[PWNstroke]

Wanted to get a thread going on my 2001 F350 SD Dually. Named it Mac after my neighbor who passed and I bought it from his widow. He was decent at maintenance but when I got it for $5,000 last year, it needed some attention. His last few years were hard and the truck was neglected. Hauled cattle and hay, has 257,000 miles on original everything?!

My plans are to remove and replace worn stock items with upgraded or performance parts while keeping this beast plugging along. Towing a boat or SXS’s with a truck bed camper is my purpose for modest upgrades.

I have fixed some small things, pointless in writing about because let’s face it, we’ve all changed oil, coolant, cleaned interior, fixed small sensors and if you haven’t done these, there are plenty of DIY’s to scroll through on the $hitter.

I recently removed a lot of the top side of the 7.3. When I took it into one of my local shops I had them do a $100 full blown inspection. Compression was good but there were a lot of small things that needed attention. Had them change the fan and the ICP sensor. $1,200 later I realized it was time for me to do all my own work because F that shop rate! I come from the VW and motorcycle world so working on stuff isn’t scary. Diesel, that’s new, but not unbearable.

I quickly purchased the S&B intake, fuel bowl refresh kit, EVBP delete, crank position sensors, Beilstein steering damper, Turbomaster, and glow plug relay. I swapped the small stuff but after coming back to town, decided to remove the upper items before our first snowfall so I wasn’t tempted to drive this in our PNW snow.

While waiting for time to begin upgrades, I ended up getting with Clay from CNCFab and ordering the fuel line kit, HPOP line kit, boot kit, and intake plenums. I don’t believe my HPOP is bad but I’d be happy with any suggestions and discussions on upgrades while it’s open, or leave it until it breaks. I understand “what’s your use for the truck” which was covered earlier, but if a later upgrade for injectors and possible turbo/exhaust/fuel bowl delete/fuel delivery needs an upgraded HPOP, I’d rather spend the money now while it’s open.

I will use the truck for work. I am an electrician and will be hauling a mini-x, skid steer, or wire reels. So 700ish miles is our furthest one way (with per diem) work trips. If I’m not hauling, it’s a 1980 Rabbit, or my 1997 Audi A6. 😎

Always open for tips or things a newbie can miss scrolling through these forums. 🤘🏼

 

[PowerStrokeMeF450]

Nice come-up. Seems like you've got a good handle on it. I found a similar deal, $4500 for my F450 flatbed. A lot of bang for the buck with a 7.3 powered truck. Obviously you're on top of maintenance, and mods are mods. Go for it, make some more power and enjoy. You already have an intake, so do a down-pipe/exhaust and a chip, and all the little mods like EBPV and AIH deletes if you want. After that, turbo and injector upgrades if you're still not satisfied. Easy enough. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Jax]

Excellent! Welcome to PSN!

If you are going to keep tracking your progress, this belongs in the Project Log Forum. I'll ask that it be moved there.

 

[Jax]

@PWNstroke - If you are really going to fix up this truck, you need to do a lot yourself! You have come to the right place, because these guys are fabulous!

1. Get FORScan scanning software for Fords (free) and an OBDII reader. Greatest troubleshooting tool ever!
I do not have financial interest in this tool. I just love it. $12 for the 1-year PC license (not necc) and $7 for the android. OBDII reader $20-$60.

2. DO NOT throw parts at it . . . if you must, then make them Motorcraft parts. Ford diesels are quite particular about their sensors.

 

[Jax]

I cannot tell you enough how great these guys are. I had not worked on a civilian diesel, and hadn't even seen a Ford 7.3 when I bought a 99.5 basket case. One helluva ride! So, taking your "looking for tips" for real, I'm chiming in.

Hauled cattle and hay, has 257,000 miles on original everything?!

My plans are to remove and replace worn stock items with upgraded or performance parts while keeping this beast plugging along.

Great Plan! Exactly what I am doing on my 00 Pig. FORScan gives me codes and things to work off.

