Mods for 7.3 Excursion??

[Chromedome]

Hello all,

I'm the proud owner of a truck I absolutely love. I got It a year ago, with 300,000 on the clock. It runs great and my independent diesel mechanic said he's never seen such clean oil, even on a almost new motor.

We recently traded a 27' trailer with no slides, about 6000 lbs, for a '17 keystone which is listed at 8600 lbs but feels totally different to pull. We are taking s month long trip this summer from Florida to New Mexico and Colorado (but with no major grades to climb hopefully). Now my question, what should I do to get the truck up to the job?

I put new tires (E Load) and added Air Bags today, but that is where opinions start to differ. Some say add a programmer for more power and to monitor EGT, while others say the motor is too high mileage for a tuner. I've also had ppl suggest a second tranny cooler, but the guys at 4 wheel parts today said keep it as is.

I realize I could go and buy a newish F250 and solve a lot of my issues, but aside from this one big trip it's really only used once a month for local tows to campgrounds in the flat South. So for that reason I'd rather not buy a new truck. Besides, the wife wants a wrangler this summer...

[98silvz71]

Chromedome wrote:
So, by way of an update, I have about 3 weeks to go before the trip, and so far have installed the rear airbags, sway bar, and Edge 15001 programmer/display.

The airbags help a bunch. I put them around 40lbs when towing and 5 lbs without. Took almost all the squat out of the rear. Of course that meant I had to re adjust the WD hitch...

Sway bar has only been on a few days and I really don't have an opinion yet. Nice looking piece tho, seems high quality.

The edge is a mixed bag so far. I like being able to see what's going on with the engine, but the transmission shifts really hit hard now, to the point I'm afraid with a load I'll break something. Yes, it's in "tow" mode...I'm gonna try to soften up the shifts a bit this weekend.

Next up is the trans cooler going in on Monday. It's the Dorman brand replacement for the 6.0, so quite a bit bigger.

When I still had my 04 Duramax LB7, I had installed the Edge Juice with Attitude gauge. It let me shift on the fly and I never took it out of level 1 for anything. I think it only added about 30 hp but you could sure feel that the truck ran better through the whole rpms. I change the stock exhaust to a 4" magnaflow with muffler, that helped the most. It lowered me towing egts almost 200*. Never changed the intake, most are pretty good from the factory, not sure on your 7.3L. I never ran it over the first level because I didn't want to have to buy a transmission if I played to hard. Sounds like you have already helped the suspension so you are good there.

[Chromedome]

So, by way of an update, I have about 3 weeks to go before the trip, and so far have installed the rear airbags, sway bar, and Edge 15001 programmer/display.

The airbags help a bunch. I put them around 40lbs when towing and 5 lbs without. Took almost all the squat out of the rear. Of course that meant I had to re adjust the WD hitch...

Sway bar has only been on a few days and I really don't have an opinion yet. Nice looking piece tho, seems high quality.

The edge is a mixed bag so far. I like being able to see what's going on with the engine, but the transmission shifts really hit hard now, to the point I'm afraid with a load I'll break something. Yes, it's in "tow" mode...I'm gonna try to soften up the shifts a bit this weekend.

Next up is the trans cooler going in on Monday. It's the Dorman brand replacement for the 6.0, so quite a bit bigger.

[nremtp143]

The best mod hands down for my X was swapping the springs out and getting rid of the factory X ones. I've now put new springs on 2 Xs and 2 super dutys all with the same effect. Great ride and better handling. ATSprings has some great F250-F250 springs. I bought mine from SDTruckSprings for my X and will not use them again(personal and long story) but the ones from ATS have been great. About to do my son's '03 F250 ina few weeks.

[colliehauler]

Harlock wrote:
I have a 2000 F250 7.3L. I bought it at 93,000 miles and it currently has 166,000 miles. No troubles at all, just oil changes. Got super lucky, it was owned by a racing mechanic who just used it to tow his race trailers to the track on occasion. Very well taken care of.

It came chipped with a Hypertech II controller which makes an immense difference. You don't feel it just driving around, but you feel it big time when towing. With the huge engine and higher boost, you feel like superman. you can tow anything and go up any hill. It also came with air adjustable rear shocks which makes a huge difference when towing. It is extremely stable on-road, but it is also very stiff, so does not do well off-road. (it is a 2WD model anyhow) one day I'd like to find a balance between towing stability and ride quality. I think the shocks in general are also just worn out. Very expensive replacement so I won't be touching them for now.

One thing I'd like to add is a set of pillar gauges for boost pressure, temp, etc. I really have no idea what's going on in there and it would be good to keep an eye on it when pulling hard up steep passes. A cheaper option would be one of those OBDC adapters for your smartphone and an app to go with it, but then if you're using the phone for navigation you can't do both at the same time. I suppose there could be a second throwaway phone used for the OBDC when towing.

I haven't had any problems with the transmission at all. I am not sure if the 250 and the Excursion share the same transmission?

I haven't done anything to it but change the oil and tires since I bought it at 93k, so it is probably due for some preventative maintenance. Changing the transmission fluid sounds like a good idea, per a previous post.

The are the same transmission but the truck did have a option for a manual transmission.

[colliehauler]

Another thing I changed on my 4x4 X was the front sealed bearings, they are pricey but are know to fail.

[Harlock]

I had an oil change today, and my diesel mechanic has a short list of reccomended stuff if it hasn't been done in a while - coolant, tranny fluid as mentioned above, and fuel filter. He says tranny fluid every 40,000 miles, so close to the 30,000 recommended earlier. I will probably have all this done later this month.

