Would like honest suggestions about tow vehicle issues

[Degolyerent]

Injectors in a 7.3 last a long time they aren't as sensitive as other engines in the Ford family, they usually last over 200,000 or more miles if you keep good fuel filter maintenance and clean oil.

 

[my case ih]

Rust isn't usually an issue here either, but 30 min west the ocean air can cause some issues.

Looking online I see injectors are about $150 each so at $1250 a set, isn't cheap, but better than newer versions, like the '06 Duramax at more than twice that amount. Yikes!

Get body oil for truck and spray it on the bottom of the truck it really helps had an 28 year old gmc wrangler and and I sprayed body oil for 28 years but without it would have lasted 17 years so big difference

 

[handirifle]

Injectors in a 7.3 last a long time they aren't as sensitive as other engines in the Ford family, they usually last over 200,000 or more miles if you keep good fuel filter maintenance and clean oil.

So, it sounds like once a 7.3 hits 200k, Ibshould expect a $1200 injector replacement? And I am certain that's if I can do the labor. Good to know.

 

[Degolyerent]

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/life-expectancy-factory-injectors-140271/
Here is a link where they are talking about the life expectancy of injectors in 7.3
John

 

[Diamondpilot]

So, it sounds like once a 7.3 hits 200k, Ibshould expect a $1200 injector replacement? And I am certain that's if I can do the labor. Good to know.

Not apples to apples but a 04 Dmax my Co worker has needed injectors at 125,000 miles. It was $6000

Chris

 

[CJONE]

So, it sounds like once a 7.3 hits 200k, Ibshould expect a $1200 injector replacement? And I am certain that's if I can do the labor. Good to know.

He said they last over 200k. Over half of my customers trucks have 300-400k on them with no issues and most of the others have only 1 or 2 replaced, so injectors are no a big issue in the 7.3's. Like was stated, clean fuel and filters with regular oil changes and they will last even with the dry fuels we have now. CJ

 

[Thomabear]

Not apples to apples but a 04 Dmax my Co worker has needed injectors at 125,000 miles. It was $6000

Chris

He must have had them replaced at a dealer who saw him coming. You can get a set replaced for about $2700 to $3000 all day long. They are actually cheaper to replace than the 6.7 which requires the cab to be pulled.

 

[handirifle]

OK that sounds a lot better. I have read the earlier Dmax had injector issues, bummer though. The older 7.3's are looking better and better for a lot of reasons, money up front and later on. Sounds like the tranny and converter are the big concerns, NORMALLY. I also know anything's possible on a used truck.

 

[Degolyerent]

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/1201dp_10_best_used_diesel_trucks/
Here is a article to read that has some good info on their opinion of the best years for each truck company
John

 

[handirifle]

Good article, makes me feel a little better about my proposed choices, and narrows the early Fords a little more. Wasn't aware of the powdered metal con rod issue of the 01-02 models. Really makes you wonder what some engineers or number crunchers are thinking.

 

[Degolyerent]

The PMR are good as long as you don't do to many mods and get above 500 hp range. The ones mentioned are the most sought after to make horsepower
John

 

[handirifle]

What's the PMR?

As for HP anything at around 300 ought to be all that I would want. Three hundred HP and neighborhood of 600ft lb of torque will do everything I foresee in my future. No desire to race or sled pull or pull 15K loads even. I foresee no more than 10K in my pulling future. This is my RV truck and regular driver. Occasional calls to haul a trailer load of whatever I need on the property. I couldn't even come close to being able to AFFORD to make 500HP.

 

[Degolyerent]

Powdered metal rod ( connecting rod) I have not heard them being an issue at all unless you plan on making big horsepower. The 7.3 is a true workhorse and reliable engine.
John

 

[handirifle]

OK good, that expands the available years considerably. If 500hp is the blowup point I have nothing to fear there. If I got into building it for more power, something in the mid 3's would feel like I had a firebreather.

 

[94BULLITT]

OK that sounds a lot better. I have read the earlier Dmax had injector issues, bummer though. The older 7.3's are looking better and better for a lot of reasons, money up front and later on. Sounds like the tranny and converter are the big concerns, NORMALLY. I also know anything's possible on a used truck.

