Thinking of getting an excursion for a tow vehicle. I currently use a 2wd e350 conversion van with a v10. I tried out a 2001 "X" 7.3 diesel today. I could not hear myself think in that thing, was that because it was cold, I rode in the back seat on the way back to town and it was better there. Does it get quieter as it warms up or does it get quieter as it grows on you??? Any other "X" pros or cons would be appreciated. Thanks!!!
7.3 deisel owners, I need an opinion!!!
- Thread starter uptomyarmpits
- Start date
My 7.3 is definitely loud when it's cold, but it quiets down a bit when it's warm. Either way, it is the older model and it is a lot louder than the new ones. However, they are a very reliable diesel that will last a very long time if you take care of them.
when the weather gets cold it gets the IDI knock ( about 10-15 below to 5 above ) until it reaches running temp it will have a bit of the knock but not bad. its worst at start up.
the 7.3L PSD is one of the most reliable motors that was ever built.
great for towing if you have a mild chip in them ( about 25-30 hp ) they dont have near as much torque as a cummins but you get the V-8 rumble when straight piped. you should like it alot better than the v-10 because it should get about 17-19 mpg if your drive it right
the 7.3L PSD is one of the most reliable motors that was ever built.
great for towing if you have a mild chip in them ( about 25-30 hp ) they dont have near as much torque as a cummins but you get the V-8 rumble when straight piped. you should like it alot better than the v-10 because it should get about 17-19 mpg if your drive it right
T
theultrarider
Well-known member
More like 7-9 mpg.... No really I get 9-12 with mine since it was new. 190,000 on it now. It has been reliable but I have also had a chevy with a 6.0 gas motor and that will out pull my 7.3 and get the same mileage doing it. My dad has the 8.1 chevy gasser and that thing is an animal! This will be my last deisel. More so for the following reason. !st, I've always got a trailer with toys that need fuel too. Very fuel fuel stations have pumps set up where you can fuel the tow rig with deisel, and toy toys at the same time. Minor I know. But it can be a real pain and time comsuming moving around, you deisel guys know what I'm talking about. Deisel now $1.10 a gallon higher than gas. The stink when idling in front of the house will warming up in the am. The stink when fueling and trying to get it off your hands and shoes. The ground is almost always caked with spilled deisel around the pumps. The 16qt oil changes at $5 a qurart oil. Oh yea, and will it start when we get back to the truck at -20???? Mines good to about -10 but anything after that, it's time for a block heater or forget it. It's all these combined that add up to a gasser next time around for me. I use the truck little as a car, so I don't care that you may get mid teens getting groceries with it. When used as a truck, you can do compareably well with a gasser without the headaches.
My .02
My .02
got 01 f250 7.3 with superchip programer on middle setting(75-80hp) loud extra knock when cold but goes away when gets warmed up. pulls hills good no problems. pulling no matter how much weight gets around 13mpg and empty local or highway gets around 17mpg. i like it. only would have 6sp though. guy used to work with has excursion same year with same add ons and he liked it. had 96 7.3 with auto tran didnt like it at all.
Ultrarider, I would say your experience is not typical and would venture to say something is wrong with your truck.
With that said, I've got an 02 F250 with Ford AIS intake, MBRP stainless 4" and an Edge Evo2 programmer. I've gotten as high as 20.xmpg in the summer cruising on the highway unloaded. Towing depends on what the trailer is and speed, but I towed a 20ft camper over the summer and got 15mpg. I've gotten as low as 10mpg towing a 2 place, doing 80mph up the mountains into a headwind though
But that was before the mods.
I've never had a problem with the truck starting at all. It's seen -30F and never had an issue. It's loud as holy hell until it warms up, then it's all good. Rock solid truck IMHO. But I do worry about the trans, it seems to be the weak link.
With that said, I've got an 02 F250 with Ford AIS intake, MBRP stainless 4" and an Edge Evo2 programmer. I've gotten as high as 20.xmpg in the summer cruising on the highway unloaded. Towing depends on what the trailer is and speed, but I towed a 20ft camper over the summer and got 15mpg. I've gotten as low as 10mpg towing a 2 place, doing 80mph up the mountains into a headwind though
But that was before the mods. I've never had a problem with the truck starting at all. It's seen -30F and never had an issue. It's loud as holy hell until it warms up, then it's all good. Rock solid truck IMHO. But I do worry about the trans, it seems to be the weak link.
i put a ZF6 into a 96 f-350 that took the E4OD and split the case and dumped parts on the road. there monsters if set up right but it takes some know how to achieve perfection
Yep!
Those 7.3's are clanky until the injectors warm up. When they are, then it is a smooth rumble. I never had a problem with the powerstroke, great motor, as long as you care for them.
Those 7.3's are clanky until the injectors warm up. When they are, then it is a smooth rumble. I never had a problem with the powerstroke, great motor, as long as you care for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0A5FmL25wM
1:07 is the best cold diesel sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOPgTvpSvMs&feature=related
heres what a warmed up diesel sounds like
1:07 is the best cold diesel sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOPgTvpSvMs&feature=related
heres what a warmed up diesel sounds like
A
AkHockey10
Well-known member
If you think its loud.. then dont do a muffler delete, lol.
I keep hearing of these 20 mpg 7.3's I have 2 of them one 1995 with 198,000 miles on it, best is 17mpg at 60mph and an 2000 with 108,000 miles on it.best its done is 15mph,,,,,however I do really like the 7.3s and has had not to many problems.....both have 4;10 rear ends and I know that has a lot to do with gas.....the 2000 has had a lot of up grades ,,small chip exhaust,air intake ect but I sure like the pulling power........however I just traded it in on a motor home that has the 8.1 chev in a 33 ft motor home so its going to be interesting as to what comes along.................
I've had a 7.3 & have been "pro diesel" for pulling purposes ever since.
I have a buddy that's always been against diesel pickups. (and he owns several semis)
We always had the debate on which was better.
I have seen the light.
If you are towing most of the time, a diesel makes sense.
If not, there is now way to justify all of the downfalls of a diesel.
Extra cost for.....
engine
fuel
maint.
repairs
etc.
I also had a V10 (Excursion) which had a considerably lower cost of ownership than that 7.3 did and at the time gas & diesel fuel were equal in price.
I have a buddy that's always been against diesel pickups. (and he owns several semis)
We always had the debate on which was better.
I have seen the light.
If you are towing most of the time, a diesel makes sense.
If not, there is now way to justify all of the downfalls of a diesel.
Extra cost for.....
engine
fuel
maint.
repairs
etc.
I also had a V10 (Excursion) which had a considerably lower cost of ownership than that 7.3 did and at the time gas & diesel fuel were equal in price.
G
Gimpster
Guest
Nailed 19 yesterday on a road trip on one tank.
Rattles when the injector advance is activated, engine cold
A rattles with wrong fuel in the cold
----- Gimpster -----
Rattles when the injector advance is activated, engine cold
A rattles with wrong fuel in the cold
----- Gimpster -----
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