GM or Ford?

[Msmith2054]

Looking at getting a TV just for my camper, so not looking for a daily driver. I have narrowed it dow to these three.
2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab SLT with 6.6 Duramax, 155k miles
2003 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 174k miles
2006 Ford F-350 DRW XLT Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 133k miles
All 3 are $12k to $15k
My camper is 2013 Laredo 291tg, 6500 lbs dry, and I plan to carry my golf cart in the truck bed.
I fully expect unbiased opinions, as I have never even seen biased ones from Ford, Chevy, or Ram die hards. I have read and heard good/bad/ugly things about each of these vehicles and each of these engines.
Please justify your response as to which you would go with.
The GMC is bright red, and as we all know, red is faster!

Thanks in advance! Ready to receive!

[Kylemcmahon1]

I would go gas. Diesel does not do well sitting for long periods. Gas is much better for that. I am a ford guy. But really all the brands are good these days.

[sourdough]

I don't have experience with either engine but I do know I've not heard any complaints about the Duramax to speak of. On the other hand, I have read complaints about the 6.0 - some comments recently on the forum but I've been unable to find them with a search. I'm sure others with direct experience, good or bad, will chime in and help you out.

[travelin texans]

From experience with both the Duramax is hands down a much better diesel than the Ford 6.0 diesel. I would be very hesitant to buy either Ford with those mileages for that much $$ & need head bolts soon, the well known problem with the 6.0s, which is about a $5-6k job. I've had 2 Duramax diesels for a total of 300k, '05 had 176k when wrecked & replaced with the current '13 that has 131k, both with only minor issues that were recalls.
From past experiences I'll admit I'm not a Ford fan so my choice would be the red truck.

[flybouy]

I don't have personal experience with either engine. From listening to friends, and reading on different Ford forums the 6.0 was a troublesome engine. As previously mentioned the head bolts were a common problem. I've also heard about EGR coolant problems. If the previous owners had them "bullet proofed" by a good diesel shop they might be ok.
When looking at any make diesel of that age the service records would be essential to scrutinize before a purchase.
JMHO, YMMV

[JRTJH]

There's not nearly enough history on any of the three trucks to make an informed choice. I won't use brands, just years, because brands on 10+ year old trucks is so far down the list of important factors that it really doesn't matter nearly as much as how the truck was used, maintained, stored and cared for. Any of the three may have been abused, wrecked, rebuilt and "look" fantastic but ...... and any of the three may look a bit ragged but be far better mechanically than the other two.

The 2005 is red. Having had a red truck, I know that it causes "those guys that park behind the billboards" to look closely...

The 2003 and 2006 may have already been "bullet-proofed" which would negate much of the concern about "OEM engine reliability"....

The mileage on any of the three is "barely beyond breakin" assuming maintenance and repairs have been accomplished per manufacturer's recommendations. On the other hand, any truck that's got that kind of mileage on it and still has the OEM factory oil filter...... ( I know, but it's a valid example) ...

[ChuckS]

My concern for either of the Fords would be if the 6.0 has been bullet proofed. If not I’d pass ...

Here’s a bit of history on the 2005 Duramax....

2004 - 2006 GMC SIERRA, CHEVROLET SILVERADO
For 2004, the LLY was introduced alongside the LB7 before replacing it indefinitely. 2004 - 2006 models often suffered from overheating issues while towing. The aftermarket has responded with a variety of fixes, though buyers should be aware of the issues when searching. For 2006, the LLY underwent many changes, including a stronger cylinder head design, newly designed fuel injectors, a new VVT turbocharger, reduced engine noise, and performance was boosted to 310 hp and 605 lb-ft. For 2004 models, the 5 speed Allison automatic was available, while the Allison 1000 was upgraded to a 6 speed unit in 2005 (the 6 speed version being more desirable).

And yes.... I’m a Duramax fan. The newer Ford diesels seem good and the Cummins of course is good as well.

