I Have a 2002 Ford F-250 5.4L with only 73,000 miles on it! Other than just regular maintenance what else can I do to it to make last longer! It runs great now just want to maintain it! Main thing I'm concerned about is the transmission! I do more of the traveling in summer than any other time! If anyone has put in a chip for a truck like this I would also like to know if it helped with fuel or power! Thanks

While having my oil changed at the dealer the last visit (72,000) they said the rear differential lube was in need of changing. I doubted them. Ford says lubed for life. They were right. It needed changing. You said you kept up the maintance but you may want to check the differential lube. If four wheel drive the front differantal and transfer case too.

sriethman wrote:I Have a 2002 Ford F-250 5.4L with only 73,000 miles on it! Other than just regular maintenance what else can I do to it to make last longer! It runs great now just want to maintain it! Main thing I'm concerned about is the transmission! I do more of the traveling in summer than any other time! If anyone has put in a chip for a truck like this I would also like to know if it helped with fuel or power! ThanksIf you don't already have them, external engine and transmission oil coolers would be a good idea.Follow your Owner's Manual "Severe Service" maintenance schedule.

Most of my miles are towing. I pretty much go by the "Severe Service" maintenance schedule in my book, as has already been mentioned.

The best thing you can do is keep those fluids fresh! Oil, trans fluid, transfer case and differential. Maintain it as close to stock as possible. Avoid the PCM tune, chips and CAI. Could they boost power? Maybe. But, they can also cause problems and are rarely worth the cost.

Follow the maintenance schedule in the owners manual for best results.

Things I need do to my truck to keep it in good towing shape

TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
While having my oil changed at the dealer the last visit (72,000) they said the rear differential lube was in need of changing. I doubted them. Ford says lubed for life. They were right. It needed changing. You said you kept up the maintance but you may want to check the differential lube. If four wheel drive the front differantal and transfer case too.
dballentine
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
sriethman wrote:
I Have a 2002 Ford F-250 5.4L with only 73,000 miles on it! Other than just regular maintenance what else can I do to it to make last longer! It runs great now just want to maintain it! Main thing I'm concerned about is the transmission! I do more of the traveling in summer than any other time! If anyone has put in a chip for a truck like this I would also like to know if it helped with fuel or power! Thanks

If you don't already have them, external engine and transmission oil coolers would be a good idea.

Follow your Owner's Manual "Severe Service" maintenance schedule.
C-Bears
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
Most of my miles are towing. I pretty much go by the "Severe Service" maintenance schedule in my book, as has already been mentioned.
jfkmk
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
The best thing you can do is keep those fluids fresh! Oil, trans fluid, transfer case and differential. Maintain it as close to stock as possible. Avoid the PCM tune, chips and CAI. Could they boost power? Maybe. But, they can also cause problems and are rarely worth the cost.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
Follow the maintenance schedule in the owners manual for best results.
majorgator
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
jfkmk wrote:
The best thing you can do is keep those fluids fresh! Oil, trans fluid, transfer case and differential. Maintain it as close to stock as possible. Avoid the PCM tune, chips and CAI. Could they boost power? Maybe. But, they can also cause problems and are rarely worth the cost.

Ignore this comment. Good quality tunes are well worth the money and can rarely be pinpointed as the cause of any problems.
gat75
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
dballentine wrote:
sriethman wrote:
I Have a 2002 Ford F-250 5.4L with only 73,000 miles on it! Other than just regular maintenance what else can I do to it to make last longer! It runs great now just want to maintain it! Main thing I'm concerned about is the transmission! I do more of the traveling in summer than any other time! If anyone has put in a chip for a truck like this I would also like to know if it helped with fuel or power! Thanks

If you don't already have them, external engine and transmission oil coolers would be a good idea.

Follow your Owner's Manual "Severe Service" maintenance schedule.

Don't forgot to change engine antifreeze. Fresh coolant not only protects engine from freezing weather, it also helps engine run cooler in hot temps.
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
majorgator wrote:
jfkmk wrote:
The best thing you can do is keep those fluids fresh! Oil, trans fluid, transfer case and differential. Maintain it as close to stock as possible. Avoid the PCM tune, chips and CAI. Could they boost power? Maybe. But, they can also cause problems and are rarely worth the cost.

Ignore this comment. Good quality tunes are well worth the money and can rarely be pinpointed as the cause of any problems.

In the tuner world the saying "pay to play" means there is no free lunch. When you boost power it will find the weakest link and break it. Reliability = stock. Beyond that most tuners for gas trucks deliver very small hp gains and mileage the same.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2015
Aside from fluid changes, keep up with the basic maint. and make sure you keep the rust from starting!
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2015
Paul Clancy wrote:
majorgator wrote:
jfkmk wrote:
The best thing you can do is keep those fluids fresh! Oil, trans fluid, transfer case and differential. Maintain it as close to stock as possible. Avoid the PCM tune, chips and CAI. Could they boost power? Maybe. But, they can also cause problems and are rarely worth the cost.

Ignore this comment. Good quality tunes are well worth the money and can rarely be pinpointed as the cause of any problems.

In the tuner world the saying "pay to play" means there is no free lunch. When you boost power it will find the weakest link and break it. Reliability = stock. Beyond that most tuners for gas trucks deliver very small hp gains and mileage the same.

There are thousands of people that will disagree with you. now if you are a kid behind a tuned diesel then yes something will break, a regular guy like one of us with a tow tune, gas or diesel, will never have an issue!