keep it pretty mellow though. Engine is completely stock and no tuning either. I recently went with 37’s and it still has tons of power to spare. I haven’t towed yet with the bigger tires but no longer have my trailer so towing wise I’ll probably only be occasionally towing a 14k lb bumper pull enclosed and the flatbed with rzr on it. I have loved the truck since the day it showed up. The shocks made a huge difference in handling over the crappy fabtech shocks I had initially. It uses very little DEF. I probably use 5 or 6 gallons a year. I don’t drive a ton though….. I’ve put 40k miles on it since April 2020. I wouldn’t hesitate buying a 17-19 super duty. I know tons of guys that have that year range and not one has had an issue with theirs. One friend has a deleted one and said it’s insane and gets well over 20mpg freeway if he keeps it at 70 or below. Please let me know if you have any more questions. 
 

no idea why I can’t rotate the photo…. Sorry

That is great real world experience. Thanks for sharing. I am picking up a new-to-me Weekend Warrior 3505 in June and fully loaded i'd imagine ill be somewhere around 14-15k lbs. So I need a truck that i'm confident in to pull that. Sounds like your 19 would be a great fit. I would more than likely do a 2.5" up front and put it on 37s as well

I have a 2017 F350 with the 6.7 and the 6 speed. I love the truck and it has been very reliable. But it is not a daily driver and only has 55k on it. I tow a lot with loads varying from light to heavy. I really appreciate the 21k rating for bumper pull. Only issue I’ve had other than maintenance is a small radiator weep (knock wood).  I stuck some Bars stop leak in it about 5k ago and no issue since. I’ll replace the rad when I get some free time.  I went from an 02 withe 7.3 to this 2017. Night and day difference on power, ride quality, creature comforts, etc. 

I know my lady will be happy with the ride quality. She thinks the 7.3 is like driving a pogo stick and shes not wrong

 

[SLIM]

7.3's ride like a skateboard.  Probably the most overated truck ever built, but they do have a cult following.  Anything you buy will be a huge improvement.

 

[Realbadlarry]

Thanks for sharing. I am picking up a new-to-me Weekend Warrior 3505 in June and fully loaded i'd imagine ill be somewhere around 14-15k lbs

Might want to weigh that beast....you could be surprised.... my 30 ft extreme bumper pull was 13k with a rzr and a quad and no water.... 

 

[Yfzkevin]

I have a 2022 f-350 short bed with 35's and 3.55 gears that I pick up about a year ago. I bought it used with 20k miles. I now have 30k miles on the truck. I absolutely love the truck with the new updated dash, 10 speed and extra power over the 17-19' model years 450hp 925tq to 20-22 model years 475hp 1050tq. I tow a WW LE3505 with my rzr pro r from san diego to glamis through the mountains on the 8 freeway. The first time I pulled my trailer I could believe how much power the truck has. Even when slower big rigs slow me down on the hills, I can move over when it is safe and get right back up to speed on the hill. Coming down the mountain the exhaust brake and all the gears really let you keep the truck at the speed you want it at. I had a 2011 LML before this that I owned for 7 years towing this trailer. I was always amazed out how well it did towing my trailer coming for my 2005 f-250. My duramax had a 4" lift with 35"s and stock gearing deleted and tuned. The truck ran great. But it isnt even close to the power or comfortable feeling towing the trailer as my new ford. Feels more planted(not lifted yet) so that makes sense, better brakes by far. But the biggest plus is the power and gears. The truck is always in the right spot for cruising or powering up the hill.

Only thing I will say is I think these new trucks use a bit more DEF, which is understandable with the higher hp and tq of the newer trucks. I have gone through about 10 gallons of DEF in 10K miles. I do also do alot of city driving which doesnt help. But I get about 13mpg around town and about 19-20mpg at 75-80mph. Much over 80 it goes down to 18mpg and closer to 70mph its closer to 21-22mpg. Let me know if you have any more question about the 22' that I can answer for you.

