01 models can be either one most have the PM rods but they still had forged rods in stock that they used.

 

What happened with the 2001 and forged rods was as follows:

Up until the turn of the century, the use of powdered metal rods in a high compression diesel engine was previously untested in the wild... where "wild" would be the uncontrolled, unmonitored, unmeasured field testing that we consumers do once we get our paws on the steering wheel. PMR's had already proved themselves in gasoline engines, at 9:1 compression ratios, but not in 16:1 compression ratio turbocharged diesel engines with the attendant cylinder pressures we associate with more power per stroke.

So International did a trial run of PMRs toward the end of the 2000 calendar year (which means they were fitted in the earlier 2001 model year), and then stopped building with PMRs and resumed building with traditionally forged rods again, while waiting for the ship to hit the fan.

No bad ship arrived. Things turned out ok. No rods broke apart in the stock non modified engines, and the production cost savings of PMRs was tremendous, and International had already purchased the machinery to crack the PMRs (a deafening sound, I've stood next to it while the rods were being cracked). So PMR's got the green light for the remaining 3 years of 7.3L production.

However, on the aftermarket end, things turned out quite differently. Almost immediately a difference in the 7.3L longevity was noticed, once the chips, injectors, propane, nox, and other crazy stuff folks were trying got applied to PMR blocks. The same hop ups that worked on the early 99, late 99, and 2000 engines without issue... literally destroyed the 2001 engines that had the PMRs. But still, the number of incidents was limited, because back then, these trucks were new and still under the 5 year 100K engine warranty, so only the more extreme "hot rodders" ventured into the experimentation that windowed their blocks. Mild performance mods never challenged the PMRs. But chasing 5.9s with sleds in tow certainly did.

Experience has proven that traditionally forged rods hold up under pressure longer. But experience has also shown that if you keep the truck stock, or stockish, the PMRs will last as long as the block they swinging in.

 

Good stuff. I seriously doubt I'll be building a racing machine. I understand the deal, though. Good information to have. Is there a web site to look up the VIN number, so you'd know which rods you have? One thing I noticed - some of the ones I've looked at have the 4WD shift on the floor, and some is push button, shift on the fly. To be honest, I'd prefer the shift on the floor for 4WD.

 

I like the manual shift 4x4, there is a lot less to go bad and it's easy to diagnose if it ever does quit working.

 

I would have preferred the 4x4 lever on the floor as well, but finding the exact truck I wanted in an acceptable color was difficult enough, so ESOF it was. ESOF is not that big of a deal and I don't mind it as much now that I am used to it.

 

Y2K, this was my understanding also and have restated it several times on this form. Cody (Cletus12R) who is usually spot on with information on these trucks, corrected me in a thread on this forum saying that MOST of the YM 2000 trucks were forged rod engines but some of the PMR engines did get into the 2000 YM trucks. Do you know for certain if all 2000 YM trucks/excursions did indeed have forged rod engines or did some get the PMR engines?

My truck is a 2000 with the ZF-6 and I had always assumed it was a forged rod engine so I never bothered pulling the inspection plug. After Cody corrected me I went a pulled the plug. It had a nut instead of a bolt head so it’s a forged rod engine.

Thanks for the education.

 

Here is a list that someone had posted previously. I believe it refers to engine serial numbers.

 

Thanks Mark,

That is the same list I have, I'm just not sure how it correlates to the year model. I just do not want to give out incorrect information regarding the year models having forged/PM rods.

Thanks,

 

I would be careful and take this with a 5k LB salt block here.....some of his info should we say is so left field you may have to hop on a plane to go get the info.....

 

The powerstrokehelp guy has lots of great info mixed with a good bit shockingly ignorant info.

 

As to the OP I would say that my truck is best. Right now it's not used too much but every time I go to use it it does everything I ask and need it to do.

 

Early 99 with all stock options and a wind screen. Best truck ever.....

 

I have a 2000 with 417000 miles on it. The engine still runs great! I just had the tranny rebuilt about 2000 miles ago. The shop that did it remarked on how strong the motor felt. I'm very stringent about changing the oil, fuel filter and making sure the air cleaner is clean every 8,000 miles. I'm very happy with it.

 

Finally. Someone who describes Bill best. Mr Hewitt DOES tout a lot of GREAT information. And while some may be put off by it, I find his parental southern style somewhat endearing, rather than demeaning or dogmatic. Reminds me of someone I played football with in high school. Always in charge. Didn't bother me, because that energy helped the team. However, the parental this is how ya do it down home dogmatic style of leadership is what makes it so shocking when Bill gets it so wrong. If it were not for his otherwise convincingly credible presentation, his mistakes would be ignored. But because of his persona, when he gets it so wrong, it is kind of shocking. That is the perfect description.