What happened in 1998?

[VTVegiPower]

Hey guys, I'm going to buy a 7.3 and convert it very soon. I have found a 98 that I want to buy this week, but I can't figure out why 98s seem to be so damn rare. DFA has a kit listed for a 98 but the forums are 94-97 and 99-03, 98 I have been reading these forums for weeks and have not noticed one member with a 98. Also been searching around the internet for a truck and it is damn near impossible to find a 98 for sale. Anyone got any insight on this? Was there a problem in 98? I know if there's an answer it can be found on this forum.
Thanks

[greasyX]

most were commerical trucks,pre-DI powerstroke sometimes refered to as early 99(i own a 98(4-98)parts truck, not alot super different,smaller turbo,and injectors.I've had my parts truck called early 99 by dealers.The ones I've seem all had XL trim style grille and headlights(actual big light not little bulb.All the ones around here are wreckers, bucket trucks and dually CC.Usaully yellow,white,or orange service colors........greasy

[VTVegiPower]

So you don't see any particular drawbacks to these? Just as good as any other for grease? This one is a black XLT x-cab. Thanx for the fast response and I still want to talk to you about your oil source greasy, I should be needing some large quantity as soon as a month from now.

[VTVegiPower]

curious about your jetta too if it's still for sale

[Fordnut74]

Officially there was no 1998 model year diesel pickup. Theyproduced the 97's a little longer then released next generation "Super Duty series of truck in mid 98 as a 1999 model. In 1998.5 they made quite a few changes including intake, turbo, intake air heater, turbo pedestal, HPOP, Suspension parts, Drivetrain parts, some interior trim parts, and Badging. Pretty much anything made prior to 04/99 is considered an early 99. The easiest way to tell is that on the early 99's there is a V8 Powerstroke badge on the front of the fender. The 99.5 through 2003 7.3 had the powerstroke badge on the door. While for the average user, the changes are minor enough that most won't notice, I still recomend finding a late 99 and newer. Because of the way the turbo sits on the early 99's the fittings for the fuel ports are much harder to access, and requires some minor clearancing for the driver's rear fuel port.

The reason we list a 98 is due to the fact that we sell a fair number of van kits(nothing under the hood, go figure). And for the Vans there was a 1998 model year diesel, wihich actually featured the first of the second gen 7.3. So a 1998 E-series would be treated as a 99 an newer truck. Hope that helps clear it up. If still confused- look for a 7.3 with a door badge, not a fender badge

[VTVegiPower]

The truck I am looking at is definitely pre-SuperDuty. It is the older body style (which I still love) and has the powerstroke badge under the F-250 badge on the fender. Just how serious is the clearancing issue? Will it just be a hassle to install or is the newer 99+ a better motor? more reliable? better for vegi? I can get this truck for a really good deal, but I plan for it to be my daily work truck so I want to make sure of its reliability. If it's just some banged fingers and a little extra swearing on the install I can handle that. A friend of mine already owns a 97 and wants to convert it at the same time I do mine so this is definitely something I want to know more about. Thanks

[Fordnut74]

Ah, ok. You an OBS truck(old body style). Those are a whole different ballgame. I personally really like the looks of thos trucks. In fact when i set out to buy my first truck, That is what I wanted. Prior to the 05's the apearance of super duty's were just "eh". But found a great deal on a late 99 and Vegistroke was born.

So back on track- The first gen psd's have a mechancial 2 stage fuel pump, and actually a true regulated return style fuel system. The mechnica pump pulls fuel from the tank, through thelow pressure side of the pump into the filter, backthrough the high pressure side of the pump, and then feeds the rear ports on the engine, then return from the front ports back through the regulator mounted on the side of the fuel bowl, where there is a bleed back to the fuel bowl, the returns to the tank. There are ways to convert it using the mechanical pump, but they are less than ideal, clutteed and has longer purge times. To do these we basically have two systems. One is upgrading the fuel system to an electric pump style, modifying the stock fuel bowl, and basically emulating the fuel system on the 99 and newer trucks. Once that is done, then the Vegistroke system is a breeze. It is the Stock system changes that is the reason for the extra cost.

[VTVegiPower]

I completely agree with you about the looks of the looks of the pre-SuperDuty, I love them. The first SuperDutys are nice but not the same. So your saying the price you have listed for the turnkey kit for a 97 is including the 600 for the fuel pump upgrades? If you could give me a call @ 802-233-0939 I would really like to talk to you about it. I am planning on buying more than one of these systems from you in the next few months so I want to touch base with you anyway.

[AK-greaseguy]

Old body style! Love them!

Hello just curious if you pursued this truck? I have my 97 in mid conversion, A perfect truck w/ 50000 miles, As far as the engine fittings they were not a problem at all, I did a conversion on a 2002 it took much longer, engine access on the old body style is much better. Drop me a PM if you have any questions.

Mr. Lynn
Eagle River AK

[VTVegiPower]

Hey AK, welcome to the boards. I just saw your post and I was hoping you might be of help when I do my conversion. I did buy the truck (turned out to be a 96 ) , but it was a wreck so I'm still getting it put back together. I wish I had found one with 50,000 on it but this one only has 117,000 with a brand new ford tranny (not reman). The truck should be on the road this week and as soon I know it goes down the road well I'll be ordering my kit. I will be doing an 07 6.0 at the same time and I already thought about how much tighter it looks under the hood. I was tempted to do my install right now while there is no front end and no right fender in the way I do love the OBS, I just wish they had the extra doors for the ex-cab. Good luck with yours and I'm sure I'll be asking you some questions soon.

[AK-greaseguy]

96 good deal!

Keep in touch, I will be converting another 96 real soon, a co worker checked out mine, so it sounds as if he's ready. 6.0 sounds like it could be an electrical ????? down the road. Hope that one goes well. Look to hear from you. :cheers: