mhawk4
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Re: Adding gauges -Boost, EGT and Transmission temp
Thank you for all the info so far. I will be calling the Edge cts company Monday to check what they recommend for my particular truck. I also came across a chip call TS 6 point performance. I know, I said I was not looking for tuners or chips, this one sounds pretty straight foward and has a good rep. Any knowledge on this? Thanks717Views0likes0CommentsAdding gauges -Boost, EGT and Transmission temp
With our new to us 97 F350 7.3 diesel; i want to make sure is well taken care and also, needs to last a good while. Whats the word out there in adding boost,EGT and Transmission temp gauges. Are these necessary to have? or a transmission gauge will be all i need? I already added a second Transmission fluid cooler and filter. I am not planning on adding any tuners or chip the engine at least in the near future.5.5KViews0likes22CommentsRe: towing with older diesel trucks
Well, here is. My first diesel truck. Thank you for all the advice and info given; but is not over yet. Now,I understand and i like to stay with the motorcraft brand for oil and fuel filters. What about oil? Rotella? Syn or conventional? (there are no oil leaks so far on this engine). Repair manuals, haynes manuals? What about a book for the engine? About the CPS and the 10mm wrench; thanks a bunch. I found one of those sensors behind the rear seat, now i need to carry the wrench. I am still personalizing the truck, you know, the kid with the new toy.974Views0likes0CommentsRe: towing with older diesel trucks
We finally made the decision and got the new to us 1997 F350. First diesel for us, already been studying the owners manual and maintenance schedule making notes of the things i can tackle on my own. Thanks for your feedback and input. I will post a pic as soon as Rv.net or my internet access stop acting up.973Views0likes0CommentsRe: generator mount
Best way to carry a generator is using this tray. I modified it using wing nuts so it will be easier to get to the tanks. I also installed a semi-permanent cord which runs along the frame of the TT, and made two smaller cords to connect the gen to one end of the permanent cord and the other end connects to the TT plug.901Views0likes0CommentsRe: towing with older diesel trucks
burningman wrote: The 5.9 Cummins of the era you're looking at are terrific, you just have to know what they need. First, the auto trans (the 47RE) is actually stouter than the manual, IF you have it built right. A STOCK 47RE is a weak link, but if you upgrade it with a triple disc converter, billet input shaft, better valvebody, and all the other good parts, it's one of the stoutest transmissions you can buy. About $5000 will get you a good one. Do NOT buy from ATS, regardless of how convincing their marketing is. Firepunk is the best 47RE builder out there, and there are plenty of others with good reputations. Someone said you can't have 2nd gear torque converter lockup - YES you CAN. All it takes is a little JB weld to block a certain spot in a certain valvebody passage. You can buy a valvebody already modified or do it yourself. Next with the early 24 Valve Cummins is the fuel lift pump. The original was a poor design, aftermarket upgrades are readily available and ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. FASS (electric) or Fuel Boss (mechanical) are the ones you want. The VP44 injector pump gets killed by inadequate incoming fuel pressure. You should install a fuel pressure gauge so you know you have over 10psi. Many were dealer retrofitted with an in-tank fuel pump, that's garbage too, don't run that either. As for power, if you've done the transmission properly, you can easily have however much power you want. These trucks have been around long enough that they have been very well figured out. 400hp and 800 ft/lbs torque is easy to attain. The things are loud, as are the older 7.3 Fords. The actual engine is the same as the later ones, it's the fuel injection system that makes them loud. Beware that if you buy a 2003 or later "Common Rail" Cummins, a set of injectors costs about $3000. The '98.5-'02 are only $400-$500 for a full set and the injector pump Is only $1000. You can redo the whole system for half the price of just the injectors on the '03 and up models. The Fords have been covered on here pretty well. Don't buy a Chevy diesel that old. If you do your own work, the straight-6 Cummins design is a whole lot easier to deal with, the engine compartment isn't crammed full like with V8 diesels. That's a big reason why I like them. Thanks for the good info. I am still waiting to see and test drive a couple of trucks today and then i can make my decision, there is also one more 98 ram 3500 I am interested in.215Views0likes0CommentsRe: towing with older diesel trucks
lightning driver wrote: BigToe Thanks for all the background. Mine was probably a bit cheaper as it has the XLT trim and not Lariet. But looking under the truck and reading the mods done by Carmelita. As a Ca. truck it has the biggest by far catalytic converter I've ever seen. I don't even want to know what a replacement would cost. To the OP apologize if your question was hijacked but from the responses I would say many of use have had very good luck towing with older diesels of various brands. As BigToe pointed out new my truck would have been over $50K in 1999. Today I'd be looking at $75K or more. I paid $7 which left room for a $20K toy hauler and a $8K Rzr. All used of course. Yes I would recommend towing with an older diesel. BUT choose wisely grasshopper. No problem at all. I have been reading all your posts and learning in the process. It is 3am just got home from work; in a few hours I am meeting with a gentleman who is selling a 1997 7.3 F350 DRW with 193,000 miles in the odo. 3 owners, all from South Carolina less than 20 miles from my house. The last two owners are long time friends and use the same shop for the maintenance of the vehicle, all the records are accessible. And to make it interesting, the current owner (if i am not mistaking) is a member of the board for the Good Sam chapter here in SC. So hope fully he reads the tread and cuts me break on the deal...lol. Looking at the pics, the truck is well kept and maintained. I will keep you inform on my decision. thanks215Views0likes0Commentstowing with older diesel trucks
Good day people, I am in the process of looking for a pick up truck with a diesel engine (older model), also looking to not break the bank with the purchase. I will still have my excursion to tow my TT (my sig). Would not mind to have a diesel to tow as second vehicle. Question for the members towing 1998 to 2003 5.9 cummins or 7.3 power strokes. How much weight are you towing or towed in the past with these types of trucks. I have never owned a diesel before. Yesterday i was looking at a 1998 dodge DRW with a 5.9 cummins, how much will be able to tow with a truck like that? please keep it civilized...thanks16KViews0likes61Comments
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