Hey everybody!
II drive a 2002 F250 automatic with 152k on it. I have been wanting to upgrade this truck for a while now. I have done some research and reading on this forum has been helpful. I don’t know a lot about this stuff. just want to know what should I doand in what order. I don’t want to spend to much money all at once anyway! So to go with that if I could group some mods together to do first that would be great. My truck is stock except for a 4 in down pipe followed by 5 in exhaust the rest of the way back.

 

Welcome to FTE.
‘First go lock up your wallet, we like spending others money! .

Focus first on creating an actual plan on what you want from your truck, be specific then put it in writing!! RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH... I’d focus first on the design flaws that the truck came with from the factory then on upgrades based on your actual written plan.

A few of these flaws:
Stock air box
Hutch/Harpoon Mod
Passenger side fuel line support that rubs.
HPOP Lines if they’re original
42 pin connectors
Up Pipes

 

hey thanks for the input. As far As the air box I talked to a guy from the area and he told me to go get an air filter for a 3208 cat and stick in there. Thought?

 

This is where your long term plan comes into play… The Ford AIS provides excellent filtration, and airflow for most stock set ups, a cheap(er) upgrade is the 6637, then S&B etc. This is where google will help, put in best air filter for 7.3 L diesel. It will probably take you right back here with all the threads started and a ton of information...

Research twice spend once.

 

Your first mods should be aimed at prevention and protection (mostly from yourself )

Intake:
6637 is the cheapest option, but I recommend the Ford AIS.

The 6637 is just a generic filter that fits, and for all reality, it does great. You can even get cool prefilter covers for it.

The AIS is the only aftermarket filter endorsed by Ford. It uses the same filter media as later model trucks and supposedly the M1A1 Abrahams tanks...

I've personally had both, and they're both great options, and they both last a long time between filter changes.

Exhaust:
Sounds like you've got this part covered.

Engine
One of the earliest things you should do is check for boost leaks. By now, it's probably got a few. A simple boost leak detector can help identify them. Clean up these leaks with Riffraff plenum inserts and some new CAC boots.

Check for leaks. These trucks like to leak. Specifically common is the fuel bowl in the valley of the engine. This can be rebuilt using affordable oring kits.

Notable "upgrades" include things like a FRx and an HPx. These both help the health of your engine.

Other:

As with any new used vehicle, you should probably change all of the fluids and filters, especially the uncommon ones; rear diff oil, fuel filter, power steering/brake fluid (they are the same in this truck), etc.

This is just the beginning. There's so much fun stuff to work on, on these trucks. Good luck and have fun!
(We call it PMS, Powerstroke Modding Syndrome)

I've also attached some hopefully helpful videos I've put together.

 

Really great stuff above, check it all out. Don't do it all, just learn from it.

You have a good exhaust so you're set there. Need more intake... I first went 6637 and later (when funds allowed) a sleeved AIS. Good filtration is important, and both these work. Ditch the stock airbox and avoid K&N.

After that most choices depend on how you want to use the truck. Daily driver, tow pig, mall queen, etc. Plus your budget.

If it's completely stock the best mod for reliability is the Hutch and Harpoon on the fuel tank. Here's a good primer on the subject.

What's the history on the truck? Any mods you know of?

 

Yea.. Check for issues before just replacing. You didnt mention why you were upgrading, just to do so or more power ect

For just basic stock engine then the exhaust is the best option. That muffler is really restrictive. Lots of options but if you want it quiet you can just replace
the muffer and get a lot more flow. Or you can go for a 4-inch turbo back. These 7.3 sound horrible w/o a muffler.

Then intake mentioned above

Now.. Anything more will add power and heat and strain on the transmission and engine so you need supporting mods first..
- Gauges (hard gauges or some monitor)
- need to stabilize the transmission with a valve body (BTS, or others work great to boost line pressure). Going more power then look at a torque converter too.

Now for Chip or Hydra, Hydra is the newest and most versatile option but a old 6 position chips works too.

Need more support for more power
- turbo
-injectors
- big injectors then - high pressure pump - probably crossover lines
- new transmission (built)
- $$$$$$$$$ on and on

 

As noted you have not given us a clear idea of what you are trying to build or achieve other then just to “upgrade”

without knowing your goals any suggestions are meaningless and just stuff you can do they Might be helpful might not.

think long and hard about your goals and then you will have a clear idea of what changes need to be made.

if it were me my goals would be to address the know weakness of the platform.

transmission service life
transmission cooling
braking, specifically glide pins
suspension, specifically the shocks
corrosion, windshield seal, rockers, dog legs
air box warpage

you mentioned having done the exhaust, while improvements in EGT can be made here they are far from being a weakness that needs addressing , more of a hot rodding issue and only a tiny part of that equation. Not where I would start.

 

So the reason I started researching upgrades is about a month ago for about a two or three day window every time I would start it up in the morning it would blow blue smoke and smell like burning oil right at starting then clear up after a few minutes. But then it stopped doing it. So I thought I might need new valve seals or injectors and one thing led to another and here I am talking to you fine people.

 

Dude, You have no idea how much your videos have help me, pleasant, logical, metodic, very nicely done..

I thank you very much for the know how, time and effort you have put into them

Ricky

 

did you figure out where the oil leak was ? Or did the weather warm up and it is not currently smoking so you figured it was magically fixed ?

if it were mine I would figure out where the oil leak was and focus on fixing that more then “upgrading”
Get your maintenance done first, somewhere along the way you will either figure out what you want to build or realize just keeping these old girls maintained correctly is a large enough chore.

 

Like others have said, get all the little things fixed first. Then set a goal like; sled pulling, drag racing, pulling heavy loads, or just a little more pep on the street. We can help you get there. Most everyone on this forum are into practical power for towing heavy or more pep.

 

I absolutely agree. I got carried away with the idea of upgrading. I know this is hard to say but what could be causing it to smoke like that. I do t even know where to begin looking.

 

Thanks! I'm glad I could help. None of it is my own information, just stuff I've learned here and pass along as I worked on my own truck. For me, I like having a video to watch, so I figured others are the same way.

I'm not mechanic or film maker, just a guy on forum trying to contribute to a community.

Glad to hear you find them helpful!

 

Blue smoke = oil, So do some research and find out a method to diagnosis wether it is a turbo/ccv or injector oil leak