HELP Please im new to this and could use some help! 3rdGen 5.9,6.0l or 7.3???

[s10pete]

Hey guys I'm looking into buy a new truck before or after I get back from bootcamp,mct and my MOS training. I'm goin to be driving/working on big rigs that being said I'm unsure weather I want a 3rd gen Cummins(preferably 6speed), a 99+ 7.3, or a 6.0 powerstroke.

Reasons for wanting a...

3rd gen because there easy to work on and I've heard good things about the motors the only negative thing I'm seeing is its in a dodge and there trannys suck, front ends aren't the best. But I think I could make some good hp out of one.

7.3l reliable I hear a lot of good things from them. Even been told by thoughs Chevy guys that if I'm goin with powerstroke to get one. But there getting kinda out dated, hard to find with low miles for a decent price. And I'm not sure if making 400-600hp would be as cheap as doing it to a Cummins. Kind of my last resort pick.

6.0l- you hear horror stories and everyone ****s on them but I no ones you fix the problems which every truck has there pretty good trucks. I like them I know a lot of people with them and they don't have many issues. I'd like a heavier truck so I could hook bumpers with those Chevy guys and tow them down the rd. Which I don't no if Cummins is capable of doing.

I know I will be working on a lot of inlined 6 cylinder engines so I was leaning towards Cummins. But Ive always been a ford guy. I'm goin to be doing alot of driving back and forth from home to the base and to work. And towing trailors with dirtbikes, skid steers, mini's, car trailers, ect. I want something reliable and somewhat fast. I'd like to eventually get 400-600hp. I'm goin to be buying a quad cab short bed, crew cab short bed or ext. cab short bed because of family if that makes any difference at all

I know this is a powerstroke forum I'm just looking for opinions and advice I'm sure some of you guys have deltt with a 3rd gen at somepoint and know of all of the problems that I could face. Thanks for reading. Feed backs well appreciated.

 

[RedRice589]

Well a 6.0 is going to be the easier to get ahold of for a good price. Im not personally a 7.3 fan butat times you can't beat ol' reliable. I yhink cummins are overrated and overpriced. But they're all good motors once they have some work done.

 

[ghohouston]

7.3's are a fairly reliable motor, 6.0's CAN be reliable if you stud, egr delete and make sure you keep very close watch of whats going on under the hood, fuel pressure, ect v eot and whatnot. I personally am a fan of all diesels, including cummins. Theyre reliable, sound the best out of all diesels second to 7.3 imo. To be honest, ive worked on all, and I have never seen a cummins with bad injectors. 6.0's, i cant tell you how many injectors i have replaced, 7.3's will have an injector every now and then. Honestly every cummins ive ever driven has felt much more powerful than powerstrokes. Im not bashing any engine though, all can be reliable

 

[POWER-STRUCK]

its hard to beat a 7.3 for reliabilty and ease of repair but if you want cheap easy hp get a 6.4 and do a delete and don't go too far on the tune!

 

[7.3 Whitey]

Right now 6.0s are way cheaper. And you can't bend the dealer on what you want him to do before you buy. E.g. oil cooler, etc. Cummins cr 5.9, torque monster actually not a lot of long term power. Most people running over 450 w just a tune burn holes in their pistons. 7.3 you are going to want a l99-01 to avoid PMR rods. Only last about 60k once you put power to a PMR