7.3 Rocks!
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Carthage, Mo
7.3 Rocks!
After much deliberation, indecision, & reading hundreds of posts on the 6.0 & 7.3, just bought my first Powerstroke, an 02 350 SC XLT Sport 4x4. Was going to go with a new one but I just can't argue with the proven 7.3. I've wanted a diesel for years & still can't help but grin every time it fires up.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
Congrats on the new purchase!
Make sure to stick around and surf the whole FTE site (not just this forum, even though its the best!), all kinds of wonderfull information to be had in the item specific forums (engine, tranny, oil and lube, etc)!
If you really want to paste a grin on your face and burn up some rubber, check out www.motorhaven.com.
Make sure to stick around and surf the whole FTE site (not just this forum, even though its the best!), all kinds of wonderfull information to be had in the item specific forums (engine, tranny, oil and lube, etc)!
If you really want to paste a grin on your face and burn up some rubber, check out www.motorhaven.com.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 165
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From: NEBRASKA
I bought my '99 PSD about a year ago. I just love the way it cranks twice and barks to life. I have even noticed my 16 month old daughter will growl in her "Truck Seat" until I start it. Just hilarious!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 282
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From: Central Wyoming
Originally Posted by Mark250
After much deliberation, indecision, & reading hundreds of posts on the 6.0 & 7.3, just bought my first Powerstroke, an 02 350 SC XLT Sport 4x4. Was going to go with a new one but I just can't argue with the proven 7.3. I've wanted a diesel for years & still can't help but grin every time it fires up.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 394
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Congrads! But you need to do the following asap:
1. Go online and order the Predator (in three days, you will bump up 60HP and 100 ft-lbs torque).
2. While you wait for the Predator, check your coolant SCA level. (NAPA has the strips)
3. If you have not done so, change your motor oil (Rotella,Delo 400, or Delvac 1 and Delvac 1300 )
4. Check your air filter (order one online if needed)
5. Order spare fuel/water separator.
6. Check tranny condition
that's it....
1. Go online and order the Predator (in three days, you will bump up 60HP and 100 ft-lbs torque).
2. While you wait for the Predator, check your coolant SCA level. (NAPA has the strips)
3. If you have not done so, change your motor oil (Rotella,Delo 400, or Delvac 1 and Delvac 1300 )
4. Check your air filter (order one online if needed)
5. Order spare fuel/water separator.
6. Check tranny condition
that's it....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
On the Anti-freeze, you may just want to change it.
I went with Rotella Diesel Ready ELC, this type of coolant doesn't require SCA's at all, and is good for 600,000 mi with a booster at 300,000mi.
All that for only $1 more than Zerex G-05 at your local Napa.
I went with Rotella Diesel Ready ELC, this type of coolant doesn't require SCA's at all, and is good for 600,000 mi with a booster at 300,000mi.
All that for only $1 more than Zerex G-05 at your local Napa.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 158
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I fully understand where you are coming from. I have had my 7.3 for a week or so now, and I am loving it more and more as I drive it. I am very glad I made the choice for the 7.3, and I am sooo glad I didn't get gas.
This forum made all the difference in helping my decision. Mainly reading and then a couple direct Q/A's. Thanks again FTE'rs
I ended up getting mine from the dealer, and I had the 60k service done right away. You might want to get the oil changed, filters, etc just to make sure you start of on a clean slate.
< me looking around for something to tow >
Welcome and Enjoy!
This forum made all the difference in helping my decision. Mainly reading and then a couple direct Q/A's. Thanks again FTE'rs
I ended up getting mine from the dealer, and I had the 60k service done right away. You might want to get the oil changed, filters, etc just to make sure you start of on a clean slate.
< me looking around for something to tow >
Welcome and Enjoy!
