Ford 6.0l

[FFHarrison]

I'm looking to get a Ford SD diesel(used with 160-190K miles)and all i hear is stay away from the 6.0. Anyone on here have one and what is the reliability of them. It will be my daily driver. I hear if you take care of the EGR and Studs your golden. Or can i just make sure that I keep the EGR valve clean. Please help, I have a small budget and last thing i need is for it to be a money pit.

Thanks in advance for any help or input.

[SteveC7010]

I'm looking to get a Ford SD diesel(used with 160-190K miles)and all i hear is stay away from the 6.0. Anyone on here have one and what is the reliability of them. It will be my daily driver. I hear if you take care of the EGR and Studs your golden. Or can i just make sure that I keep the EGR valve clean. Please help, I have a small budget and last thing i need is for it to be a money pit.

Thanks in advance for any help or input.

You may find a lot more info over at ford-trucks.com which is one of the largest enthusiast's forum. They've got a big sub-section just for the 6.0. A few searches over there should yield a ton of good answers for you.

[Htfiremedic]

I have an '03 6.0. I have had to replace the oil and EGR coolers. It cost a few grand, now it's bullet proof, so to speak. Also look at the FICM and consider the $800 replacement cost. I love my 6.0, however, the head bolts and oil&egr coolers are a definite weak link.
If I have to replace my engine, Cummins it is!

[fla-gypsy]

If you have a small budget I would not consider any diesel powered truck.

[FFHarrison]

I'm looking at two now, a 2002 f350(7.3) DRW with 163k, asking 13k and a 2005 f350 SRW with 194k(6.0) asking 12k both are stock. The 2005 is in a lot better shape. I still have to take both to a diesel mechanic to check for codes. I like to take care of my vehicles so PM will be taken care of. I just see a lot of Fords at all the campgrounds we go to, so I'm assuming everyone loves the truck or they have deep pockets or both. I've watched and read about everything I can for the last month and I'm still on the fence. I know that the unhappy owners speak up so you find more bad than good reviews.

[2011 keystone]

The 7.3 is a great motor.

[T11ravis]

I have a stock '05 6.0. Love it.
Have pulled big trailers (7500 lbs. +) all over the SE the past 4 yrs. Had to do the EGR valve right when I bought it but that's it, perfect since.
I add a cetane booster in every tank too.

[DJ85]

My sugesstion is go to a web site like powerstroke.org. I just upgraded a 08 6.4l Ford Superduty. If you can't find your answers there I not sure what your looking for. If the right mods are done to the 6.0 it is nice motor to have. In stock condition the emmisions killed this motor. They are very expensive from a upkeep status as far as maintance stand point fuel,oil and other things seems like nothing is cheap to do.. So I agree that if you on a limited budget them the diesel is proably not the way to go. :banghead:

[T11ravis]

They are very expensive from a upkeep status as far as maintance stand point fuel,oil and other things seems like nothing is cheap to do..

Agreed.
$75 DIY oil changes, $60 fuel filters every 10K miles, etc. Nothing cheap about a diesel.

[hoffbrew]

Find some of my posts here and powerstroke.org on my 6.0, I would look at the 7.3 for sure. I know not everyone has problems with the 6.0 but there are more than less.
Also go to powerstrokehelp.com for LOTS of info. The videos are a must watch. Enjoy!

[2011 keystone]

Agreed.
$75 DIY oil changes, $60 fuel filters every 10K miles, etc. Nothing cheap about a diesel.

I dont mean to sound rude or start anything but where on earth are you paying $60 for a fuel filter and for what truck?
The fuel filters for my 5.9 cummins are like $15



To the OP yes parts are not cheap for a diesel truck but with regular maintance they will last a LONG time.

[FFHarrison]

I have done the math on the routine maintenance and I can handle that, it's the reliability, example: Constant injectors needing replaced every year. I have an 03 avalanche w/ 155k and looking for something that will be my new TV. We are wanting to make long trips and I think a diesel is the way to go for that reason.

Thanks for all your input.

