1992 Ford F350 7.3 Crew Cab Long Bed
193,000 miles
7.3 idi NON-turbo. The engine and transmission were rebuilt at 130,000 miles by the previous owner, and the turbo was left out, so the badges on the fenders are incorrect. I have had the truck since October, 2018 and have done quite a bit to it. I have always used Diesel Kleen fuel additive to keep the injection pump lubed, this is considered necessary for long life for these old mechanical pumps with the new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Power windows in front work as they should, hand-crank in back do as well. It’s a pretty nice truck, but it is far from perfect. I’ll detail all known issues below. First though, everything I have done to upgrade/repair.
-Front fenders, hood, roof, and tops of bed rails repainted due to paint failure.
Everything that follows was done within the last 10,000 miles
-Wheels and tires replaced with brand new 35” BFG KO2s, currently 95% tread.
-Front brake calipers and rotors replaced
-Front automatic locking hubs replaced with manual locking Mile Marker units.
-Approximate 5.5” front lift done with a 3.5” reverse shackle kit (with front receiver hitch and tow hook options, powder-coated black), 4”drop pitman arm, 4” drop track bar mount, 6” extended stainless braided brake lines, and Bilstein 5125 shocks all from PMF suspension, along with Super Duty springs off an F450. (Ride quality is night and day different/better from the factory rough ride)
-Redhead power steering box installed, it is ported for a hydro-assist ram , as I was planning on installing that down the road.
-Dynatrac balljoints installed on the Dana 60 front axle.
-Approximate 2” lift in back with two add-a-leafs on factory blocks.
-Air conditioning was repaired/updated to R134 and blows ice-cold.
-New set of OEM Motorcraft glow plugs installed (if you know these engines, those are the only plugs that should ever be installed).
-Oil changed at 180,000 Miles and again at 190,000, used Lucas additive and full synthetic both times, the engine leaked/burned about 3 quarts in 10,000 miles, (pretty good for these old motors) and I sent a sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis after the 190,000 mile change, it came back with a clean bill of health and a recommendation to change the oil a little sooner, so I will be changing it again at 195,000 miles if I still have the truck.
-NFAB full length steps added
-After the factory exhaust pipe failed, I replaced the system from the middle of the cab to the back with a 4” diameter short glasspack, 4’ of 6” pipe, and a mandrel-bent 4” tailpipe. It makes for a unique, deep sound that I enjoy, but I wouldn’t call it quiet.
All the things that make it less than perfect:
-Power locks work on all but the rear drivers side door; that one is manual only.
-Wood center consoles are a little worn in front, and the back one is falling apart. However , the seats are all in very good shape.
-The “Wait To Start” glow plug light does not work, but I have had no trouble just watching the volt meter in the gauge cluster to see when the glow plugs have turned off.
-Cruise control is there, but doesn’t work.
-Horn is there, but doesn’t work.
-The Line-X (installed by the previous owner) is coming off in some spots and should be replaced at some point.
-The inside of the bed is fairly straight, but looks like that of a work truck with scrapes and scuffs.
-Dome light does not work. (cargo light does work though)
-Factory stereo works well, buts it’s the original factory stereo from 1992.