2003 F250 w/7.3 - Montana Owners Club

dsprik · 05-08-2006, 01:47 PM

OK, guys. Caveat coming. I am just curious about this. I know I need a F350, dualie Ford only, or an MDT to legally pull my 3400RL. HOWEVER, I just ran across a 2003 F250, 7.3L (build 9/2002). It is a 4x4 XLT, ext cab, w/ SB. It has 61K on it. It was built, apparently, just before the 6.0 started production, and AFTER they just upgraded the 7.3 with more torque.

The GVWR on the door read a disappointing 8800 lbs, though (although, I realize that with the ext cab/SB, it is a relatively small tv). GAWR (rear) was 6084 lb. I believe similar Chevys had a 9200 GVWR. Do I totally throw this idea out the window? Keep in mind my daily driving situation (for now), and the lack of movement of our Montana for months at a time. I am aware that a slider hitch will be a must.

I can't find the curb weight on this particular setup anywhere. Dealership was closed. I would at least like to see this curb weight to run some figures.

Did I mention that it was a beautiful "Sonic Blue"?

Broome101 · 05-08-2006, 02:08 PM

Dave, I think you will find that you will be fine. The 3400 has one of the lightest pin weights I think that is true so you should be OK with it. If it sages you will need to add air bags to help you out. I towed a 3685FL with 2001 F250 prior to getting my F350. I really , mean really do like the long bed alot I mean alot better than the short bed, due to never having to worry about the cab of the truck.
Why do you think you need a dually? I find my F350 SRW does great no need for dually, and my rig is heavy with heavy pin weight. I think my 2001 GVW was 7500lbs or very close to it, and it was a crew cab. Know my F350 has GVW of 8,800 lbs.
I guess what I am saying is I think it will do fine, but is it at good cost?

dsprik · 05-08-2006, 02:17 PM

The dealer has $24,900 on the sticker. I have bought several vehicles from this guy several years ago. I am not sure just how low he will go. I will need hime to come down substantially from this. I am intrigued by this "limited production" of this shortlived, upgraded 7.3 setup.

Montana Sky · 05-08-2006, 02:40 PM

Dave,
I have to admit I am running at 9600 lbs on my truck with my 3400RL, putting me 400 lbs over the GVWR. This is everything in the coach, me, fuel and hitch. I am at 20,860 lbs combined and the CGVWR is 22,000 lbs for the truck. The towing capacity for my truck is 15,300 lbs and I am not anywhere close to that. Point being my truck has not had any trouble starting, stopping or climbing any hills/grades I have crossed yet. Now I know the folks who have a dually will say different, but I am confident in this truck and what it can do. Find the truck that best suits your needs and budget.

dsprik · 05-08-2006, 02:45 PM

I think your curb weight may be a few hundred pounds over this one, though, Dave. You have four doors, compared to this "Club Cab". Maybe this is a significant difference. I'm not sure. What is the curb weight of your truck? Since I don't know the weight of this one, that would not help though, would it?

Montana Sky · 05-08-2006, 02:55 PM

Dave,
Curb weight on my truck is 6,496 lbs according to my registration for the state.

virgil47 · 05-08-2006, 03:01 PM

Dave,
That truck would be sweet. It would have the electronic dash components as opposed to the analog one and the "upgraded" 7.3 Powerstroke.
Where is SReigle or LightinJack when we need them. I think they would tell you to BUY if you like it. SReigle's pin weight is heavier than your 3400 and he pulls with an F250.

Searchers · 05-08-2006, 03:57 PM

Dave, Take that truck to a scale and have it weighed if you can. I just weighed my truck today with full tanks and myself on board. I'm curious to know what the difference is between my old '95 and the '99-'04 models. I know the '05-'06 models have a higher GVWR but expect the truck is a lot heavier too, eating up a lot of the gain.

My weights are:
Front axle=3940
Rear axle=2940
Total=6880 (Full fuel and me onboard)

dsprik · 05-08-2006, 04:03 PM

I'll check tomorrow to see if I can get a weight. I'm not sure of the nearest scales to there. I can for sure get the weight off the state registration.

Searchers · 05-08-2006, 05:36 PM

Dave, Does your state weigh each individual truck prior to registration or use the manufacturer's specs. We all know how truthful the factory labels are, eh? CA goes by GVWR of the truck to suck all they can out of us.

dsprik · 05-08-2006, 06:14 PM

You know, Don, I just had that very thought a few hours ago. I know how keystone puts weight numbers on their units, then at the scales our mouths drop open. I also wondered how the State of Mich comes up with their numbers. That's a very good question. I'll definitely ask the dealer tomorrow morning.