[Gegrad]

Looking at getting a TV just for my camper, so not looking for a daily driver. I have narrowed it dow to these three.
2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab SLT with 6.6 Duramax, 155k miles
2003 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 174k miles
2006 Ford F-350 DRW XLT Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 133k miles
All 3 are $12k to $15k
My camper is 2013 Laredo 291tg, 6500 lbs dry, and I plan to carry my golf cart in the truck bed.
I fully expect unbiased opinions, as I have never even seen biased ones from Ford, Chevy, or Ram die hards. I have read and heard good/bad/ugly things about each of these vehicles and each of these engines.
Please justify your response as to which you would go with.
The GMC is bright red, and as we all know, red is faster!

Thanks in advance! Ready to receive!

I would do the Ford dually. 3 reasons:
1) Newest
2) Fewest miles
3) Dually, and you stated you want to carry your golf cart, so that will give you the payload you need to haul the cart.

That said, I am admittedly not familiar with the engine issues others above have stated regarding the 6.0

[Snoking]

The Duramax, just be sure it is not a LLY engine which a late 2004 and 2005 which unfortunately are, then the Ford 6.0 is not something anyone should buy as a first diesel. Properly bullet proofed 6.0 are a good engine. The fact that they are for sale most likely means they have not been bullet proofed, or they would be keepers.

Start looking again.

[Hankster]

I know you're looking for a Ford or GM, but you might want to consider a Dodge with a Cummins engine.
Here in Idaho, there are probably more 2500/3500 w/Cummins in them on the road than the the Ford, and GM combined. These farmboys, and cowpokes love their Cummins powered Dodge trucks

[vampress_me]

The 2005 is red. Having had a red truck, I know that it causes "those guys that park behind the billboards" to look closely ...

I can definitely vouch that red trucks go fast. Nicely fast. But after driving them for 20 years, I can’t say they attract any extra attention. Black cars on the other hand...:angel:

The only input I would have is to check if the Fords have been “bullet proofed”. If so, not a worry then. If not, I would think long and hard before putting down money on one.

The GM I would want to know if it’s a 3500 (or whatever their equivalent is) only because you are wanting to put a golf cart in the truck bed. The payload of a 350/3500 *should* be larger than a 250/2500, which would give you the ability to haul the golf cart and TT around within the trucks limits.

So, I guess same goes for the Fords. If you end up choosing between one or the other, I would personally choose the F-350 which should have a bigger payload.

And, I don’t remember seeing, but are they long beds so you have room to fit a golf cart in?

[FlyingAroundRV]

I'll weigh in having recently purchased a truck to tow our TT.
I went with a Ford. Why? Simply because a friend has one and he's had good service out of it. However, there is light years difference between his and mine. His is a 20005 E-250 and mine is a 2015 F-250. His has a 5.something L engine and mine has a 6.2L. Both are gas.
I did some research on the Ford trucks and found that there were sufficient problems with the Diesel engines of a certain vintage and size that a whole industry has sprung up to "bullet-proof" them. That put me right off! I decided to go with a gasser because a) I understand gas engines, and b) it meant I would be buying one kind of fuel for everything, not diesel for the truck and gas for the generator, and c) I didn't need the extra pulling power of a diesel for my TT (Keystone Outback 272 UFL).
When researching trucks (or any vehicle) it's a good thing to head over to carcomplaints.com and see what issues there have been for your prospective trucks.


Finally, remember that if you're going to tow a bumper pull type trailer of any size, that you'll likely need a WDH hitch. This is important because if you intend to carry a golf buggy in the back of the truck, a WDH distributes weight BOTH WAYS. So some of the weight of that buggy is going to be reflected back onto the trailer's axles, so you'll have to watch that you don't overload your trailer axles. Given how marginal the ratings are on most trailer wheels, tires and axles, you could easily overload them by having a lot of weight in the back of the truck.
https://youtu.be/lVg8QgIFJoU
In this video, Dave talks specifically about single axle trailers, but using a WDH on a multi-axle trailer does the same thing, it distributes weight both ways.