I recently removed a lot ... $1,200 ... Diesel, that’s new, but not unbearable.

You got this, and we are here to help!

I quickly purchased the S&B intake, fuel bowl refresh kit, EVBP delete, crank position sensors, Beilstein steering damper, Turbomaster, and glow plug relay.

SLOW DOWN ... All sensors should be the expen$ive Motorcrafts. What glow plug relay? You ask a lot for your glow plugs so I went with the most recommended White-Rodgers.

Since the truck is "down", pull the air cooler. Set it somewhere on its side, in a warm place, so it can drain. Both my 99 and my 00 had over a quart of oil in their air coolers. Boiling hot water and some Dawn after it has drained, and slosh it while it is cooling. Rinse well.

Like the Beilstein, I have it on mine. Is yours a 4x4? My 00 was lifted, and I ended up re-doing the entire front end. Lift kits wear out a truck something fierce!.

While waiting for time to begin upgrades, I ended up getting with Clay from CNCFab and ordering the fuel line kit, HPOP line kit, boot kit, and intake plenums. I don’t believe my HPOP is bad but I’d be happy with any suggestions and discussions on upgrades while it’s open, or leave it until it breaks. I understand “what’s your use for the truck” which was covered earlier, but if a later upgrade for injectors and possible turbo/exhaust/fuel bowl delete/fuel delivery needs an upgraded HPOP, I’d rather spend the money now while it’s open.

I love my Dieselsite Adrenaline HPOP, but some people have also strongly argued it is overkill. I see no reason for the fuel bowel delete but would recommend the Hutch and Harpoon mods. Also, assuming you have changed all your filters - keep an eye on your fuel filter. If an o-ring on the injector goes, you will see dark fuel. I had to drop and clean my 99's tank. Draining a little fuel monthly helps you find signs.

I also went with Strictly Diesel's mod and filter kit, - A little more expensive but I wanted to protect my fuel system and newly rebuilt engine.

I will use the truck for work. I am an electrician and will be hauling a mini-x, skid steer, or wire reels. So 700ish miles is our furthest one way (with per diem) work trips. If I’m not hauling, it’s a 1980 Rabbit, or my 1997 Audi A6. 😎

Always open for tips or things a newbie can miss scrolling through these forums. 🤘🏼

Diesel O-rings for quality O-rings. RiffRaff and Strictly diesel have good stuff.

You are going to have a blast! You will know your truck better than anyone else!

BTW -- I highly recommend oil analysis to keep an eye on your truck's well-being. Yeah, it's a little costly for 2 Diffs, engine, transmission, and transfer case, but it will give you the earliest signs that trouble is brewing. You did change your diff fluid, and transfer case fluid, right?

 

[PWNstroke]

Excellent! Welcome to PSN!

If you are going to keep tracking your progress, this belongs in the Project Log Forum. I'll ask that it be moved there.

Yeah I wasn’t sure where to post this. I thought in the performance section because the only parts I’ll be installing with little DIY write ups are going to be “performance.” I’ve noticed some of the other forums for Powerstroke are dead and don’t have a lot of info on the upgraded stuff and actual follow ups on the part.

I don’t care where the thread is at though ✌🏼

 

[PWNstroke]

If you are really going to fix up this truck, you need to do a lot yourself! You have come to the right place, because these guys are fabulous!

Oh I totally understand the forums. I’m on VWVortex, HondaSXS, ThumperTalk, and TheSamba. Combined knowledge is a beautiful thing!

1. Get FORScan scanning software for Fords (free) and an OBDII reader. Greatest troubleshooting tool ever!
I do not have financial interest in this tool. I just love it. $12 for the 1-year PC license (not necc) and $7 for the android. OBDII reader $20-$60.

I don’t have a specific model OBDII reader, but I do have a reader. My 14 vintage motorcycles have Clymer manuals, but 4 of my 9 VW’s use the OBDII.

