I just upgraded from my 2002 F250 Super Cab to a 2016 F250 Crew Cab, so I thought I would share about it on here.

I've had my 7.3 for a while now, and honestly I wasn't planning on driving anything else anytime soon, she has 260,000 miles and still running strong. Up until last year, I really didnt use it for much besides hunting and side jobs, but as long as I remembered to plug it in during the winter you couldn't find a more reliable truck. But last year my wife and I decided our kids were old enough to start camping and actually enjoying it, so we hooked up to our 35' bumper-pull camper and headed out to the local lakeside campground. Once we squeezed ourselves, two kids in carseats, our dog, and enough snacks to keep the kids entertained for the grueling 40 minute drive, it was a tight fit. Once we were there we had so much fun we forgot about the cramped drive, and unanimously decided to become camper nuts.

This year, we have only been out once for another close to home campground, but we are trying to finalize plans for a longer road trip later this fall. Initially, we were planning to trade off the camper for a fifth wheel since the bumper-pull is not the most fun getting into tight spaces and tends to have a lot of sway on the highway (out was originally purchased for me to live in while working, so at the time it hardly ever moved), but after much deliberation we decided it would be better to get a crew cab first, then maybe upgrade the camper next year. At least that way I don't have to have my knees in the dashboard while battling a side wind on the highway.

I searched the local listings for another 7.3 with a crew cab, but almost everything I found was either beat to holy hell (what else can you expect from a 20 year old work horse), ridiculously expensive, or so modified it might achieve lift off. Anything I found in decent shape and mostly stock for a decent price was sold before I could do anything about it. So I start looking into the 6.7s, and decided if I could find one 2015 and up for a good price I would consider it. Not two days later, I came across a 2016 with 130k miles and a decent price tag down at the ford dealership, and now I am officially part of the 6.7 club! I'm still getting used to the truck and haven't pulled anything with it yet, but I am pretty happy and excited to see where this goes.



Here is my 7.3, it's mirrors are from a 2015 I think, but other than that the only after market parts are an S&B air intake and a 4" turbo back exhaust. I put a new transmission and transfer case in about 15k miles ago. The previous owner had it painted (used to be red) and never put the emblems back on it. I am still not sure if I will try to sell it or not, I dont need two trucks but I am pretty attached to this one. We will see, but I'm kinda thinking about just getting it cherried out and the saving it for my boy to have when hes responsible enough not to wreck it.






And here is the new one! It's got a pretty good dent in the door and the clear coat is scuffed on the rear passenger wheel well, but other than that the body is perfect. The interior is pretty clean, only problem is both passenger side seatbelts are almost torn through, so I'll be in the market for a set of those soon.








I found this cord under the seat, anyone know what it is?



I'll take some more pictures and update once I pull the trailer for the first time.

 

I think you'll be pleased with the stability and power of your upgrade. That cable looks like an adapter for an ELD but not enough pins.

What is that button to the left of the 12v above the manual 4x4?

 

Me thinks that button would be the exhaust brake.

 

Yep that's the exhaust brake. Can't wait to try that out either.

Side note, anyone got recommendations on where to get seat belts? 1 belt equals $480 bucks at the local ford store. Do the universal ones work?

 

try rock auto or autonation in white bear lake MN. for the belts. congrat. I see that chevy beside it. Is that your first tow job?

 

Here's a start.

https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...bc3z26611b08aa

https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...ont-seat-belts

 

Thanks guys.

They force me to drive that Chevy for work... But I guess it tows me around pretty good and I don't pay for it so I shouldn't complain.

 

My take home is a Chevy too, but in sedan form. fits nicely between my DRW and the wife's F150.

 

Yeah the Chevy really is a pretty comfortable truck, and it rides good on bumpy roads since its a half ton, but it sure feels silly to climb into after driving my ford haha.

 

And I better not talk any crap because my wife drives a tahoe and wants to upgrade to a suburban or Yukon XL, so I'll probably always have a GM around.

 

Nice upgrade!

But as an aside - I wouldn't want my kids driving something that old. New(er) cars get much better mileage AND are much safer.
Plus 260K miles means it'll continue to need close looking after.

This was my 2002 F250 XL, powered by the V10. (I also upgraded the tow mirrors).

 

Nice looking truck.

Your probably right about kids driving the truck. He probably won't think it's cool when he starts driving anyway, I know all I wanted when I was a teenager was a 7.3 OBS. Of course I also wanted to lift it way up, put huge tires on it, and blow clouds of smoke...

Now I just want a smooth, stock ride with a big a** trailer. Funny how things change.

 

Nice trucks, the cord looks like something from Trimble, for survey equipment.

 

When you do try that exhaust brake, if you are towing a trailer, press the - on the +/- button on the gear stick to force a down shift to get the RPM’s up. TheEB is much more effective if the engine is spinning 2500 - 3000 RPM.
Good luck with the new to you truck.
Question, since my brain is old, and I don’t always look closely at some things. I just noticed your user name, and where you are located.
Is your last name Staal, and do you have Family around Watford City? I lived just a couple miles west of a Norman (AKA, Junior) Staal for many years.

 

Welcome to the 6.7 club and the FTE club. Nice looking truck. I have the vacuum actuated 4wd switch on the dash but I'd take the manual shift on the floor anyday...more reliable IMHO. I don't tow anything yet but x2 on using the (+/-) buttons on a decline with the engine brake. The RPMs will come up and slow you down to save the brake pads and slow you down more effectively on hills esp. when towing.

I have no prior Ford diesel experience to reflect on but this is my first Ford diesel and diesel in general. I love it. I change the oil when OLM tells me to which is about 7200 to 7500 miles. I run the MC 10w30. First UOA on my 33k mile change was good. YMMV... I only use Motorcraft fuel filters and now follow the every other oil change, change fuel filters routine. There's a lot of friendly guys around here who will provide info if you ask.

Use the search function on top right because there's tons of threads on here about different topics. Check out the stickies on top and the Coffee book. Welcome...