Essay on People with (IDI'S) in Thier Late Teens Early 20s

[Macrobb]

Typical.



I prefer quality over quantity....
And I'll leave it at that.
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???
What's so hard with replacing the fuek system on an IDI?
1. Undo 4 vibration dampeners
2. Pull 8 injector lines
3. Pull supply line.
4. Pull return caps.
5. Remove 8 injectors. If you have an impact with deep socket, this is easy.
6. Install new O-rings on injectors.
7. Install new injectors.
8. Install return caps.
9. Cut return hose to fit, clamp in place.
10. Remove front ip cover plate.
11. Remove 3 5/16 bolts.
12. Remove 3 9/16 nuts holding the IP in.
13. Slide old IP out
14. Install new IP dot to dot.
15. Reinstall 3 nuts, then 3 bolts.
16. Install front cover with 1-minute-gasket
17. Install 8 injector lines, fuel supply line. Leave loose at injector side.
18. Install vibration dampeners.
19. Floor throttle, crank to prime.
20. Tighten 8 injector lines.
21. Warm truck up, see how timing is, adjust accordingly.
Done!

I Think 3 hours is a reasonable estimate if you have your new parts all ready and available.

 

[Nick382]

Id like to know why an n/a over a power stroke if its pre turbo?

I choose a NA 7.3 IDI over the PSD because the reliability/ruggedness primarily, and the cost second. Another reason I choose the 7.3 IDI was the entire engine being mechanical. I wanted wrench time more than I wanted modern amenities, and these trucks (and this community) certainly encourage you to explore troubleshooting and do your own repairs. Restoring the IDI from a neglected work truck to a daily driver I'd trust to drive 500 miles away only cost around $4k including the purchase price.

do you daily drive it?

My truck gets driven regularly for a few weeks, and parked for a few.

do you do maintenance yourself and what was the most frustrating to deal with?

I've done all the work outside of engine timing, and a fuel leak I couldn't fix to save my life.

have you had a bad experience at a diesel shop or garage?

I did! When I got my truck back from the shop, it was STILL leaking fuel, so I didn't feel so bad.

do you use your truck for work or recreation?

A bit of both, primarily recreation. It's mainly been used to transport all my belongings to new homes, or move my motorcycle around. Currently setting it up to carry mowers around.

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[Charlie B]

An upgrade doesn't have to mean replacement. Hint, hint.

Agreed, thought about building up a 7.3idi and trying to swap it in

 

[IDIBRONCO]

The biggest issue that I could see with putting an IDI into a newer truck is that it won't pass emissions. Maybe Arizona's like Kansas and doesn't check emissions.

 

[Macrobb]

The biggest issue that I could see with putting an IDI into a newer truck is that it won't pass emissions. Maybe Arizona's like Kansas and doesn't check emissions.

Idaho(everywhere except ADA county(boise area) doesn't check emissions as well - same with some parts of Washington(rural washington is usually OK). Not sure about Montana, but I'd be surprised if they do.

 

[Mike_42]

Just did my IP this weekend for first time ever and had the old one out and new one in, in about 3 hours. No timing needed, just clean simple swap. Injectors take 20 minutes, another 20 maybe for whole new return line system. You can do injectors, IP and return system along with a nice efuel setup and still be cheaper than a set of psd injectors, far less work as well. When it comes to cost and labor, the psd is far from apples to apples.

 

[Golden Helmet]

The biggest issue that I could see with putting an IDI into a newer truck is that it won't pass emissions. Maybe Arizona's like Kansas and doesn't check emissions.

Arizona requires smog checks on these old diesels. Strange to me that Cali doesn't smog old diesels but Arizona does, but there's more than a few things wrong with both those states so 'eh, what can ya do? I'm moving out there soon and I gotta turn my fuel screw down before I do, it smokes like a freight train here at sea level, no way it's passing smog in the AZ mountains

 

[TurboSurge]

Welcome to OB! This site is way better than the others IMHO.
I’m 23 and my first idi was a 86 F350 that was completely ragged out. Traded my mint 88 Cadillac fleetwood brougham for it. Yes the truck was a pile of hammered crap but I spent many nights parked with girls and the sound of the old Diesel engine makes for a romantic setting.
I wanted the IDI for the same reasons many here have stated. Cheap, reliable, and easy to work on.
I also have had a horrible experience with a shop here in Northwest Arkansas. The main issues I see with the IDI is air intrusion.
I never really use my trucks for hard work anymore cuase I work inside but I will tow the occasional trailer or ,I don’t know, drag my brothers 2017 Dodge 1500 Hemi around

