2002 F-250 7.3L diesel.. good, bad, ugly

[carl2591]

My buddy in havlock nc, a retired marine, has a 2002 F-250 diesel 7.3L and was telling me he did not know anything about them before he got this one.

come to find out the 2000-03.25 7.3L model was some of the best diesel motors ford every put in Pickups..

i have heard/read horror stories about the 6.0L engine i think they made the switch to in second quarter of 2003 according to wiki.

SO i am now looking at this as a good TV and was looking for input on them. My friends is a 4 door version and he was saying it a bear to park and drive around in parking lots due to length.

any advise and comments especially on fuel mileage welcome.

[SeeMore]

Big trucks need big spaces to maneuver. If you have good depth perception and a sense of size, you can park closer to the store but otherwise you'll be using the far end of the lot. I have a crew cab 2500 4x4 which is about about the same size, plus years of commercial driving experience, so i don't mind the extra effort on the few occasions I'm in congested areas and have to thread the needle so to speak. However, if its your daily driver in addition to TV, then it can be a real hassle.

[pappy19]

I had that exact truck from 2002 to 2007, sold it with 182,xxx miles. It was a very good truck. The only weak spot is the auto tranny, which needs help. The torque converter is not HD enough to take the torque from that engine. Also, the 4R100 tranny needs to have upgraded parts like from www.suncoastconverters.com along with their converter. Once that is done, you will have little issues with the 7.3, except as mentioned, a 40 acre field to turn it around. Just plan on getting your exercise from parking in the back of the parking lot at wallyworld. The 7.3 diesels are in high demand and very popular, still.

[noreen&sal]

Agree with first two posts. Great TV. Have yet to get it to the point of breathing hard. On tranny #2 after 112,000 miles and $4,000. Sal

[wahoonc]

I have a 96... it will be For Sale... after I die... maybe. Mine has 148,000 on it. Agree that the automatic tranny needs beefing up. Mine is overdue for a rebuild, just haven't gotten to it yet. Yup need 40 acres to turn around in, but that is true of most of the larger pickups. Want handling get a Fiat 500, want a truck that will pull anything and everything get a 7.3l PSD. I would stay completely away from the 6.0. The 6.7 seems to be getting decent reviews, but they are newer and pricier.

Aaron

[andreasduess]

Perhaps worth mentioning that a more nimble truck can come in really useful in State or, here in Canada, Provincial Parks where there's lots of trees in the campgrounds.

I've been in a couple of situations where I managed to back the trailer in with inches to spare - by then off course, we've got a 34'. If that's not on the agenda, then no worries.

[oldfulltimer]

Have a 2000 F-350, 7.3 diesel crew cab dually pulling a 34' AS and am 58' long when hooked up. At Wally World we always park truck on the outside edge away from parking congestion along with other big trucks. In ten years of full timing had very few places we couldn't get into. When going to a restaurant, always looked for a straight in parking place where we wouldn't get 'pinched' in by others parking around us. Otherwise, we'd park well away from congestion and get exercise by walking.

When towing, we averaged 12.5 mpg and rig weighed in at over eight tons. Have not had any tranny problems but have replaced turbo several times in 189,000. Great truck.

Dave

[carl2591]

In reading in other forums it seems the 4r100 trans is the weak link. I found this place that sell/installs a HD trans for this engine. Sorta like the guys pappy was referring to but they do a complete build and can install.

E4OD, 4R100 Transmission from PATC, E4OD, 4R100 these guys have built a HD trans and you can get HD torque converter as well. Seem to address the weakness of the stock trans.

Was wondering about turbo.. have read the stock one are good for some 150K miles?.. Is there a good place to get a better one or just go back with stock rebuilt version.

I know just from reading the 6.0L are to stay away from unless they had gotten the 10K up grade most need at some point.. I know there will be the 6.0 owners who never had a problem but that seem to be the exception rather than the norm like with the 7.3L

Love to hear of the MPG on this unit from guys like oldtimer.. 12.5 pulling a 34 footer with a F-350 is most likely 2.5 higher than a 6L gasser i am guessing..

What is the avg unloaded MPG? i read stuff that says 19-22 for some guys..

That is not bad number for something that is a beast

I see units online with 150k to 290K miles going for 16K or less.. did see two with less than 89K going for closer to 25K.. was thinking that was to high for my budget..

ps looking for a good unit call me.. or pm.. can travel

PSS.. are most of you guys 2x4 or 4x4.. most seem to be 4x4 for sale.. any issues with front end on 4x4??

