Announcement Brand new Ford owner! - F-Series & SuperDuty Diesel Forums

zax317 · 12-09-2011, 10:37 PM

I just bought not only my first 7.3, but first Ford. Specs are: 1999 F 350, 7.3L Turbo Diesel, Dually, Crew Cab, Automatic, 4x2, 88,000 miles (yes, that is 88K!). 14 years old averaging around 7K/year. It cost me $8,000. We just had a service check and only had to replace a rear pinion seal, alignment, two batteries and camber adjustment. The mechanic did a oil check and said that was the cleanest oil he has ever seen, almost like it was straight out of the bottle. We took it to Christian Brothers Automotive. Total, we spent $1,800. Also, we had to replace all 6 tires, $1,200, because the tires which were on there were 9 years old! I bought this truck from an elder person who only towed a race car here and there. He bought this truck brand new in 1998. This is a Regency...not too familiar with this package.

Where do I start? I really want to increase my fuel economy. What are some things to do???

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Zach

WD40 · 12-10-2011, 04:39 PM

Hello Zach and Welcome to SSD.com. Sounds like a great find, be carefull, someone will
be glad to pay you what you have in that truck.
Hope you can post up some pictures of your new to you truck. We have a few guys here
that know the 7.3's well.
Doug

zax317 · 12-10-2011, 04:56 PM

I will be having pictures coming rather soon. I can't wait to learn about this 7.3L. My goal at the moment is fuel economy. I just met a guy that has a 2002 7.3L Excursion that gets 21 mpg.

DaveBen · 12-10-2011, 07:01 PM

Zach.

Dave

BIG JOE · 12-10-2011, 07:15 PM

Yep.. welcome aboard Zax

a 99 with only 88K on it is a Hellofa find. Dang good, tried & true dezel motor.
Lotsa simple "Surface mods" available to ya too. Things that can be done with just a good tool box fulla common tools.

Joe

zax317 · 12-10-2011, 07:23 PM

Thanks!

zax317 · 12-11-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG JOE

Yep.. welcome aboard Zax

a 99 with only 88K on it is a Hellofa find. Dang good, tried & true dezel motor.
Lotsa simple "Surface mods" available to ya too. Things that can be done with just a good tool box fulla common tools.

Joe

What are some surface mods that I can do. I am ignorant of anything that can be done. I am very handy with tools, though.

BIG JOE · 12-11-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zax317

What are some surface mods that I can do. I am ignorant of anything that can be done. I am very handy with tools, though.

Just take a look at the "Signatures" of us 7.3 guyz. Then go to the SDD DIY/Wiki and read up on'm, and post any questions you may have.

The Basics of it all is to open the 7.3 Up.. and let it Breath better.. In & out. Then, eliminate or improve on some of the Fuel related things.

A few "Tunes", from a Programmer/Chip can make you Grin too.

All the mods you see in mine were done at home, Over the Fenders/Under the hood...

Joe

DaveBen · 12-11-2011, 01:30 PM

I would like to add that an air filter kit is generally a good place to start, just avoid K&N filters. They do not filter very well. AFE is good as are most of the others. Check out our sponsors. They have the good stuff.

Dave

Stroked68 · 12-11-2011, 03:54 PM

Welcome! Glad you joined up. I'd say you did very good at gettin that truck. Hard to find one that low on mileage. Lots of good info on the 7.3's. Intake and Exhaust is what I would do to it. Let her breath in and out. If its got a muffler just wack it off. Big diff. Is yours an early 99 or late 99? There is a diff.

12-09-2011, 10:37 PM	#1
zax317 Diesel Virgin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: san antonio/tx Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Brand new Ford owner! I just bought not only my first 7.3, but first Ford. Specs are: 1999 F 350, 7.3L Turbo Diesel, Dually, Crew Cab, Automatic, 4x2, 88,000 miles (yes, that is 88K!). 14 years old averaging around 7K/year. It cost me $8,000. We just had a service check and only had to replace a rear pinion seal, alignment, two batteries and camber adjustment. The mechanic did a oil check and said that was the cleanest oil he has ever seen, almost like it was straight out of the bottle. We took it to Christian Brothers Automotive. Total, we spent $1,800. Also, we had to replace all 6 tires, $1,200, because the tires which were on there were 9 years old! I bought this truck from an elder person who only towed a race car here and there. He bought this truck brand new in 1998. This is a Regency...not too familiar with this package. Where do I start? I really want to increase my fuel economy. What are some things to do??? Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Zach

12-10-2011, 04:39 PM	#2
WD40 SDD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Benton Arkansas & McAllen Posts: 2,758 Thanks: 57 Thanked 111 Times in 107 Posts View Photos By: WD40	Hello Zach and Welcome to SSD.com. Sounds like a great find, be carefull, someone will be glad to pay you what you have in that truck. Hope you can post up some pictures of your new to you truck. We have a few guys here that know the 7.3's well. Doug __________________ 2006 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Lariat 4X2 PSD 6.0 TorqShift Automatic Transmission, MAG-HYTEC DIFF COVERS Bama ZooDad If you think the 6.0 is bad.....Get a 6.4 2004 35 ft Hitch Hiker 16589 EW. Doug Is it time to go camping yet?