Kevin

 

[acefuture]

I have a 2022 f-350 short bed with 35's and 3.55 gears that I pick up about a year ago. I bought it used with 20k miles. I now have 30k miles on the truck. I absolutely love the truck with the new updated dash, 10 speed and extra power over the 17-19' model years 450hp 925tq to 20-22 model years 475hp 1050tq. I tow a WW LE3505 with my rzr pro r from san diego to glamis through the mountains on the 8 freeway. The first time I pulled my trailer I could believe how much power the truck has. Even when slower big rigs slow me down on the hills, I can move over when it is safe and get right back up to speed on the hill. Coming down the mountain the exhaust brake and all the gears really let you keep the truck at the speed you want it at. I had a 2011 LML before this that I owned for 7 years towing this trailer. I was always amazed out how well it did towing my trailer coming for my 2005 f-250. My duramax had a 4" lift with 35"s and stock gearing deleted and tuned. The truck ran great. But it isnt even close to the power or comfortable feeling towing the trailer as my new ford. Feels more planted(not lifted yet) so that makes sense, better brakes by far. But the biggest plus is the power and gears. The truck is always in the right spot for cruising or powering up the hill.

Only thing I will say is I think these new trucks use a bit more DEF, which is understandable with the higher hp and tq of the newer trucks. I have gone through about 10 gallons of DEF in 10K miles. I do also do alot of city driving which doesnt help. But I get about 13mpg around town and about 19-20mpg at 75-80mph. Much over 80 it goes down to 18mpg and closer to 70mph its closer to 21-22mpg. Let me know if you have any more question about the 22' that I can answer for you.

Kevin

Awesome, really appreciate the feedback. It's selling me on it even more. 

The main thing I'm trying to wrap my head around is what potential issues am I looking at with these newer truck and what have owners experienced? Seems like majority of guys I've talked to have been more than happy. But I have heard a few horror stories of trans going out at very low miles.

 

[acefuture]

Might want to weigh that beast....you could be surprised.... my 30 ft extreme bumper pull was 13k with a rzr and a quad and no water.... 

Yea I'm going to. It's stickered at 7500 uvgw, but we all know about WW and their "sticker weights" Im guessing closer to 9500, then with my car, water, and garbarge another 5k. I think it'll land around 15k. The guy im buying it from has owned it and towed it for many many years with his 2014 6.7 

 

[Yfzkevin]

Awesome, really appreciate the feedback. It's selling me on it even more. 

The main thing I'm trying to wrap my head around is what potential issues am I looking at with these newer truck and what have owners experienced? Seems like majority of guys I've talked to have been more than happy. But I have heard a few horror stories of trans going out at very low miles.

Trust me I totally understand. I was a little worried about this as well. I came from an LML that had the cp4 blow and the TCM take a crap on me at different times. Was around $13-14k to fix. Last thing I wanted to do was jump into another problem child. I did alot of research and read alot of reviews. It seems like the motors are good to go, the 10 speed trans seems to be much better in the 22's over the 20 and 21 model years. One thing I did was I bought my truck from a dealer and bought a ford certified warranty that covers everything till 2030 or 100k miles for $3k. Worse case warranty covers it best case I spend $3k to make sure my truck was covered for 7 years.

 

[zilla68]

Awesome, really appreciate the feedback. It's selling me on it even more. 

The main thing I'm trying to wrap my head around is what potential issues am I looking at with these newer truck and what have owners experienced? Seems like majority of guys I've talked to have been more than happy. But I have heard a few horror stories of trans going out at very low miles.

2017 f250 diesel just in shop 3 weeks ago for dpf cracked 4k i think it was, leaking 2 piece oil pan, it was like 2500 or something crazy, got it back now have injectors making tons of noise. took it back they said it needs an updated tune, ford did a reflash, noise went away, 3 weeks later its back going to shop again tonite. it had 55k on it and now has 80k