The OBS Ford F-250 7.3L Power Stroke vs World’s Toughest Towing Test: It Did NOT Go Well! 

I want a complete series of old diesels. Starting from trucks in the 80s

If the brakes don't hold you can always hold those hats out the window to help slow ya down. Love the content guys.

I feel like this truck performed amazing . In the late 90’s I feel like no one expected a heavy duty to tow heavy and go that fast up a mountain in high elevation. Feel like the average driver would of been completely happy towing that load and only going 45 mph.

Should consider doing old gasoline engines as well, like the late 90’s 454,460, dodges 488 v10 fords v10 and GM’s 8.1. Would be fun to watch

Hard to believe how far trucks have come in 25 years! Used to think my Uncle's '99 Ram 3500 24V was a beast.

Keep an eye on that exhaust smoke, I had a very similar scenario happen with my 7.3 which had oversized aftermarket injectors. It got worse and worse as the trip went on, ended up being a sticking injector which left me stranded 400 miles from home.

Second comment.....i see a lot of comments about it broke and they saying "I thought the older trucks was more reliable " people its a 26 year old truck, remember the video of the brand new 2019 ford F250 6.2 gas ike gauntlet when the water pump failed? And after that video i still purchased that truck and love it! The point of the story being more reliable is when people say that is the older trucks from back when are less complex and are easier to fix when they do fail, modern trucks today are way more complicated and are expensive, back then most people can fix them in their driveway, you cannot do that with today's trucks, for example if you get water in the fuel system on a 7.3 powerstroke you just simply drained it out, add fresh fuel and keep going, you get water in the fuel system on a 6.7 it will cost you over 10 grand in repairs.

A truck that age will need repairs from time to time no matter what you do. That's what makes them a great hobby!

We have one at work 97 2wd 350 crew long bed 7.3 with 800k +. We dont use it anymore but it runs great still. Really amazing and nothing ever has been over hauled on the engine.

I drove my 98 Chevy K1500 with 256K miles up this same pass a few weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed for an old truck with the 5.7 liter pulling a 5K pound travel trailer. About the pass's midpoint, it dropped to 45mph and maintained it the rest of the way up. I agree that this is one TOUGH pass for any truck, yet it's fun to see the old ones still have what it takes. :) Thanks for the fun video. :)

I have a 2000 Ford Excursion Limited with a 7.3 and 4 wheel drive, but I’m having transmission work done to it currently. I’ve always loved the 7.3 diesels.

This was such a fun video to watch! I smiled the entire time, Mr Truck and Andrea looked like they really had good time making this video, when Mr Truck said breathe in...breathe out when Andrea was worried about the exhaust temps was hilarious lol! And for the smoke at the end completely normal after a hard pull, the clutch slay cylinder is a easy fix, looking at how dirty the fluid is it was most likely on its way out, overall it was a great result for a 26 year old truck, now let's see a 5.9 12 valve Cummins from the same era do the ike! Again great job guys and keep up the good work!

Great content, guys. Have a '97 F350 CCLB myself and have towed our 7000 pound camper from MI to FL and back to OH. I'd trust my old OBS to go anywhere! Thanks for making the videos.

More older trucks sounds like a great idea for future videos. Great performance on the OBS, loved the tribute to Greta as well 🙂

Great video; I do enjoy seeing these old trucks doing what they were built to do. One thought though on the clutch fluid. It looks like it may have been boiled., this could be the results of the bigger turbo, way more under hood heat. A buddy had a similar problem with a GMC CCKW with a Cummins 4BT swap after a larger turbo was dropped in. But we added a turbo blanket and it really did make a huge difference. to the under-hood temps. No more boiling brake fluid.

Andre freaking out about temps and Mr. Truck is just sitting there like "I remember hauling an old 4430 over this back in '98."

Mr. Truck is full of so much knowledge! Love him and Andre!

Good video, but Andre needs to learn more about EGT’s. Yes, you need to watch them, but the max safe sustained temps for the 7.3 is 1,250°. You seemed pretty stressed out.

I love the sound of the 7.3 working! One of the best. Thanks for the great videos. Don't forget to include the non-turbo's from the late 80's early 90's. Focus on fuel economy there though. They may take a week to get to the top of the Ike. Roman is going to have a fleet of diesels!