[noreen&sal]

I get 13 mpg towing a 27' AS and around 19-20 solo. 2000 F-250 2x2. Sal

[wahoonc]

carl, I bought an updated turbo housing from Gale Banks Engineering... it is still sitting in the box at the house, haven't had time to do anything with it yet. When I talked to the guys at GB their recommendations for what I was doing was the updated turbo housing, 6" big bore exhaust (ditch the cat?), exhaust brake and a new breather.

Aaron

[pappy19]

Once you start trying to "improve" the 7.3, it hardly never stops. Once you change one thing, you will need to improve something else. About the only thing you need to change on the turbo is adding a "wicked wheel" to remove the turbo flutter at about 2000 rpm's. You can get your turbo rebuilt and balanced for a reasonable price and have the wicked wheel installed at the same time. Banks equipment has been hit & miss on 7.3's and once you start using Banks, you'll have to use all Banks mods. The majority of 7.3 users don't install any Banks equipment, more and better options out there.

[carl2591]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

carl, I bought an updated turbo housing from Gale Banks Engineering... it is still sitting in the box at the house, haven't had time to do anything with it yet. When I talked to the guys at GB their recommendations for what I was doing was the updated turbo housing, 6" big bore exhaust (ditch the cat?), exhaust brake and a new breather.

Aaron

so what kinda price tag that have.. I see the turbo housing but no prices..

Banks Power Quick-Turbo Assembly #24457
i found this on another site. do you have to replace the compressor wheel as well.. This will allow the turbo to last longer is that the plan or for more power and better MPG.? I guess with a new exhaust the power is better not back to the transmission issue.. how much is too much for the stock trans.

I can see this race to the top for these guys but how much do you get back with the money spent.

[pappy19]

If you really want to upgrade your 7.3, ITP in Phoenix is the best I ever ran into. His 7.3 mods are way better than Banks products and he can assist you in a "gradual" improvement of your 7.3.


Strictly Diesel - Diesel Performance Parts

[AdamFL]

I run a 96 F250 extended cab with 156k and have had no problems other than routine maintenance. Considering I paid 6k for it I'm not complaining. I put a carpet kit and leather seats in it and it does what a 50k dura max does in plenty of comfort and reliability. I get about 15 mpg on flat ground keeping it at 63-64.

[oldfulltimer]

Carl,

Forgot to mention that my F-350, 7.3 has a 4:10 rear end and is not a 4X4. Figured that with all the travel we would do as full timers, the one MPG probable difference between the 2X4 and 4X4 would add up in several year. When not towing, we got about 17 MPG but that was with a full load in the eight foot bed as that was my basement and garage. Truck weighed in at about 8000 pounds. Ran Michelins on truck and would get about 70,000 on a set. Also ran Amsoil in the engine, tranny and rear end.

My friend who had an F-350 gas job, non-dually, also towing a 34 footer would get 9 MPG on a good day with a tail wind and about 8 normally. Not sure what he got when not towing but it certainly was quieter in the cab.

Hope this helps you.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by carl2591

so what kinda price tag that have.. I see the turbo housing but no prices..

Banks Power Quick-Turbo Assembly #24457
i found this on another site. do you have to replace the compressor wheel as well.. This will allow the turbo to last longer is that the plan or for more power and better MPG.? I guess with a new exhaust the power is better not back to the transmission issue.. how much is too much for the stock trans.

I can see this race to the top for these guys but how much do you get back with the money spent.

I don't recall... bought the truck in 2005 upgrades in 2006, then the company decided to move us from private to company vehicles in 2008 and the truck went from 50k miles a year to 4,500. I believe you could use the stock compressor wheel. I was going for improved flow more than anything else.

My truck gets 14.5mpg, I have a 4.10 limited slip rear end. The truck had 38,000 miles on it in December of 2005, I purchased it from the service manager at my local Ford dealer, it was his personal truck, 90% of those 38,000 miles were pulling a goose neck horse trailer. I probably towed another 12,000 out of the 100k that I put on it. It doesn't get run near enough but my MIL and bride love it and won't let me sell it.

