The best thing to ensure a long life is regular oil and fuel filter changes and nothing else.

Once you start modifying it's hard to stop, and then stuff is more likely to break.

But there are 1000's of pages to browse through here. I'd suggest just reading a little bit here every day and then you'll be able to decide for yourself what modifications best suit your needs.

Edit, just realized you're not new here. You already know of this stuff bud haha. Do you have a more specific question?

 

Haha well as for more specific somewhat expansion on the things such as what blue99stroker put more how to's and best methods best brands etc!


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quality fluids and filters changed on time every time.


fuel filter every 10k, trans service (drop pan, clean magnet, and change filter) add 8 quarts of atf.

transfer case 2 quarts of atf every 50k miles. takes 5 minutes

differentials every 50k miles, 75w-140 rear full syn, 80w-90 front)

coolant every 75-100k miles.

power steering every 2 years or so, 4 quarts of atf to flush it out.

brake fluid- every couple years it attracts water over time.

add diesel additive in the fuel fairly often.

 

I've had issues with fuel bown drain o-rings... kinda specific, but unless you've changed them they could go at any time. Not a big deal when it happens, just drips fuel.

Good custom tunes with an economy tune will help pick up a few mpg. Personally I have been pleased with DP Tuner F5 chips... but that's the only chip I've ever tryed. I run the 80 hp econo tune 95% of the time.

Other than that, the above advice will keep yer psd rollin for years to come.

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I've built my truck to last me another few decades. I'm not concerned with high performance...I've got other toys for that. Here's what I've done:

-Amsoil HD Marine Synthetic Oil changed every 3k (excessive...I know. But I only put 6-8k miles on the truck per year)
-Amsoil fluids in the front and rear diffs (Mag-Hytec diff covers), transfer case, and power steering
-Schaeffer's All Trans fluid after a full flush and a 6.0 trans cooler (with the synthetic fluid and larger trans cooler my trans temps dropped almost 20 degrees)
-converted my cooling system to Delo ELC after doing 'Gooch's Flush' and installed a bypass filter
-S&B intake (dry filter) and a straight pipe exhaust
-gauges

I would drive my truck across the country tomorrow pulling a fifth wheel without thinking twice about. That's how well it runs thanks to frequent maintenance and everything I've listed above.

 

Other than the above mods I listed, preventative maintenance is key. When I switched to ELC went ahead and replaced the thermostat and housing, as well as both radiator hoses. I've replaced the serpentine belt (check you pulleys when you do), and every other common wear item before they go bad. I keep a spare serpentine belt and degas bottle (known for cracking and leaking) in my toolbox. I also keep spare fluids for everything, along with the tools required, in my toolbox. I try to only fuel up at truck stops because I've been told that since they go through so much diesel, you are less likely to get bad fuel there. I also change my fuel filter every oil change, which is excessive, but like I said earlier I only put 6-8k miles on my truck per year. I probably go overboard with maintenance, but since it would cost me $55k to replace my truck with a 2014 model, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure my paid-for 7.3 lasts me forever!

 

This stuff is exactly the kind of things I'm interested in. I've seen a guide somewhere on how to do the rear diff I'll try to dig that up! Any guides talk know where to find feel free to post!


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I just got a new triple billet torque converter put in along with a new flexplate so the trans should be good for a while but for only $50 di performance has a high pressure oil crossover kit to even out the oil pressure ontop of the block or somethi like that. Took me 10 minutes to put in. I do the oil every 5k and it still looks good but can't imagine it'd hurt to do it every 3.

What about the yellow dump lever next to the fuel filter? How often are you guys dumping that? And just cleaned out my ebps and tube, when putting the tube back on tape (little bit of elect tape) the top fastener up and start the bottom one so it lines up good then fasten the top one, tape is so the top one didn't slide down.

I've noticed there is some kind of a fluid on the top center of the motor almost under the powerstroke emblem, looks like an oil, what could that be from?? Like a little lake up there? Valve covers loose maybe? Gonna bring it into my mechanic in the next couple months and have him do two hours of labor to run thru it and see what he thinks.

Lots of good info in this thread gents.

 

I'm gonna say, for the Engine - not much ~ the 7.3 is a Very Reliable engine.

For the Rest of your truck, do the Trans Stuff (Cooler/TorqueConverter/ValveBody) and at the First Sign of Rust - Deal With it before it gets Bigger!

Oh Yea, Check-out All this stuff -> Failure Prevention Thread - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

I know no one has touched base on this, but it's going too get really expensive but traveling 120 miles a day, I would consider another vehicle too drive and leave the truck at home.

 

As said above. 6.0l trans cooler if you plan on doing any type of towing. 4R100 is a great transmission. It just gets a bad reputation due to the bean counters at Ford for putting in a tiny cooler. A TS 6 position chip with CORRECT PCM code tunes on it will net you a couple more mpgs. Are you alot of highway miles? I commute 80miles a day to for my regular job and only have 2 for sure stops, could be 4-6 depending when im going through the small town and hit the lights just so and I ave 18mpg's on 35's

Another reliability thing, but you wont really too notice much, but CAI, and a more open exhaust.

 

Great stuff guys keep it coming! Not worried about the mileage if all you mean is fuel and basic Maintnance in not to worried about those costs. And yes it's mostly highway miles probly 85-90 is on the highway/tollway! Fed wanna get my mpgs up I know that comes with the upgrades!


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Okay forget the car comment:nod:

Don't forget too keep up on tire pressure, that can kill fuel mileage.

 

So I know adding stuff to your fuel has been mentioned, what's the best stuff to add and how much?

Also the yellow lever for water how often should that be drained?





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I never mess with the lever. you only need to if you get lots of water in your tank. other thank that run a good filter with the water separator (racor) on the filter and you will be fine.


a lot of us just run 2stroke oil for added lubricity.