7.3's are cheaper and easier to fix? i'm not so sure about that one. you can chage the injectors on an vp 24 valve dodge in 2 hours max. you can't even get to the injectors on a 7.3L in two hours. 24 valve injectors are less expensive also. there is plenty of aftermarket for both. if you want a truck to haul with get a cummins, i dont care if its a 12v or a 24v both are strong. like stated before you'll want to keep an eye on your tranny, if your torque converter starts sliping get a triple disc converter and a valve body in there and you'll be ready to go. also you can put an inline helper pump in so if your lift pump goes out you won't burn up your vp44.
do yourself a vavor and buy the cummins.