7.3 life expectancy
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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E350, We have a similar problem in the KC area. I looked at countless used trucks with a low number on the odometer but showed signs of rust. The sad thing of it all is that I was looking at the 99 and up models.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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We have a customer with a fleet of 7.3 tow trucks, can't say much about the transmissions in them, but they have atleast 4 trucks with over 700,000 km on the original engines. If you take care of the truck well, and get problems fixed right away, I'd imagine that they could go a very, very long time.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Monroe, MI
My 99 has 390k on the motor. I had the transmission rebuilt at 265k; I could have went longer on the trans, but did it anyway.
I'll say the motor is running just as strong, if not stronger then the day it came from the factory.
No major repairs at all, just routine maintenance.
I'll say the motor is running just as strong, if not stronger then the day it came from the factory.
No major repairs at all, just routine maintenance.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28
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7.3 A Lifetime of use ahead
I have a 96 Powerstroke F350 that had 917,000 on the original engine, the curent engine was a factory replacement and the truck has 1,041,000 on it an still runs great. I adverage about 265,000 on the trans, I'm on the third for the 96. I also have a 2001 F550 with the 7.3 Powerstroke it has 341,000 on it and I'm now on the second trans, the first lasted almost 296,000, then the rear shaft wobbled out due to the fact that I've lengthened the wheel base to 279 in. Both trucks are crewcabs and I run a hotshot delivery service that covers all 48 states and handle loads on the 350 up to 6500 lbs and up to 9500 on the 550. The rule is simple....Service, oil, filters, belts, air cleaners,etc and they'll last. Other than the extended wheel base on the 550 and air bags added to the rear of the 350 no other mods have been made and both trucks pull a 20 foot 12k trailer when I need to.The 96 has a 8 1/2 foot flatbed and the 01 has a 16 1/2 foot flatbed. Texas7
Last edited by Texas7; Jan 9, 2006 at 06:19 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Originally Posted by Texas7
I have a 96 Powerstroke F350 that had 917,000 on the original engine, the curent engine was a factory replacement and the truck has 1,041,000 on it an still runs great. I adverage about 265,000 on the trans, I'm on the third for the 96. I also have a 2001 F550 with the 7.3 Powerstroke it has 341,000 on it and I'm now on the second trans, the first lasted almost 296,000, then the rear shaft wobbled out due to the fact that I've lengthened the wheel base to 279 in. Both trucks are crewcabs and I run a hotshot delivery service that covers all 48 states and handle loads on the 350 up to 6500 lbs and up to 9500 on the 550. The rule is simple....Service, oil, filters, belts, air cleaners,etc and they'll last. Other than the extended wheel base on the 550 and air bags added to the rear of the 350 no other mods have been made and both trucks pull a 20 foot 12k trailer when I need to.The 96 has a 8 1/2 foot flatbed and the 01 has a 16 1/2 foot flatbed. Texas7
Thats pretty dang awesome!!!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by Texas7
I have a 96 Powerstroke F350 that had 917,000 on the original engine, the curent engine was a factory replacement and the truck has 1,041,000 on it an still runs great. I adverage about 265,000 on the trans, I'm on the third for the 96. I also have a 2001 F550 with the 7.3 Powerstroke it has 341,000 on it and I'm now on the second trans, the first lasted almost 296,000, then the rear shaft wobbled out due to the fact that I've lengthened the wheel base to 279 in. Both trucks are crewcabs and I run a hotshot delivery service that covers all 48 states and handle loads on the 350 up to 6500 lbs and up to 9500 on the 550. The rule is simple....Service, oil, filters, belts, air cleaners,etc and they'll last. Other than the extended wheel base on the 550 and air bags added to the rear of the 350 no other mods have been made and both trucks pull a 20 foot 12k trailer when I need to.The 96 has a 8 1/2 foot flatbed and the 01 has a 16 1/2 foot flatbed. Texas7
Very good work.Does your F-550 have the 4.88 rear axle? Also do you know what kind of mileage it gets?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
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7.3 life expectancy
The F550 has a 5:13 rear I believe. I get about 14 mpg ,loaded ,unloaded, up hill down, it doesn't seem to matter, with the trailer on and loaded with up to another 9k, it drops to 12 mpg. The F350 has about a 4:11 or there abouts, it gets 17 mpg all the time, with the trailer if might drop to 15 on major hills like West Colorado or Utah. Texas7
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by E350superduty
Here in canada where they salt the roads in the winter the engines long outlive the bodies and frames.
way to exact--- exactly what happens, my 1989 got 460k but rusted to hell
now i'm spraying the used engine oil underneath every oil change.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 40
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From: Southwest, Virginia
I had a '95 model F250, sold it at 315k, the guy is still driving it today with no engine work except glow plugs. My '97 has 170k on it with no problems. A buddy of mine has 240k on his '96 F250 and another friend has alomost 300k on his F-350, it has had an auto tranny rebuild twice though.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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That's pretty impressive mileage with those 7.3 liter diesels, but then they have a great reputation as a rugged, extremely durable engine.
