Community Forums

bmcgc · 01-19-2021, 01:27 PM

Occansionally I see a 96-ish Minnie Winnie with the Ford 7.3 diesel pop up for sale.

I really like that powerplant for a Class-C and would like to buy one.

Im playing tug-of-war with the fact that everything else on the coach is 25 years old.

For peace of mind the chassis part of the MH would need a full maintenence, fluids, belts, hoses, filters and a full suspension/steering service.

Then there is the MH part of the package. Would every trip turn into a "whats going to break this time" or, do I buy a 25 year old MH and replace all the appliances upfront and not worry about repairs?

We intend on some long trips the next few years that include a lot of high elevations. I think the diesel powerplant is the best way to go for us so Im considering options.

jackreno · 01-19-2021, 02:38 PM

How many miles on the diesel and how has it been serviced over the years including the transmission.

Its not cheap to repair a diesel you know and yes a 25 year old motorhome is going to need repaired from one end to another.

I just sold my 2008 Bounder that was in perfect condition but even at 13 years old I suspect the new owner will be repairing stuff as it goes bad in the next few years as this is normal, however 25 years old you are in to repair projects monthly..

Skip426 · 01-19-2021, 02:51 PM

For a number of years , the dealership where I worked had the service contract for the local ambulance fleet , including many years on the Ford chassis with diesel engines .
Maintenance is a nightmare , cost eventually drove the fleet operators to switch from Ford diesel, to GM diesel that was for some things worse access and time involved, and finally back to gas engines .
The manuals instructions, for some operations , say to lift the body off the chassis ; that's possible on a passenger van ; not so on an ambulance or a Class C .

bmcgc · 01-19-2021, 03:39 PM

My experience with the 7.3 diesel has been F250/F350 trucks.

They were very reliable and put out decent power.

I think 03 was the last year for the 7.3 so its been 18 years since the newest one hit the road.

tderonne · 01-19-2021, 04:47 PM

They offered the diesel option in the 24F Minnie in 2004 and 2005, that'd be a little newer. Might be the 6.0 though? I don't know when the vans changed.

dbircky · 01-19-2021, 05:13 PM

Bought a 1996 F350 with the 7.3. Almost 400k towing miles on it and the original E4OD transmission. Had a idler pulley bearing seize and throw the belt, and the fuel pump under the turbo quit. Oil changed every 5k. Tranny fluid changed every 50k. That’s all for the first 25 years of ownership.

Don’t worry about the drivetrain. The rest?

RescueRamsey · 01-19-2021, 10:57 PM

I have a 7.3 in a truck, well over 200k miles, ton of them towing. Still runs like it's new. Hell, it still smokes the tires until the 3rd gear shift.

Isaac-1 · 01-20-2021, 01:42 AM

Another happy 7.3 diesel owner here (2000 Crew cab F250)

xrcris · 01-21-2021, 09:37 AM

I've got almost 300K on my 97 (OBS) 7.3, and I guess since you're looking at this era specifically, you're already aware that it's a pretty bullet-proof design. In a van chassis, the only thing I'd really be worried about are the under-valve cover wiring harnesses and the up-pipes. There were a lot of 7.3's put in vans though, so I think you'd be able to find resources on how to address those.

As to the rest of the coach, I had an old slide-in with appliances that were 25 years old and they never fully crapped out, little things went like thermocouplers on the water heater but for the most part, they were relatively simple designs and could be fixed rather than replaced. The Norcold fridge on my 2011 just went tits up, so even buying newer isn't a guarantee that you won't have trouble.

Personally, I wouldn't have any hesitancy in picking up a decent old Ford.

sibe · 01-21-2021, 06:14 PM

some 7.3 have a few oops.. the early ones as in the early 90s are pretty ok IMO..

I did drive a 94 e350 short buss,, gutted shuttle bus apprx 22 foot, they weigh around 10.3k empty.. we loaded it with 2 harley trikes and hit the road from Allentown Pa to Naples FL.. on turbo model.. would cruise 70-80 mph once you got her rolling.. virginia hills... well 60mph ..hammered.. did avg 17.5 over 3400 mile trip..

AS for a 95-96 Minnie winnw MH portion,, I have one 29RQ..
IMO a nice unit for its day..
the 15K AC is about done in mine, more from low use and age.. runs very hi amps and trips upon restarts even with new caps and hot start, Have a new one coming .. 13.5 Power saver will work for me..

Onan 4000 , it had low hours, lost spark... did a redo and all is well..

That stuff was the worst ... well the Black tank clogs under toilet fast becasue tank is less than 6" in that area.. Learned few tricks and it is OK

Updated the converter with a smart charge module.. and added 2 more 31 deeps cells, I have about 400AH, and that is enough for me

Added a transfer switch and inverter hooked to the 400AH..

Ok those are normal stuff many update or deal with on older stuff//

What I liked was the layout with rear queen,, Entertainment up at bunk area.. easy to update to big tv,, updated the antenna booster to digital version.. Good room to shower,,
fridge needed igniter.. and i added the fan kit to inside and thermo controlled in stack.. works very very well..

Water heater has motor assist,, great to have hot water will driving or as soon as you park.

Also heater system ducted for the rear from the motor heat,, nice to have heat inside the rear ,, especially for bike week runs in march from north to florida..

blah blah.. If i found a solid diesel in a minnie, i would grab asap..