1982 Kenworth K-100

No longer is the 7.3 popular (or made, it seems). It was replaced by the 6.0 in the last decade because people had new emissions rules and also wanted more fuel economy.

But it was popular. So popular there are more serial numbers for Powerstroke models than any competing diesels at the time. They sold over 2 million of these by 2002.

According to the Powerstroke Hub, “The 7.3L Power Stroke diesel was developed as a the replacement for the aging 7.3L IDI. Although the engines share identical displacements, the designs are of completely different nature and it would be incorrect to suggest that the 7.3L Power Stroke was an evolution of the IDI engine family. The Power Stroke is a turbocharged, direct injection diesel engine produced by International Navistar. The “Power Stroke” trademark belongs to Ford Motor Company, and therefore you will only find the 7.3 “Power Stroke” in Ford applications. The engine is based on International’s model T444E engine, which is identical save for some slight variances specific to Ford’s applications.”

But the 6.0 replacement had a bunch of problems, and there were recalls and it had its problems: blown head gaskets, cracked EGR coolers, failed EGR valves, sticking turbos and bad injectors, just to name a few.

Specs of the Power Stroke 7.3 and 6.0

7.3L Power Stroke:

Displacement: 444ci
Bore: 4.11 inches
Stroke: 4.18 inches
Valvetrain: Overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.5:1
Factory Horsepower: 210hp (1994.5) to 275hp (2003)
Factory Torque: 425 lb-ft (1994.5) to 525 lb-ft (2003)

6.0L Power Stroke:

Displacement: 365ci
Bore: 3.74 inches
Stroke: 4.13 inches
Valvetrain: Overhead valve, 4 valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 18.0:1
Factory Horsepower: 325hp
Factory Torque: 560 lb-ft (2003-2004) to 570 lb-ft (2005-2007)

With the tagline, “Do heads turn when you drive by?”, the RoadWorks company manages to turn heads (and customers) toward their accessories for a wide range of trucks, including the big trucking companies like Kenworth, Peterbilt, and Freightliner, along with companies like Volvo, Hino, and Mack. With such a wide array of options for each model, clients will find just about everything they need to outfit their vehicles, such as visors, panels, trims, lights, shields, and grilles. Whether you’re new to the trucking business or something of a veteran, there are bound to be both useful and exciting accessories you will want to use on your own truck.

I’m the kind of person that likes to see what I’m buying up close before I decide to purchase, and if you’re like me, you can do the same at the shows RoadWorks frequents every year, like East Coast Trucker’s Jamboree, the Hot Rod Power Tour in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. RoadWorks makes appearances coast to coast in the United States, but if you’re not near any of these events, you can also request a catalog to pore through.

Of course, if you’re outside the U.S. and would prefer to visit a showroom, there are international offices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Honduras, Jamaica, and Norway. There are also videos to watch on the RoadWorks website, and contact information should you wish to speak with someone regarding business hours, the catalog, a show, or one of the many accessories you may be interested in purchasing. The new line of accessories for 2018 include grille inserts, DPF covers and cab panels for the International truck brand; fender guards, cab panels, and fuel tank fairings for Western Star trucks; fender trims, drop visors, and cab and cowl panels for the Volvo; bumpers, cab panels and grille inserts for Mack trucks; handle trims, punched intake screens, and cab panels for the Hino brand; hood shields, frame steps, and IFTA panels for Peterbilt; drop visors, grille inserts, and sleeper panels for Kenworth vehicles; and drop visors, DPF covers, and chop tops for Freightliner.

There’s also a gallery going all the way back to the 2004 International 9900ix. It also boasts several photos of newer vehicles, such as the 2017 Peterbilt 389 Flat Top. Looking through the galleries might give you an idea of how much one or two accessories will boost the value and look of your older truck. It might even give you some ideas for an entire makeover of your fleet. It’s worth checking out both the RoadWorks MFG site and the Chrome Crew site to see how the accessories look once fitted on the trucks.

This one is their 2005 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood Flat Top with a 63 inch unibilt, with 22.5 wheels, and a 270 inch wheel base. Equipped with a C15 475 Caterpillar motor and an 18 speed Fuller transmission.

For more from RoadWorks Manufacturing, find them indexed in our vehicles, trucking and RVing directory. You can search for the company’s name and look for suppliers and dealers in an area near you by looking at our regional headers. And to see more trucks, click here.