Welcome Code Red!

These guys forgot to tell you but you have to let us borrow your truck whenever we need. You see, sometimes we like to experiment with mods and we need donor trucks to do that. So just drive on over and I get your truck back to you in a week or so....

BTW,

the list

1. Put on an Excursion grill.
2. Don't idle it too long, diesel won't warm to operating temp sitting in your driveway.
3. Put on an Excursion grill.
4. Micro-tuners seem to be the easiest way to extract more power.
5. Swap shocks.
6. Put on an Excursion grill.

 

Welcome Code Red!

Here's my take for what it's worth.

Decide what you intend to do with the truck. Do you plan to keep it for a long time? Is dependability important to you? Ease of maintenance?

Or do you just want to be able to smoke the tires at every light and damn the torpedoes.

If you answered yes to the first couple of questions, then I'd steer clear of the "performance" mods. Chips provide power, but that power isn't free, IMHO they do reduce engine life and dependability. I've seen it all too often with everything from trucks to snowmobiles, when you start playing around with computers (timing, leaner fuel mixture, etc,) reliabilty suffers. Not just the engine, but the entire drivetrain is put under more stress. I don't have first hand experience with the chips for the SD's, but it does seem to me that there are more engine and especially TRANSMISSION problems reported by people on the board that are running chips, especially the diesel guys.

As for the exhaust, again, I don't have first hand experience, but it seems to me that there are pretty mixed reviews on exhaust mods. Even many of the 5 stars on this board and the manufacturers themselves (I even saw a segment on Popular Hot Rodding TV) claim that there is little to no power to be gained through the exhaust (especially on the gassers), and increased mileage claims are largely false. IMHO it's a lot of money to spend to change the sound of your exhaust note.

I wouldn't buy a K&N FIPK, I think they're more trouble than they're worth. I haven't heard of anyone here being real happy with theirs, but I have heard a lot of complaints regarding the MAF sensor and other issues. Do a search on this to help you decide. IMHO, they don't filter as well either.

Now, that being said, if you want more power, and are willing to sacrfice a little reliabilty and lots of MONEY, these are all good options.

Bed liners are a great idea, I have a spray in Line-X and love it.

Bed covers are real nice if you're not putting stuff in and out of the bed regularly, or you don't haul a lot of larger items (dirt bikes, quads, etc...)

Headlight bulbs are another excellent suggestion, they're on my list of things to do.

You may also want to consider better tires, such as the BFG's or Bridgestones, do a search on tires, there's a days worth of info here.

A little down the road you may also want to consider better shocks, they make a big improvement. Ranchos or Bilsteins seem to be the favourites, again, do a search.

The commments about diesel operation were right on too. Let it warm up (PLUG IT IN if you live where it's cold), don't idle too long, and let it cool down after a hard run. A little time reading some of the threads in the diesel forum or other diesel related sites is probably well worth your time, especially if you're new to the wonderful world of the diesel.

I think synthetic fluids are a good idea also, I don't know how much of a performance or mileage gain you'll see, but I think the added protection and increased service intervals make them a worth while addition. Especially if you've reached the service limit of your existing fluids and are due for changes anyway.

And most important of all, like others have said, MAINTENANCE. Stay on top of it, follow all the reccomendations, and if possible, do it yourself. That way you know it's being done right. Servicing the transmission, keeping the fluid fresh, is THE most important thing IMHO when it you've got the PSD. Just keep all the receipts and a log so if you ever need warranty work you can prove that proper service was done to the truck. Ford can't dispute this.

Properly maintained, your truck should last a long time (at least as long as you want it to anyway ) and be trouble free.

Good luck

Waxy

 

GREAY POST WAXY! It's obvioous that you've given this alot of thought!

Gary M.

White 2002 F250 SD, SC, SB, 4x4, 6.8L v10, 3.73LS, 4spd Auto, Reverse Aid Sensor, Class IV Hitch, Offroad Package, Manual Hubs, 40/20/40 Bench Seat, Towing Package, Camper Package, Lariat, Putco Locker Side Rails, Mud Flaps, K&N Filter, Vent Visors, Aluminum in-bed Tool Box (sits in the bed, dosn't hang over the bed rails), Vent Visors, CB radio w/102" SS Whip Antenna, Autolocks programmed off, Seatbelt Minder programmed off, Key in ignition sensor wire dosconnected...

