Idi vs super duty

94turbocrewcab-lb

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Hey just a few thoughts I’ve been pondering. I’m about to have my 94 all buttoned up after a few more days tinkering. I have owned many 2000+ 7.3 powerstrokes over the years and I wanted to try out the simple mechanical engine in the idi. I’ve noticed I could my pick of dozens of 7.3 powerstrokes within 5 hours of driving. But finding a solid 7.3 idi was tough. I do enjoy the simplicity and old style of the truck but my super duty felt much more substantial in terms of performance and just being beefier. Things like tow mirrors seem like a luxury now. Pulling a trailer up any hill at 50-65 was never an issue. But the old truck is sweet.

I’m just considering if it’s be worth picking up a superduty to replace my earlier generation 350.

If I need to tow I take the truck otherwise I drive my sprinters.

It just really opened my eyes when it came time to replace my 7.3 idi turbo. Parts weren’t super easy to get and people weren’t familiar with it either.


I’m even questioning is diesel worth the extra price tag. Every vehicle I’ve owned in the past 12 years has been diesel. And I’m willing to stick in there. But I’m happy for some potentially bias opinions!
 

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WrenchWhore

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If money isn't a problem and it's purpose is to tow heavy i'd look into the Superpoopy. I never did but that's because I didn't want to spend that much, I like cheap diesel parts, and I wasn't hauling heavy. The prices seem to have gone down but i'm sure there in the age of "well worn" as well.
 

Black dawg

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What are your complaints with the truck you have? Is it body style related. or IDI drivetrain related?
 

94turbocrewcab-lb

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I like the truck it’s self..cool looking, unique, side vent windows are awesome and this one is very rust free.

I guess I really miss things like tow mirrors..these little dinky ones suck, the drivers position isn’t the best and the idi is just fine but like I said before..the motor it’s self wasn’t easy to acquire..and while looking I came over so many PSD 7.3 they seemed like a dime a dozen. So I had to settle with some part out motor and I have it in now..runs ok..but if it’s messed up for some reason it’s not like I can just get another one.

I wanted an emp proof oil chugger if needed..but sometimes I just think if it’s worth it. The family enjoys the old tractor feel. But it’s not that cheap to replace some of these parts.
 

IDIBRONCO

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I’m even questioning is diesel worth the extra price tag. Every vehicle I’ve owned in the past 12 years has been diesel. And I’m willing to stick in there. But I’m happy for some potentially bias opinions!
I think it's worth the cost of the diesel. Especially seeing that you mostly let the truck sit. If it was a daily driver, then that may be a different situation. As for a biased opinion, stick with the IDI powered truck. They're simpler, have fewer potential issues since they are simpler, and can put out some pretty respectable power with a few mods.
Parts weren’t super easy to get
I guess that's kind of relative. Parts may be harder to find in your area. The trucks are obviously harder to come by since you live in the snow belt.
people weren’t familiar with it either.
This is also true, but that's why we're all here.
These trucks are getting harder to find all over. Even the newest ones are almost 30 years old. Is it worth keeping? That's something that ONLY you can decide in the end. I don't like people telling me how to spend my money, and I don't like telling someone else how to spend theirs. It's easy to spend other people's money and not have to worry about consequences. Just look at Congress for an example of that! -cuss
 

Farmer Rock

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Since you've had first hand experience with both, then you must realize the only benefits to the IDI, are simplicity and cheap parts compared to a Psd or other electronically injected engine.
I say that as a complement, so please, nobody hate me for that.
If anybody understands where you are coming from, it's me,lol.
I kind of did the opposite, but the ending is more or less the same.
I had quite a few IDIs, and loved them all, not one let me down.
However, I needed a 4x4 dually, and wanted a turbo.
I also always preferred the heaviness of a SD truck, though not as classic looking, they are solid in every way.
So I sold off all my IDIs, and abundance of parts (collection), bought me a 99 7.3 6spd dually 4x4.
I was in heaven!
Until I wasn't.....
I wanted to cry the first time I had to order parts.
Everything was crazy expensive, and I started to have electrical problems here and there.
Long story short (er), I got fed up with the crap this truck was built around, so here I am building it myself, as simple as possible, all mechanical drivetrain.
And to add insult to my injury, I am keeping an eye out for another IDI as a daily/beater while I build the 99.
In the end, I'll have the best of both worlds, as far as simplicity and durability, but I never intended on doing any of this.
You know what you have with your truck now, if you see yourself keeping it, my advice is upgrade what you have.
It always seems cheaper to just buy something else setup the way you want it, but it really isn't. Because then you'll have to go through it completely.


Rock
 

Farmer Rock

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When I had my 93, I bought weld in brackets that adapted Chevy tow mirrors while still allowing the wing windows to be used.


Rock
 

lotzagoodstuff

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I've owned both. The performance of the last generation 7.3 Powerstrokes are undeniable: they make really nice power. In all fairness: that's a turbocharged and intercooled 7.3. I think a larger than stock IDI injector pump, a good set of injectors, and a better than stock turbo gets you pretty close to a stock SuperDuty PSD. If you want to turn up a PowerStroke, the performance is fantastic, but bring both your wallets.

One other thing about IDI's: they don't get hotrodded and butchered like PSDs do. If you see a PSD with a chip in it, chances are it's been driven hard. Not saying you can't drive an IDI hard, but most folks who have them aren't speed demons because they typically don't make the same power.

Your truck looks like it's very clean, it's really well optioned as a crew cab F350, and no matter what you do I think it's going to hold it's value. If I was in your shoes, I'd put an upgraded fuel system (injector pump and injectors) and an intercooler in your truck, and get a new set of mirrors. I thought somebody on here put a super nice set of tow mirrors from a Chevrolet onto an OBS and they looked very functional.

If you do all that and it still doesn't make you happy after that, then go buy a SuperDuty.

Good luck whichever path you take.
 

Nero

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When I had my 93, I bought weld in brackets that adapted Chevy tow mirrors while still allowing the wing windows to be used.


Rock
Do you have a link to a diy or pictures? Would consider doing the same on my rig.
 

94turbocrewcab-lb

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You guys are probably right..I do like the simplicity of this truck..I may have found someone with a few spare running motors. Mostly out of e350s..maybe I could get my truck running good enough and swap my turbo and change pump and injectors while it’s out.

I’m not totally set but I’ve had the thought.
 

IDIBRONCO

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Just remember that you won't be able to just drop an engine from a van right into your truck. You'll have to change some of the external parts over first.
 
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