[rhagfo]

Looking at getting a TV just for my camper, so not looking for a daily driver. I have narrowed it dow to these three.
2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab SLT with 6.6 Duramax, 155k miles
2003 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 174k miles
2006 Ford F-350 DRW XLT Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 133k miles
All 3 are $12k to $15k
My camper is 2013 Laredo 291tg, 6500 lbs dry, and I plan to carry my golf cart in the truck bed.
I fully expect unbiased opinions, as I have never even seen biased ones from Ford, Chevy, or Ram die hards. I have read and heard good/bad/ugly things about each of these vehicles and each of these engines.
Please justify your response as to which you would go with.
The GMC is bright red, and as we all know, red is faster!

Thanks in advance! Ready to receive!

I know you're looking for a Ford or GM, but you might want to consider a Dodge with a Cummins engine.
Here in Idaho, there are probably more 2500/3500 w/Cummins in them on the road than the the Ford, and GM combined. These farmboys, and cowpokes love their Cummins powered Dodge trucks

So the only one on your current list I would consider is the Duramax. The Ford 6.0 is the reason I went to a Cummins/Dodge!
The year range you are looking in is a sweet time for Dodge/Ram, DD picked up a nice 2004 Ram 3500 DRW for less than $20K.
The size of trailer you are looking at you could also go gas.

[SummitPond]

Question: What is this "bullet proof" process everyone alludes to for the 6.0L engine? What does it do to the engine? I ask for educational purposes only as it doesn't apply to me (I have the 6.2L). Thanks.

[Snoking]

Question: What is this "bullet proof" process everyone alludes to for the 6.0L engine? What does it do to the engine? I ask for educational purposes only as it doesn't apply to me (I have the 6.2L). Thanks.

You can start reading about it with this search. There are videos and write ups.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+bulletproof+a+6.0&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS558US559&oq=how+to+bullet+proof+&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l5.13060j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Chris

[travelin texans]

Question: What is this "bullet proof" process everyone alludes to for the 6.0L engine? What does it do to the engine? I ask for educational purposes only as it doesn't apply to me (I have the 6.2L). Thanks.

Simply it was hardened head bolts with better head gaskets, something you couldn't/wouldn't notice when looking under the hood. Also from my son's experience the bullet proofing was no guarantee, his Excursion blew head gaskets several more times after the "bullet proofing".
After looking back at the 3 you posted they are all fairly low mileage (10 to 11k per year) for 12-14 year old diesels, so if they've been maintained should be ok mechanically as long as they haven't been chipped or deleted.

[chuckster57]

Bullet proofing includes ARP studs to replace the torque to yield head bolts.

[FlyingAroundRV]

Also there's quite a lot of info on YouTube about bullet proofing. That's where I got a lot of my info. Also it's worth just doing a search for
"Problems with .........." Put in truck year, make model. You'll be amazed what comes up. I did that for the Ford 6.2 and found some issues, but nothing like the earlier models, nor as much as the 6.0 diesels, or the "trident" engines that spit spark plugs.

[SummitPond]

You can start reading about it with this search. There are videos and write ups.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+bulletproof+a+6.0&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS558US559&oq=how+to+bullet+proof+&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l5.13060j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Chris

Simply it was hardened head bolts with better head gaskets, something you couldn't/wouldn't notice when looking under the hood. Also from my son's experience the bullet proofing was no guarantee, his Excursion blew head gaskets several more times after the "bullet proofing". ...

Bullet proofing includes ARP studs to replace the torque to yield head bolts.

Also there's quite a lot of info on YouTube about bullet proofing. That's where I got a lot of my info. ...

