7.3 Powerstroke Super Duty questions

[upcruiser]

So, in the process of mulling over my next vehicle I have narrowed it down to several vehicles that I am trying to research a bit more on. One of which would be an F250 SD Power Stroke 7.3. I am thinking extra cab, short bed configuration. It would be a daily driver as well as a vehicle to use for extended trips with a slide in camper.

My father has a '99 and has 800,000 hard miles on it now without the motor ever having any major work done to it. This is all the proof I need to the durability standards of the design. My question is more along the lines of what suspension options are out there for a small lift yes but to make for a smoother ride as well. What do you guys with experience feel is a good tire size to run when it will be seeing alot of cross country action as well as exploring dirt roads likely with 4wd only type scenarios fairly often. I would like to overbuild it a touch so that I am not stressing the capabilty of it when travelling solo in remote areas but also want to retain good onroad manners and mileage.

I searched and haven't really found any concise feedback on Expo regarding what some of you are running and finding good or bad with various suspension setups and would love to hear some first hand experience as well as real world mileage numbers. My dad's truck is an F350 crew cab, long bed with the 7.3, stock size tires and he gets 18mpg on the highway unloaded.

Also, what things would you guys suggest as important must do's to optimize one of these trucks for this type of use. Thanks!

 

[bftank]

leveling kit, 35" tires, air bags in rear, 6 speed trans, winch. makes for a great all around rig.

17-18 mpg is definitely doable with 3.73 and 35's.

make sure you get the dana 60 in the front and not the dana 50. dana 60 is easily identified by the large u joints that fill the knuckle.

not sure about the shortbed but with the long bed you can fit an excursion fuel tank where the spare tire goes for an extra 44 gallons.

 

[Pskhaat]

You know how many times I've considered this option? Good luck!

 

[locrwln]

You can use "drop brackets/shackles" from several manufacturers, that will allow anywhere from 2" to 4" using the stock springs. Icon (from what I have heard) has some of the best riding lift springs (4"). That should be all you need to fit 35's. The only reason I mention adding a little bit of lift, is that the front springs bottom out fairly easy. Nothing wrong with the ride of the stock springs, but they just don't offer enough uptravel.

There are some differences between the early '99's and late '99's, try to stay with the later ones, the changes they made stayed consistent through the '03 motors and to the '04 drivetrain (the front axle/brakes parts).

The 99-early '02's SRW's had a D50 front axle, the mid '02 builds started using a d60 front axle. No difference from the knuckles out.

Great trucks.

Jack

 

[upcruiser]

leveling kit, 35" tires, air bags in rear, 6 speed trans, winch. makes for a great all around rig.

17-18 mpg is definitely doable with 3.73 and 35's.

make sure you get the dana 60 in the front and not the dana 50. dana 60 is easily identified by the large u joints that fill the knuckle.

not sure about the shortbed but with the long bed you can fit an excursion fuel tank where the spare tire goes for an extra 44 gallons.

Is the durability of the 6 speed worth the effort to source? I prefer to drive a manual but also like the ease of an auto offroad as well. Were the Dana 50's on the F350's as well?

Does anyone make a swing out rear bumper/tire carrier for the large Ford's? I like the auxilary fuel option.

 

[upcruiser]

You know how many times I've considered this option? Good luck!

I have too, for a few years. Have been waffling between doing this with a first gen Tundra or going fullsize with one of these. The Tundra is still my other option. Also considering 100 series too but I am loving the idea of going with the camper route, just more practical for the longer duration stuff I like to do, especially when dealing with bad weather!

 

[upcruiser]

You can use "drop brackets/shackles" from several manufacturers, that will allow anywhere from 2" to 4" using the stock springs. Icon (from what I have heard) has some of the best riding lift springs (4"). That should be all you need to fit 35's. The only reason I mention adding a little bit of lift, is that the front springs bottom out fairly easy. Nothing wrong with the ride of the stock springs, but they just don't offer enough uptravel.

There are some differences between the early '99's and late '99's, try to stay with the later ones, the changes they made stayed consistent through the '03 motors and to the '04 drivetrain (the front axle/brakes parts).

The 99-early '02's SRW's had a D50 front axle, the mid '02 builds started using a d60 front axle. No difference from the knuckles out.

Great trucks.

Jack

Good info, thanks. Need to look into Icon. Would love to find some sort of progressive rate spring system. I think these trucks ride ok on the road, but could imagine the ride being a bit off pavement (though don't have any experience with this) just looking to find the best choice for comfort and likely a 35" setup.