[justafordguy]

get a 6.0 cooler and a good tow tune to help the tranny shift better and you should be good to go.

That Equalizer hitch has built in sway control and is a great hitch, no changes needed there.

[Harlock]

I have a 2000 F250 7.3L. I bought it at 93,000 miles and it currently has 166,000 miles. No troubles at all, just oil changes. Got super lucky, it was owned by a racing mechanic who just used it to tow his race trailers to the track on occasion. Very well taken care of.

It came chipped with a Hypertech II controller which makes an immense difference. You don't feel it just driving around, but you feel it big time when towing. With the huge engine and higher boost, you feel like superman. you can tow anything and go up any hill. It also came with air adjustable rear shocks which makes a huge difference when towing. It is extremely stable on-road, but it is also very stiff, so does not do well off-road. (it is a 2WD model anyhow) one day I'd like to find a balance between towing stability and ride quality. I think the shocks in general are also just worn out. Very expensive replacement so I won't be touching them for now.

One thing I'd like to add is a set of pillar gauges for boost pressure, temp, etc. I really have no idea what's going on in there and it would be good to keep an eye on it when pulling hard up steep passes. A cheaper option would be one of those OBDC adapters for your smartphone and an app to go with it, but then if you're using the phone for navigation you can't do both at the same time. I suppose there could be a second throwaway phone used for the OBDC when towing.

I haven't had any problems with the transmission at all. I am not sure if the 250 and the Excursion share the same transmission?

I haven't done anything to it but change the oil and tires since I bought it at 93k, so it is probably due for some preventative maintenance. Changing the transmission fluid sounds like a good idea, per a previous post.

[Kevin_O_]

Chromedome wrote:
So I pulled the camper up to St Augustine and back last weekend, about 250 miles round trip. I definately feel the airbags helped as far as the squat on the truck, of course after I readjusted the WD system.

It was certainly lacking a bit in power, even going over interstate overpasses seemed to be a little taxing. I maintained about 65 mph with the overdrive on, unless in town and stop/go. The more I pull this camper, the increased confidence helps and I feel better about it. I still can't believe how much more power it needs than the last one, which was around 6000 lbs I would guess. Pulled that to Key West and back without breaking a sweat...

So the edge 15001 I was looking at, the lowest setting appears to be 60 hp/100 lb/ft. Do you all think I'd be ok at that setting, assuming I add the larger trans cooler, and possibly the intercooler and exhaust recommended?

Thanks again!

I have not heard good things about Edge tuners... I also recommend calling Jody at DpTuner and let him put something together for you. I have a 2001 F350 with 180,000 miles. I bought an F5 chip years ago from DpTuner with 60 hp tow tune, 80hp daily driver, and 120hp race tune .. Not a single problem and it made all the difference in the world!!!! :B

[kep5niner]

From personal experience, the Edge is a PITA to adjust tunes - no shift on the fly - basically have to shut down and perform brain surgery on your ECM. With DP tunes, the switching between tunes is instantaneous. Comparable in price, so it was a no-brainer for me. Good luck.

[Chromedome]

So I pulled the camper up to St Augustine and back last weekend, about 250 miles round trip. I definately feel the airbags helped as far as the squat on the truck, of course after I readjusted the WD system.

It was certainly lacking a bit in power, even going over interstate overpasses seemed to be a little taxing. I maintained about 65 mph with the overdrive on, unless in town and stop/go. The more I pull this camper, the increased confidence helps and I feel better about it. I still can't believe how much more power it needs than the last one, which was around 6000 lbs I would guess. Pulled that to Key West and back without breaking a sweat...

So the edge 15001 I was looking at, the lowest setting appears to be 60 hp/100 lb/ft. Do you all think I'd be ok at that setting, assuming I add the larger trans cooler, and possibly the intercooler and exhaust recommended?

Thanks again!

[northshore]

I would second contacting DP tuner, talk with Jody, he can give you the tune to do exactly what you want, with no problems to your motor.
I have a 1999 7.3 and have had a DP tune for the past 12 years, never a problem never a hiccup. The tune is a 40 hp towing tune and it makes all the difference in the world from stock.
Second get that transmission gauge, VERY easy to install and worth every penny. The first time you are stuck behind a slow (below 40mph) moving vehicle going up hill and towing your trans will heat up. The EGT gauge is also a very good thing to have. Ive got all three, if i did it again i would stick with the trans and EGT and not bother with the boost.

[hotpepperkid]

I have a 2000 F-350 7.3 with 225,000 and it has a Banks Stinger kid I think it is a 68 hp chip which I had put on when it had only 15,000 miles on it. I put Firestone air bags on it. Other mods should be either rearc the front leafs or put on a leveling kit

[Chromedome]

OK, so on a somewhat related note, when I was getting my airbags installed the other day at 4 wheel parts, I was talking to the counter guy about all this. He recommended not using a tuner, because of the age and mileage of the motor. He did think a gauge to monitor EGT was a good idea, but recommended a analog (dial) gauge, and said the digital ones are not accurate. I didn't call him out because I'm far from expert, but I've been messing with cars all my life. In my mind, the gauge accuracy is dependent on the info received from the sending unit, and the method of display shouldn't make any difference, except to the point where a "bar graph" type display cannot show RPM as accurate as a sweep needle because of the steps involved in the bar, but otherwise this seemed like someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. Thoughts???

BTW, I wanted to ask him if he gets better TV shows on a flat screen than on an tube TV. But I sorta figured I'd be wasting my breath.