Diesel truck discussion

While i agree that many trucks are only used as grocery getters, this is America. And, for now, were still free to drive the vehicle we want or like.
There are some (of differing political persuasions) that would like to tell you what you're allowed to drive...

 

Oh crap, yes... Ridgeline not pilot...

 

Some brands, like Ford don't even offer sedans any more. When a 400 hp 400 tq truck gets better mpg than a luxury car, then it's hard to argue with that.

 

Lol. Same thing though since it's the same chassis, just with some extra bracing.

 

I just started reading through this thread this week, and after yesterday I have something to contribute.
About two years ago I was in the market for a pickup and was thinking about a diesel. I called a cousin that has worked at a Ford dealership since he got out of school ( over 20 years ago)
I explained my thoughts and needs to him. I have a skid steer that I need to move around locally (seldom over 10 miles, and it’s fairly flat around here) and wife was wanting a camper. He asked about the camper. I told him I wasn’t thinking very big, by today’s standards and probably wouldn’t be going to the mountains with it much ( no mountains within 5 hours of me). After discussing all the Ford diesels he recommended getting a v10 gas. So I found a f250 super duty, super cab, long box 4x4 with a v10 at what I thought was a fair price. That was in November. Come summer, wife starts camper shopping. She started small enough that we could use the Toyota Highlander to pull it, then kept looking at bigger and bigger ones. I finally told her that if she wanted one that big it was gonna be a 5th wheel now that we have a suitable pickup to pull it. Ended up with a late 90’s 26 ft fifth wheel, around 6000 lbs. after one trip to the black hills of South Dakota I realized that wasn’t gonna cut it. Started looking for a diesel again. Preferably a 7.3.
Last November I Found one on Craigslist only 70 miles away, super clean cherry 2002 4door short box, 180 k miles that “she took in the divorce” (her words), ex husband works at the local Ford dealer and had received excellent maintenance.
I gave her the price she was asking, and sold the v10 to the company I work for.
I love everything about the 7.3 pickup, and apparently so did someone else because over the Fourth of July weekend someone tried to steal it from the motel in Denver we was staying in.
Yesterday I was taking the camper out to Brush Co. While on the interstate at 75mph it was like someone turned off the key and then turned it back on in about 5 seconds, WTF!!! Maybe 3-4 miles later, same thing!! Now I’m getting nervous A couple miles later same thing, but this time it doesn’t come back to life. Coast to a stop and it won’t start. After several phone calls seeking some input I ended up having to call a tow truck. Had them tow it back 72 miles to the Ford dealer and the boss met me there with the v10 to take the camper home. He agreed that it is a pretty good pickup but lacks the b*[[s to do any towing.
Ford garage is supposed to call me Monday!

 

Crank sensor?

 

Crank sensor...its a thing with those...most long term 7.3 owners learn to keep a spare in the glove box, they aren't that bad to change and fairly cheap to buy at the parts store.
I had one go on my '99 just like that, but I was only 2 miles from home...neighbor hauled me home to get my other truck for a tow...I would have just called my wife to come get me, but cell phone was left laying in the house.

 

I think I’d try to find an injector driver module and a set of valve cover gaskets as well!

 

The valve cover gaskets need an inspection for sure...many times they can be "fixed" using the quarter trick (stuff a quarter in the quick connector to force the lock tab to stay locked...a quarter is just the right size...I used a 3/4" (IIRC) knockout from an electrical panel on mine...that fits good too)
I've heard the modules were sometimes an issue too...no personal experience with that though.
I learned a lot by jumping on some of the 7.3 forums!
It didn't take me too long to figure out I had no business owning a diesel though...ended up selling it back to the guy I bought it from...after I fixed everything!

 

7.3 is a walk in the park compared to its replacements.

 

No doubt. My cousin was a life long Ford tech...about 3 years or so after the 7.3 went away, he decided to retire...just decided enough was enough...was tired of laying on top the engine trying to finagle things on/off, said his shoulders couldn't take anymore of Detroits "latest and greatest"

 

The 6.0 did that to a lot of good techs…

 

Thought it was called camshaft sensor? It came with a used one in the glove box, swapped it out in the dealership parking lot when the boss got there with some tools. Didn’t help, don’t know if it was any good or not, why would a Ford mechanic keep a junk one in the glove box for a spare?

Had to rescue a cousin this summer with his 7.3 along the interstate. Got him back to the shop I work at and figured it was cam/ or crankshaft sensor ( whichever it’s called) he finally got back to Cheyenne and turned out to be the IDM

 

Yeah it monitors camshaft and crankshaft synchronization.

 

Ahh!

 

under the dash right hand corner is a module that gets rained on due windshield leaking. don't remember the name but a replacement is difficult to find as Ford no longer makes them. cranksensor - spare on hand with an 11mm wrench, generally they haven't been that much of a problem on the 2001 on up, but man on the early 7.3 units what a pain. Had a v10 until 4 years ago, for my use it was fine, but the diesel would outshine it, heavy load long distance.

 

Man, I would have sworn it was 10mm, but I've only done it once, and its been a while...

 

I’m sure it’s 10 mm also

 

Maybe it depends on the year...or if someone done lost the original one, replaced it with a 7/16!

 

My first thought, always carry an extra in the glove box. Crank sensor or cam sensor we all know what you mean.