7.3

Well I went ahead and bought the big pickup truck that I had long been longing for. I finally got to the point where I had seen enough on the internets and was lucky enough to not have to do much driving at all to find a truck in my price range that was what I had in mind. Initially I had a silver truck in mind, but when I went back a week later the dealer had a truck that was the same year, same motor, same price, a nicer interior, and fewer miles. So I signed the papers and was driving home a 2001 crew cab F-350 long bed truck with a 7.3 liter diesel motor on monday night.

I preceded this purchase by perusing the internet message boards by reading all about different Powerstroke engines and decided the 7.3 motor was not all that bad. I couldn't expect to get great fuel mileage, but with enough modifications and care, I might be able to get 20 mpg highway driving and hopefully 15 or so on short farm drives and such. This means adding fuel additives and keeping the oil changed often enough. I may have to do more mechaning on my own also, every oil change that someone else does for me might cost more than 80 or 90 dollars, whereas if I do it on my own, I should only have to spend 50 or 60 and spend the time to do it.

I also have a few modifications that I need to do. First will probably be a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer ball. If I can get a good enough price on a flatbed for the truck, I will go ahead and spend the money to get that done also. After the trailer ball is put in, I need to change the exhaust also. I need to put a larger exhaust on the truck so the exhaust has an easier time getting out. I have read all over the place how the stock exhaust on these trucks backs up some in the smaller 3 inch pipes and a 4 inch exhaust lets that job be done much easier. I have also read about some modification for the fuel tank that lets it fill up easier, a bumper mod for the heating unit so I don't have a loose cord hanging out, and some part I can put on the oil line to help changing the oil move along faster.

I sold my red F-150 to my brother. He was looking for something a bit more reliable at OSU, and he said he would match whatever the dealer offered me. The biggest issue we have had is the radio. I moved faster than I should have, and signed off the truck to his name before getting my satellite radio and equipment out of the F-150. I now have a box of jargon and the stock radio still in my F-350. We had a little back and forth about the subject matter, as he offered to buy my radio, and in the same breath convince me that I shouldn't bother my radio in my new truck. He was however, unwilling to pay me back for my sirius speciallty parts and subscription, so out they came.

times typed "oftern"-1