Project: Diesel power

[Dave]

OK, so this isn't really a project thread, but just a record of my trials, maintenance, and any mods I do to my new truck. A quick rundown of the truck and a few pics:
2000 Ford F250
Extended cab, short bed, 4wd w/ manual transfer case
7.3L turbo diesel with 136k on the clock









The first thing I must say, is that nothing this big should EVER move this quickly. It was truly a godsend to pick this thing up, especially considering what I had been driving on my way there (rental car ruckus pg 3). For a truck, I'm impressed with how refined he feels and handles, on top of having more amenities then any other vehicle I have ever owned (holy crap, cup holders AND power accessories!).

I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The engine bay is spotless, a great sign that it has been cared for (these things get dirty quick if you don't keep it up). The interior is in fantastic shape; no rips or tears, everything works, and very comfortable and well thought out. Exterior is in equally great shape, aside from a scratch/ding in the tailgate; the color combination if very attractive and the metallic flake in the blue paint gives it a great sparkle. It was a steal of a deal and I'm positive this big bastard will be capable of doing everything I would ever need from a truck.

This was just a quick introduction to the MM family, I'll post more pics up after I get the chance to wash it and give a little more review after I start driving it some more. I'm already eating my words, in reference to a comment made about not liking trucks enough to want to drive one every day. :-D

[.RJ]

Glad it worked out for you

Whats with the accordian tube intake?

When do you turn up the b00st? :twisted:

[ScottyB]

awesome find Dave. if you ever need to move, now you can just chain your house to your truck and pull it off the foundation :lol:

[CaptainHenreh]

When do you turn up the b00st? :twisted:

Yeah! Diesels are totally different, and take alot more boosty goodness alot better than automobiles.

Awesome purchase Dave. What's it's name?

[white_2kgt]

Nice find man! The engine bay's shouldn't get dirty unless you have a leak or you take it though a big mud hole. 136k, that's just starting to get broken in! Now get a programmer for it and toss another 150hp on the tune!

[Ryan T]

Nice Powerchoke man!

[WRXtranceformed]

Sick truck man! Yeah like Chad said, that engine should last forever. Crank up the boost in that fucker!!!

[Mike]

that

is hot.

:thumbup:

[HaPpYfAcE]

does it have a twin...?

[BLINGMW]

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(shameless plug for previous employer)

[PDenbigh]

Sweet! Congrats man!!!

[Dave]

whew, lotsa replies. Thanks for the congrats, I can't wait to get to drive it some more.

RJ- I have no idea what the deal with the intake is. No additional boost for a while.
Scotty, you have the right idea. Even sitting at a stop light, it seems like I can feel the engine tugging, trying to go!
Rex- No name yet, waiting for a good one to come along.
Chad- yeah, but all engines get a little dirty. This one looks like the PO got a toothbrush out and spit cleaned it while the oil drained during oil changes. Friends don't let friends blow up their new trucks.

does it have a twin...?

Ford made a metric asston of these trucks so probably :-p; I've seen several with my color scheme since I've bought mine. You're the closest thing to a neighbor I have here, so there's a slight chance that you've seen it.
Chan- thanks for the links!

[BLINGMW]

Chan- thanks for the links!

this one's probably more appropriate:

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since we mostly focused on the Dodge, but the Geno's guys have quite a bit of Ford stuff and expertise as well. And they're nice people.

[Dave]

already a member there Chan :-).

[white_2kgt]

[quote="Dave"]Chad- yeah, but all engines get a little dirty. This one looks like the PO got a toothbrush out and spit cleaned it while the oil drained during oil changes. Friends don't let friends blow up their new trucks.

You are not use to non old-n-busted. I've never taken a rag to the mazda6 engine and it's spotless, the expedition isn't but only due to the numerous mud holes, no grime, just burned mud. If I had a 7.3l I wouldn't hesitate to throw a tune on it, those trucks are made for it and really respond well to them. They are so mature the mail order tunes are pretty much fail safe.

[.RJ]

RJ- I have no idea what the deal with the intake is. No additional boost for a while.

The magic boxes I've seen can give you more power and better MPG - the engine is built like a brick shithouse. You arent going to hurt it with an extra 60-80hp and everything I've read about them says they really wake the truck up

[Dave]

OK, I guess I need to quell the little rebellion now :-). I will, eventually, give this truck more power.
The first thing on my list is to fix a couple dumb little things and change all the fluids on the truck. Reliability is absolute number 1 on my list and before I start adding power, it will be in tip-top shape.
Once I have done that, I will put a less restrictive exhaust on it, a better designed intake, and a guage pod with trans temp, EGTs, and boost. Only after this will I consider increasing performance. In the meantime, I need to get a brake controller and learn more about the truck so I can do it right.

Fear not, I know the truck has loads of potential and I intend on using it, but not at even the remotest sacrifice of reliability. And yes, better fuel economy typically does occur when you open up the intake and exhaust with these, as well as more efficient tunes, which is why they are eventually on the list.

[BLINGMW]

This is ludicrous. More power NOW!

[WRXtranceformed]

THat's what's cool about diesels... you can crank up the boost and not worry about a thing. Since diesel engines operate well during detonation, it's like totally fine.... that's the weird thing about diesels, and why they're so cheap to make fast.

[JustinG]

Dont crank it up to much, g/fs dad works at a ford dealership and he said just about every week they get a diesel in with one of those Banks boxes and they need their head gasket replaced. Granted he said every time one comes in its turned onto 5, the highest the knob will go. Just a fair warning, don't let the happy knob get you to happy.