Thank you all for the links and info. :bow: I don't know why I didn't think to Google it - brain fart on my part.:whistling:

[Ken / Claudia]

I am a ford guy and will likely buy another. The only diesel ford truck I will purchase is the 6.7, when I sell my 7.3. There is a very important reason ford had the 6.0 for only about 5 years and never upgraded or continued it. It was trouble. I think the rest of the truck is fine. That engine turned more ford owners into GM, Dodge and Ram owners. If you want to know why? There is no enough space on here to list the reasons. Go to ford trucks web page, be willing to spend an hour.

[Hankster]

We had an F450 with the 6.0 .
Between the engine and the manual trans it spent more time in the shop than on the road.

[chuckster57]

I am a ford guy and will likely buy another. The only diesel ford truck I will purchase is the 6.7, when I sell my 7.3. There is a very important reason ford had the 6.0 for only about 5 years and never upgraded or continued it. It was trouble. I think the rest of the truck is fine. That engine turned more ford owners into GM, Dodge and Ram owners. If you want to know why? There is no enough space on here to list the reasons. Go to ford trucks web page, be willing to spend an hour.


I agree, but I know plenty of people with 6.0 with no issues. Would I buy one? Yes but then I can do all the wrenching by myself. IMO the biggest enemy of the Navistar 6.0 was the FORD coolant and the EPA mandated equipment, followed by people who felt the need for a tuner.

[dsttexas]

I had an 05 ford 6.0 liter and it cost me about $7000 in repairs about 4 months after the 5 year warranty ended. It was built by International for Ford for a number of years until Ford got tired of all the warranty issues and starting holding back payments to them, then International began holding back shipments. Ended in a big lawsuit and now Ford makes their own engines.

[Phil Saran]

I have personal experience with the Ford 6.0 diesel. I bought a 2004 F350 with
60K on it in 2006. At 80K it popped the head gaskets, took it in to the dealer
and after taking it apart they found scoring in most cylinders. Replacement motor
since it was under the 100K warranty Ford replaced the motor for a cost to them
of about $12K. I spent around $500 having the radiator and intercooler sent out
for inspection and cleaning, new belts, new hoses.

At 134K had to replace the turbo ($1700) and then 10 months/6K later it went
out again. Replaced under warranty.

I sold that truck and the service manager told me move up to a 2011 or new
for the 6.7 diesel.

I now have a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 and am very happy with it.

[Phil Saran]

As stated before consider going with a gas powered truck since your trailer is not
too heavy and you plan on it sitting around more than driven.

[BadmanRick]

Get a Toyota Tundra. You’ll be much happier in the long run.

[TYHLR]

DISCLAIMER: I have owned a Duramax for the last ten years.

Any of these trucks will tow your camper. As many have already written, there are many problems with the Fords and will leave that alone.

If the DM truck that you are looking at has the LB7 engine, that is the engine that has proven to have the least amount of problems and that engine actually will actually raise the price of the truck.

For any of the trucks as with any diesel, maintenance is the key. I would certainly ask if any maintenance records are available and it the truck has been modified. I.e., tuned, exhaust, lifted, etc. etc. For any truck that has been modified beyond adding a lift pump or additional fuel filters, I would walk as you don't know if the truck has been beat on. You should also asked if the injectors have been replaced and/or if the previous owner routinely used any fuel additives. The additives will add life to the injectors. If the truck has been properly maintained the DM will easily get you to 300K miles.

My 09 Dually has been the best and most problem free of any vehicle that I have ever owned and has never been in the shop for any engine or tranny work.

As others have already suggested you should make sure that regardless of what truck you may buy, you don't overload the rear axle/tires capability to tow the camper with the golf cart in the bed of the truck.

Happy shopping.

[Terryj]

mechanics will not go hungry.

