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  Nov. 25, 2011 1:35 p.m. DaveEstey HalfDork

  I have a line on what I consider a low-mileage 2001 F-350 diesel truck (84k miles). 4x4 with the manual box crew-cab Lariat package - AKA what I want.

  Truck was used for an in-bed camper and has been cared for pretty well from the looks of it. I would be using it to tow an open car trailer and eventually a fifth wheel horse trailer for the missus ( we currently pay to trailer our horse to shows).

  What to look for? Experience with the 7.3-liter Power Stroke?

  It does have some Banks goodies on it and a fist full of extra gauges to keep track of things.

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  Nov. 25, 2011 1:44 p.m. Ranger50 Dork

  Buy it and drive it. Seriously. I really haven't heard about too many problems out of those except I personally do not like the interior. The trans can or could be an issue, but really isn't that bad.

  "Never trust an intelligent man with no money to play fair."

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  Nov. 25, 2011 1:59 p.m. Sultan Reader

  I have had a 2001 F350 with the same engine for about five years and so far it has been great. I have just under 100K miles on it.

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  Nov. 25, 2011 2:29 p.m. CGLockRacer HalfDork

  keep up on the coolant conditioner and make sure the owner has as well.

  Phil - www.philmatherracing.com

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  Nov. 25, 2011 2:39 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

  My daily driver is a '99 F-250 with the same engine and 425,000 miles on it.

  That's about all I got.

  Seriously- about the only negative thing I've ever heard about the 7.3L is that they never wear out (from a Ford dealer/ mechanic).

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  Nov. 25, 2011 2:54 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

  i would love that truck. good find.

  spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

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  Nov. 25, 2011 4:56 p.m. Teggsan New Reader

  Awesome motor.

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  Nov. 25, 2011 5:56 p.m. jimbbski Reader

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdmDLsAu61E

  Watch and learn. How to buy a diesel video.

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  Nov. 25, 2011 7:14 p.m. a401cj Reader

  I's have one too er....dad has one.

  Late '99 350 DRW 4X2. Rides like a Caddy.
  

  15 mpg. Pulls like a freight train after it warms up. Cold and kids on skateboards will be passing you.
  

  Throttle response is not good. It isn't fun to drive on anything where you have to slow down and the accelerate a lot. It doesn't seem to make any power until you get on the boost.

  It's all stock with 92k miles now. I plan on some mild mods to improve fuel economy

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  Nov. 25, 2011 7:27 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

  The only better pick up diesel is a Cummins 5.9, nice truck

  Cornering is like bringing a woman to climax. Jackie Stewart

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  Nov. 25, 2011 7:46 p.m. a401cj Reader

  aussiesmg wrote: The only better pick up diesel is a Cummins 5.9, nice truck

  as far as the engine goes I would tend to agree with that. Too bad you have to put up with the crap-can Dodge.
  

  The holy-grail is the Ford Truck with the Cummins swapped in and there is a kit to do that

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  Nov. 25, 2011 9:13 p.m. DaveEstey HalfDork

  Well the truck was sold today so no big Ferd for Dave.

  I'll have to keep searching.

  I wasn't expecting longevity

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  Nov. 25, 2011 9:20 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

  a401cj wrote:

  aussiesmg wrote: The only better pick up diesel is a Cummins 5.9, nice truck

  as far as the engine goes I would tend to agree with that. Too bad you have to put up with the crap-can Dodge.
  

  The holy-grail is the Ford Truck with the Cummins swapped in and there is a kit to do that

  I plan to put one into the bus one of these days, but the 8.2 version... grunt grunt

  Cornering is like bringing a woman to climax. Jackie Stewart

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  Nov. 25, 2011 9:27 p.m. a401cj Reader

  aussiesmg wrote:

  a401cj wrote:

  aussiesmg wrote: The only better pick up diesel is a Cummins 5.9, nice truck

  as far as the engine goes I would tend to agree with that. Too bad you have to put up with the crap-can Dodge.
  

  The holy-grail is the Ford Truck with the Cummins swapped in and there is a kit to do that

  I plan to put one into the bus one of these days, but the 8.2 version... grunt grunt

  if that's the bus with the 8-71, I'd go with an 8V92TA or Silver-92 as they were called. Basically just a big-block version of what you've got. These go up to like 550 HP...that's 550 RELIABLE (pull 80,000 lbs all day long) HP. In that bus it'd last virtually forever and you could turn it way way up and still make it last. A non class-8 like diesel might make some pretty impressive numbers on paper but they won't last long at those levels.

