Gas SD limits
03-03-2019, 10:47 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The 2003 7.3L was produced for only a few weeks before Ford shut down the Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) to get ready to begin production of the 2003 6.0L. So they are really hard to find. The latest 2002s are now 17 years old, so find one with less than 350k miles means the owner didn't drive it much.
So I would suggest you concentrate on trying to find a good 6.7L you an afford. Surf on TheDieselStop.com to join the Ford diesel nuts. Notice I've been a moderator on TheDieselStop since back in '99 when it was still named Ford-Diesel.com. I've not been an active moderator (nor active member) since I sold my 7.3L 10 years ago. But in the 7.3L forums you'll still find articles and posting I made back then. Esoecially on how to change coolant right, and how to change ATF in the 4R100 tranny.
The 4R100 is the weak spot in the drivetrain. On mine the torque converter begin acting up at 106,000 miles, so I drove to northwest Arkansas and had Bryan's Truck Shop (BTS) do his special overhaul, including a Precision Performance torque convertor.
The stock tune with 250 HP and 400 torque was not enough for my 9k 5er, so I added a DP-Tuner tune that resulted in 300 HP 500 torque. That was wonderful! No more downshifting for every little bump in the road.
Next was exhaust brake. The simple "electronic" exhaust brake that uses the exhaust back pressure valve to give some engine braking..
Perfect tow vehicle for a 9k trailer. Maybe even 10k. But more than that and it would be a dog on hills and passes..
With over 200,000 miles and over 10 years on that 1999.5 7.3L I sold it to a friend.
So I would suggest you concentrate on trying to find a good 6.7L you an afford. Surf on TheDieselStop.com to join the Ford diesel nuts. Notice I've been a moderator on TheDieselStop since back in '99 when it was still named Ford-Diesel.com. I've not been an active moderator (nor active member) since I sold my 7.3L 10 years ago. But in the 7.3L forums you'll still find articles and posting I made back then. Esoecially on how to change coolant right, and how to change ATF in the 4R100 tranny.
The 4R100 is the weak spot in the drivetrain. On mine the torque converter begin acting up at 106,000 miles, so I drove to northwest Arkansas and had Bryan's Truck Shop (BTS) do his special overhaul, including a Precision Performance torque convertor.
The stock tune with 250 HP and 400 torque was not enough for my 9k 5er, so I added a DP-Tuner tune that resulted in 300 HP 500 torque. That was wonderful! No more downshifting for every little bump in the road.
Next was exhaust brake. The simple "electronic" exhaust brake that uses the exhaust back pressure valve to give some engine braking..
Perfect tow vehicle for a 9k trailer. Maybe even 10k. But more than that and it would be a dog on hills and passes..
With over 200,000 miles and over 10 years on that 1999.5 7.3L I sold it to a friend.
I know all about the sitting is bad thing, thats what happened to my last one, but the engine was fine, the frame and suspension went to crap from rust. Right now we are contemplating maybe trading in the Focus and my wife can drive the dually to work, that way it gets used daily, but I have seen how she takes care of cars, and am reluctant to go that route. Right now I want to hook a crane to the front of the car, open the hatch and shake it out. If she took care of things then I would drive the dually and she could drive my F150 instead because it is easier to get around in. I'm used to driving big trucks so getting around in one is nothing for me.
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chimmike (03-04-2019)
03-03-2019, 11:51 AM
#12
I have seen a couple around here used in the 15-16 age range. On my 16xl I got the power equipment group, so power mirrors, doors,windows, heated mirrors, etc. The only not power was seats, but they are the cloth XLT seats minus power. It does have vinyl floor which I wanted and the split bench seat with console type center seat. Once I added the stereo it was basically a non power seat xlt.
03-03-2019, 12:22 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
With my back, I can't sit in a non power seat, need to be able to adjust the seat cushion, that and all the ones I found are non power everything. My kids would be like, how do you get the windows down? I do have a 2012 FX4 seat from an F150, but I don't think it will work in a SD.
03-03-2019, 06:21 PM
#14
With my back, I can't sit in a non power seat, need to be able to adjust the seat cushion, that and all the ones I found are non power everything. My kids would be like, how do you get the windows down? I do have a 2012 FX4 seat from an F150, but I don't think it will work in a SD.
Actually think that seat might work in the 15/16 SD, it's the same seat in my 16 as my 13 STX f150. That was one thing I liked about it better than the 17s. I loved the seats in my STX and when I got in the SD first time it was exactly the same. It does have Lumbar adjustment and recline adjustment manually but the base doesn't adjust except forward and back.
03-03-2019, 06:32 PM
#15
With my back, I can't sit in a non power seat, need to be able to adjust the seat cushion, that and all the ones I found are non power everything. My kids would be like, how do you get the windows down? I do have a 2012 FX4 seat from an F150, but I don't think it will work in a SD.
03-03-2019, 08:12 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
While the F450 would be the way to go, it requires D plates and inspections every 6 months. Not in a hurry though, so will just keep looking until I find the right one. As long as I don't haul anything I can put B plates on the F350 like I had on my last one. A 5th wheel has RV plates and exempts the tow vehicle from weight restrictions. The F450 though is above 8001 pounds curb weight so either class C or Class D.
03-03-2019, 08:16 PM
#17
While the F450 would be the way to go, it requires D plates and inspections every 6 months. Not in a hurry though, so will just keep looking until I find the right one. As long as I don't haul anything I can put B plates on the F350 like I had on my last one. A 5th wheel has RV plates and exempts the tow vehicle from weight restrictions. The F450 though is above 8001 pounds curb weight so either class C or Class D.