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
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From: New Hampshire
mark250,
congrats on your new mule...! i LOOOOVVVVEEEEE my 02 blue mule...! i have had it almost a year, and have put over 30k on her... she runs better now then when i bought her, (thanks to a couple of free mods i found on this site...!).... time for some more mods...! you'll love your beast... just read the post on this site religiously..! lots of GREAT INFO...!
congrats on your new mule...! i LOOOOVVVVEEEEE my 02 blue mule...! i have had it almost a year, and have put over 30k on her... she runs better now then when i bought her, (thanks to a couple of free mods i found on this site...!).... time for some more mods...! you'll love your beast... just read the post on this site religiously..! lots of GREAT INFO...!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver area
Good to see folks enjoy driving their 7.3's as much as I do....even though I bought mine new in '95, I've still yet to hit the 100K mark yet.
She's putting out well now at 390 rear wheel HP, with more to come eventually, but adding mods sure does take the edge off of climbing hills when towing.
I had a smile on the trip home back in July of '95, and it has never left me...so hopefully some of you get to enjoy that pleasure for as long as I've enjoyed it!
Dale
She's putting out well now at 390 rear wheel HP, with more to come eventually, but adding mods sure does take the edge off of climbing hills when towing.
I had a smile on the trip home back in July of '95, and it has never left me...so hopefully some of you get to enjoy that pleasure for as long as I've enjoyed it!
Dale
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 39
From: Carthage, Mo
The truck has 55K on it & is bone stock. I pull a lot of trailers but am hesitant to go with any performance mods. I never have driven my trucks hard but will be towing up to 11K occasionally. The dealer changed the oil, air filter, & fuel filter. It's got new tires & is ready to go. I do need to study up a little on the antifreeze because I know it's important on these, but the antifreeze in the overflow tank is a nice clear yellow color. Thanks to all those on FTE who keep us informed.
Mark
Mark
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,854
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From: New Hampshire
the gold antifreeze is the good stuf... has everything in it that a diesel needs... there are some aftermarket ones that are better... towing is NOT a problem...! if you have an auto tranny... add an aftermarket cooler to the stock one... and change the fluid to synthetic... lots of info in here on that... also... if you want a quick easy free mod that will give your mule a little more giddyup, unplug the red vaccum line that goes to the wastegate actuator and plug the end with a bolt.... that way... you won't start to dump boost at 5psi... she'll hold it till the boost pressure overcomes the spring pressure in the actuator.... somewhere around 20psi.... do a little research on this if you like... but my mule loved it... like one of the guys in here told me... you're just freeing up the power that is already there...! btw.. the older psds didn't even have a wastegate...
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 677
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From: Shawnee, Ks
Before you add a turner or chip definately get a set of guage's, at the very least a pyro to keep an eye on the EGT's. Any programmer or chip is going to raise the EGT's and you will want to know when to back out before any damage can be done. Exhaust and intake would be another upgrade before going with any higher horspower setup also. Sonnax/tricumulater kit will help the tranny out also. Sounds like you have the gold coolant already, thats good. I'm flushing and changing mine over this weekend, along with putting in a 208 degree thermostat and dual alternator upper hose. There are a ton of things you can do for performance and and things to make the truck last longer. I would go this order:
1. Guages
2. Sonnax or FTVB and change to synthetic tranny fluid
3. Intake, make your own or aftermarket
4. Exhaust
5. then programmer, or chip
Congrats and remember, once you start modding, you wont stop, its an addiction
1. Guages
2. Sonnax or FTVB and change to synthetic tranny fluid
3. Intake, make your own or aftermarket
4. Exhaust
5. then programmer, or chip
Congrats and remember, once you start modding, you wont stop, its an addiction
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Mills River N.C.
Originally Posted by superrangerman2002
On the Anti-freeze, you may just want to change it.
I went with Rotella Diesel Ready ELC, this type of coolant doesn't require SCA's at all, and is good for 600,000 mi with a booster at 300,000mi.
All that for only $1 more than Zerex G-05 at your local Napa.
I went with Rotella Diesel Ready ELC, this type of coolant doesn't require SCA's at all, and is good for 600,000 mi with a booster at 300,000mi.
All that for only $1 more than Zerex G-05 at your local Napa.
i talked w/local NAPA this morning abt the Rotella ELC, guy said he had never heard of it and haven't gotten any bulletins on it either????
anything you can recommend??
thks, tony
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