As far as what other old truck to test: keep with the same vintage, but seek out a GM 6.5 turbo and 12-valve Cummins of '96-'97 vintage. 190 & 215 hp. Should be interesting.

You guys are hilarious. The effort and the positive attitude and the editing is awesome!! Thank you guys for the videos!

Maybe the long pull at high EGT boiled the fluid in the slave cylinder. Searching for the simple problem first is best. Try bleeding the clutch hydraulic system. More seriously, it could be the pressure plate springs have broken. Andrei had good mechanical sympathy by watching the pyrometer throughout the climb. But he didn't need to be so worried at 1100F EGT. That's just a good workout. Up to 1250F is OK, especially with that much boost on stock tune.

What I see, based on the large number of them still driving around where I live, is the OBS Powerstroke was the way to go for diesel and the OBS Chevy/GMC was the way to go for gas.

These old PS's were known for not running well/smoking when climbing a grade. The computer takes a reading from the MAP/Boost sensor when you first turn on the key and bases all of the fueling on that number. Start the engine at a low altitude and drive higher, you're going to run rich because it was using a calculation for fuel at a lower altitude.

They actually did have a Super Duty prior to 1999. The F Super Duty is a beast. Y'all should get your hands on one

Would love to see a K10 with the 454 Big block on here. The 8.0 magnum was one the smoothest engines i ever ran too

Makes me love my ecoboost even more. This was the engine I compared it to when shopping. Truly amazing what we are doing now.

Transmission is fine, its a ZF. Has a built in oil cooler and pump! Power shift it once moving and get the clutch slave replaced. I agree the smoking is normal after hard pull and especially at that elevation. If you wanted a hilarious test I have a 2007 Ford F350 C/C with the 5.4L and ZF 6 speed. I bet it would pull the Ike slower than that old 7.3L with just our 5100 lb camper on it! It's terribly slow. Keep up the good work with maybe less over dramatization! Thanks.

Great video! We've got thousands of customers with 7.3s getting work done every day, but this was fun to watch. Don't forget the Navistar-equipped Internationals when you start comparing older diesels. The 466, 530, and 570 engines are classics as well!

Awsome video! Looking forward with the followup to get the F-250 fixed. Hoping you do more videos like this. I think a lot of truck guy's & gal's are holding on too there trucks long-term because new trunk prices are so ridiculously higher now.

I love the sound of that powerstroke humming along as it pulls up the mountain.

I agree with Mr. Truck, I love this body style and engine! I was looking for this type of truck for awhile because of it’s reputation. I opted to go with a newer Super Duty diesel with the 6.7 simply because of more modern conveniences, horsepower, and towing capability. I scored a 2017 Black Ops Edition F250 last year with only 54,000 miles on it. I still would like to have a mid-90’s Powerstroke just because the OBS and 7.3L is such an iconic style and sound. Hopefully the shifting problem and dirty fluid is a simple fix. But, with any older vehicle, there’s bound to be problems.

Would love to see the old 8.1 vs the ford v10 vs the dodge v10. And see how they compare to the early diesels

Hey Andre be glad most of the brand new turbo diesel trucks don’t have a pyrometer to monitor they run that hot or even hotter to burn out the dpf

People don’t give modern day trucks enough credit. A 3.5 ecoboost wouldn’t have struggled the slightest doing this. And these used truck prices are just as insane as new.

I'd love to see a V10 take on the Ike Gauntlet!

I'd like to see a 5.9 24v 48RE vs the 5.9 24v with the manual. Or maybe even the 5spd vs the 6spd manual.

I have a mild 12 valve in an ‘87 square body crew cab. It gets driven almost everyday and is used to haul and tow all the time. During the summer it’s our tow rig for a 28’ boat, hundreds of miles away and multiple grades during the summer in 115 degree heat. Truck is on 37”s and has an nv4500. I’ve gone completely through it front to back, has to be reliable for the family. Breaking down in the middle of the desert during summer is not an option. These old trucks are awesome. Don’t go this route unless you enjoy the hobby of working on them and getting them to a condition where they are reliable. Once they are there though, it’s very rewarding and super fun to be able to enjoy the drive of rolling an old school rig. Most will not want to do that but for those that are different, few things are as satisfying. People trip when I hit the remote starter to cool the interior before pulling the boat out of the gas station.

