View Full Version : Thoughts on a 2002 F350 7.3
I'm looking at replacement candidates for my tired 89 F250, and came across a decent deal on a 2002 F350 Crew cab 4x4 with a 7.3. I'm interested to hear opinions from guys who have had similar trucks(known issues, general impressions). I'm not looking for "buy an XXX instead" types of advice, just want to know what to expect if I decide to make an offer on this truck. Thanks in advance![mop]
Best motor ever but be careful in boarder towns the cartels like to steal the f250 and f350.
I was thinking about selling my 2010 f150 and getting an 02 f250 7.3
As far as Fords go...the 7.3 is king.
7.3 is the engine to have. I dont know about any pitfalls that year may have but that 7.3 is the most wanted diesel engine for fords.
milwaukeeshaker
08-04-2016, 15:54
I have a 99 7.3 with 190,000 miles and no issues other than regular maintenance. If you don't abuse the engine, it seems "bulletproof".
Like everyone else said- 7.3 by far the best motor Ford came out with. Also one of the cheaper ones to fix.
99 f250 7.3 here. 99 f350 dually former work truck. Love the truck.
Only complaints
They eat front end components yearly alignments are several hundred dollars.
Rides like a work truck until you put 800# + in it.
Everything you "feel" an issue it feels like the drivers wheel even if it's the passenger or rear wheels all the vibrations feel like left front. Had me chasing my tail more than once.
18 qt oil change.
I have a transition year. Adds some oddities.
18 mpg average no mods not towing. 14.5 city up to 22 highway
10 mpg towing a big heavy trailer.
Only mods are one size larger tire trailer brake control and a 4 pillar pod.
Cam sensors were recalled. Make sure it's been done. Carry a spare with you, and buy it from Ford. Aftermarket ones are junk. Make sure the glow plugs are working, you'll regret it in the winter if you don't. Great engine e, great truck otherwise.
What's the mileage?
SouthPaw
08-04-2016, 16:51
7.3 PS are tractors. Very reliable and others have already mentioned their 'issues.'
Bailey Guns
08-04-2016, 16:57
I had a 94 F350 2x2 dually with 214,000+ on it. Nothing but normal maintenance. Had an 02 for 10 years that I only put 51,000 on. The only issues I had with that truck were alternators. Ford replaced the alternator, with the same POS alternator, 4 times in the first 2 years. Always covered under warranty but a major PITA to get it towed to the dealer plus the downtime that entailed. Bought a high-end aftermarket alternator and never had another problem.
Great motor...pre DEF. If it's a good deal, buy it.
I had an 02' F-250 for nine months and put 20,000 miles on it. It ran great until the transmission went out. Ford rebuilt the tranni and two months to the day after getting it back it blew up again. I got rid of it while it was still in the shop getting another transmission. All of our work trucks or fords though and they handle the abuse great, we have some with over 350,000 miles on them.
dirtrulz
08-04-2016, 17:38
Were the 02 fords still leaf spring in front. They had terrible turning radius. Especially if its a crew cab. Get used to long walks in parking lots.
how many miles - service records?
go for it
My 03 has leaf springs.
Were the 02 fords still leaf spring in front. They had terrible turning radius. Especially if its a crew cab. Get used to long walks in parking lots.
Yes they were
buffalobo
08-04-2016, 19:38
2000 7.3l, 400,000 miles, normal maintenence +2 clutches (I am hard on them, get a Luk)
I will rebuild it when needed, will never voluntarily switch to different model or make.
Post up link if you decide to pass on it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
milwaukeeshaker
08-04-2016, 20:05
Just what seems to be wrong with leaf springs?
milwaukeeshaker
08-04-2016, 20:59
One other thing you might want to know, the F350 has a 4:10 ratio rear end. The F250 comes with a 3:73 standard, the 4:10 is optional. 3:73 is still just great for towing, saves some fuel and engine life, and is wonderful on the highways.
Just what seems to be wrong with leaf springs? They ride a bit rougher than the coil springs. They switched in 05ish. The pre 05's with leafs don't turn as tight. If you've driven a 90's F250 with the twin I beam, its about like that. The coil fronts turn like an old school Bronco. I have to cut super W I D E just to do a U turn on in my work truck. Not a big deal.
milwaukeeshaker
08-04-2016, 23:02
Personally I'm not worried about the ride, I want a truck for the weight hauling, towing, and 4x4 capabilities, that usually means it will be sprung stiff. You either get ride, or capacity, I'm not sure you can get both. I expect a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to ride rough but it's really no big deal, after all I am sitting on a nice soft seat.
My 89 F250 has the turning radius of an aircraft carrier, so that's not a big deal to me. The truck I'm looking at is in good cosmetic condition, 224K on the clock, and the owner says he has full service records. Assuming that checks out, I'll probably make a reasonable offer on it.
Glow plugs and the occasional high pressure oil actuated injector problem but damn good motor
They ride a bit rougher than the coil springs. They switched in 05ish. The pre 05's with leafs don't turn as tight. If you've driven a 90's F250 with the twin I beam, its about like that. The coil fronts turn like an old school Bronco. I have to cut super W I D E just to do a U turn on in my work truck. Not a big deal.
