5.9 Cummins or 7.3 PowerStroke

jwerdy

Member
Im looking for a diesel truck to pull goose neck and our bumper camper, both 24'. Like to stay with regular cab long box. Trying to find a 5.9 94'-05' Dodge regular cab long box is very difficult. However i do see more 98'-03' 7.3 Fords long box regular cab models for sale. Whats your opinion on each, and MPG numbers. Thanks.
 
I run a 97 12 valve with a 5 speed. The Cummins is a simpler design and as far as the P-pump 5.9 is concerned, bullet proof.
Common rail 5.9's are reliable too. VP 5.9's from 98.5-02 can be reliable with improved lift pumps.
I'd take a inline diesel over a v8 diesel for towing any day. But that's me.
 
go with cummins ,. the 5.9 and the 7.3 are the only ones I would buy from either maker ,,.although motor ,, they are problematic ,, the cummins is trouble free ,. the 7.3 is good long life
 
Which one works best for You will depend entirely on how it was maintained & driven by the previous owners!
Too many cowboys beat the daylights out of their trucks for internet bragging rights.

Either the 7.3 PSD or Cummins 5.9 should do the job for you. There's some things about the "OBS" Fords
that are better than the later '99-'03 Super-Duties with 7.3's. Yes the Super-Duties are intercooled and
have a bit more HP but the Super-Duty intercooler fits the OBS trucks too.

I think the Ford's had a better manual trans, neither company had a good automatic back then.

It's getting really hard to find a decent older truck, they've all had too many birthdays!
 
Either is a good engine with the
Cummins maybe being a bit better. The
Ford will give you a better riding more
reliable chassis I believe.
 
I have both, a 2002 F250 with a 7.3 and a 2003 Dodge with a 5.9 I like both, my wife says the dodge rides better. My Ford is a extended cab short bed and the dodge is a 4 door dually. The cummins gets a little better mileage, about 2 mpg better. The Ford has about 160000 miles and the Dodge has about 180000. I don't want to part with either.
 
I know the very first 7.3 liter diesels had issues with erosion of the cylinder walls from within the water jacket, as my father in law went through two engines in his 1990 Ford F-250. The first went to about 66,000 miles and the second went for just under 100,000 miles. His use was for only about 15 percent pulling a livestock trailer or a light duty implement trailer. The other 85 percent the truck had nothing behind it. This was NOT a Powerstroke, though, and as I recall, the first year of the 7.3 liter diesel in the Fords. Can the experts out there indicate if this issue or eroding cylinder walls on the water jacket side was resolved or remedied in the 7.3 liter Powerstrokes? I do love the sound of those 7.3 liter Powerstrokes! Those who I do know who have the 7.3 liter Powerstroke seem to be quite satisfied with their trucks and the engine and use them mostly to pull 5th wheel campers. Never have I had a conversation with those people on the cylinder wall erosion. I have an uncle who has a Ford F-250 with the 7.3 liter Powerstroke. The only pulling he does with the truck is relatively short distances. I do know the truck has a lot of miles on the odometer.

My father does have a 2004 Dodge with the High Output 5.9 liter Cummmins engine, which he purchased new. The engine has delivered flawless service to him and he does not drive it excessively because it is the truck he uses to pull a 32.5 foot 5th wheel camper with 3 slides. Dad was a dedicated GM customer for a number of years until he had repeated problems with automatic transmissions. He then switched to Ford trucks in the mid 1980's until 1998, then switched to Dodge. He has been satisfied with his Mopar trucks, especially his diesel. His only comment is he feels the Dodge diesel should deliver a bit better fuel economy. I only aggravate the issue when I tell him my 2002 Chevrolet with Duramax gets up to about 20 mpg on long hauls, averaging 60 mph, while his Dodge is around 17 mpg.

