CRAP!!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
Tims01 that is a really nice looking truck and priced about the same as Diesel's of that vintage and mileage in my area. Just seems like a lot of money to spend on a project vehicle. On the other hand there aren't that many out there with straight body panels and interiors in excellent condition. Decisions decisions...
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Okay...here's a crazy idea...
Since you know your truck and you already have the 7.3L you like...
Wouldn't a 2wd to 4wd conversion to your truck be a simpler and cheaper route?
I'm not sure if the overall frame of a 2wd vs 4wd are different and if so...could you get a competent frame shop to cut up and weld up any differences to accept the 4wd axle/transfer case/etc...seems like a much more straight forward approach...at least as I am thinking as I type...
Good luck,
Joe.
Since you know your truck and you already have the 7.3L you like...
Wouldn't a 2wd to 4wd conversion to your truck be a simpler and cheaper route?
I'm not sure if the overall frame of a 2wd vs 4wd are different and if so...could you get a competent frame shop to cut up and weld up any differences to accept the 4wd axle/transfer case/etc...seems like a much more straight forward approach...at least as I am thinking as I type...
Good luck,
Joe.
Joe28443
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Hampstead NC
Tim I have the same exact ex that you have. I would love a 4wd myself but looking at the money I have dumped into mine in the past 3 yrs, (fuel pump, water pump, ball joints, mods and a transmission this week) I am scared to start over again. There are some 7.3's my way that are of as high as where you are located. You may have to travel but they are out there unless you really want to do this project. If I could sell my 2wd for 15k it would be gone today.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge, United Kingdom
I agree with X Hemi guy, I hadn't read the part that said you already have a 7.3 - I would look into adding the 4x4, maybe keep it simple with a manual transfer box (don't know if that was only on the F250's? have definately seen them for sale with a shift lever for 4x4) - you could then do it properly, i.e axle diff locks, good quality hubs etc
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Foothills of cascades
Use a donor truck that has a throttle cable (I think both gas version do?). The whole vacuum thing isnt to much of a worry, worst case you run a vacuum line from the vacuum pump up to a distribution block located somewhere, and you might have to run some cut to length hoses to replace the factory ones if they arent long enough. The swap should be fairly straight forward, but I'm sure there will be plenty of little things that slow it down.
Depending on your area, will dictate the price of an engine. First gen 12 valves will fetch up to about $1500 and can do an easy 350hp without going to any major mods, if you want to go that route.
Depending on your area, will dictate the price of an engine. First gen 12 valves will fetch up to about $1500 and can do an easy 350hp without going to any major mods, if you want to go that route.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Foothills of cascades
The one thing I want to know....are the coil buckets the same on the 99-04 2wd trucks, as the 05+ 4wd trucks? It would make going 4wd easier if you could just swap in the coil front suspension (and retain a decent ride).
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Tim - there was an Excursion on Craigslist a couple of weeks ago that "needed engine attention" for $2K. It was up in the Anacortes area I think.
It might be worth searching the internet archive so see if he still has it.
It might be worth searching the internet archive so see if he still has it.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
Okay...here's a crazy idea...
Since you know your truck and you already have the 7.3L you like...
Wouldn't a 2wd to 4wd conversion to your truck be a simpler and cheaper route?
I'm not sure if the overall frame of a 2wd vs 4wd are different and if so...could you get a competent frame shop to cut up and weld up any differences to accept the 4wd axle/transfer case/etc...seems like a much more straight forward approach...at least as I am thinking as I type...
Good luck,
Joe.
Since you know your truck and you already have the 7.3L you like...
Wouldn't a 2wd to 4wd conversion to your truck be a simpler and cheaper route?
I'm not sure if the overall frame of a 2wd vs 4wd are different and if so...could you get a competent frame shop to cut up and weld up any differences to accept the 4wd axle/transfer case/etc...seems like a much more straight forward approach...at least as I am thinking as I type...
Good luck,
Joe.
Tim I have the same exact ex that you have. I would love a 4wd myself but looking at the money I have dumped into mine in the past 3 yrs, (fuel pump, water pump, ball joints, mods and a transmission this week) I am scared to start over again. There are some 7.3's my way that are of as high as where you are located. You may have to travel but they are out there unless you really want to do this project. If I could sell my 2wd for 15k it would be gone today.
i agree but i have done nothing to my ex except the water pump and i did that myself .. this truck is STOCK everything at 170,000 miles lol .. yes i need to so some maintenance ..
I agree with X Hemi guy, I hadn't read the part that said you already have a 7.3 - I would look into adding the 4x4, maybe keep it simple with a manual transfer box (don't know if that was only on the F250's? have definately seen them for sale with a shift lever for 4x4) - you could then do it properly, i.e axle diff locks, good quality hubs etc
some of the things i was thinking if i did a 2wd to 4x4 conversion or was able to buy a 4x4 7.3 and sell my 2wd and brake even or close to it was when upgrading the motor i would rebuild the motor with higher quality , much stronger parts and make it smooth balanced and blueprinted and etc and build it old school .. like build the motor to withstand 1000hp and 2000ftlbs of tourqe but then only run 500hp and 1000ftlbs tq .. things like these cross my mind daily lol
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Caro, MI
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I think it is a most awesome idea (IMHO)! I've been kicking the same idea around ever since I got my second Ex. I just got a line on a 2000 w/275k and still running. I know the owner well and the truck is solid. I've been going back and forth between a 6.4L Powerstroke or a Cummins 12 valve. The latter would probably be easier because there is more experience out there, but then, I've never been one to do things the easy way.
Keep us posted!
Keep us posted!
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 272
Likes: 6
From: SW Missouri
There was a 7.3 that sold for 1,000 motor only just last month on craigslist. Guy rolled his truck and tried to save a buck scrapping it himself. Search with allcraigs and you might find the parts easier?
Search Craigslist: Free Craigslist Search Engine to search ALL Craigslist
Search Craigslist: Free Craigslist Search Engine to search ALL Craigslist
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
I think it is a most awesome idea (IMHO)! I've been kicking the same idea around ever since I got my second Ex. I just got a line on a 2000 w/275k and still running. I know the owner well and the truck is solid. I've been going back and forth between a 6.4L Powerstroke or a Cummins 12 valve. The latter would probably be easier because there is more experience out there, but then, I've never been one to do things the easy way.
Keep us posted!
Keep us posted!
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