"Roman, are you a religious man?" - Classic Mr. Truck.

Hey you guys should pull Andreas old lb7 duramax up the Ike gauntlet

Yes please more old trucks! There is tons of old pickups out where I live because new ones are so expensive and it would be awesome to see the performance and limits of these old legends. I have a 2000 F250 Powerstoke 6 Speed manual and it would be cool to see something like that in comparison to the OBS. Newer body style vs. OBS!

Dont worry about it, those cluch systems typically use dot 3 brake fluid which is hydroscopic (absorbs water out of the air) so dont replace the fluid in the system few years (no one does) you get rust in the cylinders that take out the seals

The 7.3 can be built to tow well. My 99 4x4 with GT 38 turbo, hybrid, 238 injectors and BTS trans tows great. I have made several trips to Happy Jack AZ pulling a 28 ft triple axle toy hauler weighing around 16k loaded. 18 miles 7% grade 105 plus degrees.

Don’t worry Andrey, 26 year old truck break just by sitting on the driveway, it’s probably a leaking seal. Great video guys Andrey and Mr. Truck great combo.

While Roman was about to sh*t himself. Mr. Truck remained cool, calm, and collected..

Okay let me just say, you are not going to hurt the first gen 7.3L T444E, the only thing you are going to hurt is the zf5 if it’s unhealthy. That’s an 800-1mil mile engine. The 7.3 only needs good oil and coolant, they do not care

I love the 7.3PS, such a great engine. Only problem is you have to start yelling to your passenger when towing up a grade like how y'all were!

I’d like to see some gassers. OBS Chevy with a 454, NBS Chevy with the 8.1, OBS Ford with the 460, and/or a V10 Ram.

Okay next two trucks should be the 7.3L IDI and the 5.9L 12valve.... Absolutely wonderful to see the old trucks make the run!

I had a 97 F350 crew cab auto duality with… a 351w. It was rated from ford to tow something like 7k lbs. The hardest load I ever put behind it was a 6k machine on a 3.5k trailer over sams gap on I26. It might have maintained 35 mph if I wasn’t driving it by the temperature gauge.

Always a good time when Andre and Kent get to do some big rig gear jammin'.😎

Just found channel today. RU-vid played next video randomly. Cool vid,boss. Im am currently rebuilding my 96 f450 psd. Its 90% stripped down. My "princess" is getting everything replaced and upgraded. 9yrs ago I restored the frame and suspension w/4" Skyjacker kit. I actually bought an action camera to record it. If i ever post something, it'll start after I pulled most of it apart, but whatever. I have pics of everything. Nobody's want to watch someone use a wrench.

The slave cylinder probably failed. It takes 5 minutes to bleed. Most new venture trans take a 5mm Allen on the slave or a 10mm wrench for the bleeder.

I want to see a GMT400 OBS Chevy with the big block 454 (preferably the 96+ Vortec port injected engine). My dad had a 96 K2500 454 and it beat my cousins 7.3 Powerstroke pulling a 6k lb trailer up a 10 mile 6% grade. Everybody worships these 7.3 powerstrokes but that injected 454 made it look like a horse-drawn carriage...had way more torque and power, all 3 of us were super surprised. Back in the 80s and 90s, Big Block gas was truly a step ahead of the diesels during that time (except for maybe the 5.9 Cummins).

I love those old 7.3’s. My brother has a 2001 7.3. I have a 2006 6.0 that I’d like to see run the Ike Gauntlet even though people are going to say it’ll break down before it reaches the top. I like that you’re mixing some old trucks into the videos. I like the new trucks, but there’s something special about the older ones and they are more affordable for regular people.

Good part about the diesel and 460 mated ZF’s is external hydraulics. Personally, having been there done that, get a pre-bled setup and completely R&R it. Also, you can get clutch brake assemblies new from ford for 92-97, they wear out and start flexing which causes it to not actuate the hydraulics all the way. Do that and it’ll feel way better too

I've got a 95 suburban with the 6.5 turbo diesel you should try on the Ike gauntlet

Miss having the vent windows for sure! 5.9 Cummins test!

Its just the hydraulic clutch which of all things to go should be cheap. Quit playing up the drama and fix it in your driveway.

