Complete Newbie
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
You'd have to start by telling us what city and state you're in, but if you're this excited about trucks, hang around here and we'll have you doing this all yourself in no time.
And there's no rush about all the other stuff to make it better for towing. You can do a little at a time, and you can do it all yourself. Go find your trailer and enjoy. When you're ready to start improving things, we'll help you do it in the right order and keep you from wasting your money on unnecessary or inferior stuff.
And there's no rush about all the other stuff to make it better for towing. You can do a little at a time, and you can do it all yourself. Go find your trailer and enjoy. When you're ready to start improving things, we'll help you do it in the right order and keep you from wasting your money on unnecessary or inferior stuff.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Just wanted to add that if you guys are totally new to diesels, they do sound much different than a gas engine, they can be a bit noisy it is probably just the normal engine sound. Some people have "insulated" thier cabs with special material to soundproof them more. In a way, a diesel sounds like a gas engine that is "knocking" a bit. Another thing that may help is adding 2 stroke oil to the fuel at half ounce to one ounce per gallon of fuel, since the new ULSD fuel doesnt lubricate the injectors like the old fuel did. You can search for more info on this.
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
Pan,
Welcome to FTE. I have one suggestion, check the air filter some people have fallen into the hipe about K&N air filters. The K&N filter is a bad thing for our trucks, they cause problems with the turbo and will damage the engine. If your truck has one you need to remove it soon. The stock Ford filter will do the job for your needs
Welcome to FTE. I have one suggestion, check the air filter some people have fallen into the hipe about K&N air filters. The K&N filter is a bad thing for our trucks, they cause problems with the turbo and will damage the engine. If your truck has one you need to remove it soon. The stock Ford filter will do the job for your needs
Last edited by Bob Taulbee; Apr 23, 2010 at 02:32 PM. Reason: wrong name
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, CA
Welcome to FTE!!! This is a GREAT resource for all sorts of info about your truck!! A lot of knowledgable people that are quick to help, and you don't feel like an idiot on here (although sometimes I may act the part...)
My guess is your name is not Tia, but that is "Thanks In Advance"......
Ask away, spend some time, you'll learn lots!!
My guess is your name is not Tia, but that is "Thanks In Advance"......
Ask away, spend some time, you'll learn lots!!
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Yeah, my name is not TIA (thanks in advance). It's Pan, but I don't mind Tia. 
I still can't believe we have this big ol' truck. I forgot to mention it's a dually.
I'm in the Bay Area, east bay near Concord, CA. But we're moving up to Redding soon.
I still can't believe we have this big ol' truck. I forgot to mention it's a dually.
I'm in the Bay Area, east bay near Concord, CA. But we're moving up to Redding soon.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 8
From: Fleetwood, PA
Hi there! I just bought a 2001 Ford F350 7.3 liter diesel engine crew cab (long bed?). We got it to pull around a 5th wheel we will be living in part-time. I know nothing about diesel vehicles, and barely know a thing about vehicles in general, except I love driving a big truck. 
My husband, not so much.
The truck drives great, but it's very loud and it has a noise that reminds me of rockers or pistons hitting metal or something. Is that normal for a diesel truck? It also sometimes smells really badly in the cab like chemicals. One day, I opened the cab and it smelled like someone had spilled nail polish remover. Hmmn...
Is there anything we can do to the truck to make pulling around a 5th wheel easier or more enjoyable? We have had the truck for less than a week, and we haven't purchased our 5th wheel yet.
TIA!
ETA: I posted this in the wrong forum at first. Ooops. Also, by loud, I mean a LOUD knocking sound.
My husband, not so much.The truck drives great, but it's very loud and it has a noise that reminds me of rockers or pistons hitting metal or something. Is that normal for a diesel truck? It also sometimes smells really badly in the cab like chemicals. One day, I opened the cab and it smelled like someone had spilled nail polish remover. Hmmn...
