F350 7.3 Diesel

[Howard H.]

Hi Fellows -

I have a F250 with a 5.4 & automatic.

I like the pickup except for NO low end torque starting off with a loaded trailer. That has stranded me again this weekend.

I'm not sure if there is some "kick-down" that is not working that won't let me really rev the engine from a deadstop in low gear - or whether it is just fairly gutless starting off. It pulls fine once I'm rolling.

I'm looking at maybe buying a 2001 or 2002 F350 with a 7.3 diesel & about 165,000 miles. Plus, it has a manual trannie.

Anything I should look for in particular on that setup?? Any comments pros or cons on the F350 engine or trannie??


Thanks for any advice (about either pickup!),
Howard
 

[bobidan]

dont know about the f250 issues but i have a 2000 7.3 6 speed with 185k on it and no issues has the usual chip, gauges, intake, exhaust i usually have about 16k on it at all times and it does an excellent job check for leaks around the oil cooler and turbo pedestal also in the engine valley for fuel leaks those places are pretty prone not bad to fix but might knock the $$$ down a bit
 

[VicS]

I have a F250 with the 5.4 and automatic. I haul a 480E Case backhoe, I have never had a problem taking off unless it is off road and spongy. That is what Low range is for. Also backing and turning uphill I need low range also. But my son has a Dodge and a 7.3 Power Stroke F350 they need low range to back up hill also. My son just pulled our trailer 500 miles 250 loaded with a Hummer. he got 12 mpg with a 24valve 01 Dodge. Took a 09 5.4 same trailer and hauled concrete water tanks. 10800. The 3 valve 5.4 with a 6 speed auto got 9.9 Loaded. The newer 5.4 on cruse never got below the speed limit. It did shift a lot. I believe for the 20% I will stay with the gasser. It is easy to drop a thousand dollars on a diesel repair. We have 3 diesel pickups and one gasser. I believe the next will be another gasser, maybe a Eco-boost Ford. Vic
 

[prawnfarmer]

This time last spring I traded my 146,000 mile 2001 F350 dually 4x4 w/6 speed manual, 3-program chip and straight 3" exhaust. Had a 3:83 rear end - good for mileage but not so much for towing so I'd check rear end ratio, too.
Now have a 2003 F250 V-10 4x2 auto and have been impressed with it except for the 10-14 mpg. I only put about 10,000 miles a year on my trucks so fuel costs between the powerstroke and the V-10 doesn't hurt that much more - if any.
 

[1 Dollar]

What situation were you in that you got stranded? Really stranded or just not a fun situation to drive out of?
 

[Ralph Bauer]

You didn't say what year your 250 is..... I have a 04 350 4x4 6.0 ford diesel single rear axle. automatic 3sp w/ od PLUS a button on the end of the shift collar to push in when towing/hauling. Once pushed, light indicates that mode on the dash and I can rev up engine nicely to get moving out of dead start. I never gun it, just gently accellerate. Bought truck in May 07 with 82K, factory chip, have 157K now. Gas mileage sucks though loaded or not (10.5 to 15.5).
 

[Howard H.]

Thanks for the comments...

It's a 2000 model. And runs fine, but the guy I got it from said he had had to put a new transmission in it, so I know its been worked on. And it doesn't seem to "gun it" when you punch the accelerator - it gets up to speed - but on its own time.

For example, I had a heavily weighted 5020 JD with loader on my triple axle trailer and left it at the farm the other day. We had a small shower so the trailer sunk slightly (an inch or so)into the soil, but it was on a rocky hill that was pretty flat on top. When I hooked back up to it, after the rain I couldn't get the trailer moving without loading up a handy man jack on the rear pushing it forward and even then, it just barely started moving and pulled on out.

Mine has the "overdrive" button, too, in the end of the gear shift, but it seems to not work anymore since the light doesn't turn on or off now.

Howard
 

[1 Dollar]

With 18-20K of tractor and 5-6K of trailer I would imagine most 3/4-1 ton trucks would struggle to get that moving after sitting on soil, especially after a bit of rain. 4x4 low would be necessary I would think. That's a heavy trailer!
 

[mkirsch]

You sound like you have a transmission problem.

Starting out a load from a dead stop, there is nowhere to "kick down" to. You should be in 1st gear.

I suspect that your transmission isn't dropping into 1st gear like it should.

Out in normal driving empty, start from a dead stop and count the shifts. You should notice THREE shifts. 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to OD.

When you mash the pedal, the transmission should downshift. If it does not you do have an issue with "kick down."

The F350 is a good idea, but unless you fix your current truck you are going to have a tough time selling it for a fair price. You will have to practically give it away with transmission problems.
 

[Howard H.]

No - out on the highway I can romp it, and it doesn't downshift. It DOES shift into lower gears by manually shifting, though.

I DID have to replace the throttle position sensor a few weeks ago. It was causing it to run rough - and curiously enough - was also affecting shifting.

Would there be a chance there is more than one TPS sensor and I've got the wrong one??

But other than not shifting down when romping on it, and not having much power when starting off loaded in 1, everything runs smooth & nice and shifts properly going up hills, etc...

Maybe I'm just spoiled with the two older F250's with manual trannies that I wore out! ha...

That old 5020 IS a load, but I've hauled heavier backroad loads with my '94 F250 with a 351 & manual trannie before...

I never worried about taking off back then - when I let out on the clutch, something was going to move!


Howard
 

[calhoun]

I suggest a Chevy. I use a 6.5L turbo diesel, never had any issues pulling anything dead stop to passing people on the road with a loaded trailer. I have even pulled a few buildings down with it.
 

[D1206]

You don't say if its 4wd or not,maybe start out in low range too,but that sounds like a LOT of weight to be trying to move out of a hole...Maybe you need a small single axle truck for that kind of weight. The 6.5 chevy comment is funny,Why would you tow that much weight with an engine that was never designed to do that? Like trying to pull with a 305 from mid 80s???
 

[johndeerefan]

[Howard H.]

Thanks for the comments... Sounds like that may be all the F250 has and there is nothing specifically wrong with it... It is just a two wheel drive.

Yeah, I'd thought about a Chevy, Calhoun, but I just don't tear down that many buildings anymore... ha... (I WAS pretty impressed with my buddy's Duramax when I hauled back a 1468 IH for him from downstate).



Howard
 

[souNdguy]

i have a 99 f350 and f450, both with the 7.3psd, both drw.. 350 is 4wd.. 450 has air bag suspension.

I ditched a gasser half ton for those for towing. 350 will do bumper or gn.. 450 will do bumper, gn/5thwhl. I have a 3/4 ton f250 with 6.0psd.. an 04.. but I prefer the 1 an 1.5 ton for towing. 450 has 4.88 rear.. 350 has 4.10 rear. 450 don't fly faster than 72 down the interstate.. but will drag a loaded 14k trailer slapping the road now and then behind it... 350 is right behind it.

both are auto.

upgrading from a 5.4 to a 7.3 you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner... I hope to never go back to a half ton or a gasser if I can help it..

soundguy