I have a good friend who has a 2nd gen dodge with a 24v in it. Believe he said the most he’s ever pulled with it was around 40,000 truck and trailer. He’s got bags on it, and he had the bags aired alllll the way up to level the trailer. He pretty regularly runs up and down the east coast with a 15,000 pound trailer.

I would love to see a 12 valve Cummins. Or a 2018 ram with the manual trans.

Don't fret about the EGT's unless you're in the danger zone. I had my 2003 Ram Cummins in the 1500°-1600°f range for 20 minutes. Had the engine in red line, ECT was 240°, and over speed and over boost on the turbo too. That was nearly 5 years ago, and the truck still runs great.

It breaking was nothing against the Ford at all. It's an old truck that's been modified. GET IT FIXED PLEASE and take us along.

Just so you know, you don't need to take that truck to a transhap for that clutch issue. It's probably a faulty master cylinder or slave cylinder, and you can buy From Luka prebled, preassembled and pre-filled master cylinder line and slave cylinder. It takes about an hour to install

5.9 2nd gen Cummins & Gm 6.5 diesel also a drag race between all 3 would be great

Mr. Truck and Andre are the best combo! I love watching those guys together.

Minute 19:20 - 19:30, you can see the bed twisting in different way than the cab. There is a good reason why old trucks tows way less than new ones. At least in frames and chasis stifness, the improvement is significant. Any way, the time test is extremly prooven in this old OBS! Gorgeus truck!

You didn't break anything. That clutch fluid is a sign of age, and age requires maintenance. Also, open the drivers door, reach in, and pull up on the clutch pedal. If there is a lot of slop there it is a common issue with OBS Fords to destroy the clutch pedal bushings to the point that they literally will NOT fully disengage the clutch. Still one of the greatest trucks ever, just gotta know their quirks. Great video and good luck.

Just have been watching your Videos, Thank you for all of the information! ! have owned 3 OBS's and my present one is a 1996 F250 4X4, 7.3 that I have owned and maintained since new. I will die in it as I am 78 yrs. I have the Ford shop manuals for these. The front fuel tank is 19 Gals. and the rear is 18.2, this is the case in all of the 7.3 4X4 OBS's. The only model that came with the front tank at 22 gals., is the single cab with E4OD and the tank was plastic, as mine has. The rear was steel as most were, although Ford did do some with the rear tank in plastic. I have the original window sticker and Ford always provided a spare unless you deleted it. Also it came with a rear bumper, I agree the the bumper on yours is an aftermarket, as the Ford provided one with the rubber molding on top, which can be ordered on line. As far as the turbo after cooler goes, it it a Banks unit, the best out there in my opinion! Gale Banks out of Los Angles has been making turbos since the 50's. It system is not totally complete as there were primarily designed for the E4OD's and had a transmission electrical devise to adjust the shifting points for the Banks Turbo. I do think that the exhaust system is too large and should use the Banks system, it is a complete system. I have had this system on my present OBS since 1999 and never a problem! In fact is was installed through Ford of Kirkland and came with a Ford warranty.

A clutch master cylinder is an all-round a minor fix. Best to renew the whole lot because of its age.

Next up should be a '96-'98 Dodge w/ 12v cummins & similar year GM with either the gas 454/7.4L or the 6.5TD (might do better w/ elevation?). Then, roughly 10 years newer trucks: '06-'08 powerstroke, cummins, and duramax. Definitely would love to see an '06 LBZ duramax.

I have a 2003 7.3L with 4 speed auto.. I have a switch on dash that i flip to enguage the EBPV, which is usually used at start up in cold weather to help warm engine quicker, which now turns it into an exhaust brake function.. I have not done the Ike but have down grapevine I-5 S, Black Rock Canyon to camp Verde on I-17 N .. A the summit I slow to like 45 mph and push the OD button down shift trans to 3rd,, at about 50 MPH i engage the exhaust brake which will keep speed in control for the most part.. I do need to stab the brake a couple times to keep reduce speed from like 65 to 45.. if you have a 7.3L this is the best mod to do to one.. found the info on fordtrucks forums in the 7.3L forum area.