03-03-2019, 08:42 PM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
WOW they got heavy! My 99 Lariat CC LB 4x4 was 7300! In IL, they don't. I could put B plates on the F450 if I wanted to, however, if I were to get pulled over, and weighed, then I would be ticketed for improper registration. It is up to the owner to properly register the truck. The part to be aware of that it is based on the GVW, not the GVWR, and a person needs to know this because not all the police know this, and the code that specifies this can be taken to literal. State law also requires an actual weigh if going to be ticketed for over weight, and some people get nailed for this without even knowing.
In Nebraska, if I were to have B plates (8001 or less) on the truck, even though pulling an RV, if the truck weighs more than 8001 pounds, they can fine me. Not all states inspect RV's but I have seen RV's get called into the scales on I80 in Nebraska. I have also found out that even if a horse trailer has living quarters, if taken to a horse show where there are prizes, then it falls under commercial. Man, states can really get some revenue on these if they really wanted to. Damned Taxes.
In Nebraska, if I were to have B plates (8001 or less) on the truck, even though pulling an RV, if the truck weighs more than 8001 pounds, they can fine me. Not all states inspect RV's but I have seen RV's get called into the scales on I80 in Nebraska. I have also found out that even if a horse trailer has living quarters, if taken to a horse show where there are prizes, then it falls under commercial. Man, states can really get some revenue on these if they really wanted to. Damned Taxes.
03-03-2019, 09:02 PM
#19
WOW they got heavy! My 99 Lariat CC LB 4x4 was 7300! In IL, they don't. I could put B plates on the F450 if I wanted to, however, if I were to get pulled over, and weighed, then I would be ticketed for improper registration. It is up to the owner to properly register the truck. The part to be aware of that it is based on the GVW, not the GVWR, and a person needs to know this because not all the police know this, and the code that specifies this can be taken to literal. State law also requires an actual weigh if going to be ticketed for over weight, and some people get nailed for this without even knowing.
In Nebraska, if I were to have B plates (8001 or less) on the truck, even though pulling an RV, if the truck weighs more than 8001 pounds, they can fine me. Not all states inspect RV's but I have seen RV's get called into the scales on I80 in Nebraska. I have also found out that even if a horse trailer has living quarters, if taken to a horse show where there are prizes, then it falls under commercial. Man, states can really get some revenue on these if they really wanted to. Damned Taxes.
In Nebraska, if I were to have B plates (8001 or less) on the truck, even though pulling an RV, if the truck weighs more than 8001 pounds, they can fine me. Not all states inspect RV's but I have seen RV's get called into the scales on I80 in Nebraska. I have also found out that even if a horse trailer has living quarters, if taken to a horse show where there are prizes, then it falls under commercial. Man, states can really get some revenue on these if they really wanted to. Damned Taxes.
They have to honor the registration of the state it was issued in for non commercial/personal use. It's part of the National MV compact among states. Also the Feds put out a letter last year about the showing and prize issue. They said in no way was it to be considered commercial activity requiring CDL, ELD or Commericial registration as long as the horses are personally owned.
03-03-2019, 10:29 PM
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thats good news on the horses. The problem some are running into is that they have B plates from IL, and are over their registration and that is how they are getting nailed. They have cameras looking at the traffic and if they spot a pickup hauling a fifth wheel with B plates and it is over a F150/1500 series they get called into the scales, they also have weigh as you go in the road so they know if the truck is over the tags.
So to put into perspective if what I am looking for. The trailer that we have in mind to purchase in a few years is a Montana High Country 364BH. https://www.keystonerv.com/fifth-whe...h-fifth-wheel/
It has a 3200 pound pin weight with 20% of GVWR, Of course thats max weight, but it is how I roll, what is the MOST that trailer will have on the pin/ball. The UVW on it is 12,843 pounds. Their specs show the pin at 2730 pounds, which seems kind of high for 12,843. This is a 1 ton trailer no matter how you look at it, and I could probably get by with a single wheel truck, but duals will make for a more stable tow. This is why I was wondering how well the gas engine will hold up to this kind of tow. It's a pretty good sized trailer.
The 6.2 gas compared to the 7.3 diesel, pretty equal or not?
On one hand, I more than likely can pay cash for the older truck, but above 10K then I have to look to finance the balance, and it would be easier to finance the newer truck than a 20 YO one. If I can find one under 10K with a decent body and engine, I can always improve the interior, and beef up the trans, provided Brian is still building the 4R100. Some decent deals, 1100 miles from here!
So to put into perspective if what I am looking for. The trailer that we have in mind to purchase in a few years is a Montana High Country 364BH. https://www.keystonerv.com/fifth-whe...h-fifth-wheel/
It has a 3200 pound pin weight with 20% of GVWR, Of course thats max weight, but it is how I roll, what is the MOST that trailer will have on the pin/ball. The UVW on it is 12,843 pounds. Their specs show the pin at 2730 pounds, which seems kind of high for 12,843. This is a 1 ton trailer no matter how you look at it, and I could probably get by with a single wheel truck, but duals will make for a more stable tow. This is why I was wondering how well the gas engine will hold up to this kind of tow. It's a pretty good sized trailer.
The 6.2 gas compared to the 7.3 diesel, pretty equal or not?
On one hand, I more than likely can pay cash for the older truck, but above 10K then I have to look to finance the balance, and it would be easier to finance the newer truck than a 20 YO one. If I can find one under 10K with a decent body and engine, I can always improve the interior, and beef up the trans, provided Brian is still building the 4R100. Some decent deals, 1100 miles from here!