looking for a 3/4 ton ford diesel

[corbinafly]

Anything I should know about the 7.3l PSD. I've never owned or worked on a diesel before. When I go looking what should I look out for?

[xDUMPTRUCKx]

goatmans rig,,,,,,

[GrimmJeeper]

7.3 is one of the best diesel motors ever put into a ford.

[IslanderOffRoad]

7.3 is one of the best motors ever put into a ford.

fixed

[JohnX]

goatmans rig,,,,,,

x2.

Doubt you'll find better for the price.

[gcurtis]

Anything I should know about the 7.3l PSD. I've never owned or worked on a diesel before. When I go looking what should I look out for?

When you get one, on your first service purge the oil from the rails in the head.

Be aware, the trannys in those applications can be troublesome. They typically go at intervals of 70,000 and run about $2500. Get one that has been replaced, otherwise it is going to be your bill. They are sensor controlled (three, if I remember correctly) so if your OD light starts flashing on your shift knob, replace the sensor immediately.

Look out for cavatation. If they haven't put in the additive during service life, there could be issues on down the line. Always use the additive and run a Lucas type product in the fuel.

Other than that, those trucks run for ever and are work horses. I've put a quarter million miles on three of them and they run like champs.

[corbinafly]

x2.

Doubt you'll find better for the price.

Well, I can't afford that, so I'm going to have to find lesser for less.:dunno:

[corbinafly]

When you get one, on your first service purge the oil from the rails in the head.

Be aware, the trannys in those applications can be troublesome. They typically go at intervals of 70,000 and run about $2500. Get one that has been replaced, otherwise it is going to be your bill. They are sensor controlled (three, if I remember correctly) so if your OD light starts flashing on your shift knob, replace the sensor immediately.

Look out for cavatation. If they haven't put in the additive during service life, there could be issues on down the line. Always use the additive and run a Lucas type product in the fuel.

Other than that, those trucks run for ever and are work horses. I've put a quarter million miles on three of them and they run like champs.

Will keep this stuff in mind. Thanks.
Are the 5 speed or 6 speeds better than the autos?

[gcurtis]

Will keep this stuff in mind. Thanks.
Are the 5 speed or 6 speeds better than the autos?

Much. The autos were a pain just based on the electronic controls. They tied them to sensors and they were very particular in the voltage at the injector pump. There are some after market tranny builders that build a stouter unit, however, you never solve the issue that if a sensor goes or IP voltage is off a half volt and shoves the trans in to emergency mode, you increase line pressure and blow seals. We've popped three of those units and they go in a big trans fluid mess. The manuals have none of those issues but might be more difficult to find.