What Modification Would You NEVER Do Again...
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Licking Missouri
What Modification Would You NEVER Do Again...
I'm new here and just getting started on what appears to be a giant learning curve on the 99-03 PSD's. I started a pre engine start thread a few days ago and have received a lot of great advice on what to do prior to starting the truck that has been sitting for years. Being I'm just getting started I thought there might be some value for myself and other to ask a question that may be difficult for some of us to answer. The thought of researching, planning, and implementing a modification that didn't end up as planned is disappointing at best. People tend to talk up Mod's that turn out well, while those that don't just tend to disappear quietly. 
What Mods should I steer clear from in the future and why? Small or large I need to know. Thanks In advance for your honesty and help. 
What Mods should I steer clear from in the future and why? Small or large I need to know. Thanks In advance for your honesty and help.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
pretty much any mod you find referenced on this board has some benefit, but as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I ran a 6637 air filter for 8 or 9 years. Great filter and did a great job of filtering air but the noise I thought was pretty cool when I was 30ish was frickin annoying the closer I got to 40 (opinion)so now I run the Ford AIS intake system. It filter as good or better than the 6637 but is so much quieter.
I ran the Evans waterless coolant and a zero pressure cooling system for about 200k miles but with no coolant pressure you don't realize things are failing. Evans coolant is expensive and a waste of money in this application ( again my opinion), CAT ELC is readily available and more affordable.
You may find old references to the "10k mod" just ignore those. Technology has moved far past that ( not my opinion, fact).
I ran a CCV reroute to atmosphere for a long time ( 7 or 8) years but got tiard of the oil vapors drifting around while I was sitting at stop lights. Some guys install a CCV catch can on the CCV system to keep the intercooler and CAC system clean but honestly ( for me) its not really necessary.
Just post up any plans you have as far as modification and you will get a lot of good info with a lot of opinion thrown in and you can decide what you want to do from there.
I ran a 6637 air filter for 8 or 9 years. Great filter and did a great job of filtering air but the noise I thought was pretty cool when I was 30ish was frickin annoying the closer I got to 40 (opinion)so now I run the Ford AIS intake system. It filter as good or better than the 6637 but is so much quieter.
I ran the Evans waterless coolant and a zero pressure cooling system for about 200k miles but with no coolant pressure you don't realize things are failing. Evans coolant is expensive and a waste of money in this application ( again my opinion), CAT ELC is readily available and more affordable.
You may find old references to the "10k mod" just ignore those. Technology has moved far past that ( not my opinion, fact).
I ran a CCV reroute to atmosphere for a long time ( 7 or 8) years but got tiard of the oil vapors drifting around while I was sitting at stop lights. Some guys install a CCV catch can on the CCV system to keep the intercooler and CAC system clean but honestly ( for me) its not really necessary.
Just post up any plans you have as far as modification and you will get a lot of good info with a lot of opinion thrown in and you can decide what you want to do from there.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Yeah... there are too many mods that work for one but not the other. Then... there are those who go happily along with a failed mod (or tune), but don't know any better - because they have nothing to compare it to. You pretty much need to question each mod you plan to do and get input.
A couple of my many failed mods come immediately to mind: Fuel pump pre-filter instead of a pre-strainer, and the muffler delete.
A couple of my many failed mods come immediately to mind: Fuel pump pre-filter instead of a pre-strainer, and the muffler delete.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,355
Likes: 5,947
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
What follows below is my opinion and nothing else. I have come to this opinion based on my own real world experiences with the parts/devices listed below.
1. AIS foam insert - I would not have paid ~$35 for a foam sleeve from the retailer I bought it from. I would of (and should have) gone to HD or Lowes and bought a foam pre-filter for a shop vac for ~$3 instead.
2. Diesel Site Maxx A/C Assist - I would not have paid ~$75 for a device that didn't work right out of the box and should have paid half of that for the Ranger coolant valve. I have been a customer of Diesel Site many times in the past and this part and the lack of support for the problems I had with it were a pretty significant burn. I was pretty much told "not our problem" after emailing back and forth a few times about how the device was failing to operate.
Everything else has either performed as intended or was worth the price and I am happy with it. Do your research, that is the best advice I can offer you. What works great for another FTE 7.3 owner may be the absolute worst choice for you.
1. AIS foam insert - I would not have paid ~$35 for a foam sleeve from the retailer I bought it from. I would of (and should have) gone to HD or Lowes and bought a foam pre-filter for a shop vac for ~$3 instead.
2. Diesel Site Maxx A/C Assist - I would not have paid ~$75 for a device that didn't work right out of the box and should have paid half of that for the Ranger coolant valve. I have been a customer of Diesel Site many times in the past and this part and the lack of support for the problems I had with it were a pretty significant burn. I was pretty much told "not our problem" after emailing back and forth a few times about how the device was failing to operate.
Everything else has either performed as intended or was worth the price and I am happy with it. Do your research, that is the best advice I can offer you. What works great for another FTE 7.3 owner may be the absolute worst choice for you.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Transmission bypass delete. In theory it removes a possible problem (a failed bypass returns hot fluid to trans causing overheating) but deleting it the possible problem becomes lack of fluid flow from clogged trans cooler, resulting in rapid trans failure. That's a bigger problem than just running hot.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
Transmission bypass delete. In theory it removes a possible problem (a failed bypass returns hot fluid to trans causing overheating) but deleting it the possible problem becomes lack of fluid flow from clogged trans cooler, resulting in rapid trans failure. That's a bigger problem than just running hot.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 521
Likes: 16
Nope... Not going to take the bait... NOT GOING TO DO IT... Oh it sure looks tasty... NO!
NOT!
NO JOE DONT DO IT...
NOT!
NO JOE DONT DO IT...
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
plus I don't think the blood stains would look good in the truck....or on it...
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
1) When doing the Hutch & Harpoon mod, I would not have used the Baldwin BF1212 filter, but would have instead used the Racor PS120 strainer between the tank and pump. WHY?? The PS120 strainer (120 mesh) is all you need to protect the pump once you remove the 68 mesh screens inside the tank, it has a lower resistance to flow on the pump suction, it has a clear bowl so you can see any collected crud, and you can clean the strainer without having to otherwise replace filter elements.
2) By taking the above approach to the H&H mod, I would not have installed a "lift pump" between the new pre-pump filter and the pump. WHY?? By using the free flowing PS120, the need/benefit/justification is simply eliminated for a lift pump to overcome the resistance of the BF1212 pleated element.
2) By taking the above approach to the H&H mod, I would not have installed a "lift pump" between the new pre-pump filter and the pump. WHY?? By using the free flowing PS120, the need/benefit/justification is simply eliminated for a lift pump to overcome the resistance of the BF1212 pleated element.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
We were all 18 once cleatus.
16 years old, First real paycheck in my hot little hand. My 66 Plymouth sport fury really needed brakes and tires but that dual exhaust with glass packs was way to alluring.
16 years old, First real paycheck in my hot little hand. My 66 Plymouth sport fury really needed brakes and tires but that dual exhaust with glass packs was way to alluring.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
When my first soft crossover hose started leaking, we didn't realize it until a 300+ mile round trip to Atlanta and back when it has a chance to completely coat the underside of the Excursion and the whipping tail wind coated the entire backside of the vehicle in a nice oily film.
Have not had that issue with the hard lines.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
I have the hard line but just didn't notice a difference. Once I must of leaned on it and chased a oil leak for a while. Finally found it to be the problem. I did tighten it back up. But would not add this again.