Newbie needing some advice

[ESchmidt]

Hey guys,

I'm new to these forums, so I'm hoping you all can help me out. I've learned over the years how doing some homework before buying goes a long way towards long term satisfaction, and forums are the #1 place for raw 1st hand experience. I'm starting a new job in July, and I plan on spending most of my signing bonus on a 99-03 F-250 with the 7.3, crew cab, auto, 4x4, and a short bed. I plan on using the truck as a daily driver, but also to haul my car to and from track days, as well as when I move cross country (every 6 months with my new job).

I have a handle on some of the engine differences between 99 and 03, but it would REALLY help me if you guys could tell me what exactly was changed from year to year, whether it be engine, trans, suspension, interior...whatever. Also, what should I look out for, for example if a specific year has a weak transmission or something. When I go and look at a potential truck once I'm ready to buy, what should I look for that would tell me I should steer clear of that truck?

I'm sure this has been asked before and I did do a search, but couldn't find what I was looking for. If there's already a thread out there, just point me to it. Thanks!



PS - Here's my current ride...the one that will be riding pretty on the trailer behind my new Ford She's got about 380 crank horsepower, all wheel drive, and electronic suspension. Different animal than a truck, but I've done all the modifications and maintenance myself, so I consider myself a relatively experienced home mechanic.

[jesilvas]

From 99-03. Let's see.
99-Early 01ish's had forged connecting rods. Later ones had powdered metal rods. No big deal unless you're gonna push 450+HP.
02s changed to a digital odometer, added trans temp dummy gauge, and some interior things.
Newer ones have a touch more power stock.
All had 7.3s, and 4R100 transmissions. The biggest differences are in the early 99s and late 99s. There IS a thread about that though

[ESchmidt]

Great, thanks. I found the thread, once I knew what to look for

Differences between early99 and late99-03 trucks

[NoRalPh]

Maybe give this a read too -> What to look for when buying a USED 99-03 PSD

[ESchmidt]

Even better, thanks. That's exactly what I need. It's looking like 01+ have the best stock configuration as far as fixing some of the shortcomings of earlier models, am I right?

[ttyR2]

What I've read seems to state that 2000 was pretty much the pinnacle of that generation. After that, they went to PMR's and smaller rear axles in at least the DRW trucks.

[jesilvas]

There is a thread talking about what engine serial numbers had what rods.
They went smaller than a D80 after 2000s?

Basically, if you get a late 99 and up, you'll be fine. There weren't really any short comings really to fix past that.

[NoRalPh]

There really are no "Bad Years" you have to worry about, I'd say go with mileage & condition, and the Newer the Better because they Did address issues from previous years. The whole "PMR Rod" issue is a Red Herring. There is No Problem with those rods for 99.999% of the people who's engines have them. It only would become something to consider if You planned to dump 5K or more into making more horsepower - are you going to do that?

[ESchmidt]

Originally Posted by NoRalPh

There really are no "Bad Years" you have to worry about, I'd say go with mileage & condition, and the Newer the Better because they Did address issues from previous years. The whole "PMR Rod" issue is a Red Herring. There is No Problem with those rods for 99.999% of the people who's engines have them. It only would become something to consider if You planned to dump 5K or more into making more horsepower - are you going to do that?

Well considering my car has just shy of $9K in modifications, I'd say that's not totally outside the realm of possibility

Thanks again for all the info and the links guys. It's a big help.