I found a pretty clean 99 PSD with just over 100K on the clock. The truck has been used to pull a 5th wheel RV. The turbo has gone bad but the truck starts and runs out good considering the turbo is bad. The bearings in the turbo are out and you can hear it on startup and idle. So, if it were YOU and you saw this truck what would you think? Normal issue withe the turbo going out or bad maintenance and stay away? The truck is a late 98 build and is clean and doesn't appear to have been abused. Any advice/opinions will be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

 

That is low miles for a 99.

Here is a link to a PSD buyers guide. LINK

You can get an Oasis report at this LINK It is a report of maintenance and repair done at any Ford dealership.

Sounds like an Early 99. Here are the differences between an early 99 and late 99.

Some differences between Early 99 and 99.5
Build Date prior to 12-98
Engine Serial Number 1039779 and lower is early 99

Credit to Chase aka superduty4x4, Ron aka Ron's PowerStroke and in Bold credit to Jet aka SolidGround(RIP)

Early 99 has a wicked wheel in it from the factory. And much smaller turbo (spools faster, though)

The early99 has 120cc(AB code) injectors and the late99-03 has 140cc(AD code) injectors.

The early99 has 2" intake plenums. The late99-03 has 3" intake plenums.

The early99 has a 15* swash plate HPOP. The late99-03 has a 17* swash plate HPOP.

The early99 has one glow plug relay. The late99-03 has one glow plug relay and one air intake heater relay side by side (along with early '99 CA models) . Both relays are on the passenger side of the fuel bowl toward the front of the truck.

The early99 has a totally different air intake that is not inter changeable with the late99-03 (except for DRW trucks) . But you can put the late99 air cleaner assembly in the early99 truck. The only three afterarket air filters that work on the early99 are the AFE stage 2, the AIS and the KWIKK 6637.

The early99 track rod has smaller mounting bolts than the late99-03. (except for DRW trucks)

The early99 has shallower rotors than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 has shorter hub-bearings than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 front axle U bolts are square where they go over the spring pack. The late99 U bolts are round. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 has a different pitman arm than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 does not have the AIH like the late99-03. (except CA model)

The early99 does not have the automatic transmission fluid cooler in the radiator.

The early99 has no indicator light showing that "cruise" is on. Late99-03 has a cruise light that will come on when you set the cruise control. The early99 has the light in the dash already. A newer PCM(Yes it will plug in and will run better too) must be used to make the cruise light illuminate. It is a green light on the right side edge, half way up.

Others will chime in. This info will lead to more questions so just ask.

 

A HUGE Thanks!!!! That helped answer some questions. My biggest question is should I be worried that the turbo went out so early? At least I guess 100K is early. Is it a sign of possible other problems?? Thanks in advance.

 

The big question is, why did the turbo go out. Take the intake pipe off the turbo and look at the wheel. If the wheel is sand blasted real bad, then you could have issues in the cylinders.

 

If the turbo looks like this it most likely has more than just a bad turbo.

 

Thanks!! The bad thing is the truck is several hundred miles from me. I had my dad look at it and gave me the feedback. I hate to say it but I may have to pass on this one unless I can get pics quick. Thanks for all the advice! Now I know what to look for.

 

Wouldn't want you to go into this blind.

 

Thanks for the post. I had been wondering if my truck was a early 99 or a late 99, now i know and in some ways that sucks.
Looks like I'll be replacing my PCM to get a bit more performance and to get my cruise light to work

I don't mean to hijack the thread but what recommendations would you guys have for someone that owns a early 99.

Currently I have a wicked wheel being shipped, up pipes and an air filter replacement.

It sounds as if I'll need to upgrade my entire air intake and PCM when I have the $$

Edit: This might also explain why at about 80 or 90 my check engine light comes on as my HPOP may not be able to keep up with the ejectors. Yes/No?

 

If you DO HAVE an early 99 the stock turbo has a WW.

If you ordered bellowed up-pipes they will not fit an early 99,
the early 99 pedestal is about 1 1/2" shorter.

If the SES light is being set by code P1211 than it is possible
that the early 99 15° HPOP is getting weak. Have your codes read.

I hate being the bearer of bad news and I hope you aren't too bummed.

 

No, not to bummed. I enjoy getting 16 to 20 mpg, having some horse to pull things and just all around having a truck again. I've been driving a 2000 saturn SL2 so you can kind of see why I enjoy having a large truck even if it does need some work.

So what do I do about the up pipes?
I hope they're going to fit because I just ordered them from Clay. Maybe I'll have to swing by the local Ford guy and have him read the codes and tell me if it's the early SD or the later SD.

Also, can the HPOP be upgraded to the better HPOP?

 

I just posted some pictures in my gallery. Maybe you could take a look and maybe they'll give you an idea as to whether or not it's an early 99 or late.

 

I didn't mean bummed about possibly having an early 99. I have one myself. I meant ordering parts you may not need or be able to use.

Look at the differences between early and late 99 in my post 2 in this thread. That should tell you if you have an early or late 99.

Build Date prior to 12-98
Engine Serial Number 1039779 and lower is early 99

You can find the manufacture date on the door sticker. The serial number is on one of the valve covers, driver side I believe.

Edit: I went to look at your gallery and got this : This user has not created their gallery.

 

Yea, I looked at it and off the top off my head and by taking a quick look at my suspension it seems I have a early 99 because the leaf spring shackles look square instead of U, but I'm also not a mechanic so I could be mistaking but I do know for sure that my cruise light doesn't come on when I turn it on. That's why I took some more pictures and yes, not being able to order parts easily does make me a bit bummed. Sucks really. I emailed clay to get some input from him.

 

What is the manufacture date on the upper left of door sticker?

 

Door sticker is missing unfortunately