Well I sold my 6.0 and now I'm on the look for another 7.3. I was going to buy a 6.4 or 6.7 but just cant swallow having a truck payment agian. So my question is that I have found a early 99 f250 7.3 crewfrom out west here in michigan. Which translates to zero rust and really a clean over all truck. It is a 1 owner with 141000 miles on it. Build date on the door jamb says 10/98. I know some of the differences are 130 instead of 140 injectors, the turbos different, smaller tubes on the inter cooler, and I'm sure theres more. I have had a half dozen 7.3's but all but two were 2001 and up and all were modified. The other two were 96 and a 97 both of those were bone stock. My question I guess is will I be disappointed in this truck being a early 99 and how hard are the parts to find or bet for them. Is it difficult to update to the new parts, expensive? Thanks in advance.

 

I bought an e99 last March, my first of these series trucks and have had no trouble finding parts or upgrading when I wanted to. Some of the upgrades I've been ahead of, some lucky on and some overlooked. No regrets on any of it.

 

There are many people that upgrade from stock parts on newer trucks. One member was able to acquire everything he needed to switch E99 to L99 by collecting discarded parts from forum members. [LINK]

Here is the actual process: [LINK]

 

I have not been disappointed with mine. Exact e99 replacement parts can be an issue, at least in my area of the country. I find tons more 99.5-2003 everywhere I look.

Riffraff has a complete under the hood upgrade kit for about $2700. Riffraff Diesel Early 99 7.3L Conversion Kit - Riffraff Diesel Performance
You can use the link to see a complete list of differences that are engine related.

There are differences in the suspension, brakes, etc. on the F250 as well.

Most of the issues I have had with this e99 are directly attributable to neglect from the previous owner.

If the current owner has taken care of it and you can get it for a good price I think you will be OK...

 

I've had my 9/98 built since new. It's a CC LB 4x4 and have had no problems. I got the upgrades from a friend, spider turbo etc.. There cheap anyway or Clay sells the kit. Is yours a 4x4? You'll need a tuner after driving the 6.0L or it will feel under powered for sure.

 

I don't think I can make it run like my 6.0 did in my budget but as all of my 7.3's have been they are reliable and work horses. Even the 6.0 I had with everything done to it never pulled like any if my 7.3's. The 6.0 is fast but not an work horse like a 7.3. I felt that about both of my 6.0s I have had. But I am just concerned being a early 99 I won't have the power like my other 7.3s. But sounds like you guys who have them say there is not a huge difference.

 

I agree with Bonanza35...You will need to look at a tuner. Do you have any experience with tuners for the 7.3? If so, I am curious...

 

There isn't. Those who say there is a difference have never owned both or spent an appreciable amount of time in both.

 

Yes mostly the edge products, but have had super tuner and hyper tech also. Had a couple with the edge juice with attitude but I never really ran them above tow and I was satisfied.

 

I have an E99 and absolutely love it. It has been a great and reliable truck. I'm the 2nd owner sense 2003 with only 36k on the clock and now I have 210k. I'm working on the 99.5 conversion stuff to get more power. The HPOP in the E99 are 15* vs the 17* in the later model so less power there. And yes it is somewhat of a dog compared to the 6.0 but much more of a workhorse that's for sure.

 

I forgot about the hpop being different too. I'm not looking to build race truck just a good hauler. The last 7.3 I had was an 03 it had the edge juice with air intake arp head studs, garret ball bearing turbo with the 88mm wheel and a 4 inch turbo back exhaust. Never changed the injectors. So I would guess I will need to change the hpop to make power with this truck?

 

No, not necessarily. If the HPOP is stock and is still producing good pressure at a low duty cycle and you have injectors that are stock or close to stock, then there is not much to gain from the upgrade.

I swapped mine due to it having trouble maintaining 2400 psi while pulling a few long grades while towing and it was leaking at the gasket on the reservoir side.

Some may argue that the e99 HPOP is actually superior in strength and durability.

 

Can you please elaborate on these comments and why you think you'll get more power?

 

I may have word it wrong, lack of sleep from cracking my pelvis again. I'm not taking 99.5 stuff to put on my E99 but my plan is changing out the 2" plenums to the 3" as I already have them (may not do much but may help some). The spider is larger, the turbo housing is smaller but the turbo is the same changing it out for the 38R cause I have one. Keeping my PCM but may tweak it a bit for shifting if possible, need to do more research on this. Trying to get more airflow to the motor. Would like to eventually change out the smaller injectors maybe the 238/80. I was told here on FTE that the 17* HPOP will provide more power from 6.8cc per revolution to 7.2cc.

Please enlighten me with better info.