early or late
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: West cental Texas
There was an engineering change sometime in late 98 i believe (in reference to build date found on the door tag). someone will post the date. I would suggest a late 99 on up. early 99's are a little interesting to get oddball parts for. EX. I just rebuilt my turbo and the kit I bought didn't come with the compressor housing o-ring because the compressor housing is different. Their hpop's are different too. The later year model hpop's I believe perform better. There are several differences. Just realize early 99's are a little bit different on some of the ancileraries in the engine bay and what not. Same block and all though. You'll find more accesories for late 99's and up in my experience. my $.02
Chad
Chad
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 3
From: Mcafee, NJ
The biggest diaadvantage is the front hub and rotor setup ...iirc it is cheaper to rupgrade to late 99 than to replace with early 99 brake parts
As far as the turbo set up imho the early 99 is better than late model version for 2 reasons ... it spools faster and it already has the wicked wheel installed
The only reason anyone, myself included, changes to a 99.5 turbo set up is to go bigger power the 99.5 gives you many more turbo upgrade options such as a h2e or gtp38r while the early 99 gives you the d66 as the only option
As far as the turbo set up imho the early 99 is better than late model version for 2 reasons ... it spools faster and it already has the wicked wheel installed
The only reason anyone, myself included, changes to a 99.5 turbo set up is to go bigger power the 99.5 gives you many more turbo upgrade options such as a h2e or gtp38r while the early 99 gives you the d66 as the only option
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: IOWA
If you can, find a later model '99+, parts tend to be a little easier to get and upgrading and aftermarket parts are all made for later '99s. I love my truck and wouldn't trade it off, but I didn't know then what I know now.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 3
From: Mcafee, NJ
Good call all I'm saying is that u plan on going big upgrade if not it should suit the op just fine ...also isn't it possible to upgrade to 99.5 plenums and keep the rest of the turbo setup as e99?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
There are a host of changes- PCM programming, front hubs, front track bar, turbo setup, injectors, F250 early birds get the taller lift blocks... there is a ton of info here floating around on the differences. Mines an early and I love the way it runs, but dealing with chassis stuff gets to be a real PITA because of the changes they made.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Draper, Utah
I have a E 99 also. anything built before 12/7/98 is an early and everything that is 12/8/98 or newer is a late model. one sure fire way to tell is look at the passenger side of the spider where the passenger side intercooler pipe connects to the motor. if you see a plug there with wires going to it it is a late. if there is nothing then it is a early.
It all depends on what you want to do with your truck power wise. if you can get a good deal on a early then i would say do it. i have no problems with my truck you just have to know what one you have because they do ask sometimes.
It all depends on what you want to do with your truck power wise. if you can get a good deal on a early then i would say do it. i have no problems with my truck you just have to know what one you have because they do ask sometimes.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
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From: Mcafee, NJ
my truck is a early 99 also ...but im slowly collecting parts to change over to a 99.5 turbo set up ...damn PMS
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,037
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From: Albuquerque
I posted here last week that a buddy was looking at an early 99. Picked it up Sunday and the build list said there was a PTO, but I can't see anything on the trans or x-fer case. Guess I was looking some for kind of flange or something. Anybody know what I should be looking for?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Draper, Utah
you can get 2 different transmissions. one is able to run a pto and one is not. if it can run a pto there will be a cover on the side of the trans where you would mount the pto. and the trans that can't run a pto doesn't have that cover the trans case is molded all the way around. the only reason to know what one it is because if you ever rebuild it yourself there are different parts that go in either one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
I would get the latest one you can find. I have an '02, and really like the upgrades that came that year. The only possible down side is the powdered metal connecting rods. BUT it seems to be a craps shoot on these motors. Some PMR motors hold out close to 500 RWHP, and some forged rod motors buy the farm in the low 400s. Personally, it's such a non-issue, if it goes, it goes. And if you never plan on putting in a bigger turbo & injectors, it's a complete non-issue.
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