2003 F350 diesel

Mike Savelle · 08-03-2015, 06:37 PM

Anyone have experience , good or bad with this vehicle for towing, had a camper on it for its life ?

magnumv8 · 08-03-2015, 07:43 PM

That was the first year the 6.0 powerstroke was available....if that is what is in it, avoid it, it will only bring heartache.......

D L Rambo....Stk 1300

Mike Savelle · 08-04-2015, 07:39 AM

what is the problem with this engine, is it one thing or is it everything ?

FED 387 · 08-04-2015, 08:41 AM

HEAD GASKETS---have to pull the cab off the truck to get them off cuz of the head studs engine sits too far back under the cowl--- very expensive repair thousands of dollars-- google them Ford recalled tons of them ended up BUYING BACK thousands of them too---very bad engine!!!! Do your homework on this before you make a very costly mistake--- FED 387

nickh · 08-04-2015, 11:01 AM

I just bought a 2007 F350 4x4 with 6.0. FED is correct, the 07 models seem to have less issues than the early 6.0's. Got 4:30 gears in mine, so I need to go to a taller tire to kill the gear. Motor is taching 2000 rpm at 73 mph.

Bought mine with much of the work already done (110,000 miles)
1. Cold Air intake
2. EGR Delete
3. Tuner
4. Straight exhaust

Had to replace the FICM last month. I have pulled a overloaded (40,000#) gooseneck trailer did not strain it at all. I get 24 mpg on the flat with no high winds, towing 12 to 14 avg.

It does have the heated tailgate option so your hands won't get cold when you push it out of an intersection...

Chris1529 · 08-06-2015, 09:19 AM

If I got 24 mpg, then I'd say the 4.30 gears are about right at least if you live where there are hills and mountains.

2000 rpm at 73 mph is nothing to worry about.

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.

08-03-2015, 06:37 PM	#1
Mike Savelle Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 358 Likes: 100 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	2003 F350 diesel Anyone have experience , good or bad with this vehicle for towing, had a camper on it for its life ?

08-03-2015, 07:43 PM	#2
magnumv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coraopolis, Pa. Posts: 172 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel That was the first year the 6.0 powerstroke was available....if that is what is in it, avoid it, it will only bring heartache....... D L Rambo....Stk 1300

08-04-2015, 07:39 AM	#3
Mike Savelle Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 358 Likes: 100 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel what is the problem with this engine, is it one thing or is it everything ?

08-04-2015, 08:41 AM	#4
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 323 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel HEAD GASKETS---have to pull the cab off the truck to get them off cuz of the head studs engine sits too far back under the cowl--- very expensive repair thousands of dollars-- google them Ford recalled tons of them ended up BUYING BACK thousands of them too---very bad engine!!!! Do your homework on this before you make a very costly mistake--- FED 387

08-04-2015, 11:01 AM	#5
nickh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 668 Likes: 1,824 Liked 219 Times in 96 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel I just bought a 2007 F350 4x4 with 6.0. FED is correct, the 07 models seem to have less issues than the early 6.0's. Got 4:30 gears in mine, so I need to go to a taller tire to kill the gear. Motor is taching 2000 rpm at 73 mph. Bought mine with much of the work already done (110,000 miles) 1. Cold Air intake 2. EGR Delete 3. Tuner 4. Straight exhaust Had to replace the FICM last month. I have pulled a overloaded (40,000#) gooseneck trailer did not strain it at all. I get 24 mpg on the flat with no high winds, towing 12 to 14 avg. It does have the heated tailgate option so your hands won't get cold when you push it out of an intersection...

08-06-2015, 09:19 AM	#6
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,367 Likes: 6 Liked 57 Times in 27 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel If I got 24 mpg, then I'd say the 4.30 gears are about right at least if you live where there are hills and mountains. 2000 rpm at 73 mph is nothing to worry about. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

08-06-2015, 09:23 AM	#7
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 323 Liked 280 Times in 150 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	#9
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,215 Likes: 1,522 Liked 334 Times in 132 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 #1153

08-07-2015, 12:05 PM	#10
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 719 Likes: 158 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.