Ford SD 7.3 Diesel Mileage.

DrHicks · 05-21-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay 78

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.

Our/her Focus is now powerhouse, but it has been a great car. No complaints here!

Anyway... Back to the OP.

Doc Holliday · 05-21-2012, 04:01 PM

The finale! Well, tires in a week or two and then the grand finale!!

The batteries which were in the truck. 34-DLG.

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The single battery I used from my mini van to start the truck, see if it would start with only one, which it did. Probably drained about half of it's remaining life in doing so but the van cranked right up once it was put back in so no worries.

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New correct batteries. 65-DLG.

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I removed the battery covers, couldn't get a socket on the terminal bolt with it on. Installed and now, peace of mind!

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Doc Holliday · 05-22-2012, 02:44 PM

I just picked up these two Goodyear Wrangler Authority 265/75r16 AT E rated tires BRAND NEW for $200 for both, Craigslist. Had them mounted, balanced and installed for $20. Two down, two to go!

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I got them at a real steal! Those are $200+ tires each.

Mort · 05-22-2012, 11:26 PM

If you want two matches for those, Wal Mart sells them for a pretty good price. Not $100 a piece, though, that's a screamin' deal.

I love it, Group 34 batteries in a Super Duty. I think those are Subaru batteries.

Doc Holliday · 05-22-2012, 11:42 PM

Those Wrangler Authority tires are made specifically for Wal-Mart by Goodyear, not sold anywhere else. They are a counter to the Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs.

I think I'll be hunting for (very good condition such as 90% tread left) used ones first. Being my first big truck I'd like to not spend a ton of money to figure out what I like best, at's or highway tires.

I outfitted my F-150 and my Ford Windstar for $460 with replacement certificates (which have come in handy I might add, two new free tires due to nails and going into a ditch which resulted in a ripped inner sidewall) walk out from Discount Tire. The truck received Khumo's and the Windstar got Arizonian's, made by Goodyear. Those were mid range quality tires, 60k mile warranty.

Not so for tires for this truck, twice as much to start.

Doc Holliday · 05-22-2012, 11:44 PM

I'll actually call Wal-Mart and get prices tomorrow though. Never know ,they might be having a sale. I've even read on a truck forum that Sam's Club has them for less than Wal-Marts price.

Jay 78 · 05-23-2012, 02:14 AM

Those tires look great!

At a glance, I thought they actually were DuraTracs, which I have on my Ranger. Same size, but load range C. If those tires perform anything like mine, I think you'll love them.

Can't wait to see those meats mounted on the truck.

You shoulda got 33's, though.

frenchelectrican · 05-23-2012, 02:34 AM

I have see that you got a nice truck there I used have old 89 F250 diesel ( non powerstroke verison ) with 5 speed hand shaker it was not too bad for my useage the fuel milage was about 18 on plain #2 F.O. but burn on #3 it kick up to 20 mpg but it did smoke a bit so stick with #2 but in winter time go with 50/50 blend of #1 et #2 diesel that useally take care of it but you will loose some fuel milage on that.

Also you will loose about 10% of power when you burn on #1 due lower BTU and super cold weather it get little harder to light it off but nothing major.

I ran over 400K miles on oringal clutch ( still have over 50% life left ) but replace the transmission twice ( overdrive bearing failure ) and that truck have 4:10 " tractor gearing " so it will kill the fuel milage a little IIRC drove at 75 MPH it turn over at 2500 T/Min. I did add a turbocharger and modifed the fuel pump for more toqure at low turns ( RPM for ya ) and readjust the top engine speed down due too much HP so at 2500 t/min it will have more HP than non boosted at 3300 T/min ( 270 Flywheel HP @ 2500 T/min )

The only weak link I have on old 89 was the drive shaft U-joints I routeally have to replace them every 40K miles due I pull the trailer pretty often.

The early Power stroke engine were not too bad the only qurik was the EHUI ( Electronic Hydrallic Unit Injector ) the 6.0l's it kinda mixed bag it can be good or bad depending on model year but if you check couple fourms which they deal with alot of Power strokes they will have alot of good tips on them and good modifaction to them.

If you need those fourm let me know I will PM to you which fourm.

Merci,
Marc

Mort · 05-23-2012, 11:26 AM

Regarding the fuel, don't think you'll be saving money burning offroad diesel. It may be cheaper, but if you're caught, its $1000 fine per gallon. And in a long bed, its a 38 gallon tank.

Doc Holliday · 05-23-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mort

Regarding the fuel, don't think you'll be saving money burning offroad diesel. It may be cheaper, but if you're caught, its $1000 fine per gallon. And in a long bed, its a 38 gallon tank.

That's a pretty big tank. Not too shabby though, roughly $145 to fill it up at the current $3.78-ish a gallon. What's the difference between the red diesel (the farm diesel) and the regular diesel? The seller told me it ws simply a dye but that it's also much cheaper for farm trucks, the red dye being the determining factor in which diesel it is.

In other words I have to have the truck registered as a farm work truck to be able to purchase and use it as well as prove I own a farm.

Sound about right?

Doc Holliday · 05-23-2012, 04:20 PM

And I priced those Goodyear Wrangler Authority tires at Wal-Mart today. They have recently been "rolled back" to $196.00 per tire.

Doc Holliday · 05-23-2012, 04:45 PM

I just read the owner's manual which said to check the 7.3 Turbo Diesel manual for fuel tank capacity, it had the 5.4 gas and the 6.0 Powerstroke turbo diesel's capacities. I then checked the 7.3 manual and it said to check the owner's manual.

The Excursion 7.3 diesel has a 44 gallan tank so yup, you're right, must be somewhere in that 38-ish range. I'll fill it up this coming week and find out.

Thanks.

Mort · 05-23-2012, 08:12 PM

If I recall, it didn't matter what engine you had, it mattered which bed you had. Short beds were 26 gallon, long beds were 38 gallon.

The red is a dye to tell you its offroad diesel. I think it has a higher sulfur content than regular highway diesel fuel. Ford doesn't recommend you run it at all (probably because they'd get sued), and I'm not sure of the laws regarding using it on a truck strictly kept to a farm. I do know that its illegal to run on the highway at all (its for farm equipment), regardless of how your truck is registered. Because, you know, it'll kill the polar bears.

Only 3.87 for diesel? Geez, it was around $4.69 or so here. Sometimes being on the west coast has its disadvantages.

Doc Holliday · 05-23-2012, 08:20 PM

$3.77. Truck is almost empty now, will fill up soon. Yup, she's a long bed.

cjm94 · 05-23-2012, 08:25 PM

You can't run dyed fuel in any vehicle licenced for the road. They are very serious about it here. They stop pickups regularly and take samples.