2004 F-450 6.0 DRW Bullet Proof

Halmfamily wrote:

rjd2516 wrote:
I owned a 2004 f250 lariat. Loved the truck but had engine problems with it. I would recommend passing on the 6.0 engine, and not because of the reliability issues. They just dont have the "nuts" to pull any weight. The smaller block on these engines work really hard when pulling hills. I could only pull a 6% grade at 35 mph with 8500 lbs behind it. And it would run hot , even with that huge radiator it came with. It just never pulled very well. My 7.3, duramax and cummins friends would leave me behind. So I chipped it. And it blew up. $9000 in parts to fix it. I loved driving that truck, except when something was attached to the back.

My 06 6.0 pulls like a beast. My fiver last scaled at 12600lbs is pulled up 6% grades at 65 all day with no problem. When my fan kicks on it sounds lime an airplane under the hood. I have put a new oil cooler, egr cooler, fan clutch, coolant filter, coolant cap and changed out to ELC. Zero issues with overheating. I will be driving this truck for years to come.

I agree, my Excursion is my third diesel and is the truck I was looking for the first two times. I've had my truck and trailer all over the country and can maintain highway speeds on all the major grades. To be honest, I'm always amazed at how well the truck pulls. As a reference, my trailer is right at 8k lbs. A lot of what is said about the 6.0 is true, but low on power is not one of them. My truck is an early 2003 and is the best vehicle I've ever owned. I have 174k miles now and hope to get another 100k. With that said, I realize I've been lucky and doubt I would risk buying a used 6.0. I'm hopeful the 6.7 is reliable because I think Ford builds an awesome truck. My Excursion is my first Ford ever (and I've owned a lot of vehicles), but it has held up better than anything else I've ever owned.....and it has been far from babied.