Say Hello to Blue Bell (Powerstroke content)

After much harassing you guys over the last couple days about tow pig opinions, I went a completely different direction. Meet Blue Bell:

1996 F250XLT Supercab LWB, 7.3L Powerstroke. 231k miles. E40D auto trans with a 10.25" 3.55 open rear diff. It's been in the same family for the past 14 years. The body is a little scruffy - some minor dents, lots of light scratches, rear bumper is bent. Interior is dirty and the driver seat cloth is split in two places, driver's door panel is rough. But the good - Mechanically its solid. It was owned for the last 12 years by a guy who owned a gravel hauling business and drove dump trucks. It's been used like a truck but maintained well by a guy who knew diesels inside and out. There is exactly zero rust on the body anywhere. A/C, heat, power windows, cruise control all work perfectly. New glow plugs and control system in the last year. Nearly new AT, E rated tires. Spray in bedliner. Never been used to tow a fifth wheel, mainly used as the guy's daily driver when he wasn't driving a dump truck. Already has a Drawtite brake controller installed.

The front end is a pretty vague feeling on center and it pulls just a little to the right. It drives well, and it doesn't feel like trucks i've had in the past with worn out tie rods or bushings. It might just be part of how an HD truck feels, I've never driven one much. I'll probably take it to my favorite local alignment shop and get an opinion.

Also, this is my first diesel. I've already bought the oil and filter (RotellaT 14w40, motorcraft fl1995) and will do a fuel filter too, just to make sure I'm starting off on the right foot. The oil looks good, as does the trans fluid. There's an oil change sticker in the window that tells me it's less than 400 miles overdue. Please throw out any advice you can share on care and feeding of the 7.3 turbo.

So what did all this set me back? $3500

Even better, if the gas gauge is accurate I was getting near 20mpg driving 60 mph hilly back roads coming home.

The photos were taken at Dowdell's Knob in west Georgia on the drive home. FDR used to frequent this outlook while spending time at Warm Springs GA for therapy and relaxation. It's a beautiful spot.

Great choice. I almost suggested a diesel when I talked about dads 8k boat being towed behind the 5.4 being a bit taxed but didn't know if you'd be up for it. Front end probably needs to be gone through, they are a little vague ya know cause it's a big truck but yours sounds a bit worn which is to be expected. You'll love it, I loved my 7.3 intercooled truck and my uncle had a sweet white 4 door extended bed 4x4 non turbo 5 speed, probably my favorite truck.

They're typically out of my price range around here, but this guy just bought a Duramax 4x4 and was motivated to move this one. I got it for a grand less than he had it listed.

I really dig it so far. We drove it about 2 hours home and it never missed a beat. Really comfortable too - seats are better than my 97 Explorer. Ride is...truck like, but still good. My lovely wife likes it too. She talked about how cool the engine sounds.

I'll be spending tomorrow cleaning the interior and getting to know her. Might get the oil changed, might not. Got new headlights on order too...for $35 each it's not worth polishing out the old ones.

First suggestion, it's no longer a gas gauge!

Enjoy

spitfirebill wrote: First suggestion, it's no longer a gas gauge! Enjoy

lol. busted.

hey...another quick thought. The dash is perfect in this thing except for one split in the pad about 3/4 of an inc long. Is there any way to keep that split from growing? I use window shades religiously to keep the UV off so I'm not too worried about but can I epoxy that crack or something to keep it from spreading?

Another fun fact: the PO's business was called Dirty Larry's Sand and Rock. On the driver's door the vinyl letters took off paint when they were removed, so if you look close it still says Dirty Larry. Makes me wonder where Crazy Mary ended up...

6.0 intercooler and sd cooler pipes.
Downpipe and exhaust.
6 pos chip.
SAS.
SD IDM.

That's a start....

Ps- panel bond for the crack

There's a guy on u-tube called powerstrokehelp. He's in Georgia, and has a lot of 7.3 maintenance videos especially a couple tricks on changing oil. Good luck, I love my E350 7.3, of course first step in any maintenance is remove air filter housing!

ultraclyde wrote: hey...another quick thought. The dash is perfect in this thing except for one split in the pad about 3/4 of an inc long. Is there any way to keep that split from growing? I use window shades religiously to keep the UV off so I'm not too worried about but can I epoxy that crack or something to keep it from spreading? Another fun fact: the PO's business was called Dirty Larry's Sand and Rock. On the driver's door the vinyl letters took off paint when they were removed, so if you look close it still says Dirty Larry. Makes me wonder where Crazy Mary ended up...

Drilling the ends of the split circular should keep it from spreading.

Nice truck and nice view.

Glad to see you found a good rig! Looks like it'll do the job very well.

I spent ALL day cleaning the interior today. Dirty Larry was really damn dirty. I don't think that poor thing has been cleaned in the 14 years he had it.

I found more small issues, ordered some parts already, and still haven't changed the oil. But at least I don't feel like I need to take a shower every time I get out of the truck.

I think I'll start a build thread just to help me keep track of what needs done and to get input from you guys.

Looks nice. I imagine my old near identical 150 would have been a nice ride if not for all it's rust.

Nice! Mines newer and manual transmission, but they are damn good trucks.

Nice truck. I'm jealous.

The one thing you southern fellas are blessed with is rust free trucks. The only thing us northern fellas got is crack free dashes.

Nice, so jelly. I love that body style. Nice buy.

"Blue Bell"?? Sounds like a name for a pet Holstein! Lol!

Looks good- enjoy!

RossD wrote: Nice truck. I'm jealous. The one thing you southern fellas are blessed with is rust free trucks. The only thing us northern fellas got is crack free dashes.

Actually, the dash on this one is damn near cherry:

But you're right, it's rare.

Edit: Seems Dropbox has stopped rotating my images for some reason....

Nice truck, you will enjoy it. Don't forget about getting the coolant additive, it seems to be a must have for the 7.3L. It is Motorcraft FW-16 or Fleetguard DCA4. Here is a thread with info on it.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/coolant-additive-dca4-how-much-257904/

Nice find. Good resource for these trucks is here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum170/

Mmmmm Blue Bell.

In reply to amg_rx7:

LOL. I just joined that site, specifically for that forum.

I hope you don't get Listeriosis!