Ford Powerstroke 7.3 Diesel experience?

dbarks

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Hi all,

The purpose of this post is to solicit comments from folks that either used to drive a 7.3 Powerstroke for RVing or perhaps still drive a 7.3.

I purchased a 2001 F-350, crewcab, diesel, long bed, 4x4, dually last fall. I like to wrench as a hobby and have really enjoyed servicing and driving this rig.

A few thoughts below and please chime in with your thoughts/experience and any advice you have.

- When I began RVing a few years ago I learned a lot about loading, payload etc. etc. My tow vehicle does a nice job but (as I mentioned in another post) I was always wondering what it would be like to have tons of extra payload, use the diesel lanes, have real tow mirrors etc. So instead of buying a used sports car or SUV to play with, I bought the F350.
- As most folks know who have dealt with the 7.3, it has a very good reputation and mine has been solid so far. I am busy completing all the routine maintenance so that I know what I have and perhaps will take it on some RV trips.
- Since most folks on this site seem to be avid RV'ers, most folks aren't driving these older trucks anymore. So when I search I don't find many current thoughts/comments etc. (hance this post). Yes there are tons of content on repair, performance upgrades etc. etc. but not a lot of current discussions on pulling 5'ers etc. I guess if most folks trade in their trucks after 3-5 years, the majority of users that were active pre-dates this site...
- Long term I don't really plan to use it on a lot of long trips and it will probably end up pulling a wagon up in Kansas I'll bet - but in the meantime, It is fun to drive around and mess with.
 

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We pulled with a 2001 Dodge Cummins dually up until a year ago. We upgraded to a 2017 Ram Cummins dually. The old trucks do the job, but, IMO anyway, the new trucks do the job better and easier. :)

OTOH, if you're pulling that trailer in the photo with your older Ford, you should be fine. Our older Dodge was starting to struggle with our 17,000 lb. toy hauler, hence the move to newer truck.
 
Boy does this take me back. I had a 1995 F250 7.3 Manual 4x4. Here is a good article https://www.xtremediesel.com/blog/2021/05/26/1994-1997-ford-7-3l-powerstroke-buyers-guide/

As is was only 225hp and 440ft/lbs torque it struggled in the mountains with my 28'5th wheel (12K).

I also always carried spare cam position sensors and a 17mm socket with swivel adapter iF I remember correctly. I sourced the sensor from IH as thier T44E uses many of the same parts and sold then much cheaper. When the sensor goes bad the truck stops running immediately. Its an easy change out though as its located up front in an easy spot to get to.

The only other towing issue is it could get high EGR temps on steep upgrades, and as the down pipe ran very close to the passenger side foot well the floor got HOT. DW did not like that. I added extra insulation inside under the floor mat.

I also added MBRP dual exhaust system that seemed to help with power and cool down the EGR temps

Hope this helps
 
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You have a great truck without all the emission crap. I bought my F350 Super Duty new in 99 and it has 120K on it now. I added a new exhaust and a tuner. Then added propane injection for a little fun. Last time on the dino it ran 450 hp and 1400 lb-ft. Not enough for our new trailer so had to buy another truck. I should get twenty more years out of my 7.3 power stroke. Enjoy your truck.
 
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I drove my 2001 F250 7.3 for 18 years. One cam shaft sensor replacement. It had 315,000 on it when I sold it. I towed an older 33' rig with one slide and it was heavy. It did fine all through the southeast.
Sold it to my SIL's brother as a work truck and I just saw it a month or so ago. Has 425,000 on it and the next guy that bought it drives it every day (works for him) and tows land clearing equipment with it. Still going strong. Stock and never deleted. Those engines were amazing.
 
Thanks for the comments.

I recently test drove a new F250 6.7 diesel. It was interesting how the new one was sort of a combination of my 2021 F-150 and the old F-250. You could clearly tell it had some of the 2001 "DNA" in it. Things that seemed similar were the front end/steering (way better but you still had to "unwind" it, the shaking on certain roads while empty, the height/seating position etc.) but the biggest most obvious difference was the noise floor. It was amazingly quiet. I started the diesel and with traffic going by, couldn't even tell it was a diesel!

Just took it camping on a 3 hour trip in the Missouri hills. Super stable but she is pretty slow. Can't wait to go out west now that summer is here.
 
Solid engine, trans...not so much. Had a few problems with the trans and replaced it once. I just didn't like the feeling of towing with a 22 year old truck around the country, so I got the new 7.3 gasser, which is doing great so far.
Good luck!
 
I have a 95 F250 with a 5.8. We purchased the truck in 1997. It's got about 120k on it and most of it is towing something. In 2000, I put a Kenne-Bell supercharger on it and I've never had a problem with it. Sure, I would love to have more power and I am currently working on that.

Last year, I rebuilt a core E4OD with all the upgraded parts. Steel 6 planet gear sets and a lot more clutches. I figured I would get this transmission right before I drop in the 408 [along with the supercharger] that I am currently building. I suspect it will finally give me the power I am looking for.

Next year, I get classic plates. That means, no more yearly tab fees. Best $75 I will spend.
 
We pull our Imagine 2500RL with a 2001 F350 7.3 Powerstroke. It does just fine even in the mountain passes of Utah and Colorado. Of course you won't be able to go 75 up a hill but it will do 60 all day long. I also love not having to worry about emissions or DEF fluid.
 
Another happy 7.3 owner. Had been towing our 8K 30ft travel trailer, and just pulled a new to us 2019 Solitude 377MBS weighing 16K over Stevens Pass, WA, and it did very well. Did use 2nd gear/47mph up the last 2 miles to the summit, but the speed limit was only 60, with 45mph posted curves.

I do have some upgrades on it, including a 65hp tune, exhaust brake, turbo and high pressure oil pump improvements, and braking/suspension upgrades.

My maintenance/upgrade thread for this 2001 F350 on Ford Truck Enthusiasts here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1623336-bwsts-f350-maintenance-upgrade-thread.html
 
I bought a used 1999 F-250 7.3 diesel with 33,000 miles on it. Drove it for another 133,000 miles. I finally had to retire it as the Pennsylvania salt in the winter rotted out the rear fenders, tailgate, and a good bit of the brake hangers and frame. I went from a 1988 F-250 gasser with a 460 engine. This '99 truck could pull a house. I pulled an 11,000pound horse trailer all over the hills of Pennsylvania, no problem. Other than the rust that killed it, a great tow vehicle.
 

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