Stlbob Posted March 8, 2014 Author Posted March 8, 2014 i believe he said thats an 06' grill and bumper set up with new headlights and 05 badges Quote
Chief 2 Posted March 8, 2014 Posted March 8, 2014 If you are serious about the truck ask for an oil sample to be done. You can get the kit at NAPA. If there is any problem with the motor the oil test should show it. Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 8, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 8, 2014 My experience with 7.3's tells me that if you can get it for under 15K that's a good deal. Properly cared for there is at least another 150k miles in the drivetrain. Understand though that you are at the mileage where you will start replacing waterpump, altenator, AC compressor, idler pulleys and such. There are a couple of modifications you can do to get more performance and longevity from the engine. The 7.3's achilles heel is the number 8 injector because of the way the fuel rail is set up. You should consider a regulated return/fuel bowl delete mod. ($650 parts and an afternoon) and changing the air box to an aFe stage 2 ($400 parts and 2 hours). These are the minimum I do to all of mine and I have chipped the last 2. 1 Quote
Stlbob Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 Thanks Fishin Daddy i am going to take a look at it and take a drive..Thanks so much for the heads up on the mods..someone also told me to add 2 cycle oil to the fuel when i fill up..ever heard of that one.Supposed to be good for the injectors.the guy has a 42 gallon tank and adds a quart when he fills up.Swears it helps mileage makes the truck quieter. Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 9, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 9, 2014 Thanks Fishin Daddy i am going to take a look at it and take a drive..Thanks so much for the heads up on the mods..someone also told me to add 2 cycle oil to the fuel when i fill up..ever heard of that one.Supposed to be good for the injectors.the guy has a 42 gallon tank and adds a quart when he fills up.Swears it helps mileage makes the truck quieter. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Diesel-Kleen-Plus-Cetane-Boost-80-oz/16644702 I run it in my trucks and in all of my equipment. That's 14 diesel engines running everyday for over a year now without 1 fuel related problem. The problem is the new Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel that our gobment has forced us to burn. Diesel engines like greasy slimy diesel fuel. The ULSD is crap. It does not have enough lubricants and the cetane is 6-10 points lower than it should be. In the processing of the ULSD, they basically bubble hydrogen gas through and that strips the sulfur (which was a great lubricant) and all the other impurities out of it. It also drops the cetane count. (the octane equivalent for diesel). They are then supposed to add a lubricant and cetane booster back in, but they don't put enough. Add Diesel Kleen to your fuel and you will not believe the difference in performance. If you drive the same with added horsepower, your fuel economy will improve. I get around 2 mpg better. As far as noise goes, the only thing that quiets diesels is more fuel. At idle they are running so lean that they are barely running. With the added cetane, the burn is hotter quieting the engine noise some. The best way to quiet down a 7.3 is the regulated return mod. In the standard fuel rail of a 7.3 cylinders #1 and #8 are at the dead end of the rails. #1 is fine, but the firing sequence has #8 firing just after #7 which starves it for fuel. It is so bad that the #8 injector is different that the other 7. The RR mod removes the dead end condition and improves fuel pressure across rail. The Filter Bowl delete solves a common problem with the 7.3, the plastic filter housing. It gets rid of the plastic housing,wedged in between the turbo and HPOP, (the hottest place on the engine) and replaces it with a canister type filter on the fire wall away from the heat. If your 7.3 is still stock, it make around 235 hp and around 350 ft/lbs of torque. The reason these engines had a 100k mile warranty is they are de-tuned about 50% of its capacity. These mods along with the aFe air box will allow your truck to run better and prepares it for some massive improvements with even a mild tuner. Probably more info than you wanted but my livelihood is based on diesel engine reliability, plus toying with diesel engines is my second favorite hobby so I tend to get a little geeky about it. Quote
Stlbob Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 no no more more..im a gear head im made my living for almost 30 years in automotive.Im learning about diesels as i go,so please be geeky. Wow the power difference is massive in the older diesels compared to new.Hell an 06' Duramax is like 375hp and almost 700ft lbs.. so i should skip the 2 cycle and use the stuff you posted a link to.Or run the 2 cycle until i can get my hands on the right stuff. can you give me a link on where i can get the fuel rail mod (which i get) and the fuel bowl mod ( also makes sense) if i wasnt all busted up i could do them both.what kind of man hours to do,for the FIRST time since i have been driving someone other than myself will be working on my driver. Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 9, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 9, 2014 no no more more..im a gear head im made my living for almost 30 years in automotive.Im learning about diesels as i go,so please be geeky. Wow the power difference is massive in the older diesels compared to new.Hell an 06' Duramax is like 375hp and almost 700ft lbs.. so i should skip the 2 cycle and use the stuff you posted a link to.Or run the 2 cycle until i can get my hands on the right stuff. can you give me a link on where i can get the fuel rail mod (which i get) and the fuel bowl mod ( also makes sense) if i wasnt all busted up i could do them both.what kind of man hours to do,for the FIRST time since i have been driving someone other than myself will be working on my driver. 2 cycle is better than nothing, but Walmart stocks diesel kleen in my neighborhood. http://www.dp-tuner.com/ford-powerstroke/ford-powerstroke-7-3l/fuel-system-upgrades/driven-diesel-7-3-regulated-return-kit-w-fuel-bowl-delete.html http://www.mkmcustoms.com/afepro5rcoldairintakesystemstage2fordsuperdutytrucks99-03v8-73lturbodieselpowerstroke54-10192.aspx I don't turn my own wrenches anymore either. I have a great diesel guy that takes care of most of my stuff for me. My "fun truck", 03 F250 4X4 7.3 is making some serious HP and torque with just a few mods and has 250K miles on the original drive train. The ones above plus a 4" exhaust and a standard Banks flash tune. I would estimate nearly 400 hp and about 600 ft/lbs. I can't keep my 17 year old daughter out of it! Last Dec I bought a wrecked 01 for the motor/transmission/computer to build for my 550 when I retire it out of the daily work fleet. We are shooting for 500 hp and 900 ft/lbs. We're going to start the build next month, so I will keep you posted. A fun place to snoop around. http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/ Quote
