Took a long drive recently, about 250 miles round trip, and only spotted one other truck as old as mine. I drive a 1992 F350 5-speed with 383k miles. It’s funny how my old, rusty flatbed was holding its own alongside much newer vehicles. Of course, even at 75mph, plenty of people were passing me like I was standing still that is just how it goes around here. Here’s to standing out on the road.
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I had a similar experience with my ’91 CC LB SRW 4x4 brick nose a few years ago in the BA. People were checking it out in traffic, and I felt a bit guilty as it puffed a bit of coal while climbing hills in SF. There was a small plume when starting up the hill until the turbo kicked in. I felt like a northern invader from the old days.
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I am familiar with the emotion. I am not going to drive any differently, but I do feel bad for anyone parked next to my exhaust in stop-and-go traffic because I have the fuel dialed up to one flat. If I lug it at all, things can become a little smokey.
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I understand I am in the same area with a ’92 7.3 IDI. But since there are a few lifted and straight-piped trucks around, my stock setup does not really stand out.
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Everywhere I go, people seem to miss the 1990s and ask about my truck.
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I have an '06 6.0, and while it may not be the fastest, it performs well at 80 mph, delivering 12-15 psi of boost that makes acceleration smooth whether empty or towing 15k pounds. Given that new diesel trucks start at $100k and mine is only 12-14k with showroom condition, no rust, factory head gaskets at 275k miles, and similar features to the new models, it’s a great deal. Plus, I can still work on my truck myself, unlike newer models with emissions systems that can be costly to maintain.
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I believed that California did not permit 7.3s. I have heard that it’s for noise compliance, not emissions. Am I mistaking everything? Do you qualify for any kind of exception?
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It was keeping up because no one was trying to race you, any modern vehicle would easily outpace a non-turbo IDI. I am not talking trash, any current vehicle would outperform my Powerstroke 7.3 as well. 
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Yeah, that is true. My buddy has a 7.3 with 400/400 injectors, a compound turbo setup, a cam, and more. It’s fast, but even with all those mods, it still can’t keep up with a modern diesel.
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With that kind of combination, a 7.3 PSD truck ought to have about 600 horsepower. I concur. Put that much effort into a modern vehicle, and you should be close to 1000 horsepower, if not more. Getting a 7.3 to that level without p pumping or a six-figure budget is nearly impossible. I adore mine, but in the last 25 years, the industry has improved significantly.
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Although I really adore my 7.3, I would much rather have these new trucks’ ease of use and power.
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I can’t justify spending at least $40k on a newer model when I already have a paid-off truck that gets the job done, even if it’s a bit slower and cheaper to repair. The new trucks are great, but my current one is mainly for towing my fifth wheel and handling dump or Home Depot runs.
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I can draw from a 7k to an 18k. Going up hills in a trailer with a Kabuto and all of its accessories bothers my old girl. But if I wasn’t constantly moving big objects, I would not get a new truck.
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Yeah, mine is in the same situation. It struggles with grades of 6-7% or steeper. I don’t plan on getting a bigger trailer, so it works for now. If I do decide to upgrade in the future, I would look for a clean 2011-2016 6.7.
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I feel the same way. The 6.7s seem to be pretty solid, in my opinion.
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I am in the Bay Area as well, driving a ’92 turbo IDI. People often see it as a dinosaur, which it definitely is. I do feel a bit out of place with it, and it smokes a little on shifts, but I still love it.
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Well I do love a dinosaur as long as it’s not named Barney. 