Ford opinions on ford f250 7.3 powerstroke

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VETTE60

VETTE60

Joined
Oct 10, 2004
Threads
198
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Location
Pollock Pines,CA
Hey guys, I am looking to pick your brains for those of you who have experience with these trucks. I am looking to buy an F250 4x4 7.3 diesel crew cab. i know that this is supposed to be a better engine than the 6.0 so what about the tranny? 6 speed v.s. auto? fuel mileage? best year to buy between 1999-2003. anybody running bio diesel or SVO/WVO. i gladly welcome all experienced opinions. thanks again.
 
I had a 90 f250 with the 7.3 and 5 speed. Loved it. Had a friend with a newer truck with the 7.3 and 6 speed. The tranny was great and had some nice low gears.
 
I had a 95 F350 crew cab with an auto tranny for about 10 years.

I towed a 19 ft boat and had an 11 ft camper on the bed most of the summers. Camper weighed in at 3300 lbs. empty.

Zero problems with the tranny and only minor ones with the engine.
(Cam position sensor, glow plug relay, and vacuum pump pulley froze up.)

It NEVER left me stranded, EVER.

Maintenance was easy, just changed the oil at 3-4000 miles and the fuel filter at 20,000 miles. K&N air filter.
Had 215,000 plus miles on it when I traded it for a new one in 2005. And it was still running strong, not using any oil.

Mileage was much better than my new one, I could get up to 21-22 mpg on the highway if I was nice. About 18-19 most of the time.
I used "power service" fuel supplement in the fuel, you can get it just about anywhere.

When towing or with the camper, or both, mileage would drop to 14 mpg.

I would take that truck back in a heartbeat.

I just hope the new one does as well. :D
 
i drive a 96' f250 powerstroke

the E40D automatic transmission is somewhat of a problem child in the older body style trucks (94-97) but the newer body style doesnt seem to have as many auto tranny issues even though the 4R100 tranny is almost identical to the E40D. You should be able to hit 20 mpg on the highway with it, but i usually dont see much over 13 around town, however mine is very well built (450 hp).

Overall the 7.3 is a great motor.
 
I have a 2000 F350 7.3 with a 6 speed.

My mother has a 1999 F250 7.3 and a 6 speed.

Expect 16-17 mpg typically unladen.. If you tow something really heavy, mileage will drop to about 13..

Stock clutch is garbage.. Replace it with a SBC unit.. 6 speed is bulletproof then.
Auto is marginal. but can easily be made reliable..

Just remember that Diesel owners lie about mileage..
 
i've got a 95. bought it to tow the raffle rig. 7.3 with auto. mileage isn't overly impressive around12-15, but it's 4wd and a land yacht, so to be expected and it towed the raffle rig, well over 3tons with trailer, no problem.








wanna buy it :D
 
If you get a 99................be sure it's Jan 99 or newer............they changed the turbo, injectors, IDM and some other stuff in the middle of Dec 98...........


and yes they are WAYYYY better than the 6.0s


the 6.0s are practically the only work we have now..............(big Ford dealer)
 
There really isn't much difference between the superduty 7.3s. Be careful you might get PMS (Powerstroke mod syndrome). In 2001 and up they put PMR rods, which are weaker than forged and if you get over 400 hp will become a problem, they also put some sort of diode in the tranny that is notorious for failure. Just remember most diesel owners will lie about mileage (as Mace said) and think they are making a lot more power than they really are. ;)

Quick note, I got a 2000 F250 7.3 with over 300k, most major repair was a water pump.
 
2000, 7.3 with six speed, six speed with Bullydog controller, 5 flow through exhaust, AEM stage 2 intake, pulls 13,000lbs of toyhauler up Cajon Pass at 55 mph.........or Whitewater grade with no issue....
 
I bought a 1999 F-250 Super Duty 4wd PSD new in the spring of '99. I am still driving it and probably will until either one of us quits. I have the 6 speed and would recommend the same. I know of two guys who bought theirs with automatics and regreted it.

My engine is stock except for a Banks Rough Duty air cleaner. I did change out the rear leaf spring to something stiffer as I carry and haul a lot of weight. The biggest load was 3,300 pounds of porcelean floor tile in the back and towing a trailer with 7,500 pounds of alfalfa bales. This was from Pueblo, Co to northern NM. The spring upgrade kept me form having to put a roller skate under the tow hitch. I drove 65 MPH on I-25 until reaching La Veta Pass. This is a long steep grade which was driven in third gear at the summit. It is actually fourth if you count the compound low.

The only breakdown was in the transfer case. I popped the HiVo chain. I was hellaciously stuck in mud and put too much toqrue through low range four wheel drive. The chain held together but rattled soemthing fierce.

If you don't already know, NEVER use ether if the glow plugs fail. Carry and extra relay with you.

I have gotten stuck in snow twice and mud once requiring a tow out of the whole I dug myself into. A set of Detroit Lockers would be a welcome addition.

My diff gearing is 3.70. This makes high speed cruising a low RPM event. This truck will go all day at 90 MPH. I would have prefered a 4.10 as the 3.70 is a bit "tall". Using the compound low helps a lot.

I would definately buy this truck again. I can not say if it is better than a Dodge or a Chevy/GMC diesel. They are all good trucks.

I get about 18 MPG on highway driving with loads of about 800 pounds or so. I live at 7,800 feet. The altitude might make a difference. Cummins powered Dodge drivers around here claim about 20 MPG.

Hope this helps.
 
my64fj40 said:
Yea, it's a $15 - $20 sensor, much better than the notorious 6.0 head gaskets.
Click to expand...

yeah but those 6.0 headgaskets(and injectors and turbos and ICP sensors and EBP sensors and High PressurePumps) are how I'm able to keep paying rent! :rolleyes:

6.0s are practically the only work we have anymore..................
 
Oh Hell yeah!


I forgot about that candy :grinpimp:
 
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