The 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty project is all about taking this strong 7.3L engine and creating a fuel-efficient towing machine. With so many 7.3L engines still running strong, we wanted to show that with a few specific upgrades you could take an older Ford and breathe new life into her. At least that's what we told ourselves when we decided to actually search for this truck. What we found was this Super Duty, which we quickly dubbed Big Blue, based on its raised look and color. The first installment of this series started in the October 2011 issue and we're right in the middle of where we want to be with this truck.
Recap
In the May issue we hooked up with Adrenaline Performance in Shelley, Idaho, for a transmission rebuild. Our vision for this 7.3L has us taking Big Blue to the next level and we knew we couldn't get there with a stock transmission. While we had it on the lift we also installed a new rear differential cover from aFe Power that has a 5-quart lube capacity, a magnetic drain plug and a magnetic tipped fill plug for maximum rear-end protection.
To get you all caught up, our project started when we added a boost gauge as well as an EGT gauge from Prosport's Premium series, gave Big Blue new Hankook tires from its Dynapro series as well as added the Off-Road, 326 Gloss Black Machined Face wheels that are part of the V-TEC line from Vision Wheel.
Other quick upgrades included a Diversi-Tech locking hitch, as well as the BedStep and BedStep 2 from AMP Research. Next we added a beefier starter and alternator from Mean Green Industries, an aFe Power intake and exhaust, plus a performance chip from Wide Open Performance.
In the April issue we worked with Powerlabs Diesel in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to install some great products from BD Diesel Performance, including replacing the stock compressor wheel on the turbo and a new wastegate that together give our truck less lag and more boost. Other BD Power upgrades include the addition of the Boost Fooler and the Crankcase Ventilation Kit. We also tossed the stock boots and upgraded to BD Power's Boot & Clamp Kit.