7.3L for a noob
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 75
Likes: 8
7.3L for a noob
Hey all,
I am going to be acquiring a 1999 7.3L powerstroke extended cab this friday. I was lucky enough to find someone who wants my wife’s old car in exchange for the truck. I don’t know much about it all. I know this much it’s a 99, 7.3L and it starts up runs and drives. I have a video of it running it doesn’t sound too terrible. It’s a bit rusty on the cab corners and rear doors. it’s probably an automatic trans. Looks like it’s 4x4 not sure if it’s manual t case or not. Couldn’t tell what trim either. I’ll update with pics when it’s delivered Friday. Basically though I want to learn as much as I can about this engine and how to properly take care of it/ maintain it as long as I can. It’s got 230k on it. As I mentioned before I don’t know if it’s stock engine or replaced or anything. I want any and all advice I can get. Things to check things to look out for anything at all! Thanks so much! This will be my first personal psd and I’m excited even if it’s an oldie maybe beat lol! Thanks again!
I am going to be acquiring a 1999 7.3L powerstroke extended cab this friday. I was lucky enough to find someone who wants my wife’s old car in exchange for the truck. I don’t know much about it all. I know this much it’s a 99, 7.3L and it starts up runs and drives. I have a video of it running it doesn’t sound too terrible. It’s a bit rusty on the cab corners and rear doors. it’s probably an automatic trans. Looks like it’s 4x4 not sure if it’s manual t case or not. Couldn’t tell what trim either. I’ll update with pics when it’s delivered Friday. Basically though I want to learn as much as I can about this engine and how to properly take care of it/ maintain it as long as I can. It’s got 230k on it. As I mentioned before I don’t know if it’s stock engine or replaced or anything. I want any and all advice I can get. Things to check things to look out for anything at all! Thanks so much! This will be my first personal psd and I’m excited even if it’s an oldie maybe beat lol! Thanks again!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 212
Likes: 44
The 7.3l was my first diesel. A few learning experiences and thoughts.
01 excursion 7.3l. had it 3 years now.
Oem sensors and critical engine parts only. Sensors especially!!!
Everything is heavy.
The transmissions are not stellar.
Most of the fuel related seals will be dead.
Cold starts (below freezing) are difficult if everything isnt working just right.
Be proactive about maintenance. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of fix. Cry once buy once. Plan to wrench on it yourself (and you will be wrenching).
Get forscan. I ise torque pro to monitor things cause its a tad nicer for customization. Forscan for true diagnosis. Step 1 is foracan.
Thats all i got.
01 excursion 7.3l. had it 3 years now.
Oem sensors and critical engine parts only. Sensors especially!!!
Everything is heavy.
The transmissions are not stellar.
Most of the fuel related seals will be dead.
Cold starts (below freezing) are difficult if everything isnt working just right.
Be proactive about maintenance. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of fix. Cry once buy once. Plan to wrench on it yourself (and you will be wrenching).
Get forscan. I ise torque pro to monitor things cause its a tad nicer for customization. Forscan for true diagnosis. Step 1 is foracan.
Thats all i got.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 458
What was your wife's old car?
My common sense advice nowadays is not to bother with a diesel truck unless you actually need one, and most people don't. I wouldn't own one if I didn't haul over the road with it 50,000+ miles a year where it becomes advantageous over a gas job. Gas is better for local short stuff and way easier on maintenance.
Come in here and ask first before letting anybody throw a huge repair bill at you. And nobody should ever buy a 25 year old truck unless they're okay with spending a lot of time laying underneath of it or hunched over the engine bay.
My common sense advice nowadays is not to bother with a diesel truck unless you actually need one, and most people don't. I wouldn't own one if I didn't haul over the road with it 50,000+ miles a year where it becomes advantageous over a gas job. Gas is better for local short stuff and way easier on maintenance.
Come in here and ask first before letting anybody throw a huge repair bill at you. And nobody should ever buy a 25 year old truck unless they're okay with spending a lot of time laying underneath of it or hunched over the engine bay.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,809
Likes: 1,334
From: Elk Grove, CA
If it runs now you can keep it running if you are willing to turn wrenches. These things are tough, 230k is not a problem.
Please send any and all pics you can. Much easier to look over your shoulder that way.
Please send any and all pics you can. Much easier to look over your shoulder that way.
Papa Smurf
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
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From: Ponca City, OK
Come on guys, don't sugar coat it now. Best comparison, it's like adopting an unemployed 20nothing with a drinking problem, and I love it. It's just a good thing I'm single. If I wasn't, I would be shortly.
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 75
Likes: 8
Well lol we all know that we all take on a bit of a money pit being into trucks, machines, cars, bikes, tools, etc. and sure I know the trucks super old and definitely isn’t a great investment I’ve always wanted a diesel superduty I already have had the other gassers and still daily a 6.2L crew cab. I know I’ll be wrenching on it for sure, it’s definitely gonna be a big project and take up lots of time and money however to some degree that’s why we have things to wrench on and I like to make the things I have my own or work on it myself! Looking to learn and have it running for a while and fix it when it breaks again, i appreciate the advice and replies! I’m sure there will be many times that f250 is f2shiity but it’ll sure be fun and learn something along the way, also the long term goal is to turn this truck into the dedicated towing/ camping/ trip truck. Potential for a flatbed with gooseneck and 5th setup and aswell as abilit to mount a box ontop as a small camper type thing. I’ll get pictures up asap, timing hasn’t been great as I haven’t had much to mess with the truck yet.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 583
Likes: 318
What was your wife's old car?
My common sense advice nowadays is not to bother with a diesel truck unless you actually need one, and most people don't. I wouldn't own one if I didn't haul over the road with it 50,000+ miles a year where it becomes advantageous over a gas job. Gas is better for local short stuff and way easier on maintenance.
Come in here and ask first before letting anybody throw a huge repair bill at you. And nobody should ever buy a 25 year old truck unless they're okay with spending a lot of time laying underneath of it or hunched over the engine bay.
My common sense advice nowadays is not to bother with a diesel truck unless you actually need one, and most people don't. I wouldn't own one if I didn't haul over the road with it 50,000+ miles a year where it becomes advantageous over a gas job. Gas is better for local short stuff and way easier on maintenance.
Come in here and ask first before letting anybody throw a huge repair bill at you. And nobody should ever buy a 25 year old truck unless they're okay with spending a lot of time laying underneath of it or hunched over the engine bay.
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