Ford 7.3 Econoline

[umasslax]

Does anyone have any feedback on this van as a TV? It a 2003 With 98k miles. My airstream is 27 feet - and I want to take it thru the mountains. I am ready to purchase this van. Any help would be great. Thanks.


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[Countryboy59]

It's an F250 with a van body. Why not?

[xrvr]

The 7.3 was a rock of a motor, but loud. It'll do the job.

[Isuzusweet]

You may experience air turbulence on a scale higher than others as both the TV and trailer are big billboards in a cross wind, so I would keep your steering components and front end up to snuff. That being said, there is no other reason not to go with the rig at all.

Goodluck
Tony

[PaulnGina]

I would recommend anything with a 7.3L PowerStroke diesel engine in it, especially one with low miles. And with the van, you'll have lots of room for your stuff!

[dbj216]

Welcome to AirForums where all the advice you receive is absolutely free! Seriously, I have met some very knowledgeable folks here and I have learned from them.

You bring back memories. My father in law towed our 34' Limited with a 7.3 Econoline for years. It is a reliable motor. It has the old fashioned fuel injectors that clatter, but that's part of the old diesel experience. He liked the van because the receiver to rear axle distance was shorter, thus providing more stability. Grandma made him sell it as she didn't like the engine noise. Kinda too bad.

We towed the same trailer with a Econoline E350 V-10 for several years. Again, the van worked very well as a tow vehicle. It has a lot of cargo room. Ford doesn't make a diesel or V-10 van anymore that will tow the same weights like the old one did. People prefer a pickup truck, and that's what we traded for three years ago.

I think you would be happy with the diesel van.

David

[umasslax]

Thanks everyone!


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[Airstreamer67]

I'm still driving a '96 F250 with the 7.3 diesel engine, and it is one of the most reliable and long-lasting diesels ever put on the road.

It's true it has about half the power of the modern diesel heavy-hitters being offered today, but this is because it is basically down-rated for what its potential really is and thus will last just about forever because it's not stressed with high power levels. Some 7.3 owners have hopped them up to levels on par with today's diesels at 400-plus horsepower, but I wouldn't do it. Shoot, I rarely have to use full throttle with my 20-year-old 7.3 as it is. Of course, I don't race anybody up the mountains, but wouldn't do it if I had twice the power anyway.

I average 14 mpg towing over the long haul with this engine. It is extremely reliable and at the rate it's going, it will provide another 20 years of faithful service.

Best of luck with your van, should you get it.

[tjdonahoe]

3 speed auto with overdrive.....will be somewhat weak compared to the newer 6 speed autos...

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

3 speed auto with overdrive.....will be somewhat weak compared to the newer 6 speed autos...

Correction....3 sp auto with overdrive will be stronger than any of the 6 sp automatics made today; not to mention a hellava lot cheaper to rebuild. The only exception to this rule would be an Aisan transmission, which are pretty bulletproof, but I'd still take the Turbo 475 in my motorhome or the 4L80e over a brand new Fiat/Chrysler 9 sp tranny any day.

Cheers
Tony

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by Airstreamer67

I'm still driving a '96 F250 with the 7.3 diesel engine, and it is one of the most reliable and long-lasting diesels ever put on the road.

It's true it has about half the power of the modern diesel heavy-hitters being offered today, but this is because it is basically down-rated for what its potential really is and thus will last just about forever because it's not stressed with high power levels. Some 7.3 owners have hopped them up to levels on par with today's diesels at 400-plus horsepower, but I wouldn't do it. Shoot, I rarely have to use full throttle with my 20-year-old 7.3 as it is. Of course, I don't race anybody up the mountains, but wouldn't do it if I had twice the power anyway.

I average 14 mpg towing over the long haul with this engine. It is extremely reliable and at the rate it's going, it will provide another 20 years of faithful service.

Best of luck with your van, should you get it.

Same experience here with our 1995 7.3L F250... love it, love it, love it!!! Just over 120,000 miles recently.... LOTS of life left in it. We have decided to enjoy this truck over spending $60K+ on a new one. Can do a HEAP of travelling/camping with that money.

[1973Argosy]

I towed for a while with a 95 e150. At the worst you may need to upgrade the sway bars on the van, but should be a great tow vehicle.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Correction....3 sp auto with overdrive will be stronger than any of the 6 sp automatics made today; not to mention a hellava lot cheaper to rebuild. The only exception to this rule would be an Aisan transmission, which are pretty bulletproof, but I'd still take the Turbo 475 in my motorhome or the 4L80e over a brand new Fiat/Chrysler 9 sp tranny any day.