12-10-2011, 07:01 PM	#4
DaveBen SDD Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ukiah, California Posts: 7,869 Thanks: 127 Thanked 506 Times in 489 Posts	Zach. Dave __________________ 2004 F-350 Regular cab with 6.0, Torqshift, 4X4, and just about all of the rest of the options. I added Guages, Satellite Radio, Air Horns, and a coolant filter. Bilstein shocks. Battery Desulphater that really works. Installed Jimmi Jammers. Pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/user/dbennett48 Completely Stock. I had a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA in a KW dump truck in 1980. That sucker would put out 425 hp but would never out pull a CAT.

12-10-2011, 07:15 PM	#5
BIG JOE SDD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CenCal Posts: 4,377 Thanks: 101 Thanked 392 Times in 381 Posts	Yep.. welcome aboard Zax a 99 with only 88K on it is a Hellofa find. Dang good, tried & true dezel motor. Lotsa simple "Surface mods" available to ya too. Things that can be done with just a good tool box fulla common tools. Joe __________________ 2K, F-350, 7.3L, DRW, XLT, XCAB, 3:73s, 6spd... LUK clutch, Adrenaline Hpop, 175/146cc Single Shots w/DP tunes to match, AIS w/Fender sleeve, Zoodad (kinda), Comp/whl, upgraded W/gate actuator, BPRV, EBPV wired as a X-brake, AIH delete, 6.0 Inter-cooler, upgraded I/C Tubes, Full 4" exhst, Aeroturbin, MagnaFlow, Heater core bypass, 203* thermo, Gold coolant w/filter, HPX mod, Raycor 3550 CCV (Mod'd), Premo by-pass oil refiner, 4 gauge "A" pillar pod, FPR shimmed @ 70 psi, 160 amp Alt, Fuel pump inlet QD fitting delete w/Dahl pre pump filter, all Tank & fill hose mods. Frozen Rotor Brake assemblies X4. Viair 20008 OBA, Mag-Hytec Dif cover, Centramatic's, Bilsteins, Ride-Rites, 960cca AGM Batts, all lights LED's. TTMs/C-Beters, Garmin 465T GPS, Door seal Mod,(((XM))), Pull a 32ft Montana 5r, LED'd. Greasable Dexter spring sets. Air Ride Hitch pin box. Last edited by BIG JOE; 12-10-2011 at 07:42 PM.

12-11-2011, 01:30 PM	#9
DaveBen SDD Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ukiah, California Posts: 7,869 Thanks: 127 Thanked 506 Times in 489 Posts	I would like to add that an air filter kit is generally a good place to start, just avoid K&N filters. They do not filter very well. AFE is good as are most of the others. Check out our sponsors. They have the good stuff. Dave __________________ 2004 F-350 Regular cab with 6.0, Torqshift, 4X4, and just about all of the rest of the options. I added Guages, Satellite Radio, Air Horns, and a coolant filter. Bilstein shocks. Battery Desulphater that really works. Installed Jimmi Jammers. Pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/user/dbennett48 Completely Stock. I had a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA in a KW dump truck in 1980. That sucker would put out 425 hp but would never out pull a CAT.

12-10-2011, 04:56 PM	#3
zax317 Diesel Virgin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: san antonio/tx Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I will be having pictures coming rather soon. I can't wait to learn about this 7.3L. My goal at the moment is fuel economy. I just met a guy that has a 2002 7.3L Excursion that gets 21 mpg.

12-10-2011, 07:23 PM	#6
zax317 Diesel Virgin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: san antonio/tx Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks!

12-11-2011, 03:54 PM	#10
Stroked68 This is FORD Country Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Eudora, KS Posts: 945 Thanks: 11 Thanked 64 Times in 63 Posts View Photos By: Stroked68	Welcome! Glad you joined up. I'd say you did very good at gettin that truck. Hard to find one that low on mileage. Lots of good info on the 7.3's. Intake and Exhaust is what I would do to it. Let her breath in and out. If its got a muffler just wack it off. Big diff. Is yours an early 99 or late 99? There is a diff. __________________ 1999 Ford F250 Superduty 4x4 sb ext cab 7.3L DIY Intake-MBRP 4" turbo back smokers kit with dual 6" Miter stacks-Autometer UltraLite Triple pillar gauge KMC HPX SS Crossover Line-Shimmed FPR 74-75psi AIH delete-ZooDad Mod-08 rear diff cover-Harpoon mod-Hutch mod-Recon LED smoked cab lights Bed liner on bottom 1/4 of truck-Fumoto drain valve 275k and counting!

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