I bought my F350 CC 4x4 LB 6.0 truck Nov. 2003...2004 engine, build date on A pillar is 10/03/03. VIN 1FTSW31P54E Currently 23,400 miles all stock

Love the truck, it ran/runs fine, but performance seems very sluggish. It will not smoke the tires, won't even spin them. If I power brake till 2000 rpm, it will chirp the tires for about 3 feet, then slowly accelerate. Also, mileage is about 13.5 around town and 14.5 to 15 on highway.

When I first bought the truck, I took a trip to Indiana. On the way, it averaged over 16 mpg. After filling it up there, at around 1,500 miles, the overhead console computer started reading funny....the outside temp. reading was about 5 degrees off from right before the fill up and I "sensed" the truck running different. At that point, the mpg dropped to about 13, and stayed under 15 mpg all the way back here to Texas. I have charted every fill up and mileage since new, and am quite disappointed. I have yet to take it to the dealer because I am afraid of the problems expressed on this site about reflash issues and the truck running worse. Aside from the lack of get up & go, it is great! I am thinking about just unplugging the batteries for a day or so to see if that helps erase any possible dirty/corrupted code. Any thoughts?

Also, (I know...long winded), is it true the Edge does not program the transmission? Like every other "new" guy, I am stumped between the download Predator using the BD Monitor, or the program on the fly Edge/Attitude.

Any help appreciated....great site!!

Thomas

 

Sorry to hear of the sluggish performance. I can really only address two issues that you mentioned...

1) IMO the July flash is great and I have had every re-flash offered on my 03 6.0 CC which I have been the proud owner since Feb of 03.
2) If you are dropping the hammer at 2,000 rpms you should be able to toast the (stock) tires 25-40 feet. Please note: This is not an opinion (like #1 above) this is a fact

Good luck and please post how you make out-

 

Thank you, Utah....how do I obtain a July flash. Is it possible to install certain flash dates, or are you stuck on the one current when you take the truck in? If I get a Predator or Edge, does the flash really matter?

I am looking overall for better fuel economy....but some hot rod power would be nice, too.

I learned to drive in a '68 Road Runner.....missing that feel, somewhat.

 

68 Road Runner- I drove a 70 Barracuda with a 440... Still have it!

Your Ford dealer should re-flash with the latest version at no cost if you have less than 36,000 miles. The way I understand the re-flashes is that you can only get Ford's latest version. I have not heard that there has been a more recent update than July. As far as the Predator etc. I believe there is a "minimum" flash date required on the 03 & 04, but I could stand to be corrected by someone else as I don't have a Predator. (thought about it)

Hey, good luck on your truck! There is no reason why you can't "bring back that old feeling" from the Road Runner days

 

I have an 04 250 CC SB bought in April and was flashed in June or July. Smoke the tires? It pulls good and all but certainly won't light the tires. It's all stock except for the EGR disconnect and plate removal. What configuration is your truck that it will smoke the tires in stock trim?

 

kb1aah,
There has been discussion on this forum in the past of a "power start". Hold the brake & give it full juice until you get up to at least 1,800-1,900 rpm (2,000 seems to work the best) and let off the brake and away you go- I have found that using the tow/haul launches me the quicker than without (as recommended here at the FTE).

My truck is stock 03 CC 6.0 SB with a 1/03 build date. For example: Earlier this week, I did two power starts with four adult passengers and 180 lbs of sand bags in the bed (Estimated weight 8,100lb) at about 4,400 ft elevation. The tires light up and that turbo charged engine absolutely comes alive

 

HAve '04 F-350 6.o cc, sb, srw, 4wd, man.,....If I bring the revs up a bit and launch (2wd) I can smoke the tires in 1st and get a nice bark in 2nd and not even push it that hard. Waiting on my predator. Just rolled over 5000 miles and will be doing the 1st oil change probably this weekend. Will get back when all is done.

JB

 

I have an 03 6.0 250 LB when it was stock I was able to light em up as stated by utahtom. Now I have the superchips microtuner and in the performance mode if I take off with a little more than half throttle the tires break loose. I also have straight pipes from cat back. BTW I still get 17 mpg like I was when it was stock.

Ed