A friend of mine, who owned a diesel repair and specialty shop, used to say that 5.9 Cummins would long outlive the body on the pickup truck it was in. That engine is classified as an Industrial duty engine, while Ford and GM have automotive duty engines. I know the Cummins engine weighs more than the Powerstroke (or Duramax), and that figure might be something like 400 to 500 pounds. It seems this added weight does necessitate more attention to the front end on the Dodge versus the others, with respect to shocks, tires and inflation pressures and rotation, and perhaps some other issues. I also know the transmission service interval on the Dodge automatics of this vintage truck are more frequent, as compared to the other brands. I believe they specify fluid and filter changes at 24,000 miles, whereas the other brands might be something like 50,000 miles. I change more often than that simply because fluid and filters are inexpensive as compared to tranny rebuilds. The 5.9 liter is in agricultural equipment, construction equipment, medium duty trucks and buses. I have read the Cummins has a design life of 300,000 miles, while the Ford and GM diesel engines have a design life of 250,000 miles. While I have never attempted to run a race or compared hauling abilities of my Chevrolet against my dad's Dodge, I know neither one is a slouch. The Dodge is rated 325 hp and 180 lb. ft. of torque more than my Chevrolet. The Dodge has around 90,000 miles on the odometer and my Chevrolet has 73,000 miles. The quad cab on the Dodge lacks some back seat room, as compared to the Ford or Chevrolet crew cabs.

I know I told you more about the Dodge, versus the Ford, and that you were not asking anything about the GM diesels, but I thought it was worthwhile sharing what I knew from my own experience and what my father's experiences have been.
 
My feelings on this is why feed 8 when 6 will do more . I have a 95 one ton 4x4 chab and chassis Dodge and the only thing i do not like is NO LOCK OUT HUBS. It rides nice you set well , ya have leg room . Have i had any major problems No for a truck as old as it is , yes i had to do the brake and fuel lines and the ft hub bearings .stupid idea there.
 
I have a 99 f35 and a 99 f450, both 7.3psd. rock solid engines. Find the latest one you can. 99-2003 in any case.

I pull goosenecks full of hay or tractors, no issues.
 
funny you say, i have a 2004 dodge dulley single cab slt model, 5.9 cummins, with only 89k on spedo.. i like to take motor and put in a ford, [since ford couldn't do back then, contract with ih] i like the motor, hate the truck, only dodge i have owned, paid $21k,was told can get $15k for it..it's a 2 wd, r-v hitch
a213528.jpg
 
i had a 1993 ford with the 7.3 engine, first year they called them power-stroke, also had 1994, 2000,with 7.3,,, good motors and trucks,a 2003 ford with the 6.0, so-so on that motor...
 
Both are dependable engines. Some feel
the 7.3 has a bit more power: some
feel the cummins gets better mpg (it
is smaller with 2 less cylinders) .
It may boil down to which cab /
chassis you believe will last as long
as the engine.
 
I'm not sure about the 6.9, but the 7.3, 7.3 Powerstroke, 6.0 Powerstroke, and 6.4 Powerstroke all had applications in International medium duty trucks. I know for sure that the T444 (7.3 powerstroke) powered trucks have a good reputation and longevity. -Andy
 

I'm happy with my 2k 7.3 6-speed, manual hubs, manual transfer case and solid front axle. Not much to really go wrong.

My issues have been age related or normal wear and tear items. Can't tell you accurate MPG since I do so many short trips and idling and trailer towing.

Nothing wrong with 5.9, just know the automatics were junk and the 5-speed was prone to losing 5th gear.
 
Around here the Cummins is a longer life far more trouble free engine. 10 years ago I owned a
tire/repair shop. We maintained a group of fleet trucks for a local co. They were running fords
with 7.3's. We had a ford mechanic just to keep them running. They have since gotten rid of all
fords, gone to duramax and cummins. The late duramax have been far more trouble free than the 7.3.
Cummins are running close to the GMC as far as miles per running dollar. If I had to choose
Between the 2, it would deffinatly be the Dodge.
 
i owned a 94 with the 5.9 and drove a company truck with a 7.3 it was a 96 both rigs had over 200 grand on the speedometer so they were driven some, the 7.3 had sensor problems at least every 6 months, just by seat of the pants feel with a trailer on the 5.9 cummins would out pull the 7.3 any day, the cummins will need a water pump between 150 and 200 thousand miles, beyond that they just sit there and run, wish i had another one
 
The dodge autos are easily upgradable and the transmissions behind the 7.3, although better weren't so much better so as to make a decision based on that. The 48re behind 03-07 5.9's had a good rep overall. Only downfall there is it's only a 4 speed but it'll haul anything.
The 5th gear issue with the NV4500 is overhyped. It does happen but there is a repair for it. Fords 5 speed is ok but it has an aluminum case so I don't think it can handle as much abuse, in my opinion.
 