Stlbob Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 I gotta love it,hot rod diesels....yeah baby,groovy. SO tell me all the Ford guys i know are telling me that the 7.3 if i take just a little care of it is a long term motor..now they also tell me with a lot of work the 6.0 isnt bad,but nothing compared to the 7.3 I am willing to own an older truck to get the better motor..im looking for something that will get better fuel mileage.I drive a 1 ton GMC Burban' with a CARBED 454 and all sorts of go fast goodies.To the tune of about 10-11 mpg IF i keep my right foot out of it...and NO GMC or Chevy never built a 1 ton..but i did..Auburn locker in the back posi in the front..its a hoot to drive... i looked into buying an 06' GMC 2500HD i like the engine a lot but parked next to a Super Duty it looks like an S10's older brother.The Ford Super Duty now that just looks like a TRUCK...lol....i know not very mature BUT i like the way the Super Dutys look and sit.... Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 9, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 9, 2014 The cool thing about hot rod diesels is that going faster does not always mean worse fuel economy. Completely opposite of gas motors. Most people don't understand that going faster is not necessarily more hp, it's more torque which is much easier to get out of a diesel. The 7.3 has proven to have more longevity. 300 k miles is common place. 500 k is not out of the question. Then you can rebuild from the bearings up for less than $10K and start again. The 6.0 has higher potential HP and Torque but also has over boost tendencies which breaks head bolts and blows head gaskets. On the other hand, with my 4" stainless exhaust the variable vane turbo purr is sick. I don't go more than a week without a comment about how she looks or sounds. 1 Quote
Stlbob Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 see i have to get a boat.i cant bring myself to own a daully and no have anything to tow..lmao Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 9, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 9, 2014 The other good news about a 7.3 is the 4R100 transmission behind it. 4 speed overdrive with a torque converter lock. Absolutely bullet proof. I have never burned one. I have had two burned by employees who pull a trailer everyday. I think that was driving habits of idiots that don't have to pay the bills. Quote
Stlbob Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 yeah morons can get expensive.... did you take a look at the pics of the Ford i posted..? So far for a 7.3 he is the least flaky..take a look and tell me what youd be concerned about if you were buying it.. Quote
Super User Redlinerobert Posted March 9, 2014 Super User Posted March 9, 2014 Sold my bass boat last year. We've been so busy with work I've not missed it. At the rate we're going, it'll be a few years before I get another. Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 9, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 9, 2014 yeah morons can get expensive.... did you take a look at the pics of the Ford i posted..? So far for a 7.3 he is the least flaky..take a look and tell me what youd be concerned about if you were buying it.. Yes. Sharp looking truck. Looks like a 3" leveling kit. $2k in tires and rims. Tinted windows and the bumpers are straight. Someone has taken care of this truck. I can't see the running gear and I don't know how they hold up to salt but at 15k this is probably a good deal. Quote
Stlbob Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 Good Morning well talked to the guy last night.we know how Ford trucks like to chew up ball jonts,and these have been done already.I cant count the number of Ford ball joints i have done and had done by others in my career it has to be a few hundred.. All the bells and whistles still work,AC he says blows ice cold,and no matter the temp the temp gauge never gets above the half way mark.All good news. quick add on he sent me a bunch of pics of the interior..still trying to find what the hell i did with them..dash isnt even cracked..anywhere..said it spent a lot of time in his garage. so i either add a little money and get the later model Duramax which is a nice truck but just doesnt do it for me..or buy a later model 6.0 and spend the few grand it needs to make it bulletproof OR buy this beast..im going to try to set up a time to see the 2000' and see how it runs..Im not the type that gives a crap what year a truck is,i just want dependable , and low drag,no drama from my vehicles... Quote
Stlbob Posted March 11, 2014 Author Posted March 11, 2014 Well thanks to FD and his deep knowledge of 7.3's I have made a decsion im going to look for a F250 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 with a 7.3..Yes that means older trucks,but never cared about all the desire to own a new truck.Yep it would be nice to own something new,and KNOW how it is taken care of. BUT to get what i want from ANY of the current trucks runs upwards of 50k..then you lose 10% or better when you drive it off the lot.Also HATE car payments,but that comes from me being in the industry all those years and always bumping into good deals all the time.. SO now i start looking.ANYONE who lives within a 3/4 hour drive one way of St.Louis if you see a good deal PM with the info. I knew these lasted a long time,i have seen my share of 300K trucks roll into my shops.Let me tell you something diesel guys love their trucks... Thanks all Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.