Are there any issues with the 99's that were fixed later on I should be concerned with? Possibly purchasing a 99 dually for towing and want to know if there is anything I should look for when I go to see the truck. I have a 2001 that I love but just want to make sure. I believe the 99.5 was something to look out for right? What manufacture date should I look for???

Any help would be much appreciated!!!

 

Just got a pic of the door tag and two things I noticed. Manufacture date is 06/98 and it has a Body code W32. Says it is 4x4 but from what I have looked at online that code is a 4x2. Can anyone confirm either way??? Thanks!

 

That's an early '99.

Early '99 ran through 12/6/98 manufacture date. There's nothing wrong with an early '99, there are some differences though:

Turbocharger compressor housing smaller
Turbocharger pedestal lower
Intake spider smaller
Plenums smaller
No intake air heater
AB vs. AD injectors
15 degree vs. 17 degree HPOP
One up-pipe is different
Probably a couple things I can't remember . . .

There are some front suspension/brake differences, but I don't think they coincide with the same date for changeover.

Replacements can be a little harder to find for the early '99 specific parts, and some places don't know there's a difference.

For some more information, you can enter the VIN here: VIN Decoder - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

That truck wont work out because turns out it was a 4x2. Luckily found another even closer and is a 5/99! Woo! Means everything should be the same as my 01 and hopefully has forged rods .... Looking at it tomorrow. Hopefully going to be my 2nd 7.3

 

If it's a '99, it almost has to have forged rods. You can tell by the engine serial number on a sticker on the left valve cover. Engines with a serial lower than 1425747, and those with serial numbers from 1440713 through 1498318 are forged rod engines.

 

That is what I am hoping for .... My truck has forged rods so that would be great if both did!

 

Should have forged rods, cruise control light on dash does not turn on, has a spot for it behind the dash with a bulb but something with the pcm doesn't know it's there. 2 wheel abs vs 4 wheel, Front brakes are a little smaller, I believe the turbo is different, Glow Plug Relay only nothing else, some other stuff.

 

Thanks to Chris (tappit01)
Some differences between Early 99 and 99.5
Credit to Chase aka superduty4x4, Ron aka Ron's Power Stroke and in Bold credit to Jet aka
SolidGround
Early 99 has a wicked wheel in it from the factory. And much smaller turbo (spools faster, though)
The early99 has 120cc(AB code) injectors and the late99-03 has 140cc(AD code) injectors.
The early99 has 2" intake plenums. The late99-03 has 3" intake plenums.
The early99 has a 15* swash plate HPOP. The late99-03 has a 17* swash plate HPOP.
The early99 has one glow plug relay. The late99-03 has one glow plug relay and one air intake heater
relay side by side (along with early '99 CA models) . Both relays are on the passenger side of the ful
bowl toward the front of the truck.
The early99 has a totally different air intake that is not inter changeable with the late99-03 (except for
DRW trucks) . But you can put the late99 air cleaner assembly in the early99 truck. The only three
afterarket air filters that work on the early99 are the AFE stage 2, the AIS and the KWIKK 6637.
The early99 track rod has smaller mounting bolts than the late99-03. (except for DRW trucks)
The early99 has shallower rotors than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)
The early99 has shorter hub-bearings than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)
The early99 front axle U bolts are square where they go over the spring pack. The late99 U bolts are
round. (except DRW trucks)
The early99 has a different pitman arm than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)
The early99 does not have the AIH like the late99-03. (except CA model)
The early99 does not have the automatic transmission fluid cooler in the radiator.
The early99 has different size swaybar.
The early99 has no indicator light showing that "cruise" is on. Late99-03 has a cruise light that will come
on when you set the cruise control. The early99 has the light in the dash already. A newer PCM(Yes it
will plug in and will run better too) must be used to make the cruise light illuminate. It is a green light on
the right side edge, half way up.

 

Awesome break down. I love my early 99. Haven't found any reason to shy away from them.