Hi all!
I had a 93 F350 2WD CC LB dually with a 460, pulled 5th wheel fine but loved GAS too much. Next a 2004 F250 2WD CC standard bed with 5.4. worked a bit hard pulling at times but, over all a good truck. Currently have 2003 Lincoln Navigator 5.4 which uses more gas than the F250 5.4?? Current 5th wheel is a 27' with one slide.

It has been a long time talked about and now after much searching the internet...I finally found WHAT I HOPE is the right truck for me!
Last night I drove home in a 2003 Lariat F250 2WD CC standard bed with a 7.3!
Car fax shows it first sold in 11-2002 and had been a Bakersfield CA truck its entire life, with 2 owners and now me:
#1 Had it for 2 1/2 yrs and put 35,000 on it.
#2 Had it for 11 yrs and took it to 98,750.
“Carfax” shows numerous dealer services oil changes and a service trans services at 33,000 and 84,000. Cam position sensor replaced in 2009 at 77,000.
Appears to be all stock except some kind of aftermarket air intake, looks to be gauze type which looks to be in need of a cleaning or replaced...... From what I have read,(there could be an issue / debate here)
I need to check it out further to see if it is a hot air or cold air type and whether just clean it ((That is happening today) and or replace it with some other type.....
About to head out in the rain and dig in now.
It does have 2 (known) issues, fuel gauge non op sitting on E and the overhead console has no display, fuel mileage, range and compass, (if it is like my 2003 Navigator???)

I will be checking back for any ideas or suggestions.
Thanks all
Ron

 

Welcome and it sounds like you have a nice low mileage 7.3 there, which is becoming more and more rare these days. Here is a link to a thread that was designed for a guy or gal who were looking to purchase a truck to help determine if a truck had been taken care of properly. Being that you have already bought the truck, you can still use it to determine what, if anything, needs attention.


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

 

Circuit Board Medics for your overhead console. https://circuitboardmedics.com/

 

Welcome to the FTE team.
Until the fuel gauge issue is repaired, reset the miles odometer each time you fill the tank.
I would use 350 miles as the refill target.

 

Thank you guys. With all the posts on this site, I am thinking that there is a lot of information to be sorted thru here.

Ron

 

Yea, but its all scary stuff!

 

There is, these trucks have been around a long time now, and many people have had issues so there is a lot of know how that has already been sorted through and tested very well at this point. That being said, it is an extremely helpful bunch and questions are answered usually very cheerfully. Just ask, give as much detail as possible, chances are, someone has been there, done that and can point you in the right direction. A lot of times, there are guys within driving distance that are willing to help you turn wrenches to get it done, with all they want in return is to share the experience and maybe drink a beer or three for the effort.

This is a great group here.

 

Hi all,
As I posted in late February, I finally found my 7.3. Last I night it rolled over to 100,000! Mad at myself, I wanted the 99999 picture.

I think I posted it somewhere on here before, I made a trip over to AZ (not with the 5th wheel) and got 20 MPG, gotta like that.

I have only done one short pull to Auto Club Speedway last weekend (highlight was kyle doing poorly!), and was surprised it dropped to the mid 10's. Pulling below 2 K with no hills.....
But I may have messed my numbers up by added more gallons to the tank (by fueling very slowly gallons for the last few) and not done that before going.
I read somewhere on here that they have an issue getting a full tank.....

It Pulled very nice though, cant wait to go somewhere and pull a grade. The season is here.

More to follow.
Ron

 

Hutch/Harpoon mod will cure the slow fuel fill problem.

 

Until then, if you want an accurate gauge on fuel usage you need to take the time filling until you see fuel settling at the filler neck. It takes a while with the way diesel foams, but is the only sure fire way to get a consistent fill in the tank

 

11-17 normal for most well maintained trucks, that 20 is a flyer if u ask me

 

11-17 normal for most well maintained trucks, that 20 is a flyer if u ask me
__________________________________________________ _____________________
He is 2WD, can make the difference.

 

Recently bought me a 1999 F350 W/ 7.3 89,000 MI. Well maintained former owner says. My First diesel. Decided on it because of the low miles and overall condition of unit. Plus re-sale seems to be decent if flipping it for something else . As far as fluid maintenance what should I keep an eye on as far as potential epic fails? Thanks for any insight from members. Mike.

 

If no good maintenance documentation is available the best thing would be to change out all fluids and filters - engine oil & coolant, brakes, trans,
diff & transfer case ETC. so that you KNOW what is in there and when.

 

Just a note on the coolant. If you are an early 99' you need to stick with the "old standard" stuff. The newer stuff is not kind to seals & gaskets on the E-99' and older trucks.