Question for the 7.3 psd owners

Curious what mods you have and what year wildcat you own?

I have a 2000 model year and a dp tuner 40 tow tune. Also ditched the stock muffler for a big walker muffler I got used (yup all about budget mods here).

Anyway we have a 2002 wc 28bh, which claims an 8k uvu. I've thought about moving up to something like a 32qbt someday, but it looks like an additional 1500 lbs, plus looks like a higher profile.

My wc is a good match for my current truck so I wonder what I'll lose by going up. I like being able to do most of my towing in od (talking east coast between va and fl).

Thanks !

I have a 2000 7.3; see my signature for mods. My 29RLBS usually weighs about 11500. The truck handles it perfectly and I plan to keep this truck for awhile.

I have driven a 6.0 (work truck) for 5 years and would never trade my 7.3 for one. I'm in the process of upfitting a new work truck with the 6.7 diesel; let you know how that works out.

The only complaint I have with the 7.3 is the noise; I had to show my wife the fuel cap on the new 6.7 to prove it was a diesel. There is never a doubt about the 7.3 being a diesel.

Bottom line: your 7.3 will not have any problem with an additional 1500 lbs; especially with a DP tuner. Just watch the EGT's carefully.

I have a 2000 and have no troubles with the 40hp tune and pulling my 12.5k 31qbh. I can only maintain about 50mph up 6% grades. Most of the time I don't know it's back there.

Sure the 7.3 makes a bit more noise but at least it's got the sound of a nice big V8!

Thanks for all the replies - I admit I really like my truck but if I could change one thing it would be to make it quieter. But aside from that...

I have noticed that I am egt limited on hills - that the truck will pull harder but I have to back off to keep from melting things. I have considered, should the "need" arise for more power, going to Jody's 60T, tune and installing a 4" exhaust, but right new things are fine.

I guess I really need to weigh my rig to compare with you guys but whenever I think about it we're in a hurry or the kids are melting :).

Curious what gears you're running? I have a 3.73 and do have to pop out of od going up Fancy Gap (I-77) into va. It supposedly maxes at 4.5% grade. Truck will pull it fine at 60+ but I back off to keep temps lower.

FSuperDuty wrote:I have noticed that I am egt limited on hills - that the truck will pull harder but I have to back off to keep from melting things. I have considered, should the "need" arise for more power, going to Jody's 60T, tune and installing a 4" exhaust, but right new things are fine.

Curious what gears you're running? I have a 3.73 and do have to pop out of od going up Fancy Gap (I-77) into va. It supposedly maxes at 4.5% grade. Truck will pull it fine at 60+ but I back off to keep temps lower.

EGT limiting is a way of life if you have a tuner; I travel the Rockies and constantly watch it. If you have the opportunity, you can get Jody to live tune it; might help some. However, best thing to do is just back off a little and go over the pass at 55 instead of 65 or 70; your turbo will thank you and your still outpulling everone else.

3.73's here. I usually lock out overdrive on the passes. If I am driving under 65, OD is too tall, the engine RPM's will be too low and the EGT's will be high.

I have a 2002 with a DP tuner, Magnaflow 4" exhaust and a big air filter (about to go to the Ford AIS). I also have a 4.5" lift with 35" tires and 3.73 gears. We tow a 2005 31QBH. I usually tow in the 60 tow setting on my chip. Travelling through the Rockies I found that simply pulling it out of OD and keeping the RPMs up allowed me to keep my EGTs perfectly fine. Travelling around Texas I can keep in OD and cruise 65-70 mph in the interstate without issue. I love my old 7.3l, but it is LOUD. Time for some sound deadening.

I have to open the window to hear the engine on my Silverado Duramax.