Not sure about high geared manuals. My 1996 F250 came equipped 7.3/ZF5/4:10 gears. Could have been ordered that way. Was purchased in Bountiful, Ut. In late ‘96

I'd say that old truck faired pretty well considering. Rebuild/slightly upgrade the trans, upgrade the clutch, put some better coolers on and it'll go for a long time more.

Here in the we use these same trucks to pull caterpillar D6 tractor or big 40ft fishing boats

Another great video! I owned one of them with the five shifts. Probably just the clutch slave cylinder, no biggie.

Don't worry about it, Andre. You were bound to break a truck going up/down that hill eventually. It was only a matter of time..

Try doing an old school Gas engine challenge between a Dodge 2500 8.0 V10 vs Chevy 8.1L big block vs ford 6.8 V10 with manual transmissions.

First, a question, where is the EGT probe installed on this truck? If it’s after the turbo, your manifold temps are realistically 250-300F higher under load. Sustained temps above 1280F at the manifold will shorten the life of the 7.3 powerstroke. Hydraulic clutch parts for the super duty trucks are relatively cheap. If the obs uses the same plastic cylinders, I’d replace both the master and the slave, bleed the system outside the truck and then install it. If either master or slave fails, the other isn’t far behind. In my experience the clutch cylinders last about 7-8 years under heavy daily use.

My Dad has a 1995 T100. It's never had a hitch, never towed anything behind it. It has had the bed full, many times, but never towed anything. 5Speed V6, RWD only. I think it had headgaskets, but that's it for work. It's also super low miles... Hoping I inherit it, I want to drop a 6MT in it from my Tacoma, convert it to 4X4, and maybe add ABS. It's still an awesome driving truck, it just hardly gets driven anymore.

I’m glad to see you and Mr. truck back at it I thought you guys had run out of ideas

Many trucks on the 90's when producing more power have isssues holding it under load. Hopefully this old ford can get fixed better than it was stock with the clutch system so you dont have to worry about burning a clutch.

Crazy that my 3.0L ecodiesel makes similar hp/torque

GM 6.2/6.5 turbo (97 and up), Ford 6.9/7.3 NA, Dodge 5.9, Ford 7.3 IDI turbo (if you can find one)

how ironic that lots of people claim the older trucks are more reliable....on one of TFLS first videos testing an old truck; it fails. Lol. Just a funny observation. Great videos as always

PLEASE DO THE 5.9 Cummins same year 97 we have to see how the Cummins does the IKE gauntlet

I’d love to see an Ike with 1 ton GM ‘96-99 7.4L vortec or the later 8.1L.

Fix clutch and try it with more RPM. Good video. Few info errors but not bad.

Love the video. You can safely run 1250 on the egt's all day long. At least you knew to keep the rpms up.

Powerstroke broke?! Who would’ve thought…

Id like to see how the 8.1 compares to the new 6.6 gas

I noticed you said keep the RPM up, In my experience (95 Fummins 12V & 6.7 Cummins) over 2k rpm keeps EGT down but coolant gets hot. (240+). Also, 1150 is not too bad for me on egt, 1300 I start backing off.

I pulled a 16,000 LB travel trailer over the Sierras in my 92 OBS (idi). It wasn't fast, but it got the job done.

I never did anything at elevation but I pulled a 15,000lb trailer for four months straight with a 1999 7.3 going on half a million miles. It was loud and slow but still pulled well

Definitely want to see the 5.9 12v!!!

Woo! Old trucks on the Ike! I'd like to see one of these with a manual and a new 7.3 gas engine swap.

I would love to have one of those trucks. My first job was on a dairy farm back in the mid to late 90's and I remember seeing guys driving these OBS diesels, that no doubt where I got my interest in diesels. Years later I bought a 05 6.0 and while I had to work through the well known issues of that truck man I loved that truck. Unfortunately i was forces to sell it too soon but i recently jumped back into Ford diesels with an 11 6.7. I hope to one day be able to afford a good OBS 7.3 for a toy.

My obs 7.3 smoked like that when I was cooling it down after pulling 14k over hilly terrain it stopped after i idled it for a few minutes my guess is injectors are a little tired

I’ve pulled over 10k in my 1992 f350 w a 7.5/zf5 over i70 into Utah and it never missed a beat temp ran right under normal the whole time

I've got a 460 van. would be interesting to see how it compares. E350 extended. full float axle. C6 trans. pretty much bullet proof. any comments?