used superduty
#1
#3
A differing opinion (not a flame)
Were the early 03 6.0s prone to problems or was Ford (& the dealers) not equiped/ready to diagnose and repair? Additionally, Ford didn't have the "re-flash" quite right in combination with a completely new engine & tranny. So the techs are trying to diagnose problems that in some cases were programed in- Those were frustrating days for a lot of folks.
Now, it seems IMO, that Ford has a great re-flash and good service bulletins. No, I don't work for Ford-
I do own an early 03 that rocks!
Were the early 03 6.0s prone to problems or was Ford (& the dealers) not equiped/ready to diagnose and repair? Additionally, Ford didn't have the "re-flash" quite right in combination with a completely new engine & tranny. So the techs are trying to diagnose problems that in some cases were programed in- Those were frustrating days for a lot of folks.
Now, it seems IMO, that Ford has a great re-flash and good service bulletins. No, I don't work for Ford-
I do own an early 03 that rocks!
Last edited by utahtom; 10-30-2004 at 11:56 AM.
#4
Here are a few things to look for when looking at used Powerstrokes.
94 was the first year of the Powerstroke (turbo diesel) and 97 was the last year of the Powerstroke in the old body style although no 98 Super Duty was made there are many 97's and 99's. Some people really preffer the 97's.
In 3-98 Ford started producing the new intercooled Powerstroke. These are early 99's which usually have the Powerstroke badge on the front fender versus the door. The early 99's had a different air box, turbo and slightly different rotors. I'm not sure what month started the late 99's but 6or7/99 would be the last month they were made. Ford starting using the 4R100 tranny versus the E40D and switched from the 5 speed to the 6 speed starting in 99.
The truck/motor stayed unchanged until 2002 when Navistar started putting powder coated rods in versus forged rods. I think 02 was also the year the headlights were upgraded.
In 3/03 Ford started selling the 6.0 diesel so for a few months in 03 7.3's were still being made and sold. At first there were problems but with lots of reflashes and the drop of pilot injection some things were improved. Most 04's are good to go and it looks like most all 05's have the bugs worked out of them.
Things to keep an eye on any used Powerstroke. Auto trannys, for some reason the 01 4R100's seem to be more trouble prone then the other years. CPS's can go out at any time, from 10K miles to hundreds of thousands of miles. Keep your air filter clean and change your fuel filter every 10-20K miles. On the 99's to 01 I think you have to add the engine coolant additive every 10-20K miles, this keeps the engine from caviting. On the 01's or 02's and up Ford used the green coolant which you don't have to add the additive to.
94 was the first year of the Powerstroke (turbo diesel) and 97 was the last year of the Powerstroke in the old body style although no 98 Super Duty was made there are many 97's and 99's. Some people really preffer the 97's.
In 3-98 Ford started producing the new intercooled Powerstroke. These are early 99's which usually have the Powerstroke badge on the front fender versus the door. The early 99's had a different air box, turbo and slightly different rotors. I'm not sure what month started the late 99's but 6or7/99 would be the last month they were made. Ford starting using the 4R100 tranny versus the E40D and switched from the 5 speed to the 6 speed starting in 99.
The truck/motor stayed unchanged until 2002 when Navistar started putting powder coated rods in versus forged rods. I think 02 was also the year the headlights were upgraded.
In 3/03 Ford started selling the 6.0 diesel so for a few months in 03 7.3's were still being made and sold. At first there were problems but with lots of reflashes and the drop of pilot injection some things were improved. Most 04's are good to go and it looks like most all 05's have the bugs worked out of them.
Things to keep an eye on any used Powerstroke. Auto trannys, for some reason the 01 4R100's seem to be more trouble prone then the other years. CPS's can go out at any time, from 10K miles to hundreds of thousands of miles. Keep your air filter clean and change your fuel filter every 10-20K miles. On the 99's to 01 I think you have to add the engine coolant additive every 10-20K miles, this keeps the engine from caviting. On the 01's or 02's and up Ford used the green coolant which you don't have to add the additive to.