Hello all


I am looking into buying a mid-90s F350 Crew cab Doolie and want to know a little information. I like the idea of a Diesel, but had a BAD experience with a GM 6.5 turbo in a 96 1-ton doolie. It soured me REAL BAD!!

I am a truck driver by trade, and understand where diesels shine (like in a Freightliner at 80,000LBS and 80 MPH!!!) BUT>>>>>

I also know that the powerstroke is no Detroit or Cat. (NO offence to anyone....but these light duty Dsls are not like the 'big boys')

My question is this......Does anyone know anything about the Computer system on the PSD.....has it been holding up. I know how to make a Diesel go 1-MILLION miles.....I just want to know about the electronics that make it tick.

First of all....what year did Ford go to all Electronic instead of just mechanical on the PSD??

Since then what kind of problems have any of you experienced??

I know the 60 series Detroit I drove was Electronic, and it was fine, but that was the trouble with the GM I had and I am scarred.

I also relize that Ford is not GM but I remember the problems Ford had back in the late 80s with its computers and electronics on its cars......A close frien of mine told me to stay away from them!!

Just want some opinions......I appreciate any and all advise....


What I am looking for is a truck to pull a trailer that weights about 15000 LBS and wonder how much any of you have pulled with these trucks.......At times I might be as heavy as 25000 GCWR.....I know that is higher than the tow rating,,,,,,,but is this in the means for this truck here in FL where it is mostly leval??????

Again I appreciate any and all info!!!!!!

THANKS ROB

 

I think in 93.5 Ford added a turbo to the 7.3L but it was still IDI, in 94.5 The PSD was introduced with a computer to control everything, and it is DI. I'd assume if your worried about the computer you could simply buy a 93.5-94(I know, hard to find), or put an ATS turbo on a 7.3L(I think 89-93.5). I'd recomend that you find a stock turbo diesel, they have heavier parts for the turbo, and I believe the turbo is made by ATS(I don't know about the trubo on the PSD). But, if you think the computer will last, then I'd get a PSD.

Logan

 

Logan_85 is correct. The Power Stroke was introduced in 93 for the 94 model year and has been fully computer controlled from day one. As far as I know there are no particular problems with the computers. The computer governs the engine based on inputs from various sensors and the sensors occasionally go bad (so I've been told) but the computers them selves are very reliable. The power Stroke is the way to go if you are going to pull a 15,000 pound trailer because they produce more torque than the 7.3 IDI engine (it is a better engine than the IDI engine). The General Motors Duramax is rated at 300 horse power but horse power is not what gets the work done -- torque is. And both engines are rated at 520 ft. lbs. of torque. Also the Duramax has aluminum heads and I've heard they are having head gasket problems with it. The earlier Power Strokes had some problems with the injectors (galling between the barrel and sleeve) and the O-rings on the injectors. For the 2000 model year they went to a teflon coated barrel and sleeve and changed to an upgraded O-ring. Also the earlier models were equipped with a dual mass flywheel which has a tendency to wear out and is VERY expensive to replace (for manual transmissions only). Whereas for 1999 Ford went to a ZF 6 speed transmission and eliminated the dual mass flywheel. If your check book will bear it, I'd go with a newer model if possible and (this is just my opinion) I wouldn't worry about the computer. Computer technology is getting better all the time (more reliable) and it won't be too far in the future you won't be able to get anything that is NOT computer controlled. Personally, I don't long for the days I had to change the points in my car or go to the corner drug store to test the tubes in my TV set -- I'm glad those days are gone! The integrated circuit is here to stay and people are just going to have to get used to the idea of fixing things with a digital ohm meter instead of a hammer and a pair of pliars. This is just my opinion and not intended to be an assult on anyone in particular so please don't take it that way.