Bulletproof???
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Freshman User
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Bulletproof???
Hey guys,
I don't have one, but I know I want a Ford Super Duty. Looking to get something like an early 2000's F250 4x4, 7.3L Diesel, extended cab, 6 foot bed. I've been doing a lot of research while I wait to be able to really start looking to buy, and I keep coming across the term bulletproofing.
I'm pretty new to working on cars and only know the basic essentials, but I am planning on going to school for mechanics and diesel mechanics. I understand the general term, where the most common points of failure are taken care of and fixed/replaced(I think, guess I could be wrong obviously).
What I am wondering is what are those specific points of failure, and can a 7.3L be bulletproofed, because I haven't seen a lot of 7.3L bulletproofed trucks, mostly 6.0L
Thanks
Wick.y
I don't have one, but I know I want a Ford Super Duty. Looking to get something like an early 2000's F250 4x4, 7.3L Diesel, extended cab, 6 foot bed. I've been doing a lot of research while I wait to be able to really start looking to buy, and I keep coming across the term bulletproofing.
I'm pretty new to working on cars and only know the basic essentials, but I am planning on going to school for mechanics and diesel mechanics. I understand the general term, where the most common points of failure are taken care of and fixed/replaced(I think, guess I could be wrong obviously).
What I am wondering is what are those specific points of failure, and can a 7.3L be bulletproofed, because I haven't seen a lot of 7.3L bulletproofed trucks, mostly 6.0L
Thanks
Wick.y
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
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From: Muskogee, Ok
The reason you don't see that term with the 7.3 like you do the 6.0 is the 7.3 is a lot more robust.
Mostly due to more headbolts per cylinder on the 7.3, no egr to mess up, no variable vane turbo to get stuck. However the 6.0 does make 75 Hp more right off the bat
Mostly due to more headbolts per cylinder on the 7.3, no egr to mess up, no variable vane turbo to get stuck. However the 6.0 does make 75 Hp more right off the bat
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
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From: Douglassville, PA
Unless you monkey with it the 7.3 is pretty much bulletproof from the factory. The weak link on these trucks is the automatic transmission, particularly if you goose the engine and abuse it. If you goose the engine responsibly and either don't abuse it or you get the transmission upgraded you should be good to go. If you go way overboard on goosing the engine, then you would want to perform some bulletproofing tasks like converting head bolts to studs paying more attention to the transmission and probably some other things.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
The 6.0's were/are known for "tea Kettling" the heads, the EGR cooler clogging, the FICM being weak, issues with the VVT turbo, etc. They NEED to be bulletproofed. The 7.3 while not as easy to "turn up" to the power levels the 6.0 is capable of, is a much more reliable platform in stock and mildly built form.
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I'm located in Augusta, GA. But I wont be looking to buy until taxes next year roughly in the 15-18k range
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Unless you monkey with it the 7.3 is pretty much bulletproof from the factory. The weak link on these trucks is the automatic transmission, particularly if you goose the engine and abuse it. If you goose the engine responsibly and either don't abuse it or you get the transmission upgraded you should be good to go. If you go way overboard on goosing the engine, then you would want to perform some bulletproofing tasks like converting head bolts to studs paying more attention to the transmission and probably some other things.
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It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Elk Grove, CA
Goosing aka increasing horsepower. The 6.0 engine can make lots of power but anything beyond stock will usually result in catastrophic failure. Hence the term "bulletproofing". The 6.0 needs a few specific items to be addressed before increasing HP. After that it's fine. The 7.3 on the other hand is robust and can take a lot of HP goosing in stock form. It's a simpler stronger design.
Post up some examples of that you want to get and we can give you pros and cons.
Post up some examples of that you want to get and we can give you pros and cons.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Before you dive headlong into tinkering with the truck, I would first get some gauges and learn what's going on in there. OBDII adapter and portable device for all the factory sensors, plus a fuel pressure gauge and one or two Exhaust Gas Temperature gauges to monitor the head temperature(s).
If you insist on "bulletproofing" a 7.3L-era Superduty, then Hutch mod, upgraded air intake, and 6.0 transmission cooler come to mind. All tolled, these don't come anywhere near the expense/complexity of a 6.0 bulletproof job.
When you're ready for a good read, there are plenty of links in my signature... if you are surfing the full site here.
If you insist on "bulletproofing" a 7.3L-era Superduty, then Hutch mod, upgraded air intake, and 6.0 transmission cooler come to mind. All tolled, these don't come anywhere near the expense/complexity of a 6.0 bulletproof job.
When you're ready for a good read, there are plenty of links in my signature... if you are surfing the full site here.
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Goosing aka increasing horsepower. The 6.0 engine can make lots of power but anything beyond stock will usually result in catastrophic failure. Hence the term "bulletproofing". The 6.0 needs a few specific items to be addressed before increasing HP. After that it's fine. The 7.3 on the other hand is robust and can take a lot of HP goosing in stock form. It's a simpler stronger design.
Post up some examples of that you want to get and we can give you pros and cons.
Post up some examples of that you want to get and we can give you pros and cons.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-opinions.html
If you're meaning what I want to get as far as performance upgrades, I don't really have any in mind. I was just wondering about bulletproofing, and I think I worded it wrong. I know I asked if a 7.3L CAN be bulletproofed, but what I was meaning was DOES IT NEED TO BE bulletproofed. If so what are the points of failure.
You guys have really helped a lot though. Now I know that the 7.3L comes basically bulletproofed from the factory, and the best thing to do to make it even more reliable, is upgrading the auto trans
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Freshman User
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Before you dive headlong into tinkering with the truck, I would first get some gauges and learn what's going on in there. OBDII adapter and portable device for all the factory sensors, plus a fuel pressure gauge and one or two Exhaust Gas Temperature gauges to monitor the head temperature(s).
If you insist on "bulletproofing" a 7.3L-era Superduty, then Hutch mod, upgraded air intake, and 6.0 transmission cooler come to mind. All tolled, these don't come anywhere near the expense/complexity of a 6.0 bulletproof job.
When you're ready for a good read, there are plenty of links in my signature... if you are surfing the full site here.
If you insist on "bulletproofing" a 7.3L-era Superduty, then Hutch mod, upgraded air intake, and 6.0 transmission cooler come to mind. All tolled, these don't come anywhere near the expense/complexity of a 6.0 bulletproof job.
When you're ready for a good read, there are plenty of links in my signature... if you are surfing the full site here.
I think gauges are probably the first thing I'll add to the truck, followed by a tuner. Assuming you can put those in without doing other mods first
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
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From: Earth
I will also add that while the tank is down for the hutch mod do the harpoon part, also if on the full site check my dig for a good read on torque pro (a must have tool for diagnostics of any 7.3), if signature is not showing just go to search and then type torque pro faq and my username, it should find it
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
In short, the 7.3 needs no "bulletproofing". That only applies to the 6.0...which I would avoid unless you have the expertise and desire to the work yourself or have $6k to put into it to make it reliable. Even then, they can still have HPOP system leak issues and no start issues that will lead you down a road of suicidal tendencies.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
I wasn't necessarily insisting on bulletproofing. However your upgrades in that section will sure be kept in mind when/if I end up being able to get the truck I'm looking for. What I really meant to ask if the 7.3L needed to be, and if so what were the points of failure.
I think gauges are probably the first thing I'll add to the truck, followed by a tuner. Assuming you can put those in without doing other mods first
I think gauges are probably the first thing I'll add to the truck, followed by a tuner. Assuming you can put those in without doing other mods first
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-thread.html