Aaron

[handn]

I have a 2000 diesel Excursion.
My mileage is 17.5-19 solo and 12-13 towing a 25 Safari. I am an average driver around 70-75 solo and 65-70 towing.
I purchased my vehicle new. Engine and transmission have been trouble free for 218k miles. I do change my transmission fluid every 60,000 miles and the pan filter every other change.
It does have a 4 speed automatic which some have complained about. The diesel engine has so much torque that I find it adequate.
I have a 4x4 and the front end has needed quite a few repairs. Virtually everything has been repaired or rebuilt except the gears and axles and housings. I am on my third set of ball joints.
Everything that is spun by the serpentine belt except the air conditioning has needed attention.
The stock brakes warped rotors and were replaced by slotted rotors and racing discs at 80k. Since then the brakes have been bulletproof.
Various parts have been replaced on the power windows and doors.
The turning ratio is huge because of the solid front axle. Forget about getting in many parking garages because of height. The vehicle probably won't fit in your garage at home.
I plan to keep my Excursion as long as it is reliable. It looks good. I have waxed it and garaged it most of the time and the finish is great. The interior looks good and has no rips or tears.
It still has as much power as new. It will go up a steep grade near our house at above the legal limit like it did when new.
If find a 7.3 Powerstroke that has been taken good care of, and have need of a huge powerful vehicle, buy it. It is a great tow vehicle. At this point these vehicles are priced on condition, there is no more depreciation. If you keep it in repair, you will get your money out of it if you purchased it at a fair price.

[Willie G]

From the owner of a 2005 F350 Dually with the 6.0 and 141,000 on the clock.

You can spend $5k to fix the 4R100 to handle the 7.3 or you can spend $5k to fix all of the known issues with the 6.0, whose 5R110 transmission is near perfect and trouble free.

I like the increased power of the 6.0 over any of the 7.3s that I've owned and I like the 18 mpg (empty) that I see regularly.

2005 was the first year of the coil spring front end which rides smoother and turns tighter. 2005 was also when Ford did away with rebuildable 4wd front hubs, if that matters to you.

I enjoy working on mine, doing the maintenance - there are some folks who don't.

By whichever makes YOU happy.


Bill

[handn]

I paid an arm and a leg for Ford hubs. After market Warns are 1/3 the price and just as good.
Better yet, if you don't need 4x4, don't buy one, lots of problems
My vacuum automatic hubs do not work anymore due to vacuum leaks, I have to engage them manually.
Most old 7.3s leak out of the rear bearing seals. Mine does but not enough to affect oil consumption. The repair is expensive as the engine has to be pulled at least on the 4x4.
Zero problems with my turbo. Lots of problems with 6.0 turbos where the exhaust gas is recirculated. If you buy a 6.0, make sure the known problems such as egr are fixed.
I had flutter at low rpm but it was the camshaft position sensor since recalled and fixed permanently.
Not much point in chipping a 7.3, all it does is make more smoke. The limitation is in breathing and the valve train, exhaust and breathing mods produce a little more hp but I never though it was worth the expense.
I think premature transmission problems are due to hopping up the engines, infrequent fluid changes or towing at or above the 10k limit.
If you buy an old Ford diesel make sure you have a resource of an independent mechanic or you are a skilled wrench. The vehicles are too old to take to the dealer.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by handn

I paid an arm and a leg for Ford hubs. After market Warns are 1/3 the price and just as good.
Better yet, if you don't need 4x4, don't buy one, lots of problems
My vacuum automatic hubs do not work anymore due to vacuum leaks, I have to engage them manually.
Most old 7.3s leak out of the rear bearing seals. Mine does but not enough to affect oil consumption. The repair is expensive as the engine has to be pulled at least on the 4x4.
Zero problems with my turbo. Lots of problems with 6.0 turbos where the exhaust gas is recirculated. If you buy a 6.0, make sure the known problems such as egr are fixed.
I had flutter at low rpm but it was the camshaft position sensor since recalled and fixed permanently.
Not much point in chipping a 7.3, all it does is make more smoke. The limitation is in breathing and the valve train, exhaust and breathing mods produce a little more hp but I never though it was worth the expense.
I think premature transmission problems are due to hopping up the engines, infrequent fluid changes or towing at or above the 10k limit.
If you buy an old Ford diesel make sure you have a resource of an independent mechanic or you are a skilled wrench. The vehicles are too old to take to the dealer.

The best 7.3 mechanic in my part of NC is at my Ford dealer, it is what it is. I bought the upgrades for mine to increase the breathing, no chip involved. There is a guy somewhere here in NC that has a 7.3 crew cab dually that he runs at the drag strip last time I saw it was in Goldsboro, he runs mid 12's and pull the front wheels off the ground... he probably has over $40,000 in the motor and drive train. I know he was running propane injection and progressive twin turbos. talk about haulin'

Aaron