I run the dog snot out of my 02 Ex. Cold starts, hot shutdowns, jack rabbits starts, driven like it is stolen. I never lift the hood- goes to the dealer every 3K for carte blanch service.
128000 miles and still very strong. Wouldnt hesitate to run it cross country on a moments notice.....actually....sometimes I do. Its been a good truck...when it comes up for Company trade in..I wont give it back...I am afraid of what I might get as a replacement.

 

well guys/gals thanks so much for the input and today at about 10:00 A.M. by dad decided to buy the truck. it's real nice. it's maroon, four door, 7.3L, automatic, 55K miles. he got it for about $23K with them giving him $14K on his old truck which wasn't but a year old but it was a gasser and just too small. one thing is, i drove it, and it seems way more sluggish than my cummins is. is this usual or not? even if it's not aint my problem it's his truck not mine.
thanks again!

 

They definitely drive different. Seems like you have to put the GO pedal down for the 7.3 to move, CTD just jumps off the line, jumps off 45, 60 and 80 too though.

 

That is not unusual. You have to mash the gas down a little more to get them to go. A programmer will help the pedal be more responsive and the go.

 

thanks that is what i was wondering. but ya i put the pedal into it then it took off but just nothing compares to my CTD. man i love my truck. i did mention to him to get a programmer of some sort but you know im a kid and he's a dad so he don't really care too much about that just so long as it gets the job done.

 

I'm a big fan of the 7.3 and had one in my 92 F250. I would have likely purchased another Ford if they stilll used that powerplant....and missed out on experiencing the CTD. Both great engines.

 

Yeah...I will give ya that. The (stock) Ex's power comes in later on...towing it seems even more noticable. Seems like he made out alright with the purchase price...good luck--

 

All I can say is hidesight view....I bet Ford wishes they stuck with that one...LOL. Sure has given Ford a tarnished name with the 6.0. I worked for a Ford dealer for some years, and I dont have any regrets. The 7.3 is common for injector o-ring leaks, valve cover gasket harness problems(for those unfamiliar, the injectors get power by a harness ran through the valve cover gaskets the gasket is a 2 sided female plug, big $$). And also high pressure lines letting loose.

I have seen 7.3's go very good miles, both highway and offroad. The railroad had a totally beat to snot 00 crewcab, and the intake tubes had 3 lbs of coal dirt laying in them. Go an oil change when they had time, etc etc. 390,000 miles later they still run the crap outa it. Also seen a hotshot with 400,000+ and was there due to a high pressure oil leak.

I wouldnt be afriad of one with a ZF 5 or 6 speed, but as mentioned they come on later than the CTD, so the bottom end torque just isnt as strong.
Both the e4od(early PSD) and the 4r100(later psd) did have thier share of troubles, but the best way to stop it is keeping them cool. I would say 90% of the problems we saw were related to dirty fluid/filters and improper cooling. Also like was mentioned, if towing change the fluid and filter regularly and install a larger cooler, and tranny temp guage.

I had a 92 Pre-PSD, non turbo and it ran decent for 200,000 miles. Power wasnt the best, and although i took care of the e4od tranny, i always wondered when the day would come. i havent looked back, and I dont plan on it.