Look for rust on a 7.3 truck, the newest one you can find is going to be 11 years old. Find one with a manual trans and then you don't have to worry about trans problems.

 

[Raw Dodge]

I have many friends with Ford 7.3 diesels, personally I'm a Cummins guy but I love all diesel's. One of them blew his engine into million pieces at less than 450 hp. All he had besides the normal intake and exhaust mods is a superchip tuner ,and a small propane shot,if it had 400 hp it was a lot.I also have a friend who blew his engine and 475 hp he was on 600 mile trip when the engine let go halfway. That truck had more mods but was running diesel only.One truck was a late 2000 the other one a 2001. Personally I would keep under 425 horse the rods on those trucks are not that strong. When it let's go it's catastrophic there's nothing left of the bottom end. The 2001 truck ended up having a $12,000 repair bill due to a brand-new engine from Navistar be needed and not getting a core charge back... The other truck was swamped to a Cummins.. As for the injectors like anything else the trucks maintenance history has more to do with the life, also look for signs of the truck being heavily modified by the previous owner and then returned it down to stock for sale... We see a lot of these trucks here and the engines usually go not long after the new owner buys it, usually it needs a complete engine at that point it's pretty much gone, because the same people that do this sort of thing do not monitor exhaust gas temperatures or do not stop when there too high,and usually crack heads ,valves and just dramatically shorten engine life...

 

[CJONE]

OK that sounds a lot better. I have read the earlier Dmax had injector issues, bummer though. The older 7.3's are looking better and better for a lot of reasons, money up front and later on. Sounds like the tranny and converter are the big concerns, NORMALLY. I also know anything's possible on a used truck.

The trans is not the problem, it is the converter. When you start throwing 100+ hp extra then it tears up the lockup clutch in the converter. You leave them stock and I have seen them in the 200k range alot. You chip them and don't expect much more than 100k if you are really really nice. Mine went 68,000 before acting up. But in all fairness I still drove it 1200 miles to BTS to be fixed. Mine was worked but not abused except for the chip. As far as the PMR rods they will take upwards of 400HP but you need a good program to keep cylinder pressures down to make them live above that. My truck is only at 380ish at the wheels and it is more than enough! CJ

 

[edkemper]

I have an 07 GMC sierra classic LB/CC with 185K on the clock and run a chip on mileage setting. Never needed any work except batteries.

 

[Degolyerent]

The trans is not the problem, it is the converter. When you start throwing 100+ hp extra then it tears up the lockup clutch in the converter. You leave them stock and I have seen them in the 200k range alot. You chip them and don't expect much more than 100k if you are really really nice. Mine went 68,000 before acting up. But in all fairness I still drove it 1200 miles to BTS to be fixed. Mine was worked but not abused except for the chip. As far as the PMR rods they will take upwards of 400HP but you need a good program to keep cylinder pressures down to make them live above that. My truck is only at 380ish at the wheels and it is more than enough! CJ

CJONE
What kind of upgrades are you running and how do you like the BTS trans.? I have heard really good things about Brian and how he stands behind his work.
John

 

[edkemper]

My buddy has an 06 Chevy 2500HD SB/CC Duramax/Allison
My buddy has about 100,000 on his and it seems he's had what I consider a lot of issues to be fixed but they were all fixed fast and he has been very happy with his truck. I bought mine after being in his.
He hauls a Big Boy Jeep and his 4 wheelers.

I have an 07 GMC 2500HD LB/CC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
I have about 185,000 miles and have never had it in the shop except for oil and filters.
I haul my Gooseneck 30+8 (14,000#) flat bed trailer. Never fully loaded.
I haul my gooseneck 14' (14,000#) hydraulic dump trailer. That gets more weight.

My truck will likely be my last. I would hate to replace it. It has been absolutely rock solid. By far, the best part is that Trailer button. Makes cruise control a dream when towing.

PS: 72mph = 17mpg
55mph = 21mpg