The '94-1/2 to '97 PSD's were not intercooled, only the '99 to '03 Super-Duty 7.3's. No '98 model year F-250/350/450's.

The 6.9 & 7.3 IDI's were an O-K engine too, just short on power. For instance, a 300-6 with a carb was rated 120 HP, with EFI 140 HP. Carb'd 302 about 140 HP, 351 2 bbl about 160, 351 4bbl 180 HP, 351 EFI 185 hp. The 6.9 IDI was around 160 HP, 7.3 175-180. Even the 7.3 PSD'S FROM '94-1/2 TO '97 were only 210 HP per Ford.

With chips and tuners you can make a lot more HP than stock, also burn lots more fuel and break more parts.
 
The 6.9L IDI engine was used from '83 until '87, IH increased bore to 7.3L in '88 till model year '94. Ford played around with making an aftermarket turbo available on the 7.3 in '93 & '94. About mid-year '94 the PowerStroke was released but not yet called PowerStroke. Even though bore & stroke is the same ABSOLUTELY NO PARTS interchange between a 7.3 IDI and 7.3 PSD. The IDI engines were the ones with the worst cavitation erosion because even though IH told Ford about the issue and the required use of supplemental coolant additives, Ford decided not to include the information in the owner's manual. By the time the PSD came out it finally was in the manual, at least it was in my '96. By '99 with the intercooled engines I can't say I ever heard of a 7.3 block eroding a pin hole, the recommended coolant additive was a good fix of the problem.

If you want to educate yourself, Google cavitaion erosion and read all you want for several weeks. It can happen to any brand of diesel engine. About the only common trait among engines that tend to cavitate is they have high cylinder pressure and temperature.
 
(quoted from post at 09:06:14 02/11/16) The '94-1/2 to '97 PSD's were not intercooled, only the '99 to '03 Super-Duty 7.3's. No '98 model year F-250/350/450's.

The 6.9 & 7.3 IDI's were an O-K engine too, just short on power. For instance, a 300-6 with a carb was rated 120 HP, with EFI 140 HP. Carb'd 302 about 140 HP, 351 2 bbl about 160, 351 4bbl 180 HP, 351 EFI 185 hp. The 6.9 IDI was around 160 HP, 7.3 175-180. Even the 7.3 PSD'S FROM '94-1/2 TO '97 were only 210 HP per Ford.

With chips and tuners you can make a lot more HP than stock, also burn lots more fuel and break more parts.

Those old non-turbos were a hoot out here in the mountains. I could see one coming from 3 miles away from the cloud of smoke following them :D Nothing worse than a non-turbo diesel in thin air.....
 
he said 98 to 03 Ford, the turbo diesels came out in 93 and the powerstrokes in 94, I have a 2001 dodge, mileage is similar to a powerstroke, the Ford will be a little fancier but the 5.9 has treated me pretty well, to me it would be as matter of what you can get the best deal on
 
(quoted from post at 20:15:49 02/02/16) Im looking for a diesel truck to pull goose neck and our bumper camper, both 24'. Like to stay with regular cab long box. Trying to find a 5.9 94'-05' Dodge regular cab long box is very difficult. However i do see more 98'-03' 7.3 Fords long box regular cab models for sale. Whats your opinion on each, and MPG numbers. Thanks.

cost a bit more but a 041/2 or 05 dodge were pretty much the best they ever built if you get a 041/2 or a 2005 hi/output with a nv5600 hand shaker and a jake and 373 axles thats about as good as it gets
 
Have 1996 Dodge cummins, RWD,standard cab 8' box, 178,000 miles. Purchased 18 yrs ago. Only work was towing my 34' RV. Plan to sell in about 2 weeks as I purchased
another Dodge w/crew cab & 4x4. Got 18 mph running truck only and 12.5 pulling RV. Have added BD exhaust manifold, Mag-Hytech deep tranny pan and diff/cover.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top