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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 02:43 PM
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Upgrade Recommendations?

I own a 2003 F-350 Lariat Super Duty 6.0L Power Stroke Turbo diesel. I frequently tow a Boat and use the vehicle for it's 4X4 capabilities. Over the last few months though i have noticed that i am not able to accelerate as fast. I lose power going up hills alot more to where it has to shift down, whereas it did not do that before. Any ideas what could be wrong?

Also i am looking at getting some chips and some newer power/fuel effecient parts put on it. I am just wondering what people would recommend so that i can make this truck something to drool over.

Also more info on the vehicle. I bought it off a person about a year ago who got it off auction. So i can not tell you the maintenace schedule of it or how well it was maintained prior to me getting it. But the engine is quite clean and the body is emaculate.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 05:15 PM
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by ruaduck
I own a 2003 F-350 Lariat Super Duty 6.0L Power Stroke Turbo diesel. I frequently tow a Boat and use the vehicle for it's 4X4 capabilities. Over the last few months though i have noticed that i am not able to accelerate as fast. I lose power going up hills alot more to where it has to shift down, whereas it did not do that before. Any ideas what could be wrong?

There are quite a few things that could be going wrong that would cause the same result. I would need to know a little bit more on that to help you out any more.

Originally Posted by ruaduck
Also i am looking at getting some chips and some newer power/fuel effecient parts put on it. I am just wondering what people would recommend so that i can make this truck something to drool over.
I would only recommend something that you can get custom tunes with. Either Spartan's Phalanx tuner(which is what I run) or SCT's X3 tuner(I wouldn't recommend the LiveWire, still too many issues with it). Anything other then those two and you run some big chances with one and/or more of the major weak points of the 6.0 crapping out on you.

Originally Posted by ruaduck
Also more info on the vehicle. I bought it off a person about a year ago who got it off auction. So i can not tell you the maintenace schedule of it or how well it was maintained prior to me getting it. But the engine is quite clean and the body is emaculate.
Clean engine and/or body doesn't really mean a whole lot as to rather or not the vehicle is road worthy. I've known some nice clean vehicles that really are nothing more then mere yard art.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by tex25025
There are quite a few things that could be going wrong that would cause the same result. I would need to know a little bit more on that to help you out any more.
I'll try to describe a bit more. I do know there is something wrong with it being able to go into tow/haul mode (overdrive button). I can press the button and it won't click in, but i believe that is besides the point. As i am driving or taking off i feel hesitation between when i press on the gas to when it actually wants to go. Most the time it takes me to floor it before it wants to shift down. Unless it shifts down it doesn't really kick in and go. I had the air filter replaced thinking that since it was a bit dirty that it might be causing it a bit, but that isn't helping it. I know that in my father's truck, a F-350 Super Duty XLT PSTD that he had to replace i think 3 O2 sensors. His was causing it so that you really couldn't accelerate but it caused white smoke. Mine is not smoking as his was.



Originally Posted by tex25025
I would only recommend something that you can get custom tunes with. Either Spartan's Phalanx tuner(which is what I run) or SCT's X3 tuner(I wouldn't recommend the LiveWire, still too many issues with it). Anything other then those two and you run some big chances with one and/or more of the major weak points of the 6.0 crapping out on you.
Thanks for the recommendations.



Originally Posted by tex25025
Clean engine and/or body doesn't really mean a whole lot as to rather or not the vehicle is road worthy. I've known some nice clean vehicles that really are nothing more then mere yard art.
I was just giving that to say that even though it was an auction truck, the person took a bit more care of it than others i had seen.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by ruaduck
As i am driving or taking off i feel hesitation between when i press on the gas to when it actually wants to go. Most the time it takes me to floor it before it wants to shift down. Unless it shifts down it doesn't really kick in and go.
Well, my first inclination is going to be leaning towards an EGR issue. Check the y-pipes(up-pipes) and see if there is a leak there. Could also be a turbo vein issue as well.

Do you let your truck cool down a minute or two after you run it?
 
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:58 AM
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i try to when i tow. But most the time i commute only 5 mins to work. But when towing i let my truck run at idle for about 1 min prior to shutting it off.
 
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