OK so, I'm going to ask a couple questions. Before I ask anything I need to be clear. I will NOT be selling my Ranger.

Now that we have 2 kids, the wife is trying to talk me into an Excursion. This won't be happening right away, since I'm NOT selling my Ranger. Gotta save a little.

I need to know what's a better set up. The 7.3 with 4-spd or the 6.0 with 5-spd. I'll probably be buying one with some miles (like many low mile exist) and will eventually have a motor built. Something I plan on handing down rather than resell.

I just want a small lift, custom bumpers, and 35-37's? This will be the family vehicle and used for road trips as well.

I know everybody likes the 7.3, but what would get me the best mpg with that set up?

Pros and Cons of both please

7.3 is a lot more dependable unless your willing to spend at least 4-6k bulletproofing the 6.0 (check out this write up for info on that http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/gen...-6-0l-psd.html) but stock for stock or even with minor bolt ons like a intake exhaust and programmer it is extremely hard to get past functionality and proven durability of the 7.3L in my book

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2007 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
2003 Explorer front end swap, 7/8 drop, 2.3L 5 speed 4.10's LSD
2007 Yamaha Dragstar

Well the 7.3 is a Dinosaur it has no guts but it will pull down a house and they will last forever with regular maintenance but the 6.0 being in the first few years of production they had problems with them. IMO I'd try an find a 6.0 that has been bulletproofed if you can't find one of them go with the 7.3

Sent from my iPhone 5 using FRF App

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Black 2008 ranger sport 4.0 SOHC SAS'd and converted to 4x4 riding on a Dana 50 up front and a sterling 10.50 in the rear regeared with 5.13's, mickey thompson classic 3's rapped in 37x12.50 maxxis creepy crawlers

Having owned a few diesel in my time I'll tell you now that they ALL have their issues. Now if your looking for reliability no doubt go with the 7.3. It will take you where ever you need to go and if you treat it right it will treat you right.
The 6.0 has more issues than most but years of experimenting they have came along way with the bulletproofing. Me personally I would rather buy one that's not bulletproofed and use that to talk the guy down on his price. You can find 6.0 excursions on cl that say motor issues selling cheap that's what you want cuz 9 time out of ten it's gonna be hpop. Also with a 6.0 they have been known to crack heads that's all adds up and a new motor if you end up with one that's trashed is 15k. And also to work on the 6.0 you have to remove the body from the chassis. I could go on all day so what in saying i would go with a 7.3 but 6.0s are not the end of the world either.

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1995 Rclb 2.3 4x4
06 mirrors 06 tails
SAS leaf spring dana 30
33x1250 duratracs on 15x10 dwindows
5% tint all around. New paint coming this fall

6.0's are pretty damn snotty, but like everyone said they've got known reliability issues you should adress. they are also a big pain in the ass to work on, so labor costs (or the time you spend working on it) go up alot.

7.3's are more reliable, and they can be built to be fairly powerfull without a ton of work. however they usually cost ALOT more than a 6.0, even if the 7.3 has a ton of miles or is beat to death. almost every ford diesel fan (or IH diesel fan) wants a 7.3 powerstroke.

personally i would lean towards a 7.3, but that's not to say i would totally be against a 6.0. my neighbor's got a very mean 6.0 F350 that runs like a raped ape.

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2000 XLT 4X4, 3.0, Auto, regular cab - throttle cable mod, K&N drop in filter, taylor thundervolt 8.2 plug wires, autolite sparkplugs, Accel coil pack, AVS Ventshades, Rampage LED tailgate light bar, BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires, Trail F/X toolbox, cruse control pod light fix, Cobra 19 ultra II CB, lil wil antenna, pioneer door speakers, expo woodgrain radio bezal, 06+ mirrors & tails, powerdome hood

2000 XLT 4X4 Offroad, 4.0 / auto, supercab - the project truck!

With the excursion 6.0 first hand experience it gets 13mpg with the cruise control set at 65 mph for 300-400 miles. That is bone stock. I can't imagine the 7.3 would be any better on fuel, but the 6.0 feels like it has a ton more power as well. Known issues aside, I would prefer the 6.0

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2003 Reg cab, short bed, 2.3L/5 speed

This says it all

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2007 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
2003 Explorer front end swap, 7/8 drop, 2.3L 5 speed 4.10's LSD
2007 Yamaha Dragstar

7.3 hands down.

Sent from my galaxy s3 using FRF App

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White 2011 XL Reg Cab | Tint | 2.3L | Daily

2001 Ford F250 4x4 lariat 7.3L | Tint | 5" turbo back exhaust | Riff Raff 6637 intake | Hydra | Glowshift gauges | 6.5 lift | 20x14 | 36x15.50's

7.3 for the mother *ucking win

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2010 Fx4 F150
2003 Ford SVT Cobra
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Offroad =====SOLD
5.0 V8 with L/S 4.10's and a lot of other crap

7.3 for sure.

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

7.3 for sure

if you buy the 6.0 bullet proof it which means
EGR and EGR cooler delete stronger head studs and at head gaskets and your good to go then it's a great number
go check out powerstroke help on YouTube great tips for powerstrokes

sent from my iPhone 5....PSH!!! I don't have money for a iPhone 5

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

The plot thickens. F-250 with a 6-spd manual? Hmmm

Just depends on wat ya want...I've got a 6.0 and love it...very few 7.3s that will keep up with it...but I've put some money into to make safe and fast...if ur looking for something to buy and not worry about get the 7.3..looking to go fast get the 6.0....

Basically what he said. 7.3's are built to be reliable where as the 6.0 is built for speed (if certain things have been taken care of) 7.3's are all great motors 6.0's are hit or miss, you either get a good one or a bad one.

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2010 Fx4 F150
2003 Ford SVT Cobra
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Offroad =====SOLD
5.0 V8 with L/S 4.10's and a lot of other crap

I would beg to differ
ford didnt build the 6.0 for speed
they built it for pulling power and to still work even when it has had the fuck beat out of it
and all engines are hit or miss btw
I've had my fair share of bad 7.3

sent from my iPhone 5....PSH!!! I don't have money for a iPhone 5

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff