Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Upgrade to Big Red

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 09:54 PM
  #1  
Potlicker David's Avatar
Potlicker David
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Upgrade to Big Red

I just bought a truck to replace my 97 7.3 that was taken off the road by cancer. 2000 F-250 6-spd Now the work Begins. I will start asking for help on various little things.





It wont be easy to get used to this newfangled inter-cooler thing. lol
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 09:05 AM
  #2  
Smokiesman's Avatar
Smokiesman
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Bryson City NC
Originally Posted by Potlicker David
I just bought a truck to replace my 97 7.3 that was taken off the road by cancer. 2000 F-250 6-spd Now the work Begins. I will start asking for help on various little things.





It wont be easy to get used to this newfangled inter-cooler thing. lol
Oh yes it will !!!


Smokie
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 09:14 AM
  #3  
David7.3's Avatar
David7.3
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 3
From: Oakhust NJ Jersey Shore
Let us know, I got all kinds of spare parts laying around, start with a diesel site coolant filter and 203 t-stat. What a difference.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 10:07 AM
  #4  
Potlicker David's Avatar
Potlicker David
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
I'm not familiar with that upgrade. Is that longevity or performance?
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 10:24 AM
  #5  
timmyboy76's Avatar
timmyboy76
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
congrats man...id start by changing all fluids and installing a new master/slave assy
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 10:35 AM
  #6  
Potlicker David's Avatar
Potlicker David
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Fluid and filters are a definite. surprisingly the clutch is really good
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 10:48 AM
  #7  
sowaxeman's Avatar
sowaxeman
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 2
That's great...I called my old 94.5 PSD Dually "Big Ugly Red" because, well it was ugly. The paint was horrid, I never washed it so it was just my beater but a hell of a good running truck. Now I have a better looking truck that I actually have to wash and care for so I just call it Big Red Too - since my dad had a Big Red before I did.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 03:08 PM
  #8  
jgilrfr's Avatar
jgilrfr
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island,hamilton ny
Club FTE Gold Member
check the fuel lines on top of the engine for wear,and if possible the brake line between the tank and frame rail.The passenger fuel line is famous for rubbing through at the clip that holds it towards the fron of the motor.The brake line is prone to rusting out behind the gas tank,where you cant see it,i have experienced that on the highway at about 70mph and it is not a good feeling.Both big safety issues.Any questions just fire away and congrats on the new vehicle.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 04:30 PM
  #9  
Potlicker David's Avatar
Potlicker David
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
I hope you don't mind if I use the name too. (Yes I know it is horribly clichéd but it fits)

Thanks I will check both of those.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 04:40 PM
  #10  
River19's Avatar
River19
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 768
Likes: 1
From: Live VT, Work MA
Fantastic........enjoy.......is that utility bed what you want back there?
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 07:14 PM
  #11  
Potlicker David's Avatar
Potlicker David
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Yes I love the flatbed. That is the main reason I bought this truck. It will be getting wood stake sides tomorrow. We have a farm so the flatbed will make doing things around the farm so much easier not to mention towing a gooseneck.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2014 | 06:45 PM
  #12  
Burroughs's Avatar
Burroughs
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnat, Ohio
Originally Posted by Potlicker David
Yes I love the flatbed. That is the main reason I bought this truck. It will be getting wood stake sides tomorrow. We have a farm so the flatbed will make doing things around the farm so much easier not to mention towing a gooseneck.
Our trucks look so much alike! I loooove my flatbed. Also, what was that about a diesel site coolant filter? New thermostat? What differences are you seeing with these?
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2014 | 09:12 AM
  #13  
greg_8507's Avatar
greg_8507
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Onlsow, NC
Originally Posted by Burroughs
Our trucks look so much alike! I loooove my flatbed. Also, what was that about a diesel site coolant filter? New thermostat? What differences are you seeing with these?
The filter is preventative. The Thermostat is kinda performance? But i think it is more of getting back to how the engine was originally built and running the engine at it's optimal temp.

The 7.3 was originally equipped with a 203 short stem thermostat from International. At some point Ford designed and equipped our motor with a new water pump which required a long stem thermostat and I'm assuming used the 195 thermostat they already had instead of engineering and manufacturing a new design. What's an 8 degree difference anyways?

I installed the 203 thermostat and billet housing from Dieselsite. I don't notice a difference in how my truck runs. And many people have had difficulty getting the billet housing to seal when using the supplied gaskets and will have to use some RTV. Supposedly Dieselsite has changed their design to fix this issue. But i installed mine before that.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lupuseven
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Jan 15, 2016 09:04 AM
48' fordster
Massachusetts Chapter
4
Jun 22, 2009 10:44 AM
TNT1968
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Jan 28, 2009 07:29 PM
nafzimo
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
44
Apr 30, 2003 01:41 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:27 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE