Looking for a 7.3 need some help...
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Downey
Looking for a 7.3 need some help...
Ok Guys/Gals I am new to the world of 7.3 diesels. I have always been a GM guy but it is time for a change. I have a 2000 1T 454 drw crew 4x4 GM truck that I tow our 25ft 5er with it does ok but I want something that will do better. I regularly travel between CA and CO by way of the 15 and the 70 so I want something that will pull the passes and hills along the way with out any problems.
Here is what I am thinking...
99-2003 f350 7.3 4x4 srw crew cab auto And then adding the Banks power kit.
What should I look out for? is one year better than the other?
Do I need a F350 what are the differences between an f250 and 350 in those years?
BTW Budget is a big factor in all of this 10k is what I have to spend so with the trade in of the truck I figure I can afford around a 20k truck
Thanks for you help and opinions
BTW I will be spending time with the seach feature just looking for some quick answers to get me going...
Eric
Here is what I am thinking...
99-2003 f350 7.3 4x4 srw crew cab auto And then adding the Banks power kit.
What should I look out for? is one year better than the other?
Do I need a F350 what are the differences between an f250 and 350 in those years?
BTW Budget is a big factor in all of this 10k is what I have to spend so with the trade in of the truck I figure I can afford around a 20k truck
Thanks for you help and opinions
BTW I will be spending time with the seach feature just looking for some quick answers to get me going...
Eric
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Hi welcome to the site! It looks like you came to the right place, good decision on getting a F-350 superduty. The 7.3 may not be the power king of the modern diesels, but it will get you where you are going, and back home, safely and reliably. About 99% of us here are "not for" Banks power products. Yes they put out good products that work well together, however they are very overpriced, and you can get MUCH MORE power, torque, and drivabilty, not to mention milage, custom tunability from other products. Back in the thread below, i made a quite extensive list of modifications i'd do to any stock truck, given $2000 and two days to install them. Take a look..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...confusion.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...confusion.html
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 694
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From: SE WI
What should I look out for? is one year better than the other?
Do I need a F350 what are the differences between an f250 and 350 in those years?
Personally, I would look for the newest one you can afford. There have been little changes over the years, and in my opinion the only draw back to the newer ones is the weaker powered metal rods (pmr's). This won't be an issue unless you plan to make big power. The pluses are: dana 60 front axle, slightly better interior stuff, and a newer truck is a plus. There are very minor differences from the 250 to the 350, the bigest one being the weight rating. I would look for a 350, but if you only can find a 250 in what you want, It would work well too. Good luck, let us know what you find.
Do I need a F350 what are the differences between an f250 and 350 in those years?
Personally, I would look for the newest one you can afford. There have been little changes over the years, and in my opinion the only draw back to the newer ones is the weaker powered metal rods (pmr's). This won't be an issue unless you plan to make big power. The pluses are: dana 60 front axle, slightly better interior stuff, and a newer truck is a plus. There are very minor differences from the 250 to the 350, the bigest one being the weight rating. I would look for a 350, but if you only can find a 250 in what you want, It would work well too. Good luck, let us know what you find.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
The 350 gets you extra bed load capacity (if you go by the book), but less towing capacity. Unless you're going Dually or want to carry a full ton in the bed, there's no reason to limit yourself to a 350. A 250 will do what you want nicely.
FWIW, I found a low mileage (60k) 2002 2WD 250 for $21k. You should be able to find something in pretty good shape for $20k.
Joe
FWIW, I found a low mileage (60k) 2002 2WD 250 for $21k. You should be able to find something in pretty good shape for $20k.
Joe
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Downey
Thanks guys and the search starts...
Yes Banks is expensive but I figure the R&D that they do is worth it but I will check out the link and maybe save some money...
BTW what is the diff weight rating wise between the 250 and 350 in those years
Thanks
Eric
Yes Banks is expensive but I figure the R&D that they do is worth it but I will check out the link and maybe save some money...
BTW what is the diff weight rating wise between the 250 and 350 in those years
Thanks
Eric
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
The 250 is a 3/4 ton truck. It can have a 1500 lb. load in the bed. The 350 is a 1 ton truck and can have 2000 lbs. in the bed. The towing capacities are different depending on the year, the type of truck (4x4, standard cab, ext. cab, or crew cab). I could look them up, but you could just as easily. All of them will tow a 25' fiver quite happily, I'm quite sure.
BTW, I have a buddy that's a Bowtie Guy with your same truck (3500 CC DRW). He's been eyeballing diesels (D-maxes, naturally) now very closely. I forget what size RV he has, but it's in the 30' range -- I think he gets about 6 or so mpg. You'll see 10 or better towing with the 7.3, I'm sure....
Joe
BTW, I have a buddy that's a Bowtie Guy with your same truck (3500 CC DRW). He's been eyeballing diesels (D-maxes, naturally) now very closely. I forget what size RV he has, but it's in the 30' range -- I think he gets about 6 or so mpg. You'll see 10 or better towing with the 7.3, I'm sure....
Joe
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From: Downey
Izzy thanks for the info
ya 6mpg sucks that and running at red line has convienced me to upgrade now.
ya 6mpg sucks that and running at red line has convienced me to upgrade now.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SE WI
Check this link out. It is all of ford's specs and I think it goes back to the 7.3 days. Btw, payload is figured by subtracting curb weight from gross vehicle weight. For example, if you have an F250 with a gvw of 8,800# and a curb weight of 7,200# that would give you a 1,600# payload. This is the legal amount of weight the truck can carry. Now an F250 can handle much more than that for payload. I had the bed full of gravel and the loader operator was freaking out because he thought my axle was going to break. 
I don't know what it weighed, but I know it was WAY over loaded. I would not recomend doing that however.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/techspec.html
I don't know what it weighed, but I know it was WAY over loaded. I would not recomend doing that however. https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/techspec.html
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SE WI
Originally Posted by elvia
NS f250 the link with the https:// www. in front didn't work. I removed the prefix's and It worked fine. Just for those that try it.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
Originally Posted by Izzy351
The 250 is a 3/4 ton truck. It can have a 1500 lb. load in the bed. The 350 is a 1 ton truck and can have 2000 lbs. in the bed. The towing capacities are different depending on the year, the type of truck (4x4, standard cab, ext. cab, or crew cab). I could look them up, but you could just as easily. All of them will tow a 25' fiver quite happily, I'm quite sure.
BTW, I have a buddy that's a Bowtie Guy with your same truck (3500 CC DRW). He's been eyeballing diesels (D-maxes, naturally) now very closely. I forget what size RV he has, but it's in the 30' range -- I think he gets about 6 or so mpg. You'll see 10 or better towing with the 7.3, I'm sure....
Joe
BTW, I have a buddy that's a Bowtie Guy with your same truck (3500 CC DRW). He's been eyeballing diesels (D-maxes, naturally) now very closely. I forget what size RV he has, but it's in the 30' range -- I think he gets about 6 or so mpg. You'll see 10 or better towing with the 7.3, I'm sure....
Joe