The 7.3 is looking more appealing also easier to work on if I want to do some of the repairs on my own.

[2011 keystone]

We have a 2002 avalanch with a 120k on it nice truck but when we moved from a popup to our TT I wanter something bigger and with alot more pulling power. That is why I bought my diesel truck. I have only had it just short of two years now but I have not had any trouble with it. And a big plus is that it makes towing almost fun.

[DJ85]

Its been awhile since I have done any kind of maintance on the 6.0l but 6 yrs ago it would cost about $65.00 dollars at the dealership I worked at. I do my ownon my 08 6.4l $20.00 dollars for a oil filter. $ 55.00 dollars for oil (15 quarts req). $ 70.00 dollars for fuel filters every 10,000 miles. At 11 miles to the gallon pulling a camper it costs me depending on where you fuel up at anywhere around $80.00 to $100.00 dollars and that around every 250 miles on a 30 gallon tank. I am not complaining so please don't take it like that. Just trying to show you how trying to stay on a tight budget is hard to do unless thats the way you plan your budget. And thats not mentioning the fact if any major work needs to be done to the motor your looking at a cab removel which starts out at around $2000.00. granted the6.0l can be worked on without a cab removel. Like I said earlier the emisions killed the 6.0l motor that and lack of maintance. I will tell you at 160000 he engine is just being broke in assuming it was maintain like it should have been.

[rhagfo]

I have an '03 6.0. I have had to replace the oil and EGR coolers. It cost a few grand, now it's bullet proof, so to speak. Also look at the FICM and consider the $800 replacement cost. I love my 6.0, however, the head bolts and oil&egr coolers are a definite weak link.
If I have to replace my engine, Cummins it is!

The last line of this statement should point you in the right direction.:)

Not all 6.0 were bad or failed, but without a warranty, you should just add $5,000 to the asking price.

I was a Ford man for 45 years, the truck is just a hulk without an engine!

My 01 Ram has 256,000 miles and the engine is still strong, and the body is still in great shape also.

Wow! Cummins are working mans trucks, yes they still cost money to maintain, but no special antifreeze, oil about $15 a gal. three gal changes, every 10,000 miles, oil filter about $6 for a Purolator, to $12 for a MOPAR or Fleetguard. $20 fuel filter every 15k.

Fuel mileage 12 to 20 mpg 12- 13 Towing 11K 5er, 14 to 15 City driving (DD), and 20 mpg empty on the Highway.

I pull 6% and 7% grades at 55 to 60 mph, I have those 6 and 7% grades between me and the coast so we drive them a lot, would not want to do with a gasser.

[LittleJoe]

I will be nice. I will be nice. I will be nice .........:D:D

[FFHarrison]

Little Joe
How many miles are on your dodge. One just popped up on craigslist, its a 04 2500 4x4 w/ 248K miles(original owner). It is super clean, never towed. I know the motors are great but is the rest of the truck going to hang in there.

I know that I'm all over the place as far a a diesel just want to get into a good one for around 12k.

Thanks

[SAABDOCTOR]

Hi just my two cents. i have worked on all 3 brands of diesel trucks. As far as the Ford 6.0 goes i would rather be strapped to an out of control reactor then work on any more 6.0's thank you epa. I know i'll get flack for this. but every day I am on the international auto tech network. and everydaythere is a post for a 6.0 that has a major issue. yes there are issues with everthing made but the 6.0 is #1 duramax and cummins and the other Ford's are infrequent posttings. ok i'll get down from:soapbox: and let the flogging begine:dizzy::USA: and people say saabs have problems!!!!

[Cougarfamily]

Leave the engine stock. Chipping it will overstress the head bolts and blow the gaskets. Make sure the anti-freeze is fresh, and change the oil around 5,000mi.

