2003 F350 diesel

FED 387 · 08-06-2015, 09:23 AM

The best MPG on a 7.3 is under 2000 RPM bout 1800 anything over1800-2000 and the MPG begins to go down QUICKLY-- mine has a 3:73 a real slug to get up to 62-65MPH but once your there it goes along nicely--- if it gets real hilly make sure to take it out of overdrive too--FED 387

Mike Pearson · 08-06-2015, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

The best MPG on a 7.3 is under 2000 RPM bout 1800 anything over1800-2000 and the MPG begins to go down QUICKLY-- mine has a 3:73 a real slug to get up to 62-65MPH but once your there it goes along nicely--- if it gets real hilly make sure to take it out of overdrive too--FED 387

I have owned several 7.3 fords. All were awesome trucks and very reliable. All made their best power and fuel mileage above 2000 rpm. I tow a heavy 40 ft gooseneck. My trucks all had 4.10 gears. I have an older 1996 F350 dually w/7.3 that I use for short hauls. We call it the "Farm Truck".

Dave Turner · 08-06-2015, 05:39 PM

Hey Mike, guess I got lucky with my '03 F250. It has over 450K on it and never had the heads off.....now the rust, let me tell you about the rust!!

If you would like a parts truck, it's still in my driveway.

Philip Saran · 08-07-2015, 12:05 PM

As the former owner of a 2004 F350 4x4 4 dr long bed 6.0 I'll tell you my experiences.

Bought the truck in Jan 2006 w/60K on it, at 81K popped the head gaskets, as it was
still under 100K Ford replaced the motor under warranty (when the dealership pulled
the motor and removed the heads they found many of the cylinder walls damaged.
While it was apart I paid about $500 to have the radiator cleaned, hoses and belts
replaced the intercooler cleaned.

At about 135K had the turbo goes south. $1700 to replace. 10 months and 6K miles
later turbo again goes south. Free replacement under warranty. Was told if it happened
again it would be my responsibility. Sold the truck shortly after that.

I still like Ford vehicles, wife has a 2012 Explorer and we now have a 2015 Thor MH w/Ford V10
and my daily driver is now a 2011 Dodge Dakota.

nickh · 08-07-2015, 01:22 PM

Ouch Philip, hoping and keeping my fingers crossed on mine. Had to replace the FICM last month that was $1016.

I heard that that the 06 & 07 models were a lot better on some of the items that had failed in early models.

D Styron · 08-07-2015, 03:02 PM

My 2005 6.0 has 278000 miles and counting. Never had the heads off. No injector problems. I have an 80 hp tow tune, straight exhaust and egr delete. There is a place out of Dallas that will exchange your FICM for $225 + 50 exchange fee. I had mine "rebuilt" , which is just resoldering contacts on the board, by a local TV shop in town for $35.00. I personally would stay away from the early build 03's, but the later 05-07 are not bad at all.

08-06-2015, 09:23 AM	#1
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,429 Likes: 564 Liked 336 Times in 183 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel The best MPG on a 7.3 is under 2000 RPM bout 1800 anything over1800-2000 and the MPG begins to go down QUICKLY-- mine has a 3:73 a real slug to get up to 62-65MPH but once your there it goes along nicely--- if it gets real hilly make sure to take it out of overdrive too--FED 387

08-06-2015, 05:39 PM	#3
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,607 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel Hey Mike, guess I got lucky with my '03 F250. It has over 450K on it and never had the heads off.....now the rust, let me tell you about the rust!! If you would like a parts truck, it's still in my driveway. __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

08-07-2015, 12:05 PM	#4
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 168 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel As the former owner of a 2004 F350 4x4 4 dr long bed 6.0 I'll tell you my experiences. Bought the truck in Jan 2006 w/60K on it, at 81K popped the head gaskets, as it was still under 100K Ford replaced the motor under warranty (when the dealership pulled the motor and removed the heads they found many of the cylinder walls damaged. While it was apart I paid about $500 to have the radiator cleaned, hoses and belts replaced the intercooler cleaned. At about 135K had the turbo goes south. $1700 to replace. 10 months and 6K miles later turbo again goes south. Free replacement under warranty. Was told if it happened again it would be my responsibility. Sold the truck shortly after that. I still like Ford vehicles, wife has a 2012 Explorer and we now have a 2015 Thor MH w/Ford V10 and my daily driver is now a 2011 Dodge Dakota. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado Last edited by Philip Saran; 08-07-2015 at 12:07 PM.

08-07-2015, 01:22 PM	#5
nickh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 839 Likes: 3,774 Liked 694 Times in 206 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel Ouch Philip, hoping and keeping my fingers crossed on mine. Had to replace the FICM last month that was $1016. I heard that that the 06 & 07 models were a lot better on some of the items that had failed in early models. Last edited by nickh; 08-07-2015 at 01:24 PM. Reason: corrected first name spelling

08-07-2015, 03:02 PM	#6
D Styron Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 25 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel My 2005 6.0 has 278000 miles and counting. Never had the heads off. No injector problems. I have an 80 hp tow tune, straight exhaust and egr delete. There is a place out of Dallas that will exchange your FICM for $225 + 50 exchange fee. I had mine "rebuilt" , which is just resoldering contacts on the board, by a local TV shop in town for $35.00. I personally would stay away from the early build 03's, but the later 05-07 are not bad at all.