Idi vs super duty

captain720

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I have an IDI and a 1997 OBS 7.3 PSD and I daily the IDI. The PSD is quieter and smoother and makes more power, although it is smokier and idles rougher (my idi idles extraordinarily smooth). In the end we mostly drive IDIs because we are all stubborn in some way and just plain like them. Or it’s all we can afford either way I am and IDI guy who got a really good deal a high mileage psd and I have not been converted yet.
 

Cant Write

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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.
That someone doesn’t happen to have a “van” turbo charger system for sale as well does he/she?

My best friend from grade school bleeds blue and loves PSD. IMO, The cab forward design sure is nice to ride in, but when the hood comes up, this 6’5” guy would choose squares and simplicity every time.

I bought my first Ferd at 41, and he about fell out of his chair. Working on Wally just takes some Waylon and Hank, man if it had a PSD under it I am pretty sure that would switch to Slipknot and Hatebreed and cause me to curse, throw wrenches, and swill whiskey!!
 

rreegg

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On another thread recently (may have been Brian VT's about whether to keep/trade the IDI?) someone said something like "IDIs are best not as a daily and with collector plates" hahaha. I don't agree but certainly understand the sentiment.
At least OP's '94 is turbo, that thing is pretty bada55 and clean imo
They're fine trucks for work, daily, or with collector plates.
As for diesel engines (more IDI than DI) in general I think they'll always be worth it - what other technology can run on veg oil, motor oil, alternative diesels, diesel, gasoline...
For me the expensive considerations of a bigger truck are things like needing two batteries or getting 6 tires with a dually.
 

Farmer Rock

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94turbocrewcab-lb

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I’ve got two batteries now and the 35’s aren’t cheap. I wish the truck was stock hight with a leveling kit but whatever it came with a suspension kit. The truck was my daily driver for a while. Then I bought a diesel sprinter. It’s not comfortable, 28mpg, holds all my tools, quiet and it’s still old enough to not be one big computer. The van cost me $3200!

Now with fuel being $5.65 and my truck being so huge I only drive it when I need to tow..or I feel like driving a truck. I’ve taken it way out in the woods camping, down unplowed service roads, on and on..it’s a sweet truck and I’ll probably just keep it. But PSD prices have been dropping a bit and these old trucks aren’t as heavy duty. But still manage.

I can’t understand why anyone would have to drive a truck everyday. Owning two vehicles doesn’t really make sense but I’ll tell ya..when I was a young carpenter making $11 bucks an hour, showing up to work in an e350 psd abs dirt bike in the back..it was certainly badass..but boy it was a major expense. Only after I sold the van and drove a Jetta for 3 years was I able to really get it together and I bought a nice crew cab 7.3 flat bed..used it for years and years..but never daily driver until the last three years. I filled it at least once a week. Making $50 or hour it wasn’t as big a deal..but I feel bad when I see young guys or 30 somethings like my self driving huge trucks with a lunchbox and trash in the back. The tires are usually bald, they don’t usually fill the tanks due to the cost..they’re spending money they shouldn’t..but I’m not going to stop them..I was similar when I was in my early 20s.

But it’ll be a hard truck to replace, the tractor style motor is nice to work on..I’ll stick with the old beast for now I suppose.

I’ve only got some much to fix up at this point..rebuild the front axle because the inner seal is leaking. Maybe put a flatbed on.

Another thought to a parted IDI, the only reason this truck is in Maine and clean and solid is because people haven’t been driving it in the winter..the previous owners have parked it once the first snow comes. I don’t do that but once my 24v truck is going it’ll probably be a summer queen. Investment right?
 
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u2slow

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I'm thankful i don't drive enough to warrant an econobox car. It would amount to another batch of vehicle insurance, and maintenance I would loathe. My primary driver is a 2wd plane-jane '90 dodge with cummins.

After my powerstroke adventures (95 & 97) I only see the superduties as a rugged rolling chassis; don't care for any of the engines. I prefer the OBS for proper engine bay access, and handsome appearance. I admit to have soft spots for the 460 and Tidi.

I don't think I could justify an IDI rebuild since moving onto the 6BT. I'm definitely an 'inliner' and a turbo isn't optional. What's left of used/runner IDI's is getting extremely tired around here (aside from garage queens). Can't even give away cores, IME.
 

94turbocrewcab-lb

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You know thinking about it..I only drive maybe 6-9k miles a year...I can probably daily drive the truck but again winter time and it’s really not as nice a ride as the 2500 sprinter..the frost heaves and granite boulders pushing out of the roads really suck when you don’t have a load.
 

Nero

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Go big or go home. Get a 9 liter ISL 850, common rail with no emissions. Just a smidge taller than the 5.9 everyone somehow looses their **** over.
 

Poppasmurph

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For mirror options on OBS trucks look into 'Ambulance Mirrors' ...They fit excellent and look good, If you get them outta a scrap yard you are only looking at a half hour woork and less than half the cost of some of these west coast mirrors for sale that dont really match our body lines.
just my .02c
 

Olds64

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I love driving my IDI. When I bought her years ago PSDs were crazy expensive. Plus, good luck finding a 7.3l with less than 350k miles.
 

94turbocrewcab-lb

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If I switch mirrors I’ll go with something that was oem. I see loosing the vent windows or changing much as a big loss in investment..that even comes with swapping motors..I’d like to just stick oem at the end of the day even though my mind wanders.

I’ll look into ISL 850..never looked at it before.
 

Nero

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It'd be interesting to see someone drop one of those in.
A little further break down, there's the ISC, which is a 8.3L,then the ISL, which is technically a 8.9L but they just round it up in the later models. Early gen both C and L were P pump driven, then in the early 2000's they got what's called a CAPS pump. Think hybrid rotary distribution pump that also has an internal 'high pressure rail.' They're good, but the pump can give up the ghost with no warning at times. Later model L's went to common rail, with no Egr or nothing. That'd be a heck'n engine to try and retrofit into something.
 

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