If possible, when test driving, ask to pull a heavy load with it. When I bought mine, everything was fine, until we tried to pull our old TT to Denver to trade four our new 5er. When we started pulling hills, the oil started overheating. After having to turn back, the dealer flushed the anti-freeze and still couldn't find the problem. He finally took it to a bullet-proof dealer/installer and he tested under load, and finally found the problem. The oil cooler had a rare plug that only showed up under load. The pressure must have only stirred-up the sediment when being worked hard. Luckily, the dealer paid for the majority of this bill, which also included cleaning out the turbo that was really suited up. And the turbo brings up another issue. This advice comes straight from the Powerstroke Owners Forum- Do Not Baby the Powestroke, they like to be rid'n HARD. The previous owner had babied it, and thus the suited-up turbo.

I would also recommend adding Diesel Kleen to your fuel every other tank to help keep the injectors clean, since this is also a sticking(literally) point with the 6.0L.

If you just do the maintenance like you should, these are great trucks, and will serve you well, IMHO. I was not disappointed at all when we finally picked-up the 5er a week later. It was real strong pulling mountain passes, and the transmission did a great job hold it back going down. It is my favorite truck that I have owned. I do try, however though, not to drive it everyday due to the obvious reasons of the price of diesel, and oil and filter changes. I also want to keep the miles off her to enable her to last more years.

[davidjsimons]

Little Joe
How many miles are on your dodge. One just popped up on craigslist, its a 04 2500 4x4 w/ 248K miles(original owner). It is super clean, never towed. I know the motors are great but is the rest of the truck going to hang in there.

I know that I'm all over the place as far a a diesel just want to get into a good one for around 12k.

Thanks

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/08/e3y8yty7.jpg
658,000 miles. One transmission rebuild, one injection pump, one starter, two alternators,NO injectors and the original turbo.
Routine servicing is the best advice that I can give you. I change my oil every 5,000 miles, my fuel filter every 10,000, along with the air filter. The transmission is flushed every 25,000 miles. When the fuel filter is changed, I refill it with Sea Foam to clean the injectors and the tops of the pistons. The transmission failure in this truck was actually a broken input shaft. If you spend time under them, you can spend more time in them.


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[Cougarfamily]

Hi just my two cents. i have worked on all 3 brands of diesel trucks. As far as the Ford 6.0 goes i would rather be strapped to an out of control reactor then work on any more 6.0's thank you epa. I know i'll get flack for this. but every day I am on the international auto tech network. and everydaythere is a post for a 6.0 that has a major issue. yes there are issues with everthing made but the 6.0 is #1 duramax and cummins and the other Ford's are infrequent posttings. ok i'll get down from:soapbox: and let the flogging begine:dizzy::USA: and people say saabs have problems!!!!

my 2 cents,
Yes, it has been reported to me out here where we live by diesel mechanics that the new Ford PSD is the best engine built by Ford, and that the new Cummins is the new 6.0 PSD-They are also blowing head gaskets.

I traded an '06 Dodge CTD for the '05 6.0 PSD listed below and couldn't be happier. On your tech network, was has been done to all the 6.0's with all those problems? Were they properly maintained, and most important, were they chipped? Chipping is a no-no with these engines. The head bolts are the engine's weak link, and will stretch under the pressure. When I was doing my research on this truck on forums such as the Powerstroke forum, most, if not all, of those having major problems had done this along with other mods. They should be left stock. Yes, they at times could use a little extra umph, and will very rarely beat a CTD in a drag race or tug-of-war, but I would feel that they have plenty of power for the majority of us. Again, my 2 cents and I will come off my :soapbox: now.

[rheltzel]

I'm looking to get a Ford SD diesel(used with 160-190K miles)and all i hear is stay away from the 6.0. Anyone on here have one and what is the reliability of them. It will be my daily driver. I hear if you take care of the EGR and Studs your golden. Or can i just make sure that I keep the EGR valve clean. Please help, I have a small budget and last thing i need is for it to be a money pit.

Thanks in advance for any help or input.

We just traded our 2005 F-250 6.0L in on a new 2012 F-350 6.7L. We only had 32,500 miles on the 05 and had already had to put over $2,000 in the engine for repairs. It had received all scheduled maintenance at our local Ford dealer and had been used mainly for towing our Bigfoot trailer (4,000 dry) and a short stint with our new Vantage (7,200 dry). I never babied it, but I never abused it either. The bottom line is it is a problematic engine. For typical weakpoints and problems, log onto YouTube and search for "Powerstroke Engine Problems".