I been in the auto repair business for 45 years and the 6.0 Ford was the most troublesome engine I can remember. Head gaskets, injectors, egr issues, hi pressure pump oil line couplers, turbos.

well maybe not the most when I get thinking about the 1970 chev Firenza

[cheekme]

I have an LB7 early Duramax engine and just replaced the injectors at 113k miles. The LLY is a much better design (injectors on outside of the valve cover) but don't have any knowledge of other issues. Always thought that (other than the early injector problem), the Duramax was an excellent engine. You would love the Allison transmission for pulling. It's a marriage made in heaven for RVers. My son-in-law had a Ford F250 6.0 and it was a lemon but as others have said it can be bulletproofed if you can get service records. The Dodge Cummins is a great engine (6 cyl.) with lots of history and great access for maint. Honestly though, with diesel prices so high you would probably be better off with a gas burner if you can find a good one. Just my opinion.

[wiredgeorge]

Go to ford-trucks.com and search on the 6.0. There are so many things that need to be done to make that diesel reliable that unless they have been done, wouldn't consider it. The V10 Triton engine would be my choice in a heavy duty truck as the only issue I know of is the spark plug thread; well there isn't enough and the plugs can blow out. It is fairly simple to put quality thread inserts in and the truck becomes fairly bulletproof. I like gas anyway unless you are towing a real heavy rig and a less than 7K lb rig like yours doesn't require it. I pull with 96 F250 with a 7.5L gas hog engine and it works well and has been reliable over the years.

[travelin texans]

The other problem with the V10 is it'll pass everything on the highway except a gas station til it starts squirting out spark plugs. They get about 8 mpg highway solo & 6 mpg towing if you're not too heavy on the right foot.

[Msmith2054]

Thanks for all of your input folks. Finally decided to just go for it with a bit of room for an upgrade in my RV future.
Decided to replace my 2016 Silverado 1500 LT2 CC Shortbed with 5.3 with this 2017 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 4X4 Regular bed Duramax with 30k miles.

[HitFactor]

Very nice. I Just decided on a Ford, but didn't rule out the GM. I think if I had come across a GM like the one you did I would have said yes as well.

[notanlines]

Actually, the V10 plug problem went away in 2005. I had 6 company service trucks over the years with the V10. Also my wife’s Excursion. The Excursion left us in New Hamshire with 300k on it. My last company F250 had 365k on it. Our service trucks got 14 on the highway and 9 in the city, collectively. The Excursion towed our 38 Fountain Lightning like a charm. Wanna know what 2 500HP’s get per mile running off shore?
Those are REAL numbers from someone who doesn’t have an axe to grind wiih Ford.

[rhagfo]

Thanks for all of your input folks. Finally decided to just go for it with a bit of room for an upgrade in my RV future.
Decided to replace my 2016 Silverado 1500 LT2 CC Shortbed with 5.3 with this 2017 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 4X4 Regular bed Duramax with 30k miles.

Will your golf cart fit in the bed, and how much will it weigh?

[C130JSuperHerc]

20003
Gonna need some airbags [emoji6]

[Laredo250RL]

I have 2008 chevy silverado 2500HD. Love my duramax diesel. It is my 3rd vehicle primarily for trailer towing. Sitting between campouts seems not a problem. Is the Sierra a 2500HD, or a 1500? If 1500, may not have tow capacity plus carry capacity for both the trailer and the golf cart. Check the labels. You need tow capacity not for the dry weight of your trailer, but for the gross vehicle weight rating of your trailer. And then plus the weight of the golf cart, people, etc. you put in your truck. Good luck.

[rhagfo]

Thanks for all of your input folks. Finally decided to just go for it with a bit of room for an upgrade in my RV future.
Decided to replace my 2016 Silverado 1500 LT2 CC Shortbed with 5.3 with this 2017 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 4X4 Regular bed Duramax with 30k miles.

What is the Payload on the "Yellow" sticker. Diesel 2500's tend to have a low payload.

[travelin texans]

20003
Gonna need some airbags [emoji6]

I'm sure the folks meeting you after dark would appreciate the air bags!

