Purchasing Ford F350 Dually, Need Advice

[P_Colahan]

Hello all,
Been some time since we posted here. We live in Everett, WA on board our boat. Which we have loved. Now we are looking at purchasing another Cab Over to do some land cruising in addition to water cruising. I need to get a larger truck and want a Ford this time.

I am interested in a truck with a 7.3 ltr but that means I would have to get a truck that is 2002 or older. I don't want a 6.0 ltr as I have heard and read just too many issues with them. I test drove a 2009 6.4 ltr today and it seemed ok but I have no knowledge of these engines or trucks. Looking for some very candid responses regarding issues, years to look out for, etc.

Thanks much in advance.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

P Colahan wrote:
Thanks for the advice. The truck will be driven on longer trips other than to and from work and I will take other routes periodically. One thing about the 7 miles is the hills I have to climb. They should put a little work on the engine.

I need to have the oil changed and fuel filter(s) replaced so I have a baseline to start with. I don't know what the CPS is can you explain?

No 7.3L expert here, but from reading over the years on the forum, the CPS stands for Cam Position Sensor.

And I understand these can go bad, so some owners carry a spare around with them. Guess there are YouTube like videos showing how to replace, and from reading, appears it is not very difficult to do.

[P_Colahan]

Thanks for the advice. The truck will be driven on longer trips other than to and from work and I will take other routes periodically. One thing about the 7 miles is the hills I have to climb. They should put a little work on the engine.

I need to have the oil changed and fuel filter(s) replaced so I have a baseline to start with. I don't know what the CPS is can you explain?

[Steelhog]

Congrats on the 7.3. (1) Flush the cooling system and trans. (2)go to one of the on-line diesel accessory companies and install a good gauge set that includes trans temp, EGT, and boost. I bought my ISSPRO pillar gauges from Diesel Manor)(3)Buy a spare CPS, NAPA or IH. They are relatively cheap but when the go bad and they will it is a quick swap on the side of the road (4)buy several fuel filters (Guzzle's is a good resource)you change them too often. That should cover the basic stuff. AutoEnginuity software is very helpful if you want to do your own work. The transmission cooler from a 6.0 is a great upgrade as heat will kill the 4R100 trans.

[Farmerjon]

palmwhit wrote:
Sounds like you found a good truck. I'd be VERY leery of using it for a daily driver with only a 7 mile distance. The engine will never get up to full operating temperature. Diesels do best and last when they are run at normal operating temperature. Long idle when cold is also to be avoided. Newer diesels have a "kick up" to 1K rpm when the OAT temp is cold to get the engine up to temp. Most engine manuals will tell you to get a "load" on the engine within 5 min. and they also state to let it idle when coming off high speed/temp to get the turbo bearing temps down before shutting down. The engine manual for the Cummins diesel in my last boat was very clear about it. The manual for my Ford a little less specific but still states the same.
Best of luck, take care of it and it'll be around for a long time.

X2
Seriously ,that would be hard on that terrific new truck of yours
it would be better if you could swing a "go to work car" and save the truck for longer drives, They really do need to work.
And I really do understand if that is just impossible to do. Then you will just have to go on trips often enough to blow it out and take the long way to work and back.
Enjoy you truck.

[palmwhit]

Sounds like you found a good truck. I'd be VERY leery of using it for a daily driver with only a 7 mile distance. The engine will never get up to full operating temperature. Diesels do best and last when they are run at normal operating temperature. Long idle when cold is also to be avoided. Newer diesels have a "kick up" to 1K rpm when the OAT temp is cold to get the engine up to temp. Most engine manuals will tell you to get a "load" on the engine within 5 min. and they also state to let it idle when coming off high speed/temp to get the turbo bearing temps down before shutting down. The engine manual for the Cummins diesel in my last boat was very clear about it. The manual for my Ford a little less specific but still states the same.
Best of luck, take care of it and it'll be around for a long time.

[P_Colahan]

Area13, I will be using this as a daily driver but I only live 7 miles from work so don't expect to put too many miles on per month. This truck should last me for many many years if well taken care of.