I would recommend you look for a 7.3L engine. I'm sure the 6.0L can be "bulletproofed", but you're looking at a fair chunk of $$$ to do that.

[SAABDOCTOR]

DO YOU GUYS HAVE Rust issues in Fla? here in the northeast the body rots long before the engine needs any work. my 2000 2500 td had 170k on it. plowed and towed till we bought the 05 3500. it is still a great truck. it is living with our son in georgia. had to do some shocks tierods and a clutch at 160k. it runs great but has some rust from all the salt they use up here, only reason we bought the 05 was i needed an auto the clutch was killing my worn out knees. so if the one your looking at is rust free it could be a good truck good luck:D just a note both trucks had electric windows a/c and seat. cd player and that is it I am not one for bling. my bling is a 1990 saab convertable and the montana!!!!:)

[SAABDOCTOR]

cougar family i have heard about the 06-12 cummins. that is why i will not let go of my i6 isb cummins. i have heard great things about the new Ford 6.7 and intheory the 13 dodge is supposed to be better. i personally like the inline 6 for simplisity. all the v8's are a pita! to every truck out there. there are good ones and bad ones in every brand. depends on the luck of the draw and how they are taken care of. that is why i will never recomend one brand over another. if Johnny has a good 6.0 without problems then they are great. if he gets a bad one then they are no good. i have had good service from both of my isb cummins. so i am lucky. when asked i say mine are good your results may varry! enjoy

[Cougarfamily]

We just traded our 2005 F-250 6.0L in on a new 2012 F-350 6.7L. We only had 32,500 miles on the 05 and had already had to put over $2,000 in the engine for repairs. It had received all scheduled maintenance at our local Ford dealer and had been used mainly for towing our Bigfoot trailer (4,000 dry) and a short stint with our new Vantage (7,200 dry). I never babied it, but I never abused it either. The bottom line is it is a problematic engine. For typical weakpoints and problems, log onto YouTube and search for "Powerstroke Engine Problems".

I would recommend you look for a 7.3L engine. I'm sure the 6.0L can be "bulletproofed", but you're looking at a fair chunk of $$$ to do that.

Yes, the 6.0 can be buttlet-proofed. It and the 6.4 are probably where it came from.

I don't think going to Youtube is necessarily a fair place to go to judge something. I once saw a video there where a father was stuck in rush hour traffic with his camera rolling. There was a PSD behind him that probably had a bad injector, and was smoking. He says to his kids that "that is why we don't own Fords". Really? Just because you see one 6.0 Ford smoking at that given time, you don't drive Fords? We live in a major oil and gas producing region where there are hundred of PSDs being driven every day. IN the 12 years we have lived here, I have seen two smoking. One 6.0, and one 7.3. Then again, I have also seen smokers from every other make of oil field truck. Every brand has it's problems. And yes the 6.0 has it share of problems, but the majority, from what I have learned, are caused by those trying to boost horsepower by way of chips. As I have read elsewhere on this forum about Keystone products, whenever someone has a gripe about something Keystone has sold them, it always comes out. Very rarely does anyone post something they are pleased about. I believe the same could also apply to other issues in life.

We also put over $2,000 into a used '06 CTD, while putting less than 20,000 miles on it ourselves. Would I buy another one? Yes I would, as I would another 6.0 PSD as long it was stock and well maintained. To me personally, the ideal truck would be an '04-'10 bodystyle Ford with the 7.3 PSD.

