VERY pleased with 7.3 performance!!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: In the swamps of Florida
VERY pleased with 7.3 performance!!
My dad has an '89 F-Superduty (F-450) with the 7.3, ZF 5spd, and 5.13 geared Dana 80. I finally got to try it out last weekend when I had to haul a load of cattle about 50 miles on the Interstate. I must admit that for a motor with only 185 hp and being non-turbo, it was really impressive how well the truck pulled the load. I was pulling a 24' gooseneck livestock trailer with nine cows and a bull. Not sure how much weight, but was definetly heavy. I was still able to take off in second gear on all but the steepest hills and had no problem running 60-65 mph on the interstate. I kind of had my doubts when my dad bought the truck, but my mind is definetly changed now! Gotta love those Fords! 
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
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I had a 89 F-450 too with IDI 5spd it does pull good at low rpms but there is no road speed which is frustrating. My truck had 5:13s when ever the truck was loaded I used first gear. I always started so I apply to very little to no throttle to get the truck rolling. I had a LUK clutch I never slipped it once even grossing 17,000lbs with 8000lbs of wood on the truck.
My truck was topped out for speed at 62 mph that was pushing it she didn't want to go any faster it mostly liked 49 mph. At 62mph the truck would be revving about 2800-3000.
My truck was topped out for speed at 62 mph that was pushing it she didn't want to go any faster it mostly liked 49 mph. At 62mph the truck would be revving about 2800-3000.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 743
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From: MI -- farmboy
nothing wrong with making the engine sing a little. Probly pushing 10 or 11 MPG with your load ? My 7.3 with a zf5 willstop maing power at about 3300 rpm (or so) At 55 I am just ovr 2000, at 70, I am quite a bit more, but I also have plenty of responce. I have a great gear in my truck too, perfect for pushing snow. Not so great for a highway truck, but perfect for everything else I do, besides, I am an hours drive away from the nearest highway, and have no reason to go there.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: In the swamps of Florida
It was pushing 2800-3000 rpms at 65 mph, and I got about 10 mpg with it. I don't guess I can complain too much about that. Its not the best truck for long highway drives, but dad bought it to pull with, not drive across the country.
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 743
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From: MI -- farmboy
I dont care as long as I can verage anything above single digit mileage. Many people want everything, power, torque, mileage, comfort and price. I dont see that happening. I bought my 250 because i needed a heavy truck to plow snow and pull trailors. This truck has done everything I have needed it to, and with ease. If I want fast acceleration and great mileage, I will drive the mustang (30 mph hwy). I love my 250 and it does what it was built to do - work hard.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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Yep, these trucks are good strong work horses, but so many people expect to over load them and pull 85MPH up steep grades and get 25MPG doing it too. When it doesn't happen they whine about what turds they are and they want to get a powerstroke. 
You can't carry the family of 6 and pull a 30 foot trailer with a Geo Metro folks.
You can't carry the family of 6 and pull a 30 foot trailer with a Geo Metro folks.