Ford SD 7.3 Diesel Mileage.

Doc Holliday · 05-15-2012, 06:08 PM

That's the same thing everyone else is saying, that truck is barely broken in. And then I came across this one today. 2001 7.3 140k miles for only $5400. This entire truck shopping process is makng me bipolar, I'm so confused.

This one is an automatic and has a gooseneck trailer hitch which has me worried about the transmission, if it was used hard or not. I'm testing the brown two tone tomorrow and then this one the day after. By this weekend one of the three will be mine. I'll probably have a stroke deciding which one to buy and consequently not be able to ever drive it, but it will be mine.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/3000955892.html

Marqed97 · 05-15-2012, 06:25 PM

My coworker picked up an '01 F250 7.3 at an equipment auction last month for $4600. 122k, auto, supercab long box. Pretty clean too. Needed 2 injectors but runs real nice now. He's got it listed in the papers up here, I forget what he's asking.

Mort · 05-16-2012, 11:37 AM

The 4R100 transmission wasn't the greatest in the world. All else being equal, I'd get the six speed. I know people with hugely built diesels that run them without much problems.

That said, the auto tranny won't necessarily go out tomorrow. There are zillions of them, and they aren't all on the side of the road broken down. There is a place in Arkansas called Brian's Truck Shop that will build a 4R100 with a lifetime unlimited horsepower warranty, they're so stout. And from what I hear, people don't have any trouble with them.

That 5.4 truck you posted will have the newer transmission, the 5 speed auto from the 6.0L diesel. Its better, but the engine still isn't powerful enough for the truck.

Doc Holliday · 05-16-2012, 03:34 PM

I can't thank you all enough for your insight, this truck hunting business is not as easy as I might have originally unanticipated. I have no idea what the transmission is on which truck Mort is referring to. I'm assuming the auto..? Don't really hear too much about tranny's on standards.

I went this morning and checked out the 1999. At first glance when he drove up in it my heart came out through my thoat. Big mutha, pure tank, all diesel. Within the first two seconds of me driving it, before I even made it out of the friggin' parking lot, I apparently made the unconcious decision that this is the truck for me. By the end of the drive I told the guy I had no reason to hunt any longer. Everything about that truck was tight and no leaks whatsoever. Only thing that took me for a spin was the interior. As clean as it was, it was definitely a 1999. Compared to that '06 5.4 it was ancient. Very clean, but Flinstones.

I just got out of a '98, I was hoping for something in this millenia and since I've already had the experience of the '06 5.4 I was a bit aprehensive.

Cold a/c. regardles of the interior the truck drove like a champ, solid. New clutch just awesome. Pure adrenaline speaking I decided I liked it enough. Had the company paper work written up (my a/c company is buying the truck and I'll in turn be purchasing it from them on payments) and I signed it, company was going to cut a check to the owner of the truck and overnight it to me and I was all set to pick it up this weekend BUT as I drove off I thought maybe I should check out that 2001 automatic first. That standard, as enthused as I was at first about driving it, takes some effort. Not much but enough to drain energy, especially after a long day of working in attics, I'd assume.

Here's some pics that I took of it. Tell me what you all think. Underneath pic included, no leaks whatsoever.

Mort · 05-16-2012, 06:14 PM

Sorry, the 4R100 is the 4 speed automatic that came in the 7.3L diesels from 1999-2003, and the gas engines from 1999-2004. They're alright, but aren't famed for their durability. With the new-for-2003 6.0L diesel came a new 5-speed-automatic transmission that was much better, and the gas engines got it for model year 2005.

You're right about the interiors on those 99s, they are pretty crappy. For 2001 they were upgraded a bit, and redesigned for 2005. If you're into that sort of thing, everything bolts up. You can go junkyard hunting and have a new-style interior for not much money.

Doc Holliday · 05-16-2012, 10:26 PM

I am so, so glad I didn't pull the trigger on that 1999. After a lot of stressful timing issues with this seller of this 2001 over the past few days we finally got it together tonight and I drove it. Not only did I drive it but I drove the Holy Bujeezuz out of it. Looks good, runs like a brand new truck. Suspension so much smoother than the other one it's unbelievable. Newer mirrors and running boards added to the truck and it comes with the tool box, a big old RK with the keys to lock it.

