automatic, I think it gets around 17 mpg.....I woukld do some mods to increase that number

 

So my First post on this forum isn't going to be about anything motorcycle related. Oh well.


Ok First things first, Do you know what kind of chip it has on it? And when you say intercooler, Do you mean it has an upgraded one or that it has one(They are standard equipment since 99)? An intercooler upgrade is really unusual for a truck with just a chip on it. That's a lot of money for not much gain at that power level. A Banks system by any chance?

An 03 will have Powdered metal Rods. These are weaker than the Forged rods used in Older 7.3s. They won't be a problem unless your planning on modifying the engine. 400 Rear wheel horse power is usually a safe number on PMR rods. But it will take more than a chip to get a 7.3 over 400hp.

Like was already said, they are good engines ,albeit sluggish in stock form. The 4r100 trans in stock form is one of the stronger ones. Although the 5r110 that is behind the 6.0s is even better.

If you live someplace cold, make sure the glow plugs work! 7.3s don't like to start if the glow plug system isn't working right. The glow plug solenoid(Big Relay on the right side of the engine in the valley IIRC) likes to go out occasionally. There is a better one available than the one Ford sells as a replacement. Glow plugs can also go bad. Those are both easy to check with a multimeter without taking much stuff apart.

If you want to check the health of the High Pressure Oil System you will need a 5-6000 PSI gauge and hose and a special fitting to check it. It can be a pain to get to the fitting though as it is under the intake and almost under the turbo. There are some variances on the High Pressure Oil Pump from the factory. Some are a little weaker than others. But at 100k you shouldn't have any issues with the HPOP.

My buddy had a 99 Crew Cab Long Box that would usually get high teens to low 20s for mileage. It's kind of a crapshoot. Some get good mileage and some don't.

All in all they are good trucks and I wouldn't mind owning one. Not enough to give up my Cummins for but still good.


As a side note, a 6.0 Powerstroke can be made into a decent engine. You just have to count of investing $1500-2500 in engine work right off the bat to make it so.

 

duramax? its what I would get, but I am sure there are some opinions otherwise. An older cummins with a stick is pretty decent, also.

 

7.3' are a great motor. I worked for Ford for 5 years, 2 of which was just on diesels. One big issue with them is that if you live in a cold climate, do not let it sit at base idle it for long periods of time without some sort of idle speed contoller to kick it up. They wont build up enough heat and can sieze the valves in the head. But by cold I mean cold...I live in Canada, so I'd see this happen at temps around -25 to -35C! But to attest to its toughness, I had a customer that this did happen to, he drove it 50 highway kms to the dealer, with zero oil pressure on the gauge, 2 lifters and pushrods missing and in the oil pan, running on 6 cylinders....in -30C weather. We tore the motor down and there was no bearing damage, the bottom end was fine, and we just changed the heads and it ran perfect. I'd buy one before a newer 6.0 or 6.4....tons of issues with those, do a google search on it and see how many problems people have had.

Other issues are valve cover gasket failures(they actually have the injector connections built into them, so they do deteriorate over time from heat and oil), older ones did have some injector issues with electrical and o-ring failures, but the aftermarket has addressed these issues and prices are reasonable.

If you're looking for big power upgrades, 7.3's do cost more to make big power compared to the newer diesels, but they are an easier motor to work on for sure.

Just make sure all maintenence has been done and use a good oil, they can be fussy with cheaper oil which will make them run bad due to oil foaming from high oil pressure from the injection system(injectors are fired from high pressure oil, around 1200psi, controlled by an electrical solenoid in each injector) it wont damage anything, it'll just run rough.

So my advice is buy it! You wont be disappointed with a diesel...plus they sound bad ***!

 

I will say a 7.3l PSD sounds pretty sweet with a straight pipe when the Exhaust Back Pressure Valve closes.

And 1200 PSI oil pressure is pretty low. That might be what it is at Idle but under load it should be closer to 2400-2800 with a Good pump. Each injector also features an intensifier piston so the actual fuel Injection pressure is many times that.

 

One bit of advice, DONT put the diesel fuel in the VTR. Trust me.