<hr style="color:#D1D1E1; background-color:#D1D1E1" size="1"> I'm new to Powerstroke's but not diesels.

I bought a '99.5 7.3 for my small dealership to haul cars. It's an automatic to mainly haul cars to/from auctions and shop errands.

It has 327K miles...and I paid $2300 for it.

Yes, it's a <acronym title="Two Wheel Drive">4x2</acronym> but, I really don't care since I want max fuel mileage, and when it's too snowy out, I'll drive my Audi with AWD.

1) Seats
It currently has a bench seat, and is missing the rear seat entirely.
How do I change that? Simple bolt-in? Can I add a console too?
Best place to buy?

2) Gearing.
I'm looking for MAX fuel economy. Changing to lower ratio (3:55 or lower) from my assumed 3:73's will help, but what else can I do?

3) Mobile Office
I travel a ton. Has anyone else turned their truck into a mobile office?
Internet, iPad, docking stations, etc.

4) Wheels
I have factory steel wheels.
What's the lightest wheel I can buy without sacrificing ride quality and tire cost?

5) Suspension
With all those miles, she needs new shocks.
What else should I look for?
What shocks give the best ride?

6) Aftermarket remote start
On cold winter days, I'd like to hit the button like late-model cars, and start from my living room while I have my coffee. Any kits that work with our trucks?

 

1: Any seat from any Super Duty will work. The 1999 through present trucks all basically have the same cab. You may have issues with seat belt pretensioners from year to year, so do a forum search to learn where you might encounter these issues (Why do I have an ABS light after I installed new seats?) and what was done to solve them.

2: Check with the 7.3L Power Stroke engine forum. I'd be incline to leave the gearing alone, since you are towing. A 3.55 might actually hurt your fuel economy.

3: Not me. I drive the truck, work in the office and try not to bring the office into the truck. Maybe someone else can help here.

4: Your truck weighs a lot, especially with that 7.3L engine over the front suspension. Aluminum wheels will have little impact on the ride quality or overall weight savings. With my history, I would keep the steel wheels for the durability. I've bent a few aluminum rims in my day. It gets expensive.

5: Have the entire front suspension looked at. As I stated, a 7.3L Power Stroke is HEAVY. You can go through ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends, shocks, steering stabilizers and even steering gear boxes quickly. The most recommended brand of shocks is Bilstein.

6: Any after market remote starter with a DELAY feature should work.