What do you think?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Statesboro, GA
What do you think?
There's an 03 7.3 at a dealership in my town with 162k miles and there asking 13,500 but I'm pretty confident I can talk them down further. Its a quad cab long bed with a 6" lift. It also has an exhaust, not sure what kind though sorry. Here's the problem, the power steering was funny on it. At first I thought it was the tires but when i got up under it the PS fluid seemed to be leaking. It also seemed to be leaking near the transfer case i believe. Now I haven't driven a diesel before but my friend who was with me owns an 08 superduty was with me. Honestly the truck seemed underpowered from what i expected. At low end it seemed alright but it didn't have much throttle response. At higher rpms, the truck just got loud but didn't have much pull. Now i know all the power is in lower rpms but like i said, overall it just seemed quite underpowered. Here's my question, is it possible that the truck was chipped and then it was removed. If so, can any damage come from that? Sorry if thats not detailed enough. I'm completely new to the truck/diesel world but i've always driven turboed cars.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,329
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From: IN
First welcome to the FTE!!!!
Taking a chip out of a truck will not hurt anything well anything but power. Yes stock without a chip these trucks are dogs really with one they really wake up and kind of come alive. If the power steering pump is leaking work it into the deal to have them fix the problem. And yes with the economy the way it is you should be able to get it for a lot less.
Edit: and 162k miles is kind of low miles for some on this board LOL...
Taking a chip out of a truck will not hurt anything well anything but power. Yes stock without a chip these trucks are dogs really with one they really wake up and kind of come alive. If the power steering pump is leaking work it into the deal to have them fix the problem. And yes with the economy the way it is you should be able to get it for a lot less.
Edit: and 162k miles is kind of low miles for some on this board LOL...
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New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Statesboro, GA
That makes me feel a little better about it. Well when i got back from the test drive I told them about the PS and they said they would get that fixed for me. Are there any things i should check for or be warned about?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: IN
Here is a good link to some real good reading about what to look for when buying.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html
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New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Statesboro, GA
Thank you so much... definitely helpful. Some things in there definitely apply to me. "A stock PSD may feel like a slug to the gasser uninitiated but it can pull a house off of it's foundation. So here we go." Probably what i was feeling. And also "Auto tranny: will feel like it takes the throttle to get moving with a stocker. The higher the mileage, the worse this will be. The shift should be smooth but slippy with a stocker. Long to engage. Convertor lockup will be almost imperceptable, but there. Will lock up at about 45 to 60m depending on throttle in OD. Should drop out of OD with input to brake or reduction of speed." I was thinking throttle response but that directly explains what it felt like. I'm use to driving sticks anyways so its definitely just a new sensation. I'm gonna go back this week and check some of those things that are listed. Any recommendations on prices? I've been looking at Craigslist and most 7.3s seem to be asking about the same to 1000 less than what they want.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: IN
Yeah price is a hard call now a days. I don't think the price sounds to bad to me it also depends on your area of the country. I paid 19,000 for my truck(before the whole recession)and it was a stock crew cab long bed F350 4x4 Lariat with 145k on the clock of course the over all look of the truck was like new. The only things done to it was dual front shocks and the spray in bed liner.
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New User
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From: Statesboro, GA
2003 Ford Super Duty F-250 4WD Crew Cab 6-3/4 Ft Box XL Gray Crew Cab 4X4. A Ford Super Duty F-250 at Franklin Chevrolet Cadillac Pontiac Buick GMC Statesboro GA
Thats the truck. Don't pay attention to the details too much. They say its a 5.4 6spd but its obviously not lol. How exactly do you tell the difference between the 7.3 and 6.0 in 03? I mean i'm sure it's listed on the engine somewhere but any obvious ways of knowing.
Edit: And don't mind the price either. They quoted me the 13.500 and from the start.
Thats the truck. Don't pay attention to the details too much. They say its a 5.4 6spd but its obviously not lol. How exactly do you tell the difference between the 7.3 and 6.0 in 03? I mean i'm sure it's listed on the engine somewhere but any obvious ways of knowing.
Edit: And don't mind the price either. They quoted me the 13.500 and from the start.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: IN
That's a good looking rig man. Here is a 7.3 engine (borrowed this from Joe Izzy351 thanks Joe) the air filter is not stock it is the commonly run 6637 I also use that filter. I will have to see if I can find a 6.0 engine picture but if it does not look like this it may be a 6.0.
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New User
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From: Statesboro, GA
Yep, that's exactly what it looked like. They said, 7.0 lol so i assumed 7.3 but i was starting to second guess myself. Thanks for all of your input. I'm gonna go down there sometime this week and see what I can get them to do for me. This might be unreasonable but I'm gonna see if I can pay the 13500, and get them to do all necessary maintenance (oil change, tranny fluid, etc) with that price. We'll see. Unfortunately I still can't do anything until i sell my car. Might just end up trading it in though.
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New User
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From: Statesboro, GA
Haha I've been on here for the last week or so and I believe Ive already caught it. It already has the suspension, exhaust, and filter so I'm probably gonna get Autometer gauges with the big 3 and a DP tuner chip to start it off. Then after that I'll do some little stuff here and there. I found a good post to help with all that.
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New User
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From: Statesboro, GA
I have an update. The dealership gave me the previous owners number. The guy was pretty straight forward. He said he recently had the motor rebuilt using an ambulance 7.3 but wasn't too specific about that. He said the only problem he ever had with the truck was the pipe from the turbo on the passenger side would always disconnect. He said thats it's double clamped but continually came loose. Seems like an easy fix, am i wrong?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
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From: Newport, WA
I'd look for another truck, sounds like that one was not treated well. What "pipe from the turbo" is he talking about- the down pipe or the CAC tube? I'm guessing CAC, and double clamping it will not help, the boots need to be cleaned out and have hair spray sprayed on them. Second, I think the price is too high. These trucks are fairly gutless when cold too, just so you know. I'd be looking elsewhere.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
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From: Lancaster, Pa.
A rebuild at or before 162,000 would have me concerned that he beat the truck, these motors are pretty dependable. Might want to wait for some more engine pros on here to chime in. Welcome to FTE KD...