Buying a diesel truck

[jackelope]

There is a relocation kit for some 04 and older trucks to move the lift pump into the tank if it does crap out. There was a mid-model year split whether they were frame mounted or in tank.

[Special T]

That is what I did Jackalope I did it with the dealer and it worked out well. Unfortuantly most aftermarket desile shops like the frame mounted ones so they can use higher pressure lift pumps. I think a really cool one is about $150-200 or so but they still have the same kind of draw back that the stock one had.

[mathewsbow4elk]

97 powerstroke with 35s and 4 inch lift best ever was 16mpg.... had an 07 dodge mega with 5.9 with auto avg 16-17 mpg.... did get 24 with it once driving in 4x4 on I-5 in a foot of snow one year but top speed was 45mph, everett to portland. On the 97 powerstroke have upgraded the air intake and gone to 4 inch exhaust and programmer in tow haul mode but no fuel milage improvements..... kind of surprised.... overall was pretty disappointed in the towing perforance in both of them compared to my 460 ford gasser, really expected them to tow much better, neither one is a powerhouse and fuel economy dropped drastically once you start towing (25ft toy hauler loaded, bumper pull) avg 9 or 10mpg in both dodge and 7.3 powerstroke while towing, and 45-50 mph over snoqualamie pass loaded.

[RG]

An issue that will eventually be a problem on the newer Ford powerstrokes is that the cab has to be removed from the frame to get to the top, or at least the top rear of the engine.  Not many guys have a high ceiling and hoist in their shop and it has to add a big $ to the bill when it comes to having it done at a garage.  I heard that from a mechanic at the Snohomish County mainenance shop then saw it in person at Bickford Ford in Snohomish.  Hopefully they have to have a lot of miles on them before that becomes necessary but, wow.  I like Fords but I can work on my Dodge in my driveway.

[netcoyote]

An issue that will eventually be a problem on the newer Ford powerstrokes is that the cab has to be removed from the frame to get to the top, or at least the top rear of the engine.  Not many guys have a high ceiling and hoist in their shop and it has to add a big $ to the bill when it comes to having it done at a garage.  I heard that from a mechanic at the Snohomish County mainenance shop then saw it in person at Bickford Ford in Snohomish.  Hopefully they have to have a lot of miles on them before that becomes necessary but, wow.  I like Fords but I can work on my Dodge in my driveway.

 
That has got to be the worst vehicle design in automotive history! That looks like a design by a committee with a consensus vote. Certainly no mechanics on the committee...

[huntnphool]

An issue that will eventually be a problem on the newer Ford powerstrokes is that the cab has to be removed from the frame to get to the top, or at least the top rear of the engine.  Not many guys have a high ceiling and hoist in their shop and it has to add a big $ to the bill when it comes to having it done at a garage.  I heard that from a mechanic at the Snohomish County mainenance shop then saw it in person at Bickford Ford in Snohomish.  Hopefully they have to have a lot of miles on them before that becomes necessary but, wow.  I like Fords but I can work on my Dodge in my driveway.

LMAO!!! I don't know where you guys come up with some of this stuff but it sure is entertaining.

 I have had my entire 7.3L out and I can assure you the cab did not need to be removed.................thats pretty funny though.

[Caseyd]

An issue that will eventually be a problem on the newer Ford powerstrokes is that the cab has to be removed from the frame to get to the top, or at least the top rear of the engine.  Not many guys have a high ceiling and hoist in their shop and it has to add a big $ to the bill when it comes to having it done at a garage.  I heard that from a mechanic at the Snohomish County mainenance shop then saw it in person at Bickford Ford in Snohomish.  Hopefully they have to have a lot of miles on them before that becomes necessary but, wow.  I like Fords but I can work on my Dodge in my driveway.

LMAO!!! I don't know where you guys come up with some of this stuff but it sure is entertaining.

 I have had my entire 7.3L out and I can assure you the cab did not need to be removed.................thats pretty funny though.

He did say newer fords 

[huntnphool]

An issue that will eventually be a problem on the newer Ford powerstrokes is that the cab has to be removed from the frame to get to the top, or at least the top rear of the engine.  Not many guys have a high ceiling and hoist in their shop and it has to add a big $ to the bill when it comes to having it done at a garage.  I heard that from a mechanic at the Snohomish County mainenance shop then saw it in person at Bickford Ford in Snohomish.  Hopefully they have to have a lot of miles on them before that becomes necessary but, wow.  I like Fords but I can work on my Dodge in my driveway.

LMAO!!! I don't know where you guys come up with some of this stuff but it sure is entertaining.

 I have had my entire 7.3L out and I can assure you the cab did not need to be removed.................thats pretty funny though.

He did say newer fords 

And if you read through the thread you will see that he can only spend $26K, pretty much leaves "newer Fords" out of the conversation.

[toothfangclaw]

I say, buy a older emissions exempt truck without a motor and convert to a diesel.


Edit : just realized he is financing it.

[RG]

An issue that will eventually be a problem on the newer Ford powerstrokes is that the cab has to be removed from the frame to get to the top, or at least the top rear of the engine.  Not many guys have a high ceiling and hoist in their shop and it has to add a big $ to the bill when it comes to having it done at a garage.  I heard that from a mechanic at the Snohomish County mainenance shop then saw it in person at Bickford Ford in Snohomish.  Hopefully they have to have a lot of miles on them before that becomes necessary but, wow.  I like Fords but I can work on my Dodge in my driveway.

LMAO!!! I don't know where you guys come up with some of this stuff but it sure is entertaining.

 I have had my entire 7.3L out and I can assure you the cab did not need to be removed.................thats pretty funny though.

Well, go to your local Ford dealership and check with the service department.  I stood there and watched what they were doing while they explained it to me.  I don't need to make this stuff up, just passing on what the guys who do it told me.  It was probably a 2010 or 2011 truck or somewhere near that age.

[Mudman]

I dont know whats up with your ford but I promise it will take a very well built 460 gasser to pull like my 2001 7.3 and it will probably get 5mpg with the blower!!!!  9 miles a gallon,  really?  Something aint right there!  Removing the superduty cab is actually pretty darn easy, talk to ford mech.  Its ingenious really. 

[Fowlweather25]

Cab removal is on the 6.0 to replace head studs. Jeeze you guys need to do more research. This cracks me up.

[Yak-NDN]

Yes it is on the 6.0  and the newer F150 also. I have had three 6.0's my 03 made it 30k miles with lots of problems my 04 made it 27k miles with lots of problems and my 05 had 140k miles with little problems i do miss my 7.3. Now I am trying the new 6.7.   

[6x6in6]

Cab removal is on the 6.0 to replace head studs. Jeeze you guys need to do more research. This cracks me up.

I was wondering when someone was going to correct that cab removal statement.

[muleyman]

You can actually pull the front core support out on the 6.0l and pull the motor out the front but lifting the cab is the easiest if you have access to a lift.  You can also replace the head gaskets with motor in the truck its just a pita.  For a ford though your best bet is 7.3.