[mechanic17]

BTW, I did find out when I changed the fuel filters that the manual primer pump does not screw down, and even though it worked fine it did leak alot on the floor during pumping. I never saw evidence of leaking fuel on the road--none in the oil, none on the ground during idling. I guess its possible it leaks at higher rpms, though I never saw anything underneath--and I checked quite often as the vehicle was new to me. Maybe that's part of the 10 mpgs?

[INJUNTOM]

Picked this one up today. '99 with 222k miles. Has a few issues that my guys can work through here at the shop in between customer cars.

A buddy tols me that he was getting 18mpg with a 7.3 with a power programmer.

I see there's a couple on craigslist for sale reasonablly - an Edge and a Superchip brand. Is one better than the other. Anybody have experience with them? I usually preach not putting anything on one, but if I can use economy mode and get more MPG I may be all for it...

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by INJUNTOM

Picked this one up today. '99 with 222k miles. Has a few issues that my guys can work through here at the shop in between customer cars.

A buddy tols me that he was getting 18mpg with a 7.3 with a power programmer.

I see there's a couple on craigslist for sale reasonablly - an Edge and a Superchip brand. Is one better than the other. Anybody have experience with them? I usually preach not putting anything on one, but if I can use economy mode and get more MPG I may be all for it...

Bullet proof engine and yours has the earlier rods which are more desirable and much more stronger.

Ive had several including 7.3 P-stroke duallie crew cab that did 18 mpg on occasion.

[The Boss]

I've got the Superchips one & it does make a difference, but I'm only getting 16mpg on the highway unloaded with it.

Most of the time I'm running in performance-tow mode, not the full out performance mode.

It's a great truck - your going to love it.

[INJUNTOM]

I already love them. I worked at a Ford ealer for 6 years so I've driven literally hundreds of them. I was there when the 6.0 came out as well as the 6.4 and I never thought either one had the off the line torque of the 7.3

To be honest I was looking at Dodges due to what I percieve as less problems, but I couldn't find a comparable dodge for anywhere near the price range within a 200 mile radius on craigslist. The only comparable Dodge I found the people jacked me around and quit answering my calls. I believe there was something wrong with it and they were looking for an un-knowledgable person to buy it because once they found out I have a shop they quit answering my calls. after a couple days of that crap I called on my cel phone, got and wierd rambling reply, and then stopped answering my cel calls. I took it as a sign top stay away from it.

[INJUNTOM]

Originally Posted by The Boss

I've got the Superchips one & it does make a difference, but I'm only getting 16mpg on the highway unloaded with it.

Most of the time I'm running in performance-tow mode, not the full out performance mode.

Difference in mileage or power?

[INJUNTOM]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

Bullet proof engine and yours has the earlier rods which are more desirable and much more stronger.

Ive had several including 7.3 P-stroke duallie crew cab that did 18 mpg on occasion.

The research I did shows that the ones with a 1/99 or newer production date like mine have larger intake runners as well as no catalytic converter. True?

When did they go to weaker rods?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by INJUNTOM

Difference in mileage or power?

Maybe in mileage but slightly less power and it is supposed to be easier on the transmission. Knock on wood, but I've still got the original trans in mine with 217,000 miles on it.

[INJUNTOM]

Ok, went on my first decent trip in it this weekend. Had to go to Sacramento saturday and sunday, with a little running around here and there in town.

Got 17.5 MPG with the A/C on. Mostly freeway miles at 70 MPH

[ponjohn]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

Bullet proof engine and yours has the earlier rods which are more desirable and much more stronger.

Ive had several including 7.3 P-stroke duallie crew cab that did 18 mpg on occasion.

What year did they change the rods?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by INJUNTOM

Ok, went on my first decent trip in it this weekend. Had to go to Sacramento saturday and sunday, with a little running around here and there in town.

Got 17.5 MPG with the A/C on. Mostly freeway miles at 70 MPH

Impressive!

Is that a 4x4 or 2x4? 3:73 Gears? Is that using the on-board computer or doing the math the old way with the miles/#gallons fill-up to fill-up?

[60man]

Originally Posted by The Boss

I've got the Superchips one & it does make a difference, but I'm only getting 16mpg on the highway unloaded with it.

Most of the time I'm running in performance-tow mode, not the full out performance mode.

It's a great truck - your going to love it.

I bought a old SuperChips and run in Tow Mode. Tried the all out set up and it flys..but would not consider it towing...asking for trouble with my A4OD tranny in my 96 PowerStroke. Towing my 9K trailer+ 2,300K camper I still manage 12 - 15 MPG..used to 16 -18-- I think reduction is due to wind reststance from camper..I think in a diesel it speed that kills MPG...not so much weight ?? My
I have got over 21 mpg dead empty..Honest Injun ) I think the bigger turbo down pipe and cold air box were best upgrades..& synsetic tranny fluid & gear oils. Still have cat converter.
The 7.3's are tuff..

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

What year did they change the rods?

2001 I believe

[INJUNTOM]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Impressive!

Is that a 4x4 or 2x4? 3:73 Gears? Is that using the on-board computer or doing the math the old way with the miles/#gallons fill-up to fill-up?

4X2, 3.73

Checked the old fashioned way using the same pump both times and after a lot of miles to get a good read. Didn't go the full tank load because I was more interested in how it does on long trips first. I'll check it again after a tank or so to get an idea of what it is day to day.

My full size V6 truck doesn't even get that kind of mileage

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by INJUNTOM

4X2, 3.73

Checked the old fashioned way using the same pump both times and after a lot of miles to get a good read. Didn't go the full tank load because I was more interested in how it does on long trips first. I'll check it again after a tank or so to get an idea of what it is day to day.

My full size V6 truck doesn't even get that kind of mileage

Good - that's the right way to do it. My buddy with the 2005 6.0 powerstroke was claiming 22 mpg because the computer told him so - but she lies.

[INJUNTOM]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Good - that's the right way to do it. My buddy with the 2005 6.0 powerstroke was claiming 22 mpg because the computer told him so - but she lies.

When I was at the dealer (small town) I talked to quite a few of these guys that had the powerstrokes and they would talk about how different guys would sit around campgrounds and lie to each other about what kind of mileage and power they were getting out of their respective trucks anyways, then you throw in the fudge factor of computers...

I never did trut those too much. I do know they are better than they used to be. If only we could be decelerating all the time....

[60man]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Good - that's the right way to do it. My buddy with the 2005 6.0 powerstroke was claiming 22 mpg because the computer told him so - but she lies.

My '96 gets 21- 22+ empty (behaving) ...no lie. no computer..checked old fashioned way to. It's a 4X4 Super Cab with tow package & 4.10 gears. I think 4.10's have a better final ratio for towing than 3.73's and get loads moving easier...Empty truck & no towing on trip..I don't think 3.73's can be beat..JMO..

I know when empty I love to jump some ricers & low buck Mustangs... pulls good and the turbo sounds evil..` I baby it when towing...