7.3L Opinions/advice needed

[6wheelsofjustice]

Hey guys, I am new to the forum and I am researching as much as I can before I purchase my dream truck F350 4x4 Dually 7.3LPSD. I am somewhat new to diesels but have been around them for a couple of years and love them to death. I am a die hard FORD fan and refuse to own a dodge so here I am. I have been reading topics on here for no joke a solid day haha and even the topic on what to look for when buying your truck. I just want to know if there is a specific year 7.3 I should be looking for, from what I understand an 02 would prob be my best bet but if anyone can give me some pointers I would appreciate it. Also some extra things to look at when shopping for my truck would be nice. Hope this isnt a pointless topic and this site is kick *** by the way. Also I have been driving a 96 7.3 off and on the past few months and that truck amazes me everytime I drive it.

[strokin_early_99]

I like the mid99 to mid 2000. They have forged rods and can handle more power than the newer trucks. I am a power junkie so that is my final answer. The later trucks can handle up to 400hp and the years listed above are good for 500+hp.

Unless you like the OBS, then all of them are good, the all have forged rods. They do take a bit more work to get them up to the power level of the SD but it is doable. And some of the OBS trucks can be had for darn cheep.

Keep Strokin'

[6wheelsofjustice]

Good to know info, thanks man. Please keep more coming. I am after the 99-03 body style.

[CoalRollinRoosterCruiser]

Originally Posted by strokin_early_99

I like the mid99 to mid 2000. They have forged rods and can handle more power than the newer trucks. I am a power junkie so that is my final answer. The later trucks can handle up to 400hp and the years listed above are good for 500+hp.

Unless you like the OBS, then all of them are good, the all have forged rods. They do take a bit more work to get them up to the power level of the SD but it is doable. And some of the OBS trucks can be had for darn cheep.

Keep Strokin'

i agree

what month exactly did they switch rods?

[NCHornet]

I agree with Howard, the 99/2000 will give you the forged rods, even if you don't plan on building 400+ hp, these things can be addictive and "should haves" can get expensive, plus if you ever go to sell it many prefer the forged rod moodels and will only buy them. The 2001 had the dreaded mechanical diode in the auto trans. If you find a 01 with the stock trans, plan on knocking 4 grand off the price, this will give you a BTS!!!

Things to look for, the early 99 had a bad air box so look for any broken tabs, if you find broken tabs on the airbox it means it has probably inhaled dirt. Pull the lid on the airbox, if you see a k&n drop in filter runaway, they have been known to dust many PSD's!! Pull the intake tube and shine a flashlight at the turbo fan, if it is chipped or the edges rolled over it means it has inhaled dirt and runaway. A fine coating of oil is normal in the intake, and can be fixed later on with a CCV Mod, but there should be NO dirt in there. Remember dirt = death to a diesel engine. If the PO ran any type of performance module, chip or programmer and the truck doesn't have a pyrometer runaway. I would not buy any vehicle without sending a oil sample to Blackstone Labs. You wouldn't believe what they can tell you about the condition of the engine. You can overnight samples to expedite things. If you have any other ? feel free to PM me.