2004 truck w/ 2003 engine?
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From: northeast
2004 truck w/ 2003 engine?
Hello, my husband recently bought a "brand-new" Ford F-250 Deisel 4x4 pickup. He noticed that the engine is atually a 2003 while the truck is a 2004 model...is this normal??? Shouldn't the engine be a 2004? When you buy a vehicle of a certain year, what exactly is required to be made in that year? Anyone have any idea? He is very concerned about this, though I think he can't do anything about it since the dealership will most likely say that it was the 2004 "style" or "trim" he purchased - I don't know if the engine specs changed from the 2003 models to the 2004 models but just because the engine was built in 2003 doesn't mean it is a 2003 model engine...right? Just thought I'd ask in a forum where people might know the answer...I already know what the dealership is going to tell us...
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My 04 has an 2003 engine also, I had some questions regarding this too. I think that changes were made to the late 03 engines that made them identical to the 04's. But I am no expert. Just a guy with a 2004 Ford Truck that is equipped with an engine that has a 2003 sticker. ~J
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by antham
Hello, my husband recently bought a "brand-new" Ford F-250 Deisel 4x4 pickup. He noticed that the engine is atually a 2003 while the truck is a 2004 model...is this normal??? Shouldn't the engine be a 2004? When you buy a vehicle of a certain year, what exactly is required to be made in that year? Anyone have any idea? He is very concerned about this, though I think he can't do anything about it since the dealership will most likely say that it was the 2004 "style" or "trim" he purchased - I don't know if the engine specs changed from the 2003 models to the 2004 models but just because the engine was built in 2003 doesn't mean it is a 2003 model engine...right? Just thought I'd ask in a forum where people might know the answer...I already know what the dealership is going to tell us...
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SECOND How do you know it is an 03 engine, did you find the white tag on the drivers side valve cover...with a date on it???
That is where the engine build date should be.
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I also have an 04/03 version. 12/03 engine and 02/04 truck. Gotta remember, 04 (trucks came out in 03). I think they call it "model year". Tell hubby not to worry. Keep the oil at the right spot, throw a little C-thane boost in it and drive. Enjoy! 
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From: Central Texas
Antham, that is normal. O4 model year started in September 03, the 04 model engines didn't start getting put in until end of September 03. In the 03 model year, they didn't introduce the 6.0L diesel until December 02. The early 03's had the 7.3 diesel. There will be changes throughout a model year.
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Originally Posted by SBV45
Antham, that is normal. O4 model year started in September 03, the 04 model engines didn't start getting put in until end of September 03. In the 03 model year, they didn't introduce the 6.0L diesel until December 02. The early 03's had the 7.3 diesel. There will be changes throughout a model year.
This is what I thought also but I have a 8/03 engine and a 8/03 truck but it was sold to me as a 04.
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Originally Posted by redmt77
This is what I thought also but I have a 8/03 engine and a 8/03 truck but it was sold to me as a 04.
Duncan
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From: northeast
i love the truck but thought an 04 meant an 04 not a 2003 motor with the 03 bugs and glitches that were supposed to be fixed on the 04 model year maybe im an idiot for thinking an 04 means 04
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From: Great State of Texas
The '04 PSD was equipped with the '03 engine design thru 9/29/03. From 9/30 on the '04 PSD has the '04 designated engine with a minumum of 30 design differences from the '03.
It is my understanding that this year the left over '04 engines are being utilized in the '05 Excursions.
This is not an uncommon practice amoung maufacturers.
This '04 / '03 had to have been mfg'd no later than 09/03. Hard to believe it sat on a lot this long untitled. In any case, if you just purchased it recently it should ahve all the flashes etc already taken care of by the selling dealer. I have 3 friends with the '03 PSD's and they have had no issues.
BTW: It technically is an '04 engine. It is just that Ford made changes in the design and introduced the changes after the model year began production. For convenvience sake we call the '03 engine because there were no changes.
It is my understanding that this year the left over '04 engines are being utilized in the '05 Excursions.
This is not an uncommon practice amoung maufacturers.
This '04 / '03 had to have been mfg'd no later than 09/03. Hard to believe it sat on a lot this long untitled. In any case, if you just purchased it recently it should ahve all the flashes etc already taken care of by the selling dealer. I have 3 friends with the '03 PSD's and they have had no issues.
BTW: It technically is an '04 engine. It is just that Ford made changes in the design and introduced the changes after the model year began production. For convenvience sake we call the '03 engine because there were no changes.
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From: Central Texas
I agree with Hunter again! 
Changes in the 04 engines aren't necessarily improvements. There have been some reports on dynos showing better output on the 03's. A manufacturer makes changes based on cost effectiveness not to make the product better. It makes changes on what
Changes in the 04 engines aren't necessarily improvements. There have been some reports on dynos showing better output on the 03's. A manufacturer makes changes based on cost effectiveness not to make the product better. It makes changes on what
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Central Texas
I agree with Hunter again!
Changes in the 04 engines aren't necessarily improvements. There have been some reports on dynos showing better output on the 03's. A manufacturer makes changes based on cost effectiveness not to make the product better. It makes changes on the impact of what F or NAV are valued on NYSE. Don't ever lose sight of that fact.
Changes in the 04 engines aren't necessarily improvements. There have been some reports on dynos showing better output on the 03's. A manufacturer makes changes based on cost effectiveness not to make the product better. It makes changes on the impact of what F or NAV are valued on NYSE. Don't ever lose sight of that fact.