[busterbrown]

Congrats on your "new to you" truck. The recommendations in your original post were way different than what you finally decided on. What what you decide on a late model instead? Do you mind if I ask what you paid?

[Kevin H]

Congrats on your choice. I just ordered my 3rd Duramax. I would like to address those who say they would go gas because of it sitting. That is the number one reason to go diesel. The reformulated gas that most of us have to burn in the states have additives that will separate and cause problems. There is a reason that diesel is used in farm tractors, it can sit for months on end and will fire up with no problems. After driving and towing with a diesel I will never go back to gas. Also my 2017 Duramax gives me 22-23 MPH on highway while unloaded if I keep it under 70. With all the power I could ever want pulling MP300 @ 12,000 Lbs. (does drop down to 10-12 mpg)
Best of luck

[travelin texans]

Congrats on your choice. I just ordered my 3rd Duramax. I would like to address those who say they would go gas because of it sitting. That is the number one reason to go diesel. The reformulated gas that most of us have to burn in the states have additives that will separate and cause problems. There is a reason that diesel is used in farm tractors, it can sit for months on end and will fire up with no problems. After driving and towing with a diesel I will never go back to gas. Also my 2017 Duramax gives me 22-23 MPH on highway while unloaded if I keep it under 70. With all the power I could ever want pulling MP300 @ 12,000 Lbs. (does drop down to 10-12 mpg)
Best of luck

Very good point Kevin!
Most diesel owners don't like to buy biodiesel, but nothing has been said so far about ethanol in the gasoline for their gasser tow vehicles.
The ethanol if it sits will start to granulate, sort of like a bottle of honey that's sat a while. Let your lawnmower/snowblower/other small engines sit for awhile without some sort of fuel stabilizer in the ethanol gas & see if they'll start. Plus with the ethanol you can count on a 10% mix will usually cost you 10% in mpg, whereas from my experience I never noticed a difference in mpg with biodiesel, in fact have never paid that much attention if it was/wasn't biodiesel.
Not to offend anyone, but the ethanol is/was just a market for the farmers corn, actually hasn't reduced fossil fuel consumption, probably increased it due to low mpg. Where biodiesel is recycling fats/oils that otherwise would've been disposed of.
Fortunately with minimal cost in the very near future your diesel will have the ability to run on natural gas. In fact there are lots of OTR trucks/buses/municipal vehicles on the highway now running on CNG (compressed natural gas). You'll notice a big portion of interstate truck stops already have CNG filling facilities.

[travelin texans]

Another point I'd like ask!
It's been mentioned by several Ford diesel owners on here & other threads about regularly draining water from their fuel filter.
My question is to GM owners, have you ever drained the fuel filter other than when replacing it? I've had 2 Duramaxs for a total of 300k+ miles, never drained water from the filter, never gotten a "water in fuel" message & only changed the fuel filter when the percentage got to about 10%. Even replacing the filter never noticed any significant about of water in the filter. What say the rest of you? Ram owners can chime in as well. Inquiring minds want to know!

[JRTJH]

To answer the Ford owner's "draining fuel filter" question. I've owned 3 Ford diesels, a 1993 7.3L, 1999 7.3L and my current 2015 6.7L. All of the owner's manuals instructed that the fuel filter needed to be drained (to remove water) on a regular basis. I've followed the owner's manual recommendations on all my vehicles, but to date, I've never seen any water in the fuel. I drain into a 1/2 gallon glass container (big mayonnaise jar) and visually check for any water accumulation. All I've ever found is "pure diesel".....

But, in another month, I'll crawl under the truck again and drain a quart of diesel. No, I don't expect to find water, but better to have done it and not found it than to ignore it and destroy an injector or an engine..... YMMV

[travelin texans]

There was nothing that I recall stating to drain it regularly on either of my GMs & if so they made it very difficult to do so with the placement of the fuel filter.