Cheers
Tony

How long do you think the 3 speed will last in the new Diesel engines putting out the 650 plus ft lbs of torque and 350 plus hp? That was in my 07 dodge, 110,000 never a problem , my 2017 ram is 370 hp and I look for the transmission to be trouble free..the three speed trannys went away for a good reason.....go figure

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

How long do you think the 3 speed will last in the new Diesel engines putting out the 650 plus ft lbs of torque and 350 plus hp? That was in my 07 dodge, 110,000 never a problem , my 2017 ram is 370 hp and I look for the transmission to be trouble free..the three speed trannys went away for a good reason.....go figure

The biggest reasons the 3-speed automatic transmission went away for the same reasons the awesome 7.3L PowerStroke engine went away.... spelled EPA and CAFE.

[HowieE]

You dd not post where you live.

If other than Ca. you can modify that engine to pull anything.
I would recommend an exhaust temperature gauge at a minimum with the 3 speed. Lugging a diesel engine, pulling a hill with your foot on it in a higher gear, will overheat the pistons and can do real damage. With an EGT gauge you will see this before it can cause a problem.

If you are new to diesels learn about water in fuel and how to work with it.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by PaulnGina

The biggest reasons the 3-speed automatic transmission went away for the same reasons the awesome 7.3L PowerStroke engine went away.... spelled EPA and CAFE.

Exactly! and also they lasted way too long, were cheap to rebuild, so the manufacturers couldn't charge the $10,000+ for a new Fiat/Chrysler 9 sp auto replacement (you can't get parts).

Does my 3 sp handle 350 horsepower and 650 ft of torque.....no, but it drags 15,000 lbs around all day long, in the hottest of weather, up the longest steepest hill without complaint.

@tjdonahoe. You're just one of millions that have been hoodwinked into thinking the more speeds the better........I didn't drink that Kool-aid.

Cheers
Tony

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Exactly! and also they lasted way too long, were cheap to rebuild, so the manufacturers couldn't charge the $10,000+ for a new Fiat/Chrysler 9 sp auto replacement (you can't get parts).

Does my 3 sp handle 350 horsepower and 650 ft of torque.....no, but it drags 15,000 lbs around all day long, in the hottest of weather, up the longest steepest hill without complaint.

@tjdonahoe. You're just one of millions that have been hoodwinked into thinking the more speeds the better........I didn't drink that Kool-aid.

Cheers
Tony

Well I didn't just fall off a pumpkin wagon, i have been running big trucks for almost 50 years, my last KW had 1.4 million miles, 3406E cat 6 cylinder,18 speed , and never had the head off or turbo removed, I owned a 7.3 ford , driven my friends powerstroke across the country for him, I was never impressed with either one. Dodge used their 3 speed many years with the Cummings, they didn't have a good track record. My first dodge 6.7 , 6 speed had no problems , my new 2017 also has the same transmission, they are double overdrive, 63 mph , Running 13-1400 rpm- longer engine life. Try running a 7.3 at that low rpm,pulling...New technology is here , enjoy it...

[PaulnGina]

Kind of hard to compare an OTR tractor to anything in the travel-trailer-pulling world. Could they make a Ford/PowerStroke, GM/DuraMax, or Ram/Cummins pick-em-up last several million miles and tow at 1200 rpm? Of course they could.

Regardless of whether it's a Ford, GM, or Ram, the diesel pick-em-ups they are making these days are pretty impressive..... in their own realm.

I would LOVE to have more gears to utilize when I could. Just not willing to part with that much cash (for a pick-em-up, anyway....)

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by PaulnGina

Kind of hard to compare an OTR tractor to anything in the travel-trailer-pulling world. Could they make a Ford/PowerStroke, GM/DuraMax, or Ram/Cummins pick-em-up last several million miles and tow at 1200 rpm? Of course they could.

Regardless of whether it's a Ford, GM, or Ram, the diesel pick-em-ups they are making these days are pretty impressive..... in their own realm.

I would LOVE to have more gears to utilize when I could. Just not willing to part with that much cash (for a pick-em-up, anyway....)

It is not hard to compare the two units, cat pulled 1200-1500 rpm, my ram at 63 mph is 1400 rpm, if you don't move your big toe on a long grade it will pull down to 1000 rpm and keep going, this is the new technology, the valve timeing changes, injector timeing change ,4 axle dump truck and a 3 axle pup trailer., same as towing an as with a pickup, both tow units are heavier than the trailer,

[silverbacksurfer]

I have a 1998 ford e 350 7.3 . I have been pulling a 25 ft CDD since 08 cant beat a van . Wish the brakes were better, drums in rear . i just installed a sportsmobile pop top on it in Oct. Love the power only have about 90000 miles .