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  Nov. 25, 2011 9:57 p.m. curtis73 Dork

  The powerstroke is excellent. I've had a couple. You'll replace glow plug relays every 5 years, but they're $60 and they take about 15 minutes to replace. Replace the fuel filter every 20k, also takes about 15 minutes.

  The only "bitch" jobs are the cam position sensor (which dies every 150k or so) and the valve cover gaskets (which contain the glow plug harness).

  The neatest thing since sliced bread

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  Nov. 25, 2011 10:05 p.m. Brotus7 Reader

  The other issues with Powerstrokes are fuel leaks. I know this one sold before you could pick it up. I had a '97 F350 PS w/5 speed. Great truck for towing. I got 18mpg usually, 15-17 towing an open car trailer. Ride sucked hard core. The clutch was a leg press.

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  Nov. 25, 2011 10:16 p.m. Keith SuperDork

  Something I've learned when considering a new engine purchase - ask your local machine shop what pays the bills. Mine cackles with glee at the mention of a Toyota 3.0 V6, and said the Cummins are not moneymakers.

  Square left in 50 caution ocean!

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  Nov. 25, 2011 10:31 p.m. Ranger50 Dork

  I don't know about the 98.5-ups, but I have had to replace a waterlogged Injector Driver Module in my 97. The OBS suck that they don't have an IC, but it is easy to put one in. I have had to do a set of glowplugs, a GPR, 3 CPS's including the CPS recall part, 2 water pumps, 2 power steering pumps, 2 vacuum pumps, 1 alternator, set of PS lines, ball joints, and 1 radiator. Nothing big dollar repairs, just nickel and dime stuff. Now my 97 just sits rusting away, needs a cab and core support badly. Also need a new rear brake line, but I want to get to a place where i can blitz the body off and redo the frame before fixing the line. Also needs a complete front suspension rebuild. Brakes all the way around. Leaf springs, one is cracked in half. Need to install the 39 gal rear tank too. Gonna suck to fill that sucker up, but like it was already said, 18mpg times 37 gals used up equals a long damn drive. I got 660 miles to the dual 19 gal tanks.

  "Never trust an intelligent man with no money to play fair."

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  Nov. 26, 2011 2:39 p.m. conesare2seconds Reader

  I had the 7.3 in a '99 SD F250 and it was great. Only trouble ever was it began stalling intermittently but always re-fired. Turned out to be a cam position sensor. Total plug and play, crawled under the truck and replaced in <5 minutes. Piece of cake. Just keep a spare sensor in the glove box, the part isn't expensive. It's a great motor.

  North Florida Corvette Association

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  Nov. 26, 2011 8:59 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

  a401cj wrote: I's have one too er....dad has one. Late '99 350 DRW 4X2. Rides like a Caddy. 15 mpg. Pulls like a freight train after it warms up. Cold and kids on skateboards will be passing you. Throttle response is not good. It isn't fun to drive on anything where you have to slow down and the accelerate a lot. It doesn't seem to make any power until you get on the boost. It's all stock with 92k miles now. I plan on some mild mods to improve fuel economy

  A mild re-flash cures that cheaply and easily. Mine gets 22 mpg easily and can spin the tires at will whether it's cold or hot.

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  Nov. 27, 2011 1:03 a.m. JtspellS Reader

  ^motor^

  ^engine^

  BTW try and stay away from the 6.0 and 6.8 unless you have money for up keep.

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  Nov. 27, 2011 1:55 a.m. Trans_Maro Dork

  ^ really, that E36 M3 again?

  It's not called an enginecar now is it?

  How about an outboard engine?

  Engineway?

  From Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

  Engine: 4: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source

  Motor: 1: one that imparts motion; specifically : prime mover 2: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as a: a small compact engine b: internal combustion engine; especially : a gasoline engine c: a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy

  Motor:

  Engine:

  

  Sometimes life leaves a hundred dollar bill on your dresser, and you don't realize until later that it's because it screwed you.

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  Nov. 27, 2011 10:08 a.m. Sultan Reader

  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

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  Nov. 27, 2011 7:01 p.m. a401cj Reader

  SVreX wrote:

  a401cj wrote: I's have one too er....dad has one. Late '99 350 DRW 4X2. Rides like a Caddy. 15 mpg. Pulls like a freight train after it warms up. Cold and kids on skateboards will be passing you. Throttle response is not good. It isn't fun to drive on anything where you have to slow down and the accelerate a lot. It doesn't seem to make any power until you get on the boost. It's all stock with 92k miles now. I plan on some mild mods to improve fuel economy

  A mild re-flash cures that cheaply and easily. Mine gets 22 mpg easily and can spin the tires at will whether it's cold or hot.

  i don't want the engine to start writing checks the auto transmission can't cash

  not sure I'd have the discipline to keep my foot out of it

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