Whats the deal with the 94.5-97 diesel?

Power?
MPG unloaded and loaded?
Common problems?

Anything else?

 

First it's in the best body style that has ever been made. And if thats not enough, it has more power than the IDI 7.3 (prior to 94.5). It's DI (Direct Injection) as opposed to the earlier 7.3 IDI (In-Direct Injection), the fuel and injector system is different from the IDI. With a few mods it can be 3-400 HP or more. MPG is good but not great. Common problems are easy fixes "usually" CPS, UVC (Under Valve Cover) wiring, FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) screen cleaning & shimming (to raise fuel pressure). It's the same engine thats in the 99-03. I know there's more but thats all I can think of off of the top of my head. Hope this helps.

 

Here's a link that BlueMule posted in another thread: Engine Comparison - 1994-1997 Power Stroke FAQ

 

Yep, he nailed it on the head.
It's a little less powerful than its newer counterparts, but still nice and easily upgraded.
Unloaded, i average 17-18 mpg but i've learned to drive very conservatively.
he also got the common probs covered.

 

dan,grates on 1grand,what did 30 added hp do to mpg?


kurt

 

Thanks, and what 30 horsepower?

 

BTW welcome to this forum.

 

Thanks . I am thinking about getting out of my new expensive truck () and into something a bit more economical for these crappy times. I have always heard good things about the 7.3..... but being a lifelong gasser, I dont know anything about them. Oh well.... let's see how the cards lay out.

 

Good time to find one as prices dropping due to fuel costs. I too was a gasser and this is my first diesel. I'll never look back and plan on running it until the wheels fall off, then will probably put new wheels on. I get much better mileage than my old 7.5L and actually beats my wife's Chevy Blaser 4.0L by a couple MPG.

 

What kind of MPG do you see?

 

I'm a lifer ,,,too....

 

The average I have read here goes from 15 to 21 MPG. It depends of a multifactorial elements.

 

As you can see I running 355's with an auto and I get 17-18 MPG. It turns about 1450 RPM at 55 in overdrive. Got the downpipe and cat delete and it's going in next week. If I had to do it over I would go with F350 for the straight front axle. Although I said that i really love my F250 the way it is, the way it looks and the way it rides. Guess I'm hooked !!!

 

That varies from truck to truck and even trucks that are set up the same get different mileages. I've had my 96 for almost 9 years and the best I ever got was 16.3 and it's usually 14-15. Now prior to that I had a 97 crew cab dually with 4:10's and it always got between 18 and 19.

 

I average 18-20 mpg if I drive right, but if I put my foot into it or tow it's around 12-16 mpg. (5 spd, 4:10 & 235/85/16's)