My 2000 F250 SD CC SRW PSD has only 24K miles on it. I don’t plan on towing anything for at least 1 ½ years (Saving for a nice 5th wheel). At THIS TIME is it necessary to make any changes or additions to the stock Ford setup.

If not pulling or mod-ing at this time is it necessary to
1 Get EGT, Trans Temp or Boost gauges?
2 Upgrade the Trans Cooler or install a Trans Oil Filter Kit?
3 Upgrade the Air Filter Canister to a Filter Kit With X% more cool air or to upgrade the Exhaust system 4+”.

I’m not concerned with performance at this time because power is more than sufficient when not towing yet and its fairly more economical than expected (17-21mpg)

JUST MAINLY CONSERNED WITH RELIABILITY.

I can easily drop $3K after reading yualls posts… and if my wife couldn’t speak I would not be writing this now, but I would be asking what should I GET FIRST.

Sometimes when I read all the posts in here I start to get the impression that some of these mods are necessary because of a FORD related problems?? Wrong train of thought?

In a nutshell
Question
· Is this a reliable truck (Stock) if not towing. The truck is meticulously maintained, run easy and only driven about 200-400 miles a week. (Incidentally the truck is in sound mechanical condition)

Thanks all

 

A pyrometer is a must have, the rest of the stuff can wait.

 

Cartwright Pre or Post?

I’ve read that the pyrometer (EGT) is pretty difficult to install, depending on a Pre or Post like removing the down pipe from the turbo and drilling a whole for the probe… it all sounds difficult. I mean I’ve replaced full exhaust systems before on my cars but never a truck things just look pretty tight back there. My concern would be with getting exhaust pips tightly fit. Know of any sources that diagram the procedure? (My Chiltons SUCKS) I am very mechanically inclined.

Part costs about $125. about right this is an Ultra-Lite guage.

Thanks

 

If you leave the truck 100% stock, doing nothing to it, and driving like a saint, the first thing to go will be your transmission. That is a 100% certain fact - transmissions die if they are left stock way faster than if they are beefed up a little. Do not go crazy, just get the mushy heat generating characteristics away from your truck, and it will last for ever. If you tow large loads, or race up mountains, a pyro gauge is essential. If you do not you can live quite well without one - Thousands of Powerstrokes do not have one, and manage fine.

If you really want to spend money..... I can give you a list that will get you the most radical truck in your town.. It is nice having people give up when they see your truck coming up behind them..

Theo

 

A pyro is not necessary unless you modify your truck for more performance. Let's remember that the great majority, I'm guessing around 99%, or Power Stroke owners run their trucks completely stock down to the air filter with no problems at all. My dad's truck is completely stock and he pulls at the max GCWR quite a bit. Add a pyro if you want, but don't feel that you have to have one.

 

theologian

"That is a 100% certain fact transmissions die if they are left stock way faster than if they are beefed up a little. Do not go crazy, just get the mushy heat generating characteristics away from your truck, and it will last for ever"

Does that mean a larger Trans Oil Cooler & possibly a Trans Oil Filter Kit?

So my money would be best spent? I could drop about $500 right now.

 

Any interest in some good links to installing things take a peek

Pyro + Guage Install in a 3 eye pillar mount.
http://www.rockmodified.com/2003/jul.../f250gauge.htm

4" Exhaust Install
http://www.rockmodified.com/2003/jul...250exhaust.htm


Clearance Light install,
http://www.rockmodified.com/f250/lights/f250lights.htm

Air horn
http://www.rockmodified.com/2003/july/horn/horn.htm

"GIVE THANKS TO MOTOMAN"

FYI Some of the links don't work.




Q- Is it Cool to post this info or not (Not Sure if this is allowed)
THIS IS NOT MY SIGHT, I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH IT IN ANY WAY, I AM NOT PROMOTING THIS I JUST FOUND SOME USEFULL INFO AND THOUGHT I WOULD PASS IT ON SINCE I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU ALL. ABOUT ALL I CAN OFFER UNTILL I GET MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL BEAST.

Thanks
David

 

Getting a large transmission cooler, and a shift kit will make a tremendous difference to the longevity of you transmission. It would be doable for the amount of money you stated.

If you sort out the tranny your worries will then be to figure how much power, not how long until it breaks.

Theo

 

Theologian, what shift kit would you recommend for a 99 psd?

 

Trans-go brand shift kit. I would add a Tymar intake, the stock air filter setup isn't very reliable. less than $150 for the Tymar. My trans has been rebuilt 4X and the truck was stock and did not tow very often or very heavy. 165k mi.

 

Yep, the only shift kit I have liked with any vehicle is the transgo version - My '96 has a custom job in it, based on the transgo.

Theo

 

Change the stock air filter box out to the new Ford AIS. The stock ones are notorious for leaking. Just a hint of dusting and Ford will try to drop your warranty. It, the AIS, will cost you about $190.00 and one hour of time. Transmissions only may fail. It has a lot to do with your driving habits and trip types. Until you do decide to power mod and or tow put that 3 grand in the bank and just drive it. If the trans goes it goes, then get a BTS. Get an occasional Blackstone oil report when you change oil , sample about every 10K, $18.00 plus postage. Turn the CD up, play Stevie-Ray Vaughn loud, drive with a big ole grin.

 

Necessary? No! Highly desirable and beneficial? Yes.

Installation of a free flowing air cleaner and larger exhaust system with straight through muffler will yield
1: Cooler engine and exhaust temperatures
2: Better fuel mileage
Our engines are merely glorified air pumps. They pull in air, heat it, expand it, derive useful work by this expansion, thereby drawing some of the heat back out, and then pumpint the hot air out the back. Right now, your engine is doing a significant amount of work to suck the air in and again to push it out. Anything you can do to cut down on the work of processing that air will then allow your engine to run cooler and more efficiently. Imagine it takes 15hp to process that air. Free up your air path and you might reduce that to 5 hp. You now have 10 free hp to push you down the road.

Gauges, while not needed with a stock truck, will allow you to operate that stock truck at levels that stay a lot further from the boundaries of danger. By keeping your EGT under 600 degrees, you will maximize your fuel economy. Ditto with minimizing your boost. The engine has enough sensors and interlocks that it is not going to blow itself up unless your are doing something truly insane, but the information that a good set of gauges provide allow you to gain mpg, lower temperatures and greater longevity.

Transmission upgrades? Again, they sure won't hurt. I think most transmission failures (note the word MOST before flaming) are the result of high levels of testosterone settling into the right foot. Jackrabbit starts will chew up a transmission in short order. Driving like my aunt Myrtle - along with regular preventative maintenance will keep your tranny running for a long long time.

Spend the money, you won't be sorry.

 

MYKIDS.
You're new around here so I thought I would warn you about any future questions you would post .. I would suggest you should refrane from mentioning any negitive comments from your wife about your Powerstroke or any mods.. I have read the reactions of these guys to such comments and they quickly suggest you get a new wife...So before you may get some silly idea about their advice, it might be good to keep your wife's ideas to yourself... :~) Sorry guys, I just had to ... :~)