White 2002 Ranger 4x2 3.0L V6 XLT 2 door supercab with the power group, auto, chrome wheels, mud flaps, body side molding, vent visors, Leonard cab high fiberglass camper shell, and the 60/40 bench seat as my daily driver

 

After reading this post, i started feeling bad about leaving anyone off the list of resources I put up. EVERYONE on this site is state of the art and i didnt mean exclude anyone.

so a great big apology to.. GARYMAKE,WAXY,HAROUTD,QUIKIRK,OUTPOST22,79CEEJAY,N AFZIMO, AND anyone else i may have missed...........

 

Thank you all very much. I have found all your posts helpful and plan to take a little of everyone's advice. Service Service Service.

Thanks
Thanks

 

Dunno if it was mentioned yet and I missed it or not but if you live in cold climates I would think about pouring some anti-gel into your fuel tank. I use Howes on all of my semis and have never had fuel gel, nor have I had any other ill effects as a result. Just a thought.

 

Slammer, we have so many knowledgeable contributors that it would be darned near impossible to list everyone. And just when you think you know who all the top guys are, someone else crawls out of the woodworks with something good to say. That's the magic of FTE!

I do wonder, however, what guys like Yeti, Monsta, Mrrottndog, etc. had to do to make it on your top 10 list... hmmm... does anyone else hear banjos playing in the background?

 

>PSD POWER, YETI, MONSTA, FORTYFORDS, ABENDX, GHOSTRIDER304,
>HIROLLN, GARY E K, MRROTTNDOG, 4X4X4X4, CO4X4SD and many
>others are always more than happy to help out a new SD
>owner.....

i want an apology for being included in a list with monsta!

that cross dressing, dipstick feeling, caped wonderboy is a weird one!

but thank u for thinking of me (and all these other great guys!)... i think the 'many others' includes EVERYONE on this board (just hard to remember the guys names that don't get involved in the banjo discussions )

all of these are great ideas that were posted.... i think your downfall will be inexpensive mods as they quickly add up.... personally i'd sell my children to get a 22" lift..... (damn illegitimate child of mine is unsellable?? i wonder if ppl will give me money to not make the offer??)

i think you'll like it here (better than the other boards in my opinion, although some of them have their merit). welcome!

oh yeah.... don't be afraid of monsta.... he is harmless as long as you live several thousand miles from him

 

>that cross dressing, dipstick feeling, caped wonderboy is a weird one!

What I do with my dipstick is my own darn business...

>he is harmless as long as you live several thousand miles from him.

You sure 'bout that?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Jan-03 AT 03:29 PM (EST)]You tell him Monsta!!!

Now with this dip stick feeling thing.... Do you hold it in one hand while you feel it with the other or is it more of a one handed operation?



Gary M.

White 2002 F250 SD, SC, SB, 4x4, 6.8L v10, 3.73LS, 4spd Auto, Reverse Aid Sensor, Class IV Hitch, Offroad Package, Manual Hubs, 40/20/40 Bench Seat, Towing Package, Camper Package, Lariat, Putco Locker Side Rails, Mud Flaps, K&N Filter, Vent Visors, Aluminum in-bed Tool Box (sits in the bed, dosn't hang over the bed rails), Vent Visors, CB radio w/102" SS Whip Antenna, Autolocks programmed off, Seatbelt Minder programmed off, Key in ignition sensor wire dosconnected...

White 2002 Ranger 4x2 3.0L V6 XLT 2 door supercab with the power group, auto, chrome wheels, mud flaps, body side molding, vent visors, Leonard cab high fiberglass camper shell, and the 60/40 bench seat as my daily driver

 

HA I am with Yeti on this one I was going to say the EXACT same thing
10" lift and 38's I am well on my way!!!!!!!
OHHH by the way WELCOME CODE RED!!!!!!!!!

 

>>he is harmless as long as you live several thousand miles from him.
>You sure 'bout that?

are you telling me i have something to worry about???

 

Welcome
and like someone else said lift it, lift it, lift it.

 

I am with ya all the way,CODE RED just