I remember posting about this on this here forum. I had a 96 PSD. Loved the truck and I wish I never sold it, but I'll be honest, you don't need a diesel to tow a little ski boat.
Mine had forged internals, but, the powder metal motors were introduced with six bolt mains.. that doesn't indicate weaker capabilities.
My future brother in law has an early 99 with 70k miles on the ticker. Awesome truck, has the forged bottom end with the right turbo and injectors plus the addition of an intercooler.
They changed the bore and stroke in 99.5 but I can't remember which way they went.
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One dosen't need a diesel pickup to tow a lil ski boat, HOWEVER, Mines an econo-box, 22 on the highway, 17-18 pulling the boat @ 70 mph. A/C blows out icecubes in 115*+ heat. And its just broke in- 493,000 miles. ('96 crewcab 2 wd)
I pull a 6%+ grade 'tween the river and the house, @ 70

(18 miles, 12 uphill)
Bore and stroke remain the same from the earlier N/A 7.3 ~'88, 444 cu. in.
6.oh-oh changed everything
SocalPSD-
Theres some decent takeouts if ya look around- and seen a '99+ 1 ton flatbed go for $1200, 120k on the clock
Daniel