be prepared to spend alot more than a few hundred. the oil coolers are shit, the injectors crap out. heads suck, the egr system is a known failure point. look for international all the way. I personally have a 99 dodge. i agree with the pile of shit they are, i.e axles electrical, brakes,etc. 320,000 on the engine tho and ive only replaced one injection pump, 2 thermostats, and a waterpump. o and a starter last week sorry. im original owner as well. you cant beat an inline six with fewer moving parts and all moving in one direction. go cummins! but if your stuck with ford i wold try and get the international anyday