Hillbilly Hauler, or.. my first diesel

[milner351]

I've got 2 PSD 7.3's and love both of them. One is a 95 crew cab 1 ton that's like a timex watch, and the other is a 02 crew 1 ton 4x4. Both are auto's but I'm lazy. I parted out an 03 6.0 and 6 speed 1 ton crew to build my 46 diamond T COE and sold that HIGH maintanance hussy engine. It will have a fresh 02 7.3 PSD and auto behind the cab. I wouldn't take for my PSD's and go back to gas for hauling. How about a Grand Prix for a swap like you talked about?

I knew we thought alike - couldn't agree more - I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing your diesel powered hauler!

[BBR]

<----- Not a fan of Monte Carlo's of any year.

[poison gas]

I've got 2 PSD 7.3's and love both of them. One is a 95 crew cab 1 ton that's like a timex watch, and the other is a 02 crew 1 ton 4x4. Both are auto's but I'm lazy. I parted out an 03 6.0 and 6 speed 1 ton crew to build my 46 diamond T COE and sold that HIGH maintanance hussy engine. It will have a fresh 02 7.3 PSD and auto behind the cab. I wouldn't take for my PSD's and go back to gas for hauling. How about a Grand Prix for a swap like you talked about?

[milner351]

dragweek was done and at a record high MPG I'd wager - with a duramax in an SN95 mustang - why not an IH in a chevy?

[Beagle]

I'm sure I'll get a 6.7 if I'm still alive when they get down to the 3000-4000 dollar range. HAHAHAHAHA...

Nobody is gonna touch the 920 pound 7.3 psd in a first gen Monte Carlo? Look at how far back the engine package is in that car. I think it could swallow the mill and still handle okay. I haven't looked much, wonder where the sump is on a PSD. Hmmmm.

/edit - had to look. It's a rear sump... just a heavier 454 minus a few cubes.

[milner351]

Understood Beags - for sure a 96-97 will be cheaper than 98-03 and I do like the looks of those trucks, and the wing windows!

correct Bob - '03 was a split year - 7.3 for the beginning, 6.0 for the rest of the year.

The early 6.0 had issues but were repaired, the later 6.0 were OK - but - they all need EGR delete to live a long happy life, and they're not as "overbuilt" as the 7.3 but they sure are quieter.

The 6.4 is another capable engine and quieter still - but has some EGR issues as I understand, don't hear much about those engines which is probably good -they were the last of the IH / Ford relationship that started with the old IDI NA 6.9 in 1984.
(as I understand it Ford wanted the mighty inline cummins - but they couldn't agree to supply the volume Ford wanted)

The 6.7 is all Ford and a BEAST while being as quiet as any HD gasoline engine. I don't drive those trucks for fear of being hooked on the power and civility and the coil spring front end, improved turning radius, etc.

[Beagle]

Odds are pretty good I'll stay with the old body style. The newer Super Duty is still pricier than I want to spend on a farm truck... but the six speed would probably be nice. The 6.0 needs money spent on it to "bullet proof" it or so I read, and the trucks aren't cheap enough to make that an appealing prospect.

I'm expecting to go from average 20mpg to 15 with the dual rear wheels, and 4.10's wouldn't bother me. I would probably prefer them with the extra weight. The 3.55's in this truck are borderline too steep. It spends a lot to most of it's time with a trailer behind it.

[Deaf Bob]

Is 03 the last year of the good 7.3 PSD? They had both during the changeover for one or two years.. I'm told you wanna avoid the newer motor for a couple years... Can't remember why tho...

[milner351]

hm..... you are certainly driving the least expensive diesel - reg cab.

once you step up to a dually - you're looking at the mack daddy D80 rear and most likely 4.10 gears.

There are very few reg cab duallys and they ride the worst of anything save for a bobtail semi tractor.

Crew cab duallies still bring good money - because they're worth it - seriously - now's the time get a 00 - 03 superduty - you'll get an intercooler, far superior ride, etc. I can't even begin to describe the improvements between the old body style and superduty - the only down side is you can't run old style wheels. I put '06 seats in mine - they bolt right in - and now i have the flip and shelf rear seat.

[Beagle]

put some anti-gel junk in it yesterday, and it stopped a small leak it just developed. I don't know if this means it's out of oil, or the anti-gel junk has alcohol in it and the o-rings just swelled.

I'm thinking about a dually. I'm over the weight limit for my car trailer (7k), time to step up a notch. As much as I've enjoyed this truck, I want a crew cab or at least an extended cab. I thought about doing a swap with an old extended cab I have but it doesn't make a lot of sense when you can get a dually extended or crew cab for not a lot of money.

the really sick part of me says put the PSD out of this truck in a '70 Monte Carlo.

[DanStokes]

I've heard varying opinions on adding ATF - some swear by it and others swear AT it. Seems like everyone on the Benz board thinks they have the right answer. I'm in the "watch and wait" camp.

I run pump fuel with an occasional shot of fuel conditioner (I wait until it's on sale at Advance and buy a couple) and every once in a GREAT while I add a shot of algae killer - separate stuff. I had a tank of algae gunk when I bought the truck so I'm careful about that. I leave my bottle of algae killer at my buddy Dave's shop and we share it.

Dan

[milner351]

most states have a road tax program that allows you to estimate your miles traveled on home brew and pay accordingly...

[Beagle]

I just dump some junk in the tank that's supposed to be anti-gel and every now and then some MMO. Getting busted with pink junk in your tank is not something I want to find out about, although I wonder how long it will be before they come down hard on WVO because it doesn't pay road taxes.

[milner351]

I concur with Dan on this - the dye is added at the refinery and the newer low sulfur stuff is significantly more refined and more expensive to produce....

pour in some ATF then pump in your low sulfur diesel - it's the cheapest additive to replace the lubricity removed with the sulfur - does it really help or just make you feel better? who knows - but the additive industry sure is making a lot of money from the paranoia surrounding low sulfur diesel.

[DanStokes]

From my limited experience with the refining industry, there's a significant difference in the processing required to get the sulfur out of Diesel fuel. Therefore I'm pretty sure that they sell high sulfur (I think it's around 250ppm and higher) fuel for off-road and the slightly different home heating fuel. Jet fuel and kerosene are similar but I have no clue of their sulfur content. Anyhow, you can bet the farm that there's a difference in sulfur content that goes along with the dye color because the high sulfur is cheaper to make. Ten years ago when I was involved with this the dye was added as the trucks left the tank farms and the fuel was still under the control of the refiner - I suspect that this is still the case. Is there ever a screw-up? Probably but not often - it would be too expensive. Remember, we're talking HUGE quantities of all of the above so the cost of keeping track of the different fuels is sort of washed out by the volume.

Dan