This thing simply blew that 1999 out of the water. And it's $600 less, due to the fact that up close you can see the scratches and there are a lot, I won't deny that, but you have to be up close to notice. Interior is the newer style, so much more comfortable. And check the mileage, 137,xxx.

This is the one. I knew it from the moment I hit the gas.

Doc Holliday · 05-16-2012, 10:29 PM

This is a 2001.

Doc Holliday · 05-16-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mort

Sorry, the 4R100 is the 4 speed automatic that came in the 7.3L diesels from 1999-2003, and the gas engines from 1999-2004. They're alright, but aren't famed for their durability. With the new-for-2003 6.0L diesel came a new 5-speed-automatic transmission that was much better, and the gas engines got it for model year 2005.

You're right about the interiors on those 99s, they are pretty crappy. For 2001 they were upgraded a bit, and redesigned for 2005. If you're into that sort of thing, everything bolts up. You can go junkyard hunting and have a new-style interior for not much money.

Before a friend of mine left to start his own electrical contracting firm, his company gave him a 99 F250 Powerstroke automatic to use for them. Back then it had over 200k miles and nothing ever done to it. Right now it's over 400k miles on the original motor and tranny and still being used by that company.

Just after he started his own company a few years ago he bought a used 2006 Dodge 2500 Lariat four door full bed Cummins Turbo Diesel, standard. I think it had about 40k miles. Two months later he had to have the transmission rebuilt. Yup, the tranny, not the clutch.

You just never know, I guess. The tranny on this 2001 I just posted is awesome.

Doc Holliday · 05-18-2012, 11:12 PM

Just picked her up this evening. I'm telling all the forums on multiple threads, I'm so stoked!!

Awesome truck, just awesome. My first diesel ever.

Jay 78 · 05-19-2012, 08:37 AM

Congrats! I was stoked for you, too.

Doc Holliday · 05-20-2012, 03:44 PM

My ignorance is costing me. I didn't realize the seller swapped out the diesel truck batteries for regular car batteries, about half the size and less cranking amps. They are both dead.

I figured on putting new ones in regarldess, just not so soon. Tomorrow.

Hmmff.

Jay 78 · 05-20-2012, 08:19 PM

Why the hell would he do that? I wonder if he possibly swapped them out at the last second before the sale?

Doc Holliday · 05-20-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay 78

Why the hell would he do that? I wonder if he possibly swapped them out at the last second before the sale?

I think that's exactly what he did, but I didn't notice it the first time I went and checked it out either, nor when I actually bought the truck. The batteries have covers on them.

He's also get a newer F350 he's trying to sell. Maybe those batteries went dead and he needed the good ones.?

It's all good, I was planning on buying brand new batteries anyway, already had the money set aside for them. Tomorrow.

Now if I find out the transmission has been replaced with that of a Ford Focus', I'll be pissed.

Just to see what would happen, I took the battery off of my mini van and installed it on the truck. It cranked right over.

DrHicks · 05-20-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

I think that's exactly what he did, but I didn't notice it the first time I went and checked it out either, nor when I actually bought the truck. The batteries have covers on them.

He's also get a newer F350 he's trying to sell. Maybe those batteries went dead and he needed the good ones.?

It's all good, I was planning on buying brand new batteries anyway, already had the money set aside for them. Tomorrow.

Now if I find out the transmission has been replaced with that of a Ford Focus', I'll be pissed.

Just to see what would happen, I took the battery off of my mini van and installed it on the truck. It cranked right over.

Hey - my daughter's 03 Focus has 230,000 on it and is running perfect!

Mehhh... Who am I kidding? It has hamsters in a ball for an engine.

Jay 78 · 05-21-2012, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHicks

Hey - my daughter's 03 Focus has 230,000 on it and is running perfect!

Mehhh... Who am I kidding? It has hamsters in a ball for an engine.

I had an '01 ZX2 with the same engine and tranny. +1 on the 2.0 Zetec - the thing had no torque whatsoever. It was okay once you got going, though.

I started having tranny trouble around 50K. Sold it shortly after.