Faults:

Front hub wore out.

Overhead console repair.

Neutral safety switch.

Glow plug relay.

General Comments:

Absolutely by far the best engineered, manufactured, high quality vehicle I have ever owned. I have driven several imports off the lot new (BMW, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota), but the Ford F-250 4x4 Supercab Lariat 7.3, 3.73 gears automatic is the most comfortable and powerful. It tows my 10,000 lb boat no problem. It is now over 10 years old, no rust, (Midatlantic), clear coat is perfect, chrome is good, no leaks, no electric problems, no major mechanicals. 7.3's are said to last many hundred thousands miles. The only caveat to this is the fuel. When I bought it, diesel was less than gas. Now the opposite.

It gets:

14.8 mpg around town

20-22 mpg highway.

Faults:

Very cold natured in the winter below 20 degrees.

General Comments:

Plenty of power, and I wish Ford would have stayed with this motor.

Faults:

Nothing yet, will need new windshield and body work.

General Comments:

Runs awesome, will be adding 4" BANKS exhaust and Cold-air intake, runs and drives far superior to my old 89 f-350 4WD 7.3 diesel that I sold for $3400 to buy this one for $7100...Looking fwd to getting it fixed and on the road again. Although oil changes can be pricey, just go to PepBoys and do it yourself..~ $22.

Faults:

Three things have gone wrong with this truck. 1) the radio had a buzz in it when on. The Dealer tried 3x to fix it. It was somehow tied to the air bag system. (???) How they figured that out amazed me. Well done. 2) the switch on the door for turning the dome light on/off got stuck. A bit of WD-40 (light oil) sprayed into the switch fixed it. 3) A support wire in the seat back broke. I let it go as it made the seat more comfortable for me. So maybe that is a thing gone right.

General Comments:

The truck has been great. Ford knows how to built trucks. I have little derogatory to say. I have made modifications to the truck; changed the rear end ratio, added an extra leaf spring, added a locking differential and Class IV trailer hitch. If I could do things again, I would get a truck with the ratio I wanted and had a locking differential from the factory. For all those who are thinking of changing the rear axle, remember to had the engine computer re-flashed to making it most efficient. I did not know that when I change the rear end and went 3 yrs before I was told.

The performance is adequate for my needs. I bought as a hauler for odds and ends and as a daily commuter. The transmission is a 5 speed manual, but 1st is so low, I only use it with a FULL load in back. I test drove a diesel with a 6spd manual and liked it better than the 5-speed. If you live in a snowy climate, you will need to get at least a locking differential with a 2wd. A 4wd would be best if you can afford the expense and lesser gas mileage. I have the 2wd.

The brakes are a bit weak for my liking. The acceleration is weak too. But it is a truck and I did not buy for the track. The engine is smooth and reliable. The oil filter is very easy to reach. Ford did well for maintenance ease. The mileage has been approx 16mpg for all of time, (mostly city as I do not take the truck on long trips due to poor gas mileage.)

The interior is satisfactory. As the trim level is XL, there are no bells or whistles. The expanse of vinyl make things ease to clean for such. The parts fit together nicely, but look cheap.

In short, this truck fits the bill as a work truck or a real man's truck. It is not for the prissy or the arrogant. I got it new for under $17,000 USD, a real steal. Well done Ford, well done.