[Javi]

To answer the Ford owner's "draining fuel filter" question. I've owned 3 Ford diesels, a 1993 7.3L, 1999 7.3L and my current 2015 6.7L. All of the owner's manuals instructed that the fuel filter needed to be drained (to remove water) on a regular basis. I've followed the owner's manual recommendations on all my vehicles, but to date, I've never seen any water in the fuel. I drain into a 1/2 gallon glass container (big mayonnaise jar) and visually check for any water accumulation. All I've ever found is "pure diesel".....



But, in another month, I'll crawl under the truck again and drain a quart of diesel. No, I don't expect to find water, but better to have done it and not found it than to ignore it and destroy an injector or an engine..... YMMVI save the diesel I drain in plastic jugs to start campfires... works great and is cheaper than buying starter fluid.

[svt]

Looking at getting a TV just for my camper, so not looking for a daily driver. I have narrowed it dow to these three.
2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab SLT with 6.6 Duramax, 155k miles
2003 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 174k miles
2006 Ford F-350 DRW XLT Crew Cab with 6.0 diesel, 133k miles
All 3 are $12k to $15k
My camper is 2013 Laredo 291tg, 6500 lbs dry, and I plan to carry my golf cart in the truck bed.
I fully expect unbiased opinions, as I have never even seen biased ones from Ford, Chevy, or Ram die hards. I have read and heard good/bad/ugly things about each of these vehicles and each of these engines.
Please justify your response as to which you would go with.
The GMC is bright red, and as we all know, red is faster!

Thanks in advance! Ready to receive!
Just buy Dodge 5.9 straight 6 with 170k you will be much happier

[jim1]

Run and stay far far away from the👎 Fix Or Repair Daily👎. My experience as a former Ford 2005 6.0 Powerjoke diesel owner is by 80,000 kms [49700miles] the Ford dealers had installed 14 new fuel injectors-only one at a time,3 turbo chargers, 2 EGR valves and 1 hide pressure fuel pump. But I never had any transmission issues👀. One service manager asked if I was interested in looking at new diesel trucks, I said for sure as long as it has a Dodge Cummins badge on it! The sales department and a future customer heard me say that🤣. I was asked nicely to leave. Now I have a 2011 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins 4x4 Lariat truck with no issues yet-knock on wood. It is by far the best towing truck I have owned.

[busterbrown]

Run and stay far far away from the👎 Fix Or Repair Daily👎. My experience as a former Ford 2005 6.0 Powerjoke diesel owner is by 80,000 kms [49700miles] the Ford dealers had installed 14 new fuel injectors-only one at a time,3 turbo chargers, 2 EGR valves and 1 hide pressure fuel pump. But I never had any transmission issues👀. One service manager asked if I was interested in looking at new diesel trucks, I said for sure as long as it has a Dodge Cummins badge on it! The sales department and a future customer heard me say that🤣. I was asked nicely to leave. Now I have a 2011 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins 4x4 Lariat truck with no issues yet-knock on wood. It is by far the best towing truck I have owned.

Ford earned the "Found On Road Dead", "Funding Our Retirement Daily" (mechanic viewpoint), and "Driver Returning On Foot" (spelled backwards) acronyms due to that 6.0 motor. Its predecessor, the 7.3 was a reliable workhorse of a diesel motor. The new Powerstrokes are just as worthy as the Cummins and Duramax platforms. It's just that one generation of bad motors that can leave a really bad taste in an owner's mouth.

[JRTJH]

I keep hearing the complaints about Ford, Chevy, GM, and RAM. They all have "lemons without lemonade" stories and they all have "went 500,000 miles without even a water pump issue"... So, just as the GM 350 Cu In diesel was probably the worst diesel ever produced, the Ford 6.0 was rushed to market before it was ready and the 1972 Dodge Adventurer Camper Special 9000 was a "body man's dream" (if you were the bodyman getting paid for repairs). But I will say, if you could keep the doors closed and the windows rolled up without the steel headliner giving you a headache when it fell onto you at 70MPH, that 360 engine and the LoadFlite D727 transmission were great. Now about that tail gate that wouldn't stay closed......