2. DO NOT throw parts at it . . . if you must, then make them Motorcraft parts. Ford diesels are quite particular about their sensors.

YOURE NOT MY PROJECT SUPERVISOR! Throwing parts at cars was fun when I was young, poor, and the internet wasn’t a thing. Trust me, temperamental cars only liking certain brand of parts was how new VW’s were invented. The benefit of the Ford parts is, my CPS was $38. My Audi and VW branded part was $180 and 160. My 1980 VW rabbit pickup, yeah they invented a specific dry grease for the steering column. For a spray can of it, it was $120.

 

[PWNstroke]

Since the truck is "down", pull the air cooler. Set it somewhere on its side, in a warm place, so it can drain. Both my 99 and my 00 had over a quart of oil in their air coolers. Boiling hot water and some Dawn after it has drained, and slosh it while it is cooling. Rinse well.

I’ll take a look. When I pulled the turbo and boots, they were surprisingly clean inside. I do have a leak on the top of the engine and I’ll be sorting that out when they snow dies off. Inside those Intercooler pipes I didn’t see any oil. I’m looking to upgrade the Intercooler anyway.

Like the Beilstein, I have it on mine. Is yours a 4x4? My 00 was lifted, and I ended up re-doing the entire front end. Lift kits wear out a truck something fierce!.

I won’t be doing a lift kit. I’ve thought about it but thanks to a decade in the Marines, I can’t climb into the lifted crap like before. I have broke my back, severe nerve damage, separated both shoulders, and tore meniscus in my knee. And my dogs won’t be able to jump in the back! It’s a 4x4 with a manual. I will be getting gauges and a pillar pod unless I hear a better argument for the monitor system

I love my Dieselsite Adrenaline HPOP, but some people have also strongly argued it is overkill. I see no reason for the fuel bowel delete but would recommend the Hutch and Harpoon mods. Also, assuming you have changed all your filters - keep an eye on your fuel filter. If an o-ring on the injector goes, you will see dark fuel. I had to drop and clean my 99's tank. Draining a little fuel monthly helps you find signs.

From what I’ve read, the fuel bowl is useless if you run the dual filter, under cab setup. That’s the reason I would delete the bowl. I rebuilt the fuel bowl with diesel o rings products because I had a bad leak when I got the truck. I’m thinking the next time it starts the leak, I’ll get the other setup. As for the tank, I wouldn’t mind upgrading the tank to the bigger capacity but with fuel costs right now, it’s a hard sell for me. Future list…

BTW -- I highly recommend oil analysis to keep an eye on your truck's well-being. Yeah, it's a little costly for 2 Diffs, engine, transmission, and transfer case, but it will give you the earliest signs that trouble is brewing. You did change your diff fluid, and transfer case fluid, right?

I’ll send oil off on a new to me vehicle to see if there is any signs of issues. I have plans for fluid maintenance in the summer. It’s 18* out right now for us so getting anything to drain would take 3 days. Plus I’ll only be posting the performance upgrades here with follow ups on my thoughts or troubles. 🤘🏼

 

[Jax]

Super! BTW, search on videos of "runaway diesel engines". By the weirdest coincidence, the guys were talking about it before my turbo went and blew oil in the intake.

I recognized it immediately and was able to slam it in fifth and kill it. Good to know info.

 

[PWNstroke]

Super! BTW, search on videos of "runaway diesel engines". By the weirdest coincidence, the guys were talking about it before my turbo went and blew oil in the intake.

I recognized it immediately and was able to slam it in fifth and kill it. Good to know info.

I’ve seen a few of those. Also, on my way to work through northern idaho we saw a semi burning itself down because of that. Scary crap for sure!

 

[PWNstroke]

Home, unpacked the boxes, and getting setup for this coming weeknight’s adventures.

 

[Jax]

Is that a bottle of beer?

 

[PWNstroke]

Not just any beer. THE beer. Goose Island. I think this bottle is %15.7 alcohol?