Quote:
Originally Posted by EMTPRescue
markcee, just be careful with buying a used Ford. I am not certain what years they were, but Ford had a huge challenge transitioning from the Direct Injection International Harvester diesel engine that they used for many years. When they first introduced there own iteration of the Power Stroke Diesel, they had big problems with what I have been told was the turbo chargers over boosting and head bolts expanding under load which resulted in blown head gaskets and sometimes the engines grenading.
Look at how often Ford changed the PS engine design. It was far more often than either GM or Dodge.
If the engines were left stock the problems apparently seldom developed but put any sort of after market tune into the ECM, increase the boost then watch out.
Ford built the engines reportedly at close to their max capability. Accordingly, they were very intolerant of any sort of performance enhancements particularly as it relates to increased boost pressures.
The Dmax can be safely performance enhanced and the Cummins diesel in the Dodge, can be tuned to the sun and back.
Just do your research and you should be fine.
Hope this helps
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I think you're confusing the International built 6.0 with the Ford design 6.7. The early build 2011 6.7 allegedly had turbo bearing failure and also valve/glow plug failure but that was in very small numbers. It was under the microscope as being a first year design and competitors were quick to find any flaws.
The 6.0 International design, introduced in the 2003 model year, and used until being replaced with another International of questionable longevity (the 6.4) was prone to head bolts stretching, predominately when power adders were used. This problem could be fixed with "bullet proofing", but it took a while for this to be discovered and Ford diesel sales took a hit because of this. The new 6.4, introduced in 2008 was supposed to be the savior but it had it's own reliability problems.
As far as reliability when modded, the 6.7 responds quite favorably and the Ford transmissions are also up to pretty much anything you throw at it. I have an early build 2011 (build date, June 2010, the one that was supposed to have problems) and I'm running a Banks programmer pushing 510 horsepower and 1065 ft/lbs of torque with no issues, except maybe wearing out back tires faster than normal.
All three manufacturers diesel lineup are very capable in reliability and are very well suited for towing. If you think you would be better served with the diesel option and you can afford a little bit extra, go for it. Pretty much the only people that discourage you from buying one is someone that doesn't have one. Having driven diesels as personal trucks as well as class 8's, I don't ever see myself going back to gassers. They are unmatched in performance.
You have to give Ford credit though. They are the only one that is building their own diesel. And transmissions, although the ten speed is a joint venture with GM. GM is still marketing the transmissions in their diesel trucks as "Allison" but it's only certified by Allison. It's the Ford/GM collaboration.