[davidjsimons]

Well, with all of these discussions going back and forth, Dodge or Ford, let me say that I have driven nothing but Dodges for almost thirty years and a Cummins powered Dodge since 1990. I can truthfully tell you that I have never owned a bad truck. With that being said, I know people who would never own another Dodge based on their experience. First and foremost, service is the number one issue. You must perform regular service on your truck. My current truck is a STOCK 2012 Ram 3500 with a High Output Cummins. My old 1990 Ram is also a STOCK Cummins and again, it has 658,000 miles on it. Can a Powerstroke or a Duramax achieve that mileage? I am sure that given the same care and service my Cummins has received, the answer most likely is yes. You can retro fit your truck with chips, dips, chains and whips if you like but my opinion is that the piston is going to go up and down a certain amount of times and a given amount of fuel will be consumed. How quickly you wish to speed that number along is strictly up to you, but I am happy with the service my trucks have offered me based upon my use and care. I work my trucks hard, but never to the point of abuse.


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[SAABDOCTOR]

DUDE RELAX! IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER fORDS ARE THE BEST RUCK IN THE WORLD THEY NEVER BREAK OR HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE ALL THE OTHERS!!! OK! CHILL GO HAVE A BEER:banghead: QUESS MY OPINION MUST BE WRONG.

[SAABDOCTOR]

DAVID I AM WITH YOU ON THAT STAEMENT BUT SOMEHOW I MANAGE TO TICK PEOPLE OFF if i post my opinnion. "you can have my doge when you pry it out of my cold dead hands" the 05 doesn't get used much in thewinter since i don't plow anymore. and i drive an old volvo 850 in the winter. so i hope the body on the beast will last. i hope i hope.:rofl:

[Cougarfamily]

cougar family i have heard about the 06-12 cummins. that is why i will not let go of my i6 isb cummins. i have heard great things about the new Ford 6.7 and intheory the 13 dodge is supposed to be better. i personally like the inline 6 for simplisity. all the v8's are a pita! to every truck out there. there are good ones and bad ones in every brand. depends on the luck of the draw and how they are taken care of. that is why i will never recomend one brand over another. if Johnny has a good 6.0 without problems then they are great. if he gets a bad one then they are no good. i have had good service from both of my isb cummins. so i am lucky. when asked i say mine are good your results may varry! enjoy

I couldn't agree more with you on all you said. Every brand has it's lemons, and it's shinning stars. With all that I have written today, I hope everyone isn't thinking that I am saying that everyone should go out and buy the next 6.0 PSD they find. I am just trying to make a point that they shouldn't be easily scared away from all of the hype that is out there about the engine. If you find one you like, take it to a dealer to be scoped for any issues and for any pending recalls. I would also try to have it tested under load if possible. If it all checks out, and the truck hasn't been abused, and it is what they like, then get it. With that in mind, if they are able to buy an extended warranty from a repatable company, I would also recommend that if they feel that would ease their fears any.

I would believe, that in order to have the kind of working space on a V8 that there is on a I6, the nose of the truck would have to stick way out there. Since I don't much room on the sides of the PSD engine, the turbo unfortunately has to go on top. And in order to keep the legnth of the nose down, Ford had to put the turbo under the lip of the cab. This problem is even magnified on the 6.4 PSD with it's twin turbos. The cab has to come off if the turbos or anything below them has to come off, from what I've been told. A screwy thing happend with our CTD. A $40 3-5 inch heater bypass hose cost us over $200 to replace because it was behind the turbo and tubing, and I couldn't reach it. Go figure.

Although we had several expensive problems with our '06 CTD, I would still recommend one to others, just as I am the PSD. It should just be what you like, need, and can afford. In a perfect world, we all could always afford that brand new, current year truck of our choice off the show room floor. Until we get there, which we won't, we just do the best we can with what we have.:)

[davidjsimons]

Thank goodness this is not a vanilla world. Ain't it fun having a discussion about the Big Three.


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[Cougarfamily]

Thank goodness this is not a vanilla world. Ain't it fun having a discussion about the Big Three.


