Newbie question
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Festus, MO
Newbie question
I am new to Fords and this board, I am thinking of buying a 1997 F350 4x4, Auto, 4 door, long bed, 7.3 diesel, 135K miles, has every option. Truck looks to be in good shape. I have never owned a Ford before. Mostly Jeeps. Is there anything I should be aware of. It will be a daily driver for many years to come. I am just looking for advise here as to life of the truck, problem areas, things like that. I will have roughly $1000 to spend on parts/acc after I purchase it. Any suggestions? I was thinking Stacks, window tint...? Open to suggestions.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: knoxville, tn
any mods already on the truck? look for any smoke at start up, and get a coolant test strip kit from napa to check the SCAs, and go from there. you also will want to find out how much pulling the truck has already done and if the tranny has ever given any problems, the autos can give some trouble if not properly cared for, definitely put a bigger trans cooler on it and look into 'the cure' it is supposed to be a real help for the autos
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Gladwin,Mi
go here and it will tell you what to look for on the truck.....lower on the page is info on buying
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/_i...az/index3.html
we can guide you on upgrades if none have been done
And welcome to FTE!!!!
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/_i...az/index3.html
we can guide you on upgrades if none have been done
And welcome to FTE!!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Festus, MO
yes it is all stock. never towed anything. What is the coolant test strip for and what does it scheck for? Sorry guys I am new to diesels other than the cummins. I will be trading my 2004 Jeep Wrangler for the truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
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From: AZ
sca's are an additive to the antifreeze to stop cavitation in the cylinders which can cause pin holes, a problem in diesels. Like said above, get rid of the stock trans cooler and put a bigger one on. Do a search on bigger intake (stock air cleaner box leaks) and a bigger down pipe so the engine will breath better. Also in the search engine you will find lots of mods.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Dinwiddie, VA
You may want to give it a once over for fuel leaks. Just a suggestion for you. I bought a 96 F-350 a little over a year ago, and since then i have replaced almost every fuel line on the truck and 2 Fuel pumps. Other than that get a different exhaust with a bigger down pipe. A new intake, the 6637 intake on here is awesome. other than that have fun with it, and get used to looking through here for questions you have this site is going to be your best resource for your new truck.
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Celaya, Gto. MX
[quote=bmxstreet15;6968578]yes it is all stock. never towed anything./quote]
If you are planning in more HP/TQ. you will need besides intake, exhaust, you will need gauges to monitor the EGTs, trans temp and boost, then make an upgrade to your tranny (tranny cooler, shift kit or custom valve body), and then a chip (Tony Wildman or TP).
X2 with WELCOME to the forum
If you are planning in more HP/TQ. you will need besides intake, exhaust, you will need gauges to monitor the EGTs, trans temp and boost, then make an upgrade to your tranny (tranny cooler, shift kit or custom valve body), and then a chip (Tony Wildman or TP).
X2 with WELCOME to the forum
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: nowhere missouri
if its goin to be your daily driver, i would leave it mostly stock... in order to keep it reliable
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Festus, MO
So, different air intake and a different exhaust? Any thoughts on size of down pipe/exhaust? What about stacks? They look pretty neat but what are the pros and cons to running stacks? I am going to pick it up tomorrow afternoon.
Posting Guru
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From: Gladwin,Mi
nothing wrong with stacks...you can hear them a little more in the cab.....if I did not have trailers behind me all the time I would run them.
3 inch DP to 4 inch(or bigger if you want)is fine for these trucks
air intake you just need the 6637 filter and a small elbow.
Gauges also should be on the list if you plan on towing
3 inch DP to 4 inch(or bigger if you want)is fine for these trucks
air intake you just need the 6637 filter and a small elbow.
Gauges also should be on the list if you plan on towing
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Festus, MO
I searched for a write up on how to do the 6637 intake but came up with nothing. Just discussion on different things about the intake. Can anyone post a link to a write up or something. Please forgive me, I am new to ford trucks.
Posting Guru
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From: Gladwin,Mi
all you have to do is remove the stock airbox......then a 45 deg 4" elbow (exhaust pipe) and the filter.......a couple clamps and your set
both can be found at NAPA(might have to order the elbow.....some use a 3" i.d. pvc elbow which is 4" o.d.)
6637 is the filter part #
both can be found at NAPA(might have to order the elbow.....some use a 3" i.d. pvc elbow which is 4" o.d.)
6637 is the filter part #
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
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From: Celaya, Gto. MX
Yeap, the worst part is to remove the stock airbox 
, but thats it. 
Also with the DP, the worst part is to remove the stock DP
, but thats it. Also with the DP, the worst part is to remove the stock DP