7.3PSD F-550 Squad

[Ncostello]

For those who've been answering my questions regarding a rescue squad for my VFD... thank you. I've asked about Cat 3116 powered Kodiak ambulances (used) and 6. 5L Chevy diesel rescue trucks (used).



I think I've found a good deal on a new truck. Its a new demo rescue with 400 miles on it. Its a 2002 F-550 4x4 with a 7. 3 PSD. One of the last new 7. 3's left I'd bet. It was built, taken to some shows, but never sold. The dealer is willing to let it go for $50K. I've seen similar new units go for upwards of $75K. We were hoping to buy used for around $35K but this deal seems pretty good. Its the color, size, and body we want. Plus its 4x4, something we really never considered before. 14' rescue body, red with all the chrome goodies.



I'm gonna go test drive and look at it Thursday. I'm kinda glad its a 7. 3L versus the 6. 0. Makes me feel a little better buying a new Ford with the old Powerstroke. I know the ambulances with 7. 3's were always good for 100K miles.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Sounds like a good deal... I work on LOTS of 7. 3L PSD engines, and its a really good engine. Far better than the new 6. 0L. The bottom end in the 7. 3L is very strong, and will last a long time. I've seen very few problems with the mechanics of the motor... A couple of cracked blocks, but thats it. The fuel injection system is decent, but like anything, it could be better.



If you got any questions about the engine or drivetrain, let me know!

 

[C. Harlan]

If you can, I would recommend a 450, just because you can get taller gears, and it may get you to the scene a little faster. My best friend just sold his, and while there was not a damn thing that it could not pull, top end was ~72 MPH. If you go to the Ford Website, and build your own, you can get a better idea of prices to look at. . I am glad y'all found a truck, and wish your department the best!



-Chris-

 

[Ncostello]

Evan... are there any "little" things one could do to help the engine out? Such as better air filter setup or the turbo exhaust downpipe? Are those things I should be concerned about or should I just leave well enough alone? Over time after the engine is broke in I will be willing to do things that will help the engine last a long time.



Is Delo400 ok for Powerstrokes. The other trucks use Rotella but I've read a little about Rotella as not being the best for Powerstrokes.

 

[Ncostello]

Charlan... this truck is a left over (never sold) demo rescue thats already built and ready to go. Since its a 2002 the deal is very good to move it. The gears are 4:88 limited slip. While tall, it does alot of city driving so they won't hurt us. Plus I dont want guys doing much over 70mph at any point. Our big trucks are governed at 68 mph. Any more than that and they would have a tendency to go too fast for their own safety.



I know we could order a 450 with taller gears but the price would go up I'm sure and we'd get the 6. 0 for sure. I'm still not satisfied with their performance. Townships new 450 squad is a 6. 0 and they wont admit to any problems yet. Its an early one too.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Delo is the ONLY oil I will use in a PSD... Actually, its the only oil I use for any diesel engine. Works great, and is fairly inexpensive. In the PSD, I always use a Fleetguard oil filter (LF3630) and Racor fuel filter. No more than 5,000 miles between changes. 3,000 is best. DO NOT use Amsoil in the PSD. I've seen it cause lots of problems.



A better air filter is always a good idea. Are you going to be in any really dusty areas? If so, consider the Donaldson filter upgrade from Ford. It's a little spendy, but works great in dusty conditions. As for the downpipe, it's not as bad as the old PSD (94-97). The one on the truck you're getting is 3" and has unrestrictive bends in it. Works fine for stock power.



The rear end in the F550 is a Dana 135, which is about the heaviext axle I've ever seen in a pickup style truck. It's got a 13. 5" ring gear, plus has a removeable center section, making rebuilds very easy. In the F550, it comes standard with 4. 88 gears, but you can get those replaced at any heavy truck shop. Gears for the Dana 135 are readily available.



One thing you will want to do, is keep an extra CMP (Camshaft Position) sensor with you, plus a 10mm socket to R&R it. If the CMP goes out, which they always do, it turns the truck into a big pull toy. Not fun. The sensor is about $180 or so, and is usually cheaper if you get it from an International/Navistar parts department.

