I chose.... poorly
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
Maybe,
I'm in no way criticizing your choices but here's where I sit with a 2000 EX 7.3. Paid $8900 for the truck.
Came with an old Superchips Flashpack
$50 for a junkyard 6.0 cooler in excellent shape and lets say another $50 in a couple cans of cooler cleaner and clamps, hoses and hardware and magnetic filter.
$250-300 for New Rancho RS5000s and a steering stab.
$250 for a set of Airlift Bags for the rear.
$130 for a Towmaster pyro.
$85 for a ScanTool OBD BT reader that lets me monitor everything else on my phone Engine temp, trans temp, boost, and a whole lot more.
$50 Tymar mod
$270 for a set of Warn Premium Manual Hubs
All in, I'm less than $10,500 for a truck that hauls the family everywhere we go and gets anywhere from 18-21 mpg on the freeway if I do my part. It hauls my 9000 lb TT anywhere with absolutely no problems and gets from 11-13 MPH while doing so.
The truck I traded for the EX was a 2003 Chevy 2500 HD with the 8.1 Vortec. On the freeway, IF I kept my foot out of it, it might manage 12 MPG with a tailwind. Pulling the TT it managed 4-5 MPG and didn't have nearly the space for the kids to stretch out on longer trips. For me, even driving less than 10K miles a year the Ex is a total win over the Chevy.
I'm in no way criticizing your choices but here's where I sit with a 2000 EX 7.3. Paid $8900 for the truck.
Came with an old Superchips Flashpack
$50 for a junkyard 6.0 cooler in excellent shape and lets say another $50 in a couple cans of cooler cleaner and clamps, hoses and hardware and magnetic filter.
$250-300 for New Rancho RS5000s and a steering stab.
$250 for a set of Airlift Bags for the rear.
$130 for a Towmaster pyro.
$85 for a ScanTool OBD BT reader that lets me monitor everything else on my phone Engine temp, trans temp, boost, and a whole lot more.
$50 Tymar mod
$270 for a set of Warn Premium Manual Hubs
All in, I'm less than $10,500 for a truck that hauls the family everywhere we go and gets anywhere from 18-21 mpg on the freeway if I do my part. It hauls my 9000 lb TT anywhere with absolutely no problems and gets from 11-13 MPH while doing so.
The truck I traded for the EX was a 2003 Chevy 2500 HD with the 8.1 Vortec. On the freeway, IF I kept my foot out of it, it might manage 12 MPG with a tailwind. Pulling the TT it managed 4-5 MPG and didn't have nearly the space for the kids to stretch out on longer trips. For me, even driving less than 10K miles a year the Ex is a total win over the Chevy.
Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: SoMD
I used to try to warn people who came asking questions while shopping. But, nobody listens 
While these things aren't cheap to own and operate, I think you're choosing to make it waaay more expensive than it has to be. You bought a very inexpensive example of the truck for a reason. You have lost your way. A V10 doesn't solve your problem.
I think this is a great forum and very helpful. But, I stepped away from the forum for a while and just kept driving mine. Once I realized what problems I actually need to solve vs. the multitude of solutions that I thought I needed I am a lot happier with my much shortened list.
While these things aren't cheap to own and operate, I think you're choosing to make it waaay more expensive than it has to be. You bought a very inexpensive example of the truck for a reason. You have lost your way. A V10 doesn't solve your problem.
I think this is a great forum and very helpful. But, I stepped away from the forum for a while and just kept driving mine. Once I realized what problems I actually need to solve vs. the multitude of solutions that I thought I needed I am a lot happier with my much shortened list.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Yep I feel like I've lost my way. That's a good way to put it. I have a tendency to over-engineer and over-build things without regard to the budget.
I can cut a lot of things off the list, no doubt about that. I could get the "upgrades & repairs" section down to about $600 by only fixing what's actually broken and doing no preventative maintenance work at all while I have it apart.
But then I still need a transmission. No, I don't need a JW or a BTS trans but I've heard lots of stories about local shops rebuilding a 4R100 and never being able to get it quite right. How am I going to deal with a local shop in Sacramento if I'm in Florida with my RV?
I can cut a lot of things off the list, no doubt about that. I could get the "upgrades & repairs" section down to about $600 by only fixing what's actually broken and doing no preventative maintenance work at all while I have it apart.
But then I still need a transmission. No, I don't need a JW or a BTS trans but I've heard lots of stories about local shops rebuilding a 4R100 and never being able to get it quite right. How am I going to deal with a local shop in Sacramento if I'm in Florida with my RV?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 955
From: Kaufman TX
Negative news travels. What you don't hear about are all the people who had a local shop rebuild their 4R100 with no problems. These shops aren't in business because they're screwing up half the time.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Regarding you transmission - once and done is how I see it. Talk to JW - Very happy with my TowMaster still. He's also a plethora of information on 7.3's as well. A 10 hour drive for you but worth it - see what else he can do for you while he has your truck captive. Now is a good time of year as it isn't super hot down there. And if you ride, Glamis is literally 10 mins away!
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: MI
Ford offers a 2 year unlimited miles warranty on their replacement parts and labor. If a Ford trans goes while your across the country just find a local ford dealer to fix it.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: SoMD
I struggle with the same things. My philosophy is to fix it right. But with the beater of a truck I bought, it doesn't need to be gold plated (i.e. standard rubber hoses instead of expensive silicon).
My up pipes leak also. It's on my list. I'll get to it when I have the time/money to tackle it.
Good luck with the transmission. That does suck. How many miles did your stock trans last?
My up pipes leak also. It's on my list. I'll get to it when I have the time/money to tackle it.
Good luck with the transmission. That does suck. How many miles did your stock trans last?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
It's got about 185k on it now. I think it came apart about 5k ago. I drove it around for a while before I bought a little car to run around in while this is down.
Not fixing my up-pipes isn't an option. Towing my RV over Donner summit was not fun in the condition it's in.
Not fixing my up-pipes isn't an option. Towing my RV over Donner summit was not fun in the condition it's in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 1
From: Loveland,CO
Yep I feel like I've lost my way. That's a good way to put it. I have a tendency to over-engineer and over-build things without regard to the budget.
I can cut a lot of things off the list, no doubt about that. I could get the "upgrades & repairs" section down to about $600 by only fixing what's actually broken and doing no preventative maintenance work at all while I have it apart.
But then I still need a transmission. No, I don't need a JW or a BTS trans but I've heard lots of stories about local shops rebuilding a 4R100 and never being able to get it quite right. How am I going to deal with a local shop in Sacramento if I'm in Florida with my RV?
I can cut a lot of things off the list, no doubt about that. I could get the "upgrades & repairs" section down to about $600 by only fixing what's actually broken and doing no preventative maintenance work at all while I have it apart.
But then I still need a transmission. No, I don't need a JW or a BTS trans but I've heard lots of stories about local shops rebuilding a 4R100 and never being able to get it quite right. How am I going to deal with a local shop in Sacramento if I'm in Florida with my RV?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Depending on what's what, We'd get it fixed by a local shop.
Stewart
