Trying to decide
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 295
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From: Centennial, CO
Trying to decide
What year, if any, did Ford put cats on the 7.3's? I am getting a lot closer to getting a F250 crew cab. I will be pulling a fifth wheel.
(Don't shoot me) I'm also considering a Duramax because of the Allison transmission. What are my options for the Ford transmission? What can I do to make it last. I have been told that the trannies are weak. I have been told that the injectors on the Duramax are an issue.
I was thinking of chipping it (not radical) and a larger exhaust. Any help is appreciate.
(Don't shoot me) I'm also considering a Duramax because of the Allison transmission. What are my options for the Ford transmission? What can I do to make it last. I have been told that the trannies are weak. I have been told that the injectors on the Duramax are an issue.
I was thinking of chipping it (not radical) and a larger exhaust. Any help is appreciate.
Last edited by Golfmore; Jun 4, 2007 at 08:59 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, East TN
I don't believe that the 7.3s had cats, my 01 does, I think in the early 99s they were here and there with cats but after that there was none, I could be wrong but I know from 00-03 they have no cats until they threw all the emissions crap on the 6.0s and up. The D-maxs are a good truck but if you want a truck that will last you till over 300 thousand miles and keep going then get a 7.3 a reliable strong work horse, the only week thing about the 7.3s is the transmission, but that can be beefed up or lay off the right foot. IF you go with a DP-Tuner and stay off the right foot it is tuned to the transmission and your truck, the only way to go any 7.3 owner that has it will tell you that. I love my 01 F-250 and I wouldn't trade it in for anything, stick with that thats my personal opinion if you want a great truck, with the looks, reliable engine and most of all it has a blue oval 
. Oh BTW if you are pulling a 5th wheel, then you might want to consider a 350 dually or non dually. Just my .05
JD
. Oh BTW if you are pulling a 5th wheel, then you might want to consider a 350 dually or non dually. Just my .05JD
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, East TN
Originally Posted by MAKO314
some of the early "pre superduty" powerstrokes had cats . I also think some of the early 99s had cats, but I may be wrong 
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,281
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Well i guess it depends but i dont think the ford trannies are that bad i have mostly heard good about em more than bad but to each his own its up to you im sure if you ask a ford guy if you should buy a chev he say no
If he asked the chev guy to by a ford he say no get the chev this applies to dodge too most people are like this brand bias but some arent im saying pick whatever you want I know the 7.3 are good engines
If he asked the chev guy to by a ford he say no get the chev this applies to dodge too most people are like this brand bias but some arent im saying pick whatever you want I know the 7.3 are good engines
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, East TN
Well the tranny is weak under alot of heat, add an extra cooler on there and it can last until you kill it with the right foot and mods. When I was at Smokin in the Smokies I met an older man who hauled 5th wheels all over the country ( 2003 F-350 Crew cab) He had an extra cooler no mods, and he had 380,000 on a stock tranny and no major engine work and thats pulling up steep grades in the Rockies.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
My early '99 psd had a cat, but then they stopped putting them on by mid production run ('99 was a long run remember).
I wouldn't own a dmax again, but if I was advising which to get I'd go with an '06 up. The '04.5 thru '05 LLYs were notorious overheaters (and my '05 was one of 'em).
The early '04s and before were decent but the earlier you go, the more chance for injector issues.
I don't think the auto trans behind the 7.3s was what I'd consider weak, especially with just a mild tune. I ran a SCMT on tow only on my '99 (about 50hp+) and it crispened the shifts up nicely. Towed a lot with it without an issue ever too...
I wouldn't own a dmax again, but if I was advising which to get I'd go with an '06 up. The '04.5 thru '05 LLYs were notorious overheaters (and my '05 was one of 'em).
The early '04s and before were decent but the earlier you go, the more chance for injector issues.
I don't think the auto trans behind the 7.3s was what I'd consider weak, especially with just a mild tune. I ran a SCMT on tow only on my '99 (about 50hp+) and it crispened the shifts up nicely. Towed a lot with it without an issue ever too...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 295
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From: Centennial, CO
When you say 'Tune' the transmission, how is that accomplished? I haven't bought yet. I have heard there are mods that will enhance the life of the Ford transmissions. I am going to pull a 5th wheel, but it will be a small one, maybe 27 feet max.
The reason that I want one without a cat, is that I would probably make the exhaust bigger. I don't want to do radical, but more efficient.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
The reason that I want one without a cat, is that I would probably make the exhaust bigger. I don't want to do radical, but more efficient.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Last edited by Golfmore; Jun 5, 2007 at 09:41 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
While I haven't been in the market for a tuner for some time, my bet is you could get one for the '99 - '03 7.3psd that would just affect the transmission. The one I bought, I researched quite a bit here on FTE, and back in '02 or so a lot of the folks were liking it. It was the Super Chips Micro Tuner (SCMT). One of the things I liked about it was you just plugged it in to the diagnostic port and downloaded the new program to the ECU. I think later ones came with three tunes, but mine had 2: tow mode and high performance mode. The Tow mode both gave the truck better throttle response as well as stopped that mushy soft shifting that many say will cause the trans to heat up when towing. The shifts became firmer and quicker, but not harsh by any means.
I say find yourself a mid-'99 thru '03 PSD and while you're looking, do some research on tuners. Spend some time down in the 7.3 PSD section on FTE -- great group of folks there that will help you a lot...
Good luck to you!
I say find yourself a mid-'99 thru '03 PSD and while you're looking, do some research on tuners. Spend some time down in the 7.3 PSD section on FTE -- great group of folks there that will help you a lot...
Good luck to you!