If your looking at 7.3's look for oil in coolant (common problem craked oil cooler) $1400.00
flashing OD lights- trans soenoid bank $1,100
slight trans shutter......torque converter, dont have the cost on that one yet, still waiting for the bill, but I'm shure it'll be $1000+
oil changes are $100.
02 f250 7.3 with 125,000 miles. I love it for mileage (18mpg unloaded),and towing power is great. and its my daily driver.

If your not dd'ing like whats been said before, older big block gassers are the way to go. I loved my 8.1/allision chevy, I'm missing it while I'm paying the bills on my 7.3, to get outta the shop.

With my current truck being in and out of the shop the last two weeks, has definately swayed me to buying an older big block gasser for a designated tow rig. I'm lucky my 7.3 made the 7 hour tow to chicago with boat for the winter before the trans issues stared.

Mild Thunder has the right idea. I bought a 1996 Chevy C3500 dually with the 6.5 diesel and 4L80 trans. I originally used it for pulling my 28' enclosed car trailer or the boat around. I since sold the car trailer and use it just for the boat. The only down side to it is the truck is a 2wd, but I put a Detroit Locker in the rear and don't have a problem pulling my boat out of the water at the local ramps. If I were to do it again, I would get either the same style of truck (BBC 96-00 4WD dually crew cab) or get a 2001-2007 Chevy/GMC dually with the 496 engine. I have compared the MPG of the gas vs diesel and for the fuel cost difference it is a wash. I am leery of the Hemi, because everybody that has that engine says it is a fuel pig. It might get worse mileage than the boat. The 7.3 is a good engine, but I think you can find a GM that will do the same for less $$$$

Don't walk RUN!!!!!

I have had many of the combinations of gas SRW, diesel SRW, diesel DRW, gas DRW all in the lower end price range. Best gas for me was the 8.1 496 and I had it in a 2001 2500 Suburban. Perfect for your short distance without hassle of diesel, MPGs are horrible on long hauls. That truck would do a burnout forever! Worst gas for me was Ford 460 in a 95 DRW 4dr long bed. Everything leaked, exhaust NEVER sealed even with new manifolds, trans sucked so did power steering. For longer hauling for decent $, I like Ford 7.3 Turbo Diesel. I currently have that set-up in an 01 Excursion and it really works well for the $ spent. If going diesel stay away from 6.0 Ford and from 6.4 Ford with a lot of miles, they are not all bad but the overall consensus is a lot of issues. The newer and more expensive Ford 6.7 Diesel and Chevy Duramax are great trucks, newer gas versions aren't bad either but they will be at the upper end of the $ scale.

Chevy or GMC 2500HD with the 8100/allison. I have had 2 and they have been very good trucks.

Just picked up a 03 2500 hd with the 8.1 and Allison
Hate the xtra cab but the price was right fla truck with 100k on it
$7.500 did nothing to it just the way you see it
Hauls my 38 top gun with ease. Mpg aren't great but the boat isn't much
Better

Thanks for all the suggestions guys..my fear with the diesel was the potential repair bills whne they do occur and added to the fact i just dont drive the truck very much i was worried about it sitting. I think i will loof for Chevy/GMC with the 8.1/Allison Transmission set up.

I don't need to tell you this, but you got a GREAT deal. That's easily a $10-12K truck.

Lot of high mileage 6.4's that have had the proper reliability mods done and are very good trucks.

Was just reading a thread on the dieselstop (or powerstroke.org) about higher mileage 6.4's. Get the radiator fixed, do the deletes and have a wonderful truck. More high maintenance than a 7.3 - absolutely, but I love mine. My delete pipe is going on this weekend.

Agreed. I had same situation. I pulled a 342 with a 2000 F350 4x4 DRW V10. Just sold it a few weeks ago. Well within your price range.