 

[Agnem]

Not your demographic either, but I'll point out that I bought my truck new 35 years ago when I was 20 years old. If they still sold them, I'd still buy one over all the other offerings that are out there, because nothing sold today will be around 35 years from now. I'd almost bet on it.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Not your demographic either, but I'll point out that I bought my truck new 35 years ago when I was 20 years old. If they still sold them, I'd still buy one over all the other offerings that are out there, because nothing sold today will be around 35 years from now. I'd almost bet on it.

I have to agree 100% with you on this one Mel! I feel the same way.

 

[saburai]

Not your demographic either, but I'll point out that I bought my truck new 35 years ago when I was 20 years old. If they still sold them, I'd still buy one over all the other offerings that are out there, because nothing sold today will be around 35 years from now. I'd almost bet on it.

I definitely Bet On It...

 

[david85]

I definitely Bet On It...

Me three...

And aside from reliability, these setups can actually be refurbished from chassis to crank shaft and anything in between. Warranty? I don't need no stinkin' warranty

 

[SebastIDIan]

Most people knocking on PSDs, especially 6.0s have never even driven one, let alone own one. Every year and model will have their shortcomings. It's about finding what's best for YOU.

Sure IDIs are "easy" and "cheap" to fix but what about the 30 year old truck wrapped around it? How many of us can actually say they don't have to constantly work on their trucks or trust them enough to go cross country with them without a bed full of spare parts as opposed to a newer vehicle? Not me for sure.
But that doesn't keep me from loving my IDI for what it is. A cheap, mostly reliable gutless old cranky truck that's given me more than I could've asked from it, while refraining myself from knocking on other brands/vehicles/models.

When I take the wife out to dinner or camping, you'll find me in my 6.0 windows up AC cranking XM blasting hammer down.

When it's time for work at/around the farm, I'll be windows down smiling IDI-ing letting everyone around me

 

[saburai]

Most people knocking on PSDs, especially 6.0s have never even driven one, let alone own one. Every year and model will have their shortcomings. It's about finding what's best for YOU.

Sure IDIs are "easy" and "cheap" to fix but what about the 30 year old truck wrapped around it? How many of us can actually say they don't have to constantly work on their trucks or trust them enough to go cross country with them without a bed full of spare parts as opposed to a newer vehicle? Not me for sure.
But that doesn't keep me from loving my IDI for what it is. A cheap, mostly reliable gutless old cranky truck that's given me more than I could've asked from it, while refraining myself from knocking on other brands/vehicles/models.

When I take the wife out to dinner or camping, you'll find me in my 6.0 windows up AC cranking XM blasting hammer down.

When it's time for work at/around the farm, I'll be windows down smiling IDI-ing letting everyone around me

Well I recently flew to Colorado to pick up a new to me idit 94 and proceeded to drive it to Texas then NY via Florida and other than problems that I accept the ultimate responsibility for, the truck got me where I was going without event. I also have a 1990 220,000 mile truck that I put a new ip, injectors and a turbo on. I also did some remedial maintenance and added supplemental air bags. I have used it to pull a 10k travel trailer back and forth between NY and Florida more than a few times and other than normal maintenance, I've not needed to do anything, it's a rock...

 

[Black dawg]

Sure IDIs are "easy" and "cheap" to fix but what about the 30 year old truck wrapped around it? How many of us can actually say they don't have to constantly work on their trucks or trust them enough to go cross country with them without a bed full of spare parts as opposed to a newer vehicle? Not me for sure.

When they are repaired and maintained correctly, they are stupid dependable, and yes cross country with no tools. Most of these trucks or any older truck after I get them, I spend a lot of time just repairing repairs from previous owners. The 7.3 powerstroke trucks have proven themselves, but the rest of that stuff.....I bet a lifetime of repair tickets on an idi pickup is less in cost than a repair or two on those newer trucks. I haven't owned them (post 03 fords), but worked on them enough to have a valid opinion.