Been doing a bunch of reading the past and figured I would finally join.

We own a 2000 F-350 4x4 regular cab 7.3L with only 60,000 miles. Bone stock other than warn hubs. We use it to occasionally tow a 35' 17,000 lb fifth wheel and to haul things we can't fit into our cars.

That brings me to my first question. We never put in an EGT guage. After reading around, I found out the EGT's are very critical when towing. Is it possible to do engine damage when towing on the stock tune? The truck runs great and hardly burns any oil. All the bolts are in the exhaust manifolds. I pulled off the oil cap when running and hardly any steam came out. Engine is probably fine, but still worried.

Right now looking at this guage:
R3607TR - ISSPRO EV Auto - Red Pointers: Pyrometers / EGT Gauges - egauges.com

I really like it because it matches the factory guages and has color coded background.

What about the tranny temp? It's a 6 speed manual so I figured it should be fine, but I see that it has lines going to the radiator.

Next question. Since it is stored outside, major rust is forming underneath the truck. We have been spraying undercoat to try to stop it and it seems to be working. Anything I should look out for here? There is no body rust at all which is GOOD.

It needs shocks BAD!!! I thinking about going with blistines (SP?) Need a heavy duty shock that can take a punishment.

The bottom of the muffler is starting to pop open. Will probably do a muffler delete or get a MBRP system if funds allow.

Now what about power? Everybody keeps recommending the DP tuner, but is there any cheaper options? Is there any way to simply increase the fueling?

I think that's it for now. Probably have more questions but lets start with this first.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Well first off, welcome to FTE, glad to have yaa aboard.. Sounds like a very nice truck you have and you take very good care of.. Before you buy, give our own Clay at RiffRaff Diesel a call, he's a super nice fella, talked to him on the phone last nite about a few things, he'll get you the best price on the things you need, here's his link. Riffraff Diesel: Black Face/ Red Pointer/ Black Bezel I don't think you need a tranny gauge for a handshaker but others that have them will chime in with their thoughts. As for Bilstiens, great shock, a little more money than the compition but well worth it, I have them. About your exhaust, Clay again can take care of you, great prices period with him. As for the tuning part for your rig, stick around and read up, theirs a few good tuners here that can help you and these are not off the shelf tuners, these are made for your truck and driving style and just plain the best..

 

Welcome!!!

You wont need a tranny temp guage for the Manual. Tuners there are lots.

PHP, DP-Tuner, TW, DI are a few. there is a few shop around you cant go wrong with any of them. I have had 2 DP-Tuners im Switching it up now just to try some new tuning. Anyone of them will be able to Help you out with custom tuning. As far as rust goes its a never ending battle. you got to remove it then treat it I know there are sealents and Corrosion inhibitors out there but its all about the removal before you treat it. I have a Muffler delete on my truck been happy with it so far. Probly will be moving to a 4" turbo back system here soon.

 

As far as rust goes...Clean and paint your oil pan..You may even want to undercoat it..They have been known to rust pin holes in them....

 

Dont forget about upgrading the stock intake, many good aftermarkets out there. This will make a great improvement.

 

Thanks for finally joining and participating. Welcome.

EGT's should be fine on a stock truck, no need to worry about the tranny temp, but you're do for a fluid change if you haven't done it yet. Pay attention to your oil pan. If the oil pan rusts through, you have to pull the motor to replace it. Don't let the oil pan rust.

Bilsteins will be good for towing. You could do a 10k mod for a cheap power increase, but a tuner will be 100 times better. Just get the gauges, exhaust and intake first.

 

Our oil pan is, in fact, rusting. There is those nice little paint bubbles forming. Another thing to add to the list. Gotta get that done before it rots out. You would think it would be impossible for something that holds oil to rust.

Good to know I won't have to worry about the tranny temp. All the fluids were changed a few years ago at the 50,000mile service. Probably should do it again though. This truck does way more sitting that it should.

Just found about the 6637 mod. Gonna order one of those ASAP. I found some dirt in the stock intake. Not too bad, but any dirt past the filter is never a good thing. I don't want to sound too negative, but that stock airbox is a real piece of crap. The thing just flexes out when you lock it down.

10K mod? Hmm.. that sounds like something up my alley. Time to search again!

Right now, I have to do the shocks, EGT guage(not taking a chance), 6637 filter, and something with the blowing apart muffler.

Oh, how do you bleed the clutch fluid? I looked and cannot find the bleeder. I see the slave cylinder on the trans, but there is not bleeder. I really want to change that clutch fluid since it's original.

 

No bleeder valve on the clutch hydraulics. You have to hold the slave and master low with the reservoir high, then slowly pump the actuator rods to work the air out. I've never bothered changing my fluid. I just kept it topped off till it finally failed around 220k miles, then replaced it with a pre-bled master/slave unit from Ford.