Ford F350 2003 - issues?

Weldon wrote:
I have a 7.3 that I bought new in 2001. The only work done on it was the front end and alignment. I have a Hypertek Programmer in it which has 3 power settings with 3 being the most powerful. I always run it on 2 and have had zero problems. Still have the original tranny which the fluid has been changed every 30,000 miles. Our fiver is close to 12,000 lbs. Not bad at all for a 13 year old truck.

The good ol days!

I have a 7.3 that I bought new in 2001. The only work done on it was the front end and alignment. I have a Hypertek Programmer in it which has 3 power settings with 3 being the most powerful. I always run it on 2 and have had zero problems. Still have the original tranny which the fluid has been changed every 30,000 miles. Our fiver is close to 12,000 lbs. Not bad at all for a 13 year old truck.

I had a chance to buy a dual rear wheel 2003 7.3 for 16k. It only had 50 k on it. I even new the folks that bought it new. The only problem was it was a two wheel drive and that would not work for me here in Nebraska. I didn't need a truck but I had heard so many good things about that engine I thought seriously about buying it. I had bought my the TC from them, that they hauled with this truck. I do recall them telling me they got 10 or 11 miles to the gallon hauling there TC, which I thought was less than what I had heard this truck and engine would get.

rhagfo wrote:
I will not repeat that long quote, but the early 6.0 have issues! Not all them, and likely less than 10%, I would say 5%, but have spoken to too many 6.0 owners that have had issues.

I think it is likely much higher than 10%. My brother-in-law had 6 6.0's in his construction fleet (all '03 and '04s), plus a 6.0 Excursion for personal use. My neighbor had 5 or 6 as well, also years '03 and '05.

I know my BIL spent money on 3 of his trucks, and his Ex eventually, too (he thought that one escaped the gremlins, but had problems around 120k miles). He has a dozen Duramaxes now and pretty much zero problems.

Also, back in 2008 when I was shopping for a diesel pickup, I drove a bunch of 6.0's and obtained OASIS reports for 10 or 12 trucks in the '05 -07 range, and most of them had issues, too.

My neighbor had a similar failure rate rate on his 6.0's.

Also, I should add my truck is stock other than a intake and 4" turbo back exhaust.

Just replaced my tranny for around $3,800 on my 02 7.3 sc long bed. It was replaced at 103,000 miles. I think the truck heard DW and I talking of selling to purchase a 2014 ram 6.4 hemi. We want a crew cab. FWIW on average every 3 months, it seems, I meet someone who offers to buy my truck. The most recent was 2 weeks before I lost my tranny and I was offered 20k.

I have a 1999 7.3 at my work and its been by far the best truck we ever owned. Absolutely nothing major has gone wrong with truck and I just did a quick service at 188,xxx miles.
All I can remember we ever did to it was an alternator! that's it!
Great find on a great truck, there cant be too many of these garage kept 7.3s left with that low of miles!

phemens wrote:
Yahoo! I went by to take a closer look, and lo and behold, the power stroke logo on the side, it's the 7.3!
I will be popping in to have a chat with him tomorrow, barring any major issues I'll likely be closing the deal. The truck looks immaculate.
Once I have the truck in my possession, do I chip it or not? With the trailer I have right now, I'll hardly feel it's there but I'd be looking to get some improvement on mileage as this will be a daily driver for us.
Opinions on chipping?

Nice! No red means run Powerstroke badge ehh?

Be careful chipping the 7.3....the motor can take it, the tranny, that's your weak link...like 3500$ weak link.

Most don't tell people this, HD trucks that are used are EXPENSIVE especially when they break.

Here is the deal,

The 6.0 had it's problems but the transmission is near bulletproof and it's a 5 speed. The bulletproofed 6.0 process can cost $3500 ish if done proactively and by a competent mechanic.

The 7.3 is bulletproof as is (not indestructible, the fuel injectors still fail at $250 each, etc etc,) but the tranny is weak, many 7.3 owners install a BTS (Brian's Truck Shop) bulletproof 4R100 when the factory tranny let's go. That's around 4k.

Folks talk about spending money on the 6.0 PSD like its cancer, yet recommend the 7.3 that May have a $4000 transmission repair eventually, especially if modded heavily.

My opinion, keep the 7.3 stock, maintain the transmission and the rest of the truck and it will serve you well.

Thanks and good luck.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

phemens wrote:
Yahoo! I went by to take a closer look, and lo and behold, the power stroke logo on the side, it's the 7.3!
I will be popping in to have a chat with him tomorrow, barring any major issues I'll likely be closing the deal. The truck looks immaculate.
Once I have the truck in my possession, do I chip it or not? With the trailer I have right now, I'll hardly feel it's there but I'd be looking to get some improvement on mileage as this will be a daily driver for us.
Opinions on chipping?

With the 7.3 it's not the engine you have to worry about; even with a chip. The engine can handle a bunch more power depending on a few things like rods.

It's what's in back of the engine that is going to blow up. And it will blow up if you chip the engine. the tranny's they put in those trucks aren't exactly brutal.

My advice is if you get this truck save up for a built tranny then put it in and then put your chip in. Once this is done you will have a great truck that will get smoking fuel mileage and have good power. Congrats!

Yahoo! I went by to take a closer look, and lo and behold, the power stroke logo on the side, it's the 7.3!
I will be popping in to have a chat with him tomorrow, barring any major issues I'll likely be closing the deal. The truck looks immaculate.
Once I have the truck in my possession, do I chip it or not? With the trailer I have right now, I'll hardly feel it's there but I'd be looking to get some improvement on mileage as this will be a daily driver for us.
Opinions on chipping?