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Yes that is true. And who said anything about the Big Three! :rofl:

[SAABDOCTOR]

darn right that's what i was thinkin!!!!! as i am writing this we are lowering the body back on an e350 6.0 van had to replace injectors. this van is a poster child for no maintance. but pull the body to get the valve covers off, well today i hate fords!!! your experiance is based on maintanace you like most of the people on this forum take care of their trucks. just look at the pictures. but i do go on the "iatn" network every night.this is for techs only. the 6.0 horror stories and they out number all the rest most are no starts fiam and wrong oil filters installed but some are nightmares. the new ford 6.7s really have no hits. the 6.7 cummins has head gasket cat and turbo issues. but that is mostly for the"play"trucks the ones that tow and work hard do not seem to be prone to cat and turbo issues headgaskets yes. it is what keeps me busy:D

[Cougarfamily]

DUDE RELAX! IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER fORDS ARE THE BEST RUCK IN THE WORLD THEY NEVER BREAK OR HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE ALL THE OTHERS!!! OK! CHILL GO HAVE A BEER:banghead: QUESS MY OPINION MUST BE WRONG.

Never said Ford was the best and that they never break or don't have problems. Just trying to make sure this thread wasn't totally one sided. And you haven't ticked me off or anything. I respect your opinion, as I would hope you would mine.

And I have more important things to spend our hard earned money on than beer! On second thought, that might make things go better the next couple of months after my wife loses her job on Monday! :rofl:

edit: Sweet, my wife just called and she starts a new job on Wed! May have to go buy some wine now. "bouncey:

[Cougarfamily]

darn right that's what i was thinkin!!!!! as i am writing this we are lowering the body back on an e350 6.0 van had to replace injectors. this van is a poster child for no maintance. but pull the body to get the valve covers off, well today i hate fords!!! your experiance is based on maintanace you like most of the people on this forum take care of their trucks. just look at the pictures. but i do go on the "iatn" network every night.this is for techs only. the 6.0 horror stories and they out number all the rest most are no starts fiam and wrong oil filters installed but some are nightmares. the new ford 6.7s really have no hits. the 6.7 cummins has head gasket cat and turbo issues. but that is mostly for the"play"trucks the ones that tow and work hard do not seem to be prone to cat and turbo issues headgaskets yes. it is what keeps me busy:D

So, if they keep you employed and the Keystone in the driveway, why do you hate them so?:D Ya, I hate doing basically the same thing day after day, but keep it coming! And in this economy, we should be hoping that it all keeps coming, and your case, bring on the 6.0's? Correct?;)

[SAABDOCTOR]

congrats on the dw's new job!!!!!!:cool:

[SAABDOCTOR]

well i really work on saabs and volvos i dislike the lack of thought that goes into some cars/ trucks. and you have to admit pulling a body to change injectors is a little bit off center. i am sooo old school kiss.! i do not need a body controll module to lock my doors open my windows and trun the blue high beam light on! you also ask why i complain. remember i have to tell people what it will cost and then they yell like i designed the car/truck they drive. manufactures build what they think we want. not what we want. when all that wiz pop stuf breaks will it's expenssive and the first question most customers ask is do i need to have this i never wanted this. thats why i complaine. my favorite quote "old age and trechery will over come youth and wizzardry":thewave: ps i do love my job just after 45 years i am tired of out workin the yung pups and i get grouchy. think it will soon be time for some rum and coke!!!!!

[rheltzel]

Yes, the 6.0 can be buttlet-proofed. It and the 6.4 are probably where it came from.

I don't think going to Youtube is necessarily a fair place to go to judge something. I once saw a video there where a father was stuck in rush hour traffic with his camera rolling. There was a PSD behind him that probably had a bad injector, and was smoking. He says to his kids that "that is why we don't own Fords". Really? Just because you see one 6.0 Ford smoking at that given time, you don't drive Fords? We live in a major oil and gas producing region where there are hundred of PSDs being driven every day. IN the 12 years we have lived here, I have seen two smoking. One 6.0, and one 7.3. Then again, I have also seen smokers from every other make of oil field truck. Every brand has it's problems. And yes the 6.0 has it share of problems, but the majority, from what I have learned, are caused by those trying to boost horsepower by way of chips. As I have read elsewhere on this forum about Keystone products, whenever someone has a gripe about something Keystone has sold them, it always comes out. Very rarely does anyone post something they are pleased about. I believe the same could also apply to other issues in life.

