1995 Ford F350 XLT 7.3L turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Great work vehicle that has been dependable

Faults:

Transmission failed at 85,000 miles.

U-Joint at transmission failed at 105,000 miles.

Fuel lift pump failed twice at 78,000 miles and 155,000 miles.

Glow plugs replaced at 165,000 miles.

Water pump replaced at 174,500 miles.

Shocks replaced at 100,000 and 185,000 miles.

General Comments:

Transmission is weakest part of the vehicle. Torque converter is also part of the problem.

Plenty of towing power. This was first year for PowerStroke engine so I expected some problems, but they have been minimal considering the mileage I've put on vehicle.

Will probably get another truck like this in a year or so because I'll be tired of driving same truck for so long (10 years), not for any other reasons.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th September, 2003

1995 Ford F350 XLT Crewcab 7.3 Powerstroke from North America

Summary:

If you want or need a REAL truck, not just a pretty boy road machine... this beast can't be beat

Faults:

My biggest problem has been alternators. I am now on number 5. No one seems to be able to figure out why they all have failed, (except one had bearing failure).

These trucks, (when equipped with the turbo diesel) are notorious for automatic transmission failures at around 40,000 to 60,000 miles, but I am just now beginning to see some shifting problems at 160,000 miles. Ford engineers should be flogged for installing a commercial truck engine rated for up to 35,000 lbs GCVW, in front of a wimpy car transmission. They can talk up the E4OD all they want, but is is still just a car transmission. I have spent much time researching adapting an Allison Automatic, (the only real truck automatic transmission ever invented), but since my truck is a 4x4 this is not a bolt-in option.

I am now beginning to notice some front axle suspension components are wearing out. I'm not looking forward to paying for those repairs, although the Hotchkiss Live axle system is cheaper to repair than the crummy independant suspension systems used on other trucks.

General Comments:

This truck was a terrible kidney buster until I replaced the tires and shocks with aftermarket items.

The engine has pretty bad turbo-lag coming off the line, but it makes up for it in mid range power, (which is astounding). My truck as equipped weighs 7,200 lbs, but can whip most other trucks of much lesser weight and keeps up with cars nicely. When traveling the steep North-eastern Arizona mountains, I set the cruise to 70 or 80mph and I am passing absolutely every machine on the road, (without shifting out of overdrive)! I mean corvetts, Z28's, Dodge V-10's, everything!! It takes the curves like it's on rails and doesn't slow down for any mountain grades.

I love the super heavy DANA-60 front axle which has now been downgraded to a DANA-50 on the '99 and newer trucks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th August, 2003

19th Jan 2004, 21:36

Hi. I work for a Christian organization which does a lot of towing with their 1992 Ford F-350 rollback. We have experienced severe problems with the factory Ford transmission. During the past several of use, we have had to either replace or rebuild the transmission at last every four months. We have tried unsuccessfully to install an Allison automatic transmission. My question is: Is it possible to bolt an Allison automatic transmission behind a 7.3L diesel in a F-350? Any advice would be very helpful. Thank you. Please respond to this at: Unicycler1@aol.com.

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1995 Ford F350 Dually 7.5 Liter from North America

Summary:

This truck will pass anything, but a gas station

Faults:

Since I've only had the vehicle for a little time, not much has gone wrong. The previous owner said that a set of rear brake shoes and gas are all he ever bought for it.

General Comments:

The big 7.5 Liter motor has all the power a person could ever want. The price for this, of course, is frequent stops at the gas station.

The truck rides better than any other truck I have been in. This includes newer models and other brands.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd February, 2003

1st Dec 2004, 08:51

I also have an f350 and mine also can pass anything else, but it can't pass up a gas station. Mine gets about 14mpg which considering the truck is pretty good. My truck has a 351 with 85000k and still going strong.

27th Jan 2006, 23:42

14 mpg? I get 6! What do you do to your truck besides maintain it? I'd like to know because mine is getting really pricey to run.

6th Apr 2006, 08:26

Hey. This is to the guy that is questioning the 14 MPG of the previous owner. Did you notice that he has a 351 in his? I didn't think they even came that way, but with the 460, your 8 sounds just about right. The cost of swapping engines though, would buy lots of fuel.

5th Oct 2006, 08:19

The truck is great. I had the privilege of restoring mine to brand new. I have gotten 14 MPG from the 7.5 liter when gently driving, but as little as 8 when passing people left and right. Sounds great with a dual exhaust, and a cold air intake helps. Other things that help are performance tires and shocks.

Great truck, can tow 15,000lbs no problem.

You can see pics at http://www.picturetrail.com/f350baby

In reply to 1st Dec 2004, 08:51

17th Jun 2015, 03:29

Wow, on this note I have a 1995 F350 Crewcab with the 5.8 in it, getting 11 MPG until I change out the ignition coil from stock to an MSD. Hopefully going to be getting 15 MPG; that is not bad at all. All I have done is a tune up, spark plugs, wires, distributor rotor button, ignition coil, oil change, and dual exhaust; that's about it.

In reply to 5th Oct 2006, 08:19

5th Mar 2024, 05:28

Do you still have this truck? I'm thinking of rebuilding a 1995 Ford F350, 7.5L.