That is because leaf springs are for men, not pansies who want their truck to ride like a car. :)
The 7.3 is King, I still have a 02 F-350 Supercab, 4X4. Dang thing was Cherry tell this last hail storm.
If you like that sound, and I do, then it's the best, although the Cummings from that era is a badass too.
sportbikeco
08-05-2016, 08:54
Id go for a 2005+ super duty with the 6.0 but fix the get cooler. Coils on the front ride way better and you can turn way tighter.
Someone already mentioned the cam sensor. In addition, if this is your first diesel, make sure the coolant is correctly treated to avoid cavitation and replace the stock top radiator hose with the dual alternator hose (ambulance mod). The standard hose runs through the MIDDLE of the serpentine belt, making on the road changes impossible (when I replace my belt, I throw the old one in the truck, just in case). The dual alternator hose runs outside the belt, as anyone with half a brain would run it.
I don't believe Ford actually pulled that stunt to save a few pennies.
O2
Ps. Don't know if the hose is routed the same way on a 2002 as it was on my older F250.
If you like that sound, and I do, then it's the best, although the Cummings from that era is a badass too.
What's a Cummings?
My sister has an '03 on the farm and it seems to get the job done...only issues have been glow plugs and some electrical issues.
Those things have a damn good chassis...personally not a fan of the engine but they get the job done.
SouthPaw
08-05-2016, 11:31
Id go for a 2005+ super duty with the 6.0 but fix the get cooler. Coils on the front ride way better and you can turn way tighter.
Did TFOGGER recently screw you over or something?
The coil springs are a huge improvement but the 6.0's never can run long enough to enjoy them.
cableguy11
08-05-2016, 11:40
2003 Excursion 7.3 4X4...Maintenance wise so far, alternator, passenger side hub, power steering pump, one tie rod went bad, and that is about it. The tranny blew, but that was my fault ;). I did rebuild the fuel bowl, and the turbo myself, replaced all the O-rings as necessary. A lot of supporting mods to build up to a bigger turbo and injectors. That reminds me one injector went bad and I replaced it. Right now I have a check engine code that I have been running down maybe this weekend I will get it resolved. I only use about 12-13 quarts for oil changes. I also replaced one battery when I first got it. Had it going on 2 years and multiple trips down to Texas with no problems.
I only use about 12-13 quarts for oil changes.
For fear of poking a hornet's nest: I never changed my oil. I tested it, replaced the filter and topped off after the filter change. Used Amsoil. Never did a full change (well, not including the full change to Amsoil after break in) and the tests always came back glowing.
O2
cableguy11
08-06-2016, 08:56
For fear of poking a hornet's nest: I never changed my oil. I tested it, replaced the filter and topped off after the filter change. Used Amsoil. Never did a full change (well, not including the full change to Amsoil after break in) and the tests always came back glowing.
O2
The amsoil is on the way as we speak...I switched to Rotella last winter, now going back to 15W/40 vs. 5w/40. I will test it after about 2-3k and see what it looks like. Hopefully just and oil filter and top it off.
Look up bypass filtration if you want to keep your oil research it. The 7.3 can use plugs that cause no flow restrictions
I do cold starts only all winter so I feel the need to dump it
Amsoil-snake oil, same thing.
sportbikeco
08-06-2016, 10:50
Did TFOGGER recently screw you over or something?
The coil springs are a huge improvement but the 6.0's never can run long enough to enjoy them.
Plenty out there with 200k-300k miles on them...
If you fix the egr/oil cooler issue and what causes it (shitty ford coolant that people neglect) you have a good motor. Lots of people blow head gaskets because its easy to tune it with thhe truck stock and have it blow the tires off and haul major ass, obviously not recommended unless you put in strong head studs and square the heads up.
3beansalad
08-25-2016, 10:15
Picked up a 02 EX, 7.3L PSD in 2014. No real issues, but I found a low mileage unit with good service records. I've had to fix wiring on the IPR connector and replace an alternator. Glow plugs done a month before I got it. If it's got the 4R100 service it regularly. Check out powerstrokehelp.com for some great tips on buying and test driving a used PS.
make sure the coolant is correctly treated to avoid cavitation Or run CAT ELC coolant, no need to treat it. That's what I do. There are other coolants that come with ELC in them I'm sure.
Mine is an 01 F250 and just last year I had to do a water pump, for the first time.
I also added the tranny cooler that normally goes on the 06 models to add a bit more cooling for my auto tranny, at the same time that I had it rebuilt at 105,000.
Other than an occasion glow plug replay, oh and I had to take mine in for the CPS recall and haven't had that go out since. Tie rod ends done once also.
I'm nearing 185,000 now. I don't plan on ever buying another 3/4 ton because this one will last my life time.
The CAT coolant won't cavitate and create wormholes in the engine. Cavitation is very bad because it erodes metal.
fportmen45
08-26-2016, 13:27
Did TFOGGER recently screw you over or something?
No kidding. My 6.0l was the biggest POS ever.
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