They all have issues, all have complaints, all have "don't buy that model" urgings and all have "super trucks that people stand in line to buy".....

Buy what you like, that's why Baskin Robbins is so successful. You get to choose what you like, not take the only choice available..... YMMV

[66joej]

Pontiac Astre/Chevrolet Vega? Not trucks but "holy moley" those engines.

[sourdough]

I keep hearing the complaints about Ford, Chevy, GM, and RAM. They all have "lemons without lemonade" stories and they all have "went 500,000 miles without even a water pump issue"... So, just as the GM 350 Cu In diesel was probably the worst diesel ever produced, the Ford 6.0 was rushed to market before it was ready and the 1972 Dodge Adventurer Camper Special 9000 was a "body man's dream" (if you were the bodyman getting paid for repairs). But I will say, if you could keep the doors closed and the windows rolled up without the steel headliner giving you a headache when it fell onto you at 70MPH, that 360 engine and the LoadFlite D727 transmission were great. Now about that tail gate that wouldn't stay closed......

They all have issues, all have complaints, all have "don't buy that model" urgings and all have "super trucks that people stand in line to buy".....

Buy what you like, that's why Baskin Robbins is so successful. You get to choose what you like, not take the only choice available..... YMMV



Those 318s, 360s and 383s were tough engines. Had a 67 Plymouth Fury III w/383 and TorqueFlite - nice car and ran better than you would think. Back in the late 60s and 70s Chrysler products had some pretty bulletproof drive trains....but, as you said, "now, how about those body parts that seemed as if they were never meant to be together". :)

[77cruiser]

Read a lot about million mile Duramax's never about a million mile Ford.

[JRTJH]

Read a lot about million mile Duramax's never about a million mile Ford.

https://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/26/man-hits-1m-miles-in-ford-f-250-in-four-years/

http://mechlloyd.com/index.php/news-and-events/41-ford-f150-chalks-1000000-miles

https://leftlanenews.com/2011/05/05/2002-f-350-powerstroke-passes-1-million-miles-still-counting/

[Badbart56]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3MfNRjsX-Y&feature=youtu.be

[Badbart56]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkr9ymhJsxM

[travelin texans]

Getting 20 mpg towing 11-12k lb rvs???? Must downhill both ways!
I've got some ocean front property in Arizona for sale also!!!

[notanlines]

TT, sometimes i think that these BS’ers think we dont have a briain. Dude in our park has a ‘06 Ram Cummins towing an older three axle Raptor (big) and not towing gets 24-25 at 75, and 15 towing at 65-70. Uh huh, he may be looking for some ocean front in Arizona.

[travelin texans]

TT, sometimes i think that these BS’ers think we dont have a briain. Dude in our park has a ‘06 Ram Cummins towing an older three axle Raptor (big) and not towing gets 24-25 at 75, and 15 towing at 65-70. Uh huh, he may be looking for some ocean front in Arizona.

Your saleslman surely indicated you'd get 20 mpg towing your MS with your new F450 didn't he?? You said he was very forthcoming with other VERY useful information!!!
There's folks on another forum stating they're getting 18-20 mpg in their class A & C motorhomes with the Ford V10, in actuality they're lucky to get half of that.
It all makes for good campfire stories!!! Bring your own hip waders!!!!

[notanlines]

TT, our last V10 was DW’s Excursion. 300K when sold. But towing our 38 Fountain Lightning (12K with trailer) best we ever got was 10. 15-16 no tow. But it was a hoss and burned almost no oil. Blew one plug as did my ‘02 with 365K.
Our salesman is a long time friend and a straight shooter, but he knew very little about 450’s.