Sharkman, Could be sticker, there is a small mark on it and it looked to be peeling away from the paint below. I am going to have the truck polished out as it has some scratches that I am hoping will come out. There are also some white dots on the truck. Not paint, looks like hard water or something.

[sharkman]

"Wow" congrats, nice looking truck, is the gold color at the bottom paint? My nephew did his lower in the line-x coating, just wondering if that was different coating.

[Area13]

I will NEVER sell my 7.3! Man this thing has more low end grunt than any truck I have driven. No emissions, no BS. Figure since it's paid for and I drive it maybe 4k a year, gonna outlast me....

[P_Colahan]

Thanks, the front end it tight. Drove exceptionally well. I will have them checked out though to make sure they are in good shape. Feel confident they are good as I could let go the wheel for some time and it tracked straight and true. A friend has a F350 and had his ball joints changed out with ones equipped with grease zerks. The International Diesels are a pretty heavy load on the front end.

[Buzzcut1]

Congratulations on the truck. Just an FYI it will weigh over 8200 without the camper. At that mileage I would check out the upper and lower ball joints, the front tie rod bushings and look at upgrading the anti sway bars. If you have any excessive play in the steering wheel I would highly recommend getting a new steering box from these guys. http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/re-manufacturing I did it a month ago and holy cow what an improvement. My 03 has the same mileage on it as the one you picked up

[P_Colahan]

Well I wanted to thank everyone for their input. Just got back from a 500 mile round trip where I purchased my 2003 F350, DRW diesel, 7.3lt, 4x4, 4 door truck. Excellent condition with only 140K miles. It is a Lariat FX4. I think I got a real winner. The seller just had new tires, new brakes, new front end alignment, new windshield and new spray in bed liner installed.

[Buzzcut1]

Dublin Ca GMC has a 2001 F350 drw crewcab longbed with, 200k miles on a 7.3 diesel, 4x4, camper package, front and rear anti sway bars, rear overload leafs, asking $13,500. looked underneath, very clean.

[jimh406]

One other thing to keep in mind for F450s is turn radius. They are awesome at turning although there are F350s with a Towboss package. Also, Ford took a break from 19.5s on the F450s from 2011-2014. Keep that in mind if you want 19.5s. I did.

[P_Colahan]

mike mck wrote:

Oh beautiful Boat. I'm thinking a great cruiser. reasonably economical as well. As boats go. How are the slip fees for liveaboards in your area?

back to trucks. the F450 will not give you too much over the 350. The 550 takes you to a whole new world. 1999 to 2000 will have a Dana 135 rear end with 4.88 gears and 19.5 inch wheels. With the 4.88 dears I was concerned even when the previous owner assured me if I kept it under 70 on the free way empty it would get 15 MPG. didn't believe it but made a run from AZ to Cal and it got right at 15 MPG. Hauling my 6000 lb wet camper and a couple thousand lbs of trailer and Rhino into the mountains with 6 to 7% grades out side Phoenix it gets 10 to 12. Stopping all that mass. Both the 450 and 550 give you 14.5 front and 15.5 rear discs.
Did I mention I love thst boat?

Thank you. We love it. Have made a lot of upgrades that make it a stand out in a crowd. Open berths for a 50'+ slip is $10.38/ft. We are in a covered slip which for 50' is $13.27/ft. This is at the Port of Everett, about 25 miles North of Seattle. Handy for me as I work for Boeing just 7.5 miles away at Payne Field. It is also convenient, centrally located for cruises into the South Sound, Hood Canal and San Juan Islands. Next year we are planning a trip into Canada for 2 weeks on the boat. Doesn't get the mileage that a truck camper gets. Best I can get is 2 mpg. That is at about 9 knots. I can open it up to 17 knots but wouldn't want to pay for the fuel both of my mains will drink. You can actually feel your wallet getting hot from the credit card melting.

Great point about the breaking ability of the F450 and F550. Fewer are farther between to find. But I am looking, it will end up being the best unit (F350, F450, F550)for my budget, below 100K miles. I may go 120K or so if I find one kept in exceptional condition. But would like to be well below the 100K line.