 

[bmoeller]

http://www.fordspecialists.com/



Scroll down for the diesel performance parts. Doug Lewis answers all the tech questions in the Power Stroke Registry (PSR).



Lots of goddies here to- http://www.westerndiesel.com/



I don't have any personal experiance with either place, thought it would help give a starting point.

 

[Ncostello]

Not the best photo... but here it is.



Nice truck... just didn't like the body too much. Low quality paint, fit, finish. The doors also smack each other when you open them at the same time. Paint is already knocked off the door edges. Were going to talk with a similar body company and go with roll up ROM doors. This body was built by a commercial utility body builder here in Indiana. I think I'm gonna talk with Stahl or Omaha Standard.



Bad news is that we'll have to go with a 6. 0. This 7. 3 sure ran nice and moved out. This chassis was perfect for what we wanted however.

 

[sdaves]

Squad

Gonna try posting a pic of ours



We rcvd two of these last year and are ordering several more. They are run as ALS ladder tenders. Run all calls. They have PPV fans, two sets of Homaltro tools, hand tools, cribbing, scba's,6kw Smart Power generator, 12k Warn, etc. They were built by EVI out of Florida and fully equipped they were around $135,000 each.



They top out around 75mph. They average about 2k miles/month.



The compartment on top if for stokes, short ladders, pike poles



#ad

 

[sdaves]

Here is a pic of the rear/ side



#ad

 

[Will24]

Woohoo! Another smart company! I enjoy hearing about other companies seeing the light and switching over to Holmatro tools! We have hurst boat anchors on our rescue but our new engine has all Holmatro and two portable pumps, that stuff ROCKS!



-will

 

[sdaves]

I like Homaltro, but mainly because they are lighter and easier to work with. We still have mainly Hurst (around 12-15 sets) and about 4-6 sets of Homaltro's now.

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by Evan A. Beck

DO NOT use Amsoil in the PSD. I've seen it cause lots of problems.

What kinds of problems, Evan?

 

[sdaves]

I have heard of NO problems myself running AMSOIL. There is a hotshot runner in my town. He has three trucks - two 1999 F-550's and 1 2000 Dodge 3500 Cummins. He is running AMSOIL in all of them and has WELL over 500k miles on one Ford and over 400k on the other Ford and Dodge. All he has ever done to the Ford's is maintenance , some sensor replacements, and of course transmissions and other minor stuff. He runs a Gulfcoast bypass filter and I believe 40-50k mile oil change intervals.



He is planning on replacing all three trucks by the end of the year. Plans on buying one Ford, one Dodge and one Chevy/GMC.

 

[Ncostello]

CDaves, you've got what we want. Its just that we've spent all our money on our latest new engine. Besides... for our use, a F-550 with a commercial service body will do the job just fine. We've been using a F-350 with a Stahl body since 1992.



We carry Lukas tools... spreader, cutter, hydraulic ram. They seem to be good tools since we've had them. Lightweight compared to others and they perform flawlessly every time. I do like Amkus and Homaltro too.



I also have a good friend on the Carroll County, GA fire dept. He was a Volunteer Batt. Chief until he moved to our area and joined our department. Then he was moved back (his job) and joined Carroll Co. again. I think he was accepted back on as a Captain or Lieutennent.

 

[amsoilman]

Evan,

Just for curiosity, what problems have you seen in the Ford Powerstroke while using the Amsoil engine oils? I have many Ford Powerstroke customers using this oil and NONE have had any problems at all. One of them now has over 200,000 on his 97 Powerstroke with no problems at all.



I have heard of some oils that will "foam" and cause the injectors to miss-fire after several thousand miles on the oil, but most of this was due to the silicon"seals" used by Ford. It was determined the "silicon" was leaching into the oil. However after the engines were run for many thousands of miles, the foaming issue went away.



Best regards,





Wayne