We also put over $2,000 into a used '06 CTD, while putting less than 20,000 miles on it ourselves. Would I buy another one? Yes I would, as I would another 6.0 PSD as long it was stock and well maintained. To me personally, the ideal truck would be an '04-'10 bodystyle Ford with the 7.3 PSD.

I agree with you in general...I should have specified that the fellow behind "Powerstrokehelp.com" seems to know what he's talking about and has several good videos on the general subject.

But you raise a good point...it's rare to see a YouTube video praising how good something works!

[DJ85]

It happens everytime. Someone tells someone that there truck is better and then it goes back and forth and guess what nobody remembers what the topic was or the question was even. I drive a 08 Ford 6.4l with slight mod work to helpthe motor survive. If someone thinks that a Dodge/Chevy's is better the puffy chest blows up and the fighting begins. They all have thier god points and bad points if we all bought the same thiing were would we be. Here is my reasoning for the whole thingand PLEASE DON't ANYBODY GET OFFENDED. When the auto industry got into trouble two of three needed and took bail out money from the gov. Ford did not and after working as a tech for Fotd for 20 yrs I know why Ford didn't need the bail out. They cut everything and everyone to the bone 12 yrs before the crash happened. Anyone that you know who works for Ford will tell you the hassle and pain in the rear to get anything covered under waaranty. I speak from the Ford side simply because thats all I have ever owned. If you like your Dodge thats great if you like your goverment motor that great. It's what makes the world go round.

[DJ85]

A simple yet complex question was asked. Should someone buy a 6.0l Ford Truck. Oh if the answer was that simple. Yes the 6.0l has some big issues and if your looking for something that you can have with a budget. That answer as far as I am concern is a big NO. Now I will tell you if you can find a 6.0l with over 60000 on it and research the history of it and no major problems have shown then that changes the answer to maybe. I agree to leave the motor stock. But heres the problem with that. That engine was made to work and work it will it's very happy working it's tail off. This is where the problems begin. The number 1 rule. Don't idle this engine for extended times. 2. Keep the fuel system clean and water free. 3. Change the oil on a regular bases. 4. Keep the coolant ph level where it needs to be cavitation is a big issue. If I would buy a 6.0l the first thing I would do is install a coolant fiiter kit. replace the oil cooler with a new design aftermarket. and replace the head gaskets and install studs to replace the bolts. The motor needs to breath so intake and exhaust mods would be preformed. After that was done you have a 6.0l motor that will get the job done and do it will. Understand this is only my opinion and is and will be debated.

[Cougarfamily]

A simple yet complex question was asked. Should someone buy a 6.0l Ford Truck. Oh if the answer was that simple. Yes the 6.0l has some big issues and if your looking for something that you can have with a budget. That answer as far as I am concern is a big NO. Now I will tell you if you can find a 6.0l with over 60000 on it and research the history of it and no major problems have shown then that changes the answer to maybe. I agree to leave the motor stock. But heres the problem with that. That engine was made to work and work it will it's very happy working it's tail off. This is where the problems begin. The number 1 rule. Don't idle this engine for extended times. 2. Keep the fuel system clean and water free. 3. Change the oil on a regular bases. 4. Keep the coolant ph level where it needs to be cavitation is a big issue. If I would buy a 6.0l the first thing I would do is install a coolant fiiter kit. replace the oil cooler with a new design aftermarket. and replace the head gaskets and install studs to replace the bolts. The motor needs to breath so intake and exhaust mods would be preformed. After that was done you have a 6.0l motor that will get the job done and do it will. Understand this is only my opinion and is and will be debated.

I would say you nailed it.:)

I would add one thing to the list. The EGR valve is a problem too. You also want to keep it clean. If it breaks down, it either puts oil into the coolant, or vise versa. Some would recommend installing and egr delete kit.

When our truck needed the oil cooler replaced, the owner of the local Bulletproofing sales/installation shop did the work personally. I asked him about the egr delete, and he said that since this engine has only 84k miles and that it was so clean, he wouldn't recommend it until after the truck reaches the 125k mile point. If engine not so well maintained, then probably sooner.