Is there anything we can do to the truck to make pulling around a 5th wheel easier or more enjoyable? We have had the truck for less than a week, and we haven't purchased our 5th wheel yet.
TIA!
ETA: I posted this in the wrong forum at first. Ooops. Also, by loud, I mean a LOUD knocking sound.
as for finding a rep mechanic...you are now your own mechanic. we will help you out as much as we can.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
If your moving up to Redding get a 5th wheel with the best insulation and the largest AC unit you can find. I grew up in Redding an vacation there most summers and it gets HOTTT !! Arizona hot!! If I don't start my AC at 6 am and keep it running max my 5th wheel is un inhabitable until after the sun go's down.
Good luck and welcome to FTE!!
as a side note, be careful with any modifications you perform. California just instituted smog checks for diesel vehicles and a few members on this board are having a heck of a time getting their to pass.
Good luck and welcome to FTE!!
as a side note, be careful with any modifications you perform. California just instituted smog checks for diesel vehicles and a few members on this board are having a heck of a time getting their to pass.
You like apples?
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: LL, BC
Hey Pansen, give the engine a good bath in simple green elbow grease and a hose make sure to get the hood heat covering and a good amount of simple green in the vents in front of winshield bottom, this fixed up my diesel Boo-Boo (blown gasket on the feaul bowl................) oh ya cover alt., air filter, PS pump.
You can get alot of advice on quietening the motor.......... airdog, hutch mod, in tank harpoon mod, and FRx.....................the search button, will help find a lot of info, I am still learning alot from these guys.........
Ps. my wifey picked our/her truck..............
You can get alot of advice on quietening the motor.......... airdog, hutch mod, in tank harpoon mod, and FRx.....................the search button, will help find a lot of info, I am still learning alot from these guys.........
Ps. my wifey picked our/her truck..............
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If it gets that hot, then you should also consider the cold AC mod. I don't have a link handy, but it involves a bypass valve from either a ranger or excursion, a couple of hose clamps and splicing into a vacuum tube and heater hose.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
If your moving up to Redding get a 5th wheel with the best insulation and the largest AC unit you can find. I grew up in Redding an vacation there most summers and it gets HOTTT !! Arizona hot!! If I don't start my AC at 6 am and keep it running max my 5th wheel is un inhabitable until after the sun go's down.
Good luck and welcome to FTE!!
as a side note, be careful with any modifications you perform. California just instituted smog checks for diesel vehicles and a few members on this board are having a heck of a time getting their to pass.
Good luck and welcome to FTE!!
as a side note, be careful with any modifications you perform. California just instituted smog checks for diesel vehicles and a few members on this board are having a heck of a time getting their to pass.
Good advice about the smog. I bought this truck from a dealer who had to get it smogged, so thankfully I know, at this point, it can pass. Adding mods, well... hmmmn.
Yeah, insulation will be a must! We'll be living in it for awhile, and I'm thinking we might have to build a carport for it to stay out of the heat while on our property.
And I'm not exactly new to auto repair. My friend taught me a lot about gas engines, and had me changing oil, hoses, distributor caps, batteries, etc... I've never done anything extensive though, and never with a diesel vehicle. In fact, most of my past vehicles were stick shift to avoid tranny repairs (although there was a clutch and all, but those are cheaper). It's been years since I've done any of those things on my own, and I have the typical "girl syndrome" of not wanting grease under my nails.
I'll have to get over it.
Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
Just wanted to add that if you guys are totally new to diesels, they do sound much different than a gas engine, they can be a bit noisy it is probably just the normal engine sound. Some people have "insulated" thier cabs with special material to soundproof them more. In a way, a diesel sounds like a gas engine that is "knocking" a bit. Another thing that may help is adding 2 stroke oil to the fuel at half ounce to one ounce per gallon of fuel, since the new ULSD fuel doesnt lubricate the injectors like the old fuel did. You can search for more info on this.