was there a better year for the last of the 7.3L? different trans? what should i look for ? looking for a 4 door or the half door F250/350 4x4 automatic 7.3L any advice shoot...........

 

Generally speaking the later the better. More bugs are resolved as they get further along. As far as the motor itself, there are no big changes from 99.5 up to 2003 but there are small things here and there. Mostly cosmetic and driver comfort things. There are a few changes from early 99 to 99.5 however. The e99 had less power due to a smaller turbo, and smaller injectors, as well as a few other things. The easiest way to identify a e99 is the side molding, on a e99 it extends to the bed, on a 99.5+ it is only on the doors. There are other ways to identify an e99 if the side molding has been remove.

All 99-2003.25 trucks have the same automatic transmission, the 4r100. The 2001 4r100 does have a flaw, known as a mechanical diode. This can be fixed. In general the 4r100 is considered a slightly sub-par transmission, but with enough care it will go the distance for you. There is a manual option, and that transmission is very stout.

The most important thing for you to look for will be maintenance. There are a few things to look for. When you pop the hood check the coolant color. Green means it is the same type of coolant that came from the factory. It it is green chances are it has not been changed, not a big deal by itself. However, if it is red, that is ELC (Extended Life Coolant). This meant that the owner took the time to change it and went the extra mile and bought "the good stuff." The reason I say to check coolant is because its easy and noninvasive, meaning you can just see it. No dip sticks or anything. Obviously check ATF and oil levels and color once you get comfortable with the seller.

Also look for leaks. The 7.3 is a leaky motor, but that doesnt excuse excessive leaks. Oil gets everywhere on this motor. The engine compartment will likely be covered in a oily substance. That is normal. Check for the smell of diesel in the engine compartment, fuel leaks are not uncommon, but are also easy to fix. Just something to be aware of.

Start her up. Floor is. You need to know how that engine responds to stress. Watch the tail pipe. Black smoke means too much fuel (some black smoke is normal), which may mean something wrong in the intake system, such as a turbo going bad. White smoke means oil or coolant being burned. Not good, thats an injector job right there, and thats money unless you want to do it on your own.

Just give the engine a good look over. The things I like to look over are the little things. I'm not talking about scratches. Its a truck, it should have scratches. I'm talking about details; Is there a spare? Is is in good condition? Is it inflated? Good, the owner probably checked on it once in a while. Also, check simple things air filter is a good one. Check out the brake pedal. Look at the wear pattern on the lower right corner. The bigger this bald spot, the more its been used, for a low mileage motor that means a lot of city driving. Are any bulbs burnt out? A good owner changes his bulbs, even the ones that dont matter. Look at the seats. Is the drivers seat worn on the outside edge? Another indicator of city driving in low mileage motors. Open the glove box (with permission). Just glance. Anything special? Manual? Fuses? Both of those indicate a prepared caring owner. Carpet stains? Some stains are ok, excessive stains means he didnt care much.

Also, check the trip odometer. If its electronic and reads 0.0 be suspicious. That means the battery was JUST reset, probably to hide a check engine light.

Hope some of that is helpful!

 

99-01 have forged rods better than the 02-03 had PMR.
some of the 01 autos had a problem and die fast.
02-03 more comfort options.
my 99 had all aluminum IC where the 02 has plastic ends.

 

i have a 99 and dont have a bug so i dont know what they worked out?

 

Why don't trucks have molding all the way down the side including to the front of and to the rear of the rear wheel well? I guess the bed is door-ding proof in the newer trucks. I have the OEM molding on mine and it is just the doors, and I wish it extended all the way down the side. It would look better and be more functional.

 

looking at that one 2001 Ford F350 Lariat Crew Cab Super Duty, $12,500 - Cars.com

 

Could also be yellow, as that is the Motorcraft Premium stuff. It is what I run.

 

Its a general rule, as a said. In the case of the 7.3 later years were rated for more power.

 

Yellow/Green. All looks the same through the coolant bottle

Red will pop though.

 

Im not a firm believer that PMR's are weaker than Forged. I have both and they take a beating. The broken rod end is a far superior design over smooth cut. It virtually cannot move or slip under any load. I'd like to see a stretch test and a compression test for proof.

 

X2.

I agree that on paper PMRs are weaker, but in actuality I dont think the average user will ever know the difference.

 

the pmr has a lot less ductility so it will not stretch like the fr. but the pmr has a higher tinsel strength than the fr.
so it is 6 or halve dozen

 

Whoops. Missed a second post by the OP.

That is a 2001, and therefor would have the mechanical diode in the transmission.
Price is good if the mileage is indeed 133k

 

not %100 on the trans, there was a cut off date in 01 when they changed it so build date would help.

 

You're right, red will pop, but normally, conventional green will be distinctly different and noticeable in the degas bottle compared to Ford's gold H-OAT coolant.

They aren't weaker. PMR's are just less forgiving and have a smaller margin for error compared to forged rods.

Stewart