I imagine that since all I saw his shop doing was working on Powerstrokes, and from him being recommended to me, he knows something about the 6.0. He made it clear to me that the head studs are most often okay, unless the engine is chipped. The studs stretch under the extra pressure. Yes, they were a poor design, but he wouldn't tear into a engine just to replace them if there wasn't a coolant leak or other problem.

I will definetly look into a coolant filter kit. That could really pay-off some day. At this point, though, the truck is still under an extended service contract, and I am concerned that by modifying the intake, I could void the warranty. I can remember it saying something to the effect that modifications will do that, but maybe someone else here would have a better feel for that.

[LittleJoe]

Little Joe
How many miles are on your dodge. One just popped up on craigslist, its a 04 2500 4x4 w/ 248K miles(original owner). It is super clean, never towed. I know the motors are great but is the rest of the truck going to hang in there.

I know that I'm all over the place as far a a diesel just want to get into a good one for around 12k.

Thanks

My personal truck the 04 has only 200,000 miles (320,00km). It is a cream puff and has only 4000hrs. Have done front wheel brgs, Axle and d. shaft ujoints and ball joints, brakes.
It is last of pre-emission engines and does not even have a Cat. I am aiming for at least 500,000 with it. (our highest mileage 97 with 970,000 was retired through cash for clunkers program when we got the Denali. It was rusted badly and transmission was failing, but engine still ran like a clock)

You will not buy a 3rd gen in good condition for 12K . More in 2nd gen range.

We have a 96,98,01,03,04.5 DRW (2011 Denali DMax)4x4 QC/KC on road everyday in our Emergency Road Service business. Notice no 07.5-12 Rams or ANY Fords.
No Fords because long downtime is NOT and option,and I refuse to own a vehicle that requires cab removal to work on (regardless of make). The Dmax because we wanted to try to get some newer machinery and the 2011 onward is a huge improvement over earlier issues.
We will likely be getting a 13 Ram with DEF finally, later this year.

All of the other trucks have 300-400K miles on them. Lost an engine in 04.5 due to an injector, failed open and broke piston rings all in about 10 min on hwy.

The trucks have been pretty much normal maintenance except for the 04.5 / and we have rebuilt the transmission at approx 300K miles on all of them.
Truthfully, all kidding aside, we own the dodge to get the cummins , and they are the easiest to work around the engine. (ie chg waterpump in 45min...try that on a Dmax)

[LittleJoe]

In our experience with the CR engines in the Cummins, Injectors are on borrowed time at 6000Hrs. The number that actually fail open is quite low, but expensive in the aftermath.

EG: 40 hrs labour start to finish, remove engine, strip to bare block, send to machine shop, bore cyl .020 over, reassemble engine, with new pistons/rings/bearings/seals/injectors and reinstall. Our cost on parts etc not counting our labour was just under 8K.
Cost to do this same job on Dmax or 6.0-6.7 Ford would be pretty much double. One of the guys that works for us is a DMax GM certified diesel specialist before he came to work on the Class 8 stuff.

I will say , I have been impressed with the 2011, it has been trouble free except for a heater core (under warranty) and has 75K miles on it. I t is running about same mileage as Dodges, 12 winter, 14 summer, pulling 8000lbs always.

[FFHarrison]

I just bought a 2002 F350 DRW Lariat 4x4 w/ 7.3l and 163k miles for$11k. Quite a bit of overkill for my Passport but now I can tow whatever I want.

Thanks for everybody's input.

[DJ85]

Congrats you have chosen wisely. :cool: Happy trails and enjoy life as it comes at you with no regrets. :)

[Escs36]

Congrats on the 7.3. I own one and consider myself an expert! They are really good engines. They do not have the most power or get the best mileage. They are quite simple to work on and will run and run and always get the job done.

My personal opinion: 2005 ford Crew cab dully with a P7100 injected 5.9 cummins with twin turbos and a 5 speed Allison would be my dream truck!

[FFHarrison]

Ecsc, what kind of mileage are you getting? Also what mods have you done?