I wonder if some of the posters, especially those who use them as commercial trucks, would replace them with the Ford 6 liter, PSD? Or do you plan to just keep those 7.3 liters rolling, until Ford comes out with the new, is it 6.4 liter PSD and skip the 6 liter, altogether?
I wonder if the 6 liter PSD's will have the same long lasting, life in them, as do their earlier brethern, the 7'3 liter?
If the 7.3 bodies, etc., are still good, when you think about it, why would anyone want to replace their 7.3 if they are still running well.
I kept a '76 Impala (350 V8) that had been in the family for 21 years. It was still towing in year 20, with nary a hiccup. The only reason I got rid of it was because it was rusted out, quite badly. If it wasn't for the rust, I do believe, I'd be driving that old chevy to this day.
I'm not saying the 350 V8, would go as long as a 7.3 liter diesel, far from it, but I am saying that if the 7.3 body , etc., is good, keep it going. I wonder how long a 7.3 would go, considering one poster's, had 900,000 + miles on it, still going strong?
I wonder if some of the posters, especially those who use them as commercial trucks, would replace them with the Ford 6 liter, PSD? Or do you plan to just keep those 7.3 liters rolling, until Ford comes out with the new, is it 6.4 liter PSD and skip the 6 liter, altogether?
I wonder if the 6 liter PSD's will have the same long lasting, life in them, as do their earlier brethern, the 7'3 liter?
If the 7.3 bodies, etc., are still good, when you think about it, why would anyone want to replace their 7.3 if they are still running well.
I kept a '76 Impala (350 V8) that had been in the family for 21 years. It was still towing in year 20, with nary a hiccup. The only reason I got rid of it was because it was rusted out, quite badly. If it wasn't for the rust, I do believe, I'd be driving that old chevy to this day.
I'm not saying the 350 V8, would go as long as a 7.3 liter diesel, far from it, but I am saying that if the 7.3 body , etc., is good, keep it going. I wonder how long a 7.3 would go, considering one poster's, had 900,000 + miles on it, still going strong?
Last edited by lesmore49; Jan 17, 2006 at 09:36 PM. Reason: add to it
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Commerical trucks that have 7.3 PSD's
I have gotten GREAT milage out of my 7.3's, as far as the 6.4's, I learned the hard way many years ago, Never run out and get the first year of any major change, especially engines.If they change the body and keep the proven powertrain then it's ok to change the first year. Look how many years it took to get the 6.0 right (I hope). The 7.3 went through many problems until they got it right. I drive all of my trucks in commerical use and there's nothing worse than being out on a dirt road, in an oilfield, in Wyoming, at night, in the rain, with a broke truck and thinking ,I wish I'd waited another year so they could have fixed this problem. Texas7
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
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I think you could probably get a wicked amount of miles on an engine if you took a powerstroke 7.3, and scrapped the turbo and gave it some higher comp pistons.
You'de lose HP, but it wouldnt be any worse than an old 7.3, wich wasnt bad at all.
In fact, i used the old 7.3 for major hauling, and nothing bad to say, sure, a 300hp engine has more pickup, but i'm sure if they put some technology into even a 200hp -ish engine, probably would last longer and burn less fuel.
Anyone ever heard about the diesel power/displacement rule? APPARENTLY,
engines with more than 1 HP / CI become crap.
You'de lose HP, but it wouldnt be any worse than an old 7.3, wich wasnt bad at all.
In fact, i used the old 7.3 for major hauling, and nothing bad to say, sure, a 300hp engine has more pickup, but i'm sure if they put some technology into even a 200hp -ish engine, probably would last longer and burn less fuel.
Anyone ever heard about the diesel power/displacement rule? APPARENTLY,
engines with more than 1 HP / CI become crap.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
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BTW, on the topic of 6.0 powerstrokes,
I drove a f450 crew w/flatdeck with a 6.0, pulling a trailer with oil tools and a forklift ,and the sucker was geared high.
just driving 120 km/h was 2500 rpm's. on one alberta drive, drove her at 2800-3100rpm's on a 14 hour trip from calgary to high level, and back the next day. The engine held together fine, wich leads me to believe that it cant be that bad. I don't know many diesels that can run that high for that long.
also, it burned 11mpg
I drove a f450 crew w/flatdeck with a 6.0, pulling a trailer with oil tools and a forklift ,and the sucker was geared high.
just driving 120 km/h was 2500 rpm's. on one alberta drive, drove her at 2800-3100rpm's on a 14 hour trip from calgary to high level, and back the next day. The engine held together fine, wich leads me to believe that it cant be that bad. I don't know many diesels that can run that high for that long.
also, it burned 11mpg