Well, I finally got a 7.3 :icon_ford:
Only took me about 2 years of looking and debating, but something I couldn't pass up finally came along. Its a 99 4x4 with an Auto Tranny. Runs great and I absolutely love it. I live in Fairbanks Alaska and my first day after bringing it up it was -30 °F outside... started up reasonably well (plugged in of course).
On the drive up I got about 16 mpg -- doing about 55 most of the way... it has ever so slightly oversize tires (285/75/R16's) so I am not yet sure the speedometer is precise... will find out later.
Anyhow, there is 1 issue with the truck I need to fix:
I will eventually be looking for a tuner/gauge kit for it (hate the fact that its an auto tranny, but at least everything else is perfect ... maybe someday I can switch it? Did that in a little Dodge Ram 50 back in my high-school years) My goal though is to not compromise my reliability and longevity of the truck while getting a little better performance and hopefully fuel economy. I am not really a hot rodder, I do a fair amount of towing (all around 8-12k trailers) and want to make sure I don't sacrifice the benefits of a 7.3's long life expectancy because of my tuner. I am looking to eventually get either the Tony or DB tuner... will decide as the decision becomes imminent... but would like to hear some feedback from folks who are up in the higher mileage range with tuners to see if they are a problem or not.
Big question -- my ford was manufactured in Aug of 1998... is it an early 99 or a late (99.5?) 99?
Next, I want to make sure that I am doing everything right for a new to me truck that has about 140,000 miles on it. Here is my immediate plan:
1. Change Oil and filter (suggestions on oil type/additives for -30°F weather?)
2. Change Fuel Filter
3. Change/flush transmission fluid
4. Change Transfer Case Fluids
5. Clean K&N Air Filter--relube etc
6. Grease U joints
Thinking about changing the fluid in the diffs while I am at it.
Should I consider fuel additives? Oil additives? What else should I do to ensure a long lived and happy truck? Any comments, thoughts, and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Only took me about 2 years of looking and debating, but something I couldn't pass up finally came along. Its a 99 4x4 with an Auto Tranny. Runs great and I absolutely love it. I live in Fairbanks Alaska and my first day after bringing it up it was -30 °F outside... started up reasonably well (plugged in of course).
On the drive up I got about 16 mpg -- doing about 55 most of the way... it has ever so slightly oversize tires (285/75/R16's) so I am not yet sure the speedometer is precise... will find out later.
Anyhow, there is 1 issue with the truck I need to fix:
I will eventually be looking for a tuner/gauge kit for it (hate the fact that its an auto tranny, but at least everything else is perfect ... maybe someday I can switch it? Did that in a little Dodge Ram 50 back in my high-school years) My goal though is to not compromise my reliability and longevity of the truck while getting a little better performance and hopefully fuel economy. I am not really a hot rodder, I do a fair amount of towing (all around 8-12k trailers) and want to make sure I don't sacrifice the benefits of a 7.3's long life expectancy because of my tuner. I am looking to eventually get either the Tony or DB tuner... will decide as the decision becomes imminent... but would like to hear some feedback from folks who are up in the higher mileage range with tuners to see if they are a problem or not.
Big question -- my ford was manufactured in Aug of 1998... is it an early 99 or a late (99.5?) 99?
Next, I want to make sure that I am doing everything right for a new to me truck that has about 140,000 miles on it. Here is my immediate plan:
1. Change Oil and filter (suggestions on oil type/additives for -30°F weather?)
2. Change Fuel Filter
3. Change/flush transmission fluid
4. Change Transfer Case Fluids
5. Clean K&N Air Filter--relube etc
6. Grease U joints
Thinking about changing the fluid in the diffs while I am at it.
Should I consider fuel additives? Oil additives? What else should I do to ensure a long lived and happy truck? Any comments, thoughts, and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!