 

[bftank]

i loved my 6 speed and never had any problems with it. reverse is directly over low which is perfect for backing trailers, or tight trail work.

i second going for the bracket lift. on my 2003 i had the mini spring pack lift and while it road ok offroad i think the bracket would have done a better job. with the minipack i fit 35" bfg at's that rubbed only when twisted offroad. i had the bumper spaced forward as well.

 

[SLO_F-250]

I would suggest the 7.3L Superduty. I have an early 99 with 204,000 miles on it and it runs cherry. Dont shy away from the earlybirds either. They are still solid trucks with some minor differences. Not bad, just different. I am a memeber on powerstroke.org and there is plenty of info on there about the early 99's. The way you can tell is if the build date is before march of 99. Sticker is usually found on the drivers side on the cab near the floor.

I have done some mild mods, Intake, 4" turbo back exhaust, Mag-hytec front and rear diff covers, mini-spring pack front leveling kit, fabricated my own heavy duty torsion bar, removed front sway bar, Bilstein 5150's front and 5100's rear, and am running Kumo Road Venture 285/75/R16's with the stock rims. I get 18mpg freeway unloaded and 16-17 with my camper on it.

As for lifts, I would shy away from the simple drop bracket lift and go with a soft ride 4" lift spring and necessary torsion bar upgrade. It will handle much better than the stock spring and drop bracket. I didn't do this because I didnt want a 4" lift or to run tires any bigger than I do now. MPG's the reason mainly. Plus, bigger the tires and lift more wear and tear on the rig. You'll go through hub assembly's faster, brakes, etc, etc. And of course if you got the $$$ the best thing you can do for off road is a 4link conversion kit for it.

The Rig & Camper Setup:

Next on the list for me is a good tuner and gauges. Gauges will help me to diagnose problems if they occur and I would like to know my temps while Im driving.

Good luck on the choice. Keep us posted! :smiley_drive:

 

[Greggk]

I hve an early 1999 F250 extended cab long bed 4x4 with the auto trans and the 7.3 and 268,000 miles. I have a Procomp shacle leveling kit. retains factory ride and allows for my 315/75/16 BFG All Terrains. I have a 4" downpipe with a 4" straightpipe exhaust going to dual 5" turnout stacks. I also have a "DIY" intake that is getting ready for mass production through a certain vendor (think of the tymar intake just a little cheaper). I will soon be adding a ts 6 way chip. this setup that i have works for my needs.

 

[upcruiser]

Great info! Keep it coming guys. Regarding some of the exhaust mods you guys have done, are you doing this to net mpg gains or just performance? Both? Doing a bit of research on the suspension I am really digging the Icon 4" with progressive leaf springs. The kit comes with a lifetime warrentee too. Anyone here have any experience running the Icon stuff?

I think I would do this truck in two stages. Stage I would be suspension, tires, bumpers, upkeep/baselining, using a bed mounted RTT setup. Stage II would incorporate a camper and upgrades to the truck to enhance anything else for durability and driveability. Should I shy away from autos? My father has gone through 4 trannies on his but he tows commercially with it, I figure my useage should be less extreme but also plan on keep this truck for a long time and alot of miles.

 

[Stoney126]

there isnt a real noticeable difference on mpg and hp improvements with and exhaust alone. However it does help with egt's and is necessary when other performance mods are introduced. I would install some gauges first just to keep things in check.

I Have a 03 f-250 w/ a 7.3. My plans are to start with internal protection. Coolant filter, fuel/water filter hutch mod and general put right what ford scimped on. check out
http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/index.php, lots of good tips there.

As far as suspension I didnt know Icon had a lifetime warranty. I was swaying towards BDS for there no fine print lifetime warranty but perhaps Icon deserves another gander.

 

[bftank]

good cheap mods would be to replace muffler and cat with exhaust pipe, and look up the tymar intake, or bhaf intake.

 

[toddz69]

... fabricated my own heavy duty torsion bar .....necessary torsion bar upgrade.

Torsion bar? Do you mean track bar/panhard rod?

Todd Z.

 

[toddz69]

Doing a bit of research on the suspension I am really digging the Icon 4" with progressive leaf springs. The kit comes with a lifetime warrentee too. Anyone here have any experience running the Icon stuff?

It's really hard to go wrong with the Icon stuff - they really know the Super Duties - started doing them when they first came out (under the Donahoe Racing banner until Kreg had his....ummm....errr....issues). I have the bracket kit on my truck and like it. It replaced a very stiff National Spring pack that the original owner had installed.

Todd Z.