7.3 or 5.4?
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 568
Likes: 51
From: Va Beach, VA
I bought an '01 7.3 that had a tuner and DIDN'T know it, I ended up putting a motor in it!!
Nice find Tex!
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 568
Likes: 51
From: Va Beach, VA
On new vehicles a tuner is used to "load" a particular tune into the PCM and goes unnoticed by the unknowing. On my '01, there was a dial, wires, T's, and splices going to different components and was only discovered after-the-fact, but the damage had already been done.
I don't think you have anything to worry about but it would be nice to know if it does just so you are aware.
Good luck with it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2011
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Thanks man. I just googled "f250 tuner" and read about it. I did notice something mounted under the steering wheel, a small black about the size of an old single cd player (like you use when you went jogging in 1990) thing. Maybe about the size of an Ipod. Maybe that's it and why the truck was so loud and took off.
I specifically remember on that 5.4 gasoline engine hitting the gas and it didn't take off near like this thing. It more or less seemed to debate on if it wanted to go or not.
I'll make sure to check on that tuner. Any other advice anyone has to offer and I'm all ears. I'm going to take it to my mechanic Friday before handing over the check.
Thanks again.
I specifically remember on that 5.4 gasoline engine hitting the gas and it didn't take off near like this thing. It more or less seemed to debate on if it wanted to go or not.
I'll make sure to check on that tuner. Any other advice anyone has to offer and I'm all ears. I'm going to take it to my mechanic Friday before handing over the check.
Thanks again.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 568
Likes: 51
From: Va Beach, VA
Sounds like it may have tuner if you noticed it when you punched it! Mine was incredible when you hit the pedal, the only thing I didn't know at the time was, it wasn't "normal".
I'm not familiar with the "older" tuners so I can't help much there, but just make sure you ask or have your mechanic check if he knows anything about them. I bet if I had known about mine, I would still have the truck today.
I'm not familiar with the "older" tuners so I can't help much there, but just make sure you ask or have your mechanic check if he knows anything about them. I bet if I had known about mine, I would still have the truck today.
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Posting Guru
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Most likely that's it. I just spoke with the seller, said he never put a tuner of any kind in it. Next time I drive it I'll pay attention to it when I hit the brakes.
I guess it says a lot about the bigger turbo and injectors versus the '99, or my ability to shift. < nonchalant whistle >
Nah, there's no comparison. The '01 easily trumps the '99.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,769
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From: Lubbock
Typically on 7.3 trucks it is actually a chip not a tuner. Iirc the 03.5+ 6.0 is when flash tuning became the way to go. On the older ones people used chips to tune them. Again they are great for power and potential mpg but towing with hi hp tunes is never a good idea with out something to monitor engine vitals. The 7.3 trucks stock though were not terribly slow stock and have a lot better throttle response than a 5.4 or v10. I've always thought the gas engines in the super duty sound like they have a stall convertor in them from the factory
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2011
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Anyone have Cooper tires on their F250? I'm thinking of mounting the Cooper Discoverer 265/75 R16's which was offered to me at Discount Tires just now. Checking them out online they state they're for SUV/light vehicles.
?
?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,769
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From: Lubbock
You will want ant very minimum a light truck tire like lt265 etc also I would suggest a d or e rated tire. They have a higher rated capacity. They are more expensive but when you get down to it choosing the wrong tire that could potentially fail at the worst time @70 in traffic would not be worth saving 50-100 bucks. Also having the higher rated tires typically will last longer and allow you to get a decent tire life (more miles)
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Posting Guru
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I was just reading up on the ratings and yes, I'll be getting an E rated tire. I'm just not certain which brand and which style. Most of the driving will be on the city roads and highways but I still want something that can handle the fields and off road as I do go there for work.
Any suggestions?
The Cooper Discoverer AT I previously mentioned has a strip in the middle of the tire for road stability which I really like and at the same time it was not overly "blocky" if you will. I once purchased Coopers for my F150. Loved them, why I'm interested again but on that same note I'm not closed minded to anything else. I've heard good things about the BF Goodrich.
I have a grand for tires, if that helps. Might be another week or two but I won't skimp for cheapies.
Any suggestions?
The Cooper Discoverer AT I previously mentioned has a strip in the middle of the tire for road stability which I really like and at the same time it was not overly "blocky" if you will. I once purchased Coopers for my F150. Loved them, why I'm interested again but on that same note I'm not closed minded to anything else. I've heard good things about the BF Goodrich.
I have a grand for tires, if that helps. Might be another week or two but I won't skimp for cheapies.
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Posting Guru
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For the HD and SD trucks 1998 was a weird year for Ford. They cut the 97' production short and didn't put out hardly any heavier trucks in early 98' since they were putting out the new Super Duty line. You may have seen them but Ford came out with what they called an F-250 LD which was basically an F-150 with a higher payload package.
Ford actually started taking orders for the new SD lineup in early 98'. My dad ordered a new 99' in either march or april of 98 but it took 6 months for him to get it. So I would say if the truck your looking at was built 12/98 it could have some of the updates on it. Ford does "running changes" with the trucks and phases in updated parts when they run out of the old stuff. So its hard to say.
I'd say 12/98 = december 1998.
Ford actually started taking orders for the new SD lineup in early 98'. My dad ordered a new 99' in either march or april of 98 but it took 6 months for him to get it. So I would say if the truck your looking at was built 12/98 it could have some of the updates on it. Ford does "running changes" with the trucks and phases in updated parts when they run out of the old stuff. So its hard to say.
I'd say 12/98 = december 1998.
The truck did have lumbar support in the seats and power everything. On one site it's stated that the lumbar was added on the late '99's if memory serves me correct. It was also mentioned that they did revisons to the trucks throughout the same year so who really knows.
Thanks for the help, though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,769
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From: Lubbock
I've always had good luck with bfg at tires. I've also had goodyear at/s and currently am running the bfg rugged trail tires that came stock on my truck in 2006 and 91k ago. I'd prefer a more agressive tire and a larger size but I'm going to hold off till these are toast. They likely have 5-10k left in them. The at/s good years I got like 80-k out of a set on another truck.