6.0 04,05,06? or 7.3

[danstruck]

I am buying a used Ford F250/350 Diesel Crew Cab. I have found a 04 with all the features I want and only 40k mi.

Is the 04 a generally problematic engine or was it just problematic at first and then got good. If so should I go with a newer year than 04? Or is the 7.3 the only reliable engine?

I've heard to go 05 or 06 ,yet what was changed in the engine and other components or other upgrades in 05/06?

How do I find out what problems if any have happened to that particular truck?

Should I buy one through a dealer where I can get an extended warrantee?

Plus the one owner used it for a 5th wheel 32ft trailer and is the tranny's on these durable enough for that use for that number of miles?

[Carssuck]

These trannys are tough stock and even tougher with a good SCT tune, don't worry about a weekend warrior camper IMO. I would be more concerned if the old owner had a power adder other than a SCT. The Edge seems to be very hard on these trannys.

For what ever it's worth my 03 had 45,000 miles on it pulling a 10,000 pound trailer every day for work and a 12,000 pound camper on the weekends and the transmission was only truly reliable part.

My 07 has 15,000 miles on it under the same condition and has been perfect except for a few new car bugs (squeaks and rattles) nothing major.

So far I would consider my 07 to be extremely reliable.