Still would be great to find a set of scales, though. You know... my brother-in-law works for the County Road Commission. They have several sets of scales that have to be accurate, as they use them in the spring to enforce the spring thaw road restrictions, with fines and jail time. The Sheriff's dept deputizes some of these guys and gives them sidearms... after they have been plowing roads all winter. "What do you mean I hit your mailbox last winter?!" - as he unsnaps his holster. Cuts down on these types of complaints... You probably have to live in these northern climes in the winter to appreciate that one.

OR... if you are snowbird, and come back in the spring to find your mailbox either severely mangled, sitting in your front yard, or totally wiped off the face of the earth.

Cheryl and I came back from a five day trip to Disney the last week of March 2004 to find our mailbox gone. We had gotten about 18" of snow over that time period and repeated plowings. Snow in the ditch was about waste high. I also had a week's worth of mail in there as I did not feel the need to stop the mail (stupid move). After spending a day shoveling, trying to guess the trajectory that the flying metal missle might have taken, I relented and borrowed metal detector from one of my son-in-laws.

We found it in about 5 min NOT where I thought it would be, and buried about a foot and a half under the level snow. Mail was still intact.

Anyway... I will let you know what I find out tomorrow.

Fordzilla · 05-08-2006, 10:08 PM

Dave, nothing more to help you with a definite answer but I would think it will e about 7500lbs as well. And have a GVWR of 8800 Leaving you about 1300 lbs for yourself, wife, tools, hitch, and tongue weight. I think you would be ok pulling it as well. Like Broome stated earlier, if you need to add air bags to keep the truck level.

Wrenchtraveller · 05-09-2006, 02:25 AM

Dave, the 7.3 is my favorite PSD. I had two of them , a 95 and a 2000 and had good luck with both of them.
I had an 04 6.0......... I don't even want to go there but I factory ordered my 05 V10 and so far I love the thing.
Take care and good luck with your truck shopping.

dsprik · 05-09-2006, 04:09 AM

I just checked with the dealer. The registered weight is 5980. It really is a smaller truck. You can imagine a SB w/ only a ext cab. Not that big. But big engine - advanced last generation of the 7.3 L. Of course, it is a F250 SD.

That leaves 8800-5980 = 2820 for everything. That may work. Not sure how that will equalize out on the scales. As I mentioned, the rear axle rating is 6084. I would agree, Ron, that a good set of air bags will be in order. This would be a perfect daily driver.

Does anyone have any idea as to the mileage on the late model 7.3? I know it is helpful with the truck being relatively light.

Montana Sky · 05-09-2006, 05:10 AM

Dave,
I have 2,100 lbs on the kingpin when hooked to the truck. I am pretty loaded up but am not a fulltimer, you could be more or less depending on how you pack and what you keep. I also do not haul more than 1/4 of water in the fresh water tank. If need be I can add water in the rear to "lift" weight off the front end. I am not current on the Ford trucks, but on my 3/4 ton I am not running air bags. Truck does not really squat more than 1.5" or so.

richfaa · 05-09-2006, 11:57 AM

Dave NADA shows 22-26K. The issue that has been discussed in the legal issue. If one has the choice is is a good idea to stay within all the legal weight spec's.Your pin weight will be ok. I figure that we will weigh in at about 13,100LBS.We have been weighing every box of stuff that goes into the 3400. You may be a little over in a area or two as far as legal goes but the truck will do the job and as we have discussed it can be a intrem Tv till you can do better..I pulled over the limit with my previous TT and TV for years with no problem..This time I had the choice so the choice was to stay within legal limits. Don't know what you may do but if if I had a 3400 on order and due in in less than a month and did not have a TV..I would buy this one I could swing the deal..That's just me of course.

dsprik · 05-09-2006, 12:16 PM

Thanks, Rich. I have another dealer that is coming up with a 2003 Chevy D/A. The salesman I talked to claims it is coming in at under $20K. Highly unlikely, unless it is a 2x4 stripped down version with over 100K miles. We'll see.

I drove that F250 7.3 today. I liked the feel of it. Needs new rubber - always a given, a hitch (need to find a good used slider), and a spray in bed liner. I will bring my Blazer to him to evaluate. He saw my P.A. today.

richfaa · 05-09-2006, 02:19 PM

The 7.3L motor was also my favorite.I was devastated when they replaced it with that 6.0PSD.Take a look at the chevy..NADA says 20 to 24K.

dsprik · 05-09-2006, 02:31 PM

Thanks, Rich. The salesman said he had no idea how this Chevy was "dressed".

Charlie · 05-09-2006, 05:11 PM

Dave-
On the milage....I installed a 80HP chip in the computer on my 7.3L and it gets 10-12 pulling a 3295RK. Solo around town about 18, on the highway as much as 21.
I had to add air bags to bring everything level. Before the upgrade everything was 2-3 MPG less.

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