7.3L vs gas motors

[aklim]

But also, if i buy a cheaper truck and later i sell that cheaper truck then I'm even. and i never have to fix/maintain 4x4 parts, i get slightly better mpg, and when i pull the trans i don't have to mess with 4x4 parts.

I don't need 4x4 so why pay for it.

I guess my big question (since longetivity seems to be reasonable on the gassers) is are they any fun to drive or are they dogs?

You seem fixated on the fixing and maintaining the 4X4 system and pulling the trans. How much maintenance is there besides fluid changes? I haven't done that much. Maybe once in a long while, change fluids. I only changed the 4X4 unit because somebody crashed into me and cracked it among other things. I have only pulled the trans once and that was because of the diode that Ford gave us. How often do you think you will pull the trans and how much difference will it make that one time?

Neither do I for the most part. The few times I needed it, it came in handy. As I said, I think it might make it harder to sell the truck later and harder to find one since many are 4X4. The few times I used it and the price difference and the searching for one made me think it is a wash. I had to go 500 miles away to find a decent 7.3 Excursion. If I started getting nit picky about he 4X4, I'm sure it would have been a longer wait since most of them I saw for sale are 4X4 units.

None of them are fun to drive. I pulled a 1 place enclosed trailer up Scenic Bypass 12 at over 7000 feet. This was done with a GMC Yukon XL and a 5.3L engine with a shift kit and hot program in the ECM. I was doing 30 mph in 2nd gear at WOT. No thanx. Almost made me wet my pants. I would either have a blower added or have to put up with it at high altitude. Cheaper to get a diesel Excursion.

 

[6.0PSD777]

We have a 5.4 in the plow truck at work and i find it sackless especially when passing on the highway. Makes alot of noise and goes nowhere. The V10's go good and are reliable but are terrible on gas, although the 5.4 is not great either. The 7.3's are bulletproof and get decent fuel economy but the price of diesel is ridiculous. Thats the reason i sold my truck was due the fact that i couldn't justify driving a diesel daily (fuel price's) and i wanted an extended cab. It's your call.

 

[Stroked68]

How bout just keepin it and gettin a fuel sipper car for daily driving? Is your truck paid for? If so all yer payin is insurance on it and property tax. You will probably miss yer 7.3. Hard to come by now a days. Yea diesel is expensive but will probably get better mpg towing than a gas powered 5.4 or v10 towing. Plus those 7.3's last forever.

 

[BIG JOE]

How bout just keepin it and gettin a fuel sipper car for daily driving? Is your truck paid for? If so all yer payin is insurance on it and property tax. You will probably miss yer 7.3. Hard to come by now a days. Yea diesel is expensive but will probably get better mpg towing than a gas powered 5.4 or v10 towing. Plus those 7.3's last forever.

Purdy much sez it all.. Right There ?

Fer me anywayz.

Joe

 

[Stroked68]

Im to the point where I will probably buy a fuel sipper car like an old escort or newer focus. My gf has a 97 escort 4 door and that thing gets 40mpg on a good day and about 38 on a bad. Easy to work on.....so far. You can find used small cars cheap or if yer good with wrenching get yerself one that needs a little work. I could never get rid of my 7.3 4x4. I will just keep fixing it whenever it ever breaks down which hasnt yet. I would miss it way too much and kick myself for gettin rid of it.

 

[aklim]

Looking at 2 auto transmissions Ford F150with the 5.4 motor on Fueleconomy.gov

4WD: 14 city 17 highway average 15

2WD: 13 city 18 highway average 15.

Seems like a push to me

 

[BIG JOE]

Im to the point where I will probably buy a fuel sipper car like an old escort or newer focus. You can find used small cars cheap or if yer good with wrenching get yerself one that needs a little work. I could never get rid of my 7.3. I will just keep fixing it whenever it ever breaks down which hasnt yet. I would miss it way too much and kick myself for gettin rid of it.

AGAIN...... Right On.

Edited some () but....My think'n too.

Joe

 

[Dogman]

The wife was telling me to sell my truck untill I did a mpg check with her jeep..... The jeep gets 15mpg hwy and 12 city on a 15 gal tank. The truck gets 16 to 18 hwy and 12 to 13 city on a 38 gal tank and ride is better on the hwy.

 

[Stroked68]

I'd love to have a jeep. So expensive but all jeeps are since they are tough and very good vehicles. I think the newer v6 jeeps get alot better mpg? I'd love to have a 4 door rubicon.

 

[JLDickmon]

Here is a question for you.

Will you be able to even trade or will you have to come out with cash?

IF you have to come up with cash, figure it with interest to see how much it will cost as though you financed the deal. Now decide if that extra money will save you at the pump.

This is like a lot of people ditching their trucks after Katrina to save a few bucks. Well, they do. Problem is that they save a few bucks at the pump and lower the sticker shock but now they have a new car payment. Will you use it enough to justify the lower sticker shock at the pump?

that's a pretty good way to look at it..
Plus, who's to say that a half-ton gasser is going to be any less expensive to operate, especially when you consider:
1. Buying new, you have the note, plus interest.. AND the upkeep..
2. Buying used, you're not getting someone else's POS that you have to still fix all the damn time..