I think the 7.3 is a nice motor. I think a large SUV like the FORD or Chevy Suburban is a gift and they are very comfortable to drive. I had a 97 Sub for a couple of years and it was like driving my livingroom couch.
The only problem with these rigs is they pack a lot of stuff under the hood and combine in technology and they become a real PIA to work on. My dream rig is a mid 70's Suburban with a Cummins 5.9 transplant.
This is my 97 that I had which I converted to run WVO.

Next family rig! Hey its only 6 feet longer than the Suburban was!

__________________
Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

they pile it high in texas dont they
but then again at 6' 5" 330 lbs it makes quite a pile in NH tooooo.........

__________________
commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

Should see my middle bro pack into the 240D That's a laugh riot.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

You are so right. The builder sucked. It was the dealer.

__________________
1979 240d 216k (W123) Daily Driver
Volvo 245DL 210k

1979 300D FOR SALE
2002 Tahoe 91k FOR SALE

1980 300sd 177k (W116) Sold
1980 300sd Parts (W116) Junked
1979 240D 121k (W123) Sold
1982 300TDT 298K (W123) (Sold)

Your first statement is your opinion, and I don't aggree with it. We have 3 kids. We also have a Honda Mini van and when you put everyone in and start to put stuff in, then you run out of room fast. You want your kids in the 3rd seat, thats your choice. Me, I like room, and thats what you get with a Suburban. There is a reason they exist today and they aren't going anywhere for a while.

__________________
Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

I'm nearly speechless at that comment. There is no reasoning with somebody as stubborn and ignorant as you have presented yourself in that comment.

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Wow, I started quite the discussion.

Here is what I want.

Something big enough for a growing family.
Four wheel drive for the winters here.
Enough ground clearance to make it a little farther into the woods than my Subaru.
Big enough to haul 3 adult men with all the hunting gear.
Enough snot to haul a trailer with a Quad on the back.
Fuel versatility. (I'd like to mix a little WVO in with the diesel to offset cost)
Something I can hot rod a little so I can scare off the rice boxes next to me at the red light.
Something that is going to last more than 100,000 miles.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

The jeep Cherokee has a diesel option too! It's a inline 3.0 6 cylinder that gets along quite well!

You can find horror stories about EVERY manufacturer. I know quite a few PS owners, 6 and 7.3 liters and no issues more or less than any other owner. While an opinion from a pro diesel tech is interesting it can be misleading. It all depends on what vehicles the shop sees more of. Do your research and then buy what you like. Accept that all manufacturers/vehicles have issues, try to know about them in advance and make an informed decision. RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I just read about it. It is actually a MB sourced 3.0 V6.
They are also putting a diesel in the Ram 1500.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

The only vehicle that has all the items you list is the Excursion. Find a good used one with service records and get a pre purchase inspection.

Good luck.

Chris

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

I didn't know that a v6 is now available! According to my friends at Chrysler, The inline 6 was the first diesel offered! A V6 would be kinda cool too.

Whats wrong with an aluminum head? The GM diesels seem to be quite thats for sure, a lot of the contractors seem to drive the new ones so you always see them around job sites. Very quite for a diesel.

These are all $40k+ trucks, truck pricing is insane these days. Any loaded full size truck is going to be pricey.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I know you could find better, but Ford has lost so much money, you might be able to get one of these out of date dinosaurs cheap enough. I'd just hate to have to fill this thing when fuel goes up to record levels! Putting WVO continously into your Ford is not a real good idea! It tends to coke up the engine and require costly repairs!

What about an older Suburban?

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon