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Mjoseph320's avatar
Mjoseph320
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013

2004 F-450 6.0 DRW Bullet Proof

Our dealer that knew we were looking for a TV called us about a 2004 F-450 DRW 6.0L Diesel, the Lariat package, that's been bullet proofed. It has 77,000 Miles and one owner who used it for pulling horse trailers. There is a lot of paperwork included showing all the work done. It has balloons? Airbags? that raise or lower the rear suspension. Includes a gooseneck hitch. $21K

It's more truck than we were looking for but I'm thinking you can't have too much truck. It won't be a daily driver and right now we are only pulling a max of 6500 lb TT but plan to upgrade to a small (27 - 30 ft) FW in a couple years.

My question is...with all the problems of the 6.0 does the bulletproof actually make it reliable. We are looking at this being a long-term (10+ years) ownership. We always buy new because we do better with a budget of a monthly payment and a bumper to bumper warranty than with surprise repair bills but at the price of new trucks that is out of the question for something that will be a TV only.
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  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    MOST strictly stock 6.0 engines would go 77,000 miles without a lot of trouble. If it were me I'd pass and look for something else. Just too many problems with the engine and the repairs are COSTLY and Lengthy. Bullet proof would be a sales term and doesn't REALLY tell you what issues were addressed.
  • redsb3's avatar
    redsb3
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    With all the emissions stuff removed, how are you going to get it registered in California??
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Oct 11, 2013
    Our dealer that knew we were looking for a TV called us about a 2004 F-450 DRW 6.0L Diesel, the Lariat package, that's been bullet proofed. It has 77,000 Miles and one owner who used it for pulling horse trailers. There is a lot of paperwork included showing all the work done. It has balloons? Airbags? that raise or lower the rear suspension. Includes a gooseneck hitch. $21K

    It's more truck than we were looking for but I'm thinking you can't have too much truck. It won't be a daily driver and right now we are only pulling a max of 6500 lb TT but plan to upgrade to a small (27 - 30 ft) FW in a couple years.

    My question is...with all the problems of the 6.0 does the bulletproof actually make it reliable. We are looking at this being a long-term (10+ years) ownership. We always buy new because we do better with a budget of a monthly payment and a bumper to bumper warranty than with surprise repair bills but at the price of new trucks that is out of the question for something that will be a TV only.


    I totally agree that within reason we cannot have too much truck. However, you might check the Calfornia revised statutes for registering a truck with that gross weight and whether you will need to comply with truck weight stations. I would start with the Motor Carrier division and ask questions. A F350 dually will do everything you want especially if you are only looking for a relatively short and light fifth wheel. For a 38-40 foot toyhauler or other heavy fifth wheel the 450 makes sense, but a 350 is more than enough for your near term future plans. Just trying to save you some money and possible DMV headaches.
  • maxwell11's avatar
    maxwell11
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    my friend had the most beautiful 03 one ton ford with same motor.
    at 55 mph pulling a 16ft trailer loaded with hay, one of the pistons fried.
    ford fixed it for him.

    the truck had 60K miles, but he was afraid of it, so he sold it.

    he is the only one I know that has owned a 6.0 liter and had problems, others around may have had problems, but never told me.

    I bought a 2005 dodge diesel with 42k miles, the old man died and his daughter sold his truck,

    when I was looking for a low miles dodge diesel

    all I could find, the old man had died and they sold or traded in his truck.

    but, others do not like the dodge transmissions, so all of them have their problems or skeletons in the closet.

    go luck and take your time.
    there are plenty of good used trucks,

    if you do not need a truck that large: parts and tires etc may be more expensive and it may ride rough, just some heads up things to think about.
  • Mjoseph320's avatar
    Mjoseph320
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    Stefonius wrote:
    Just for frame of reference, my 2003 F-450 DRW 7.3L Diesel cost me $5,500.00 to purchase with 105k on the odometer and full dealer maintenance records.



    Thanks...with the $5000 bulletproofing I'm thinking that ups the price a bit but I couldn't find a KBB value for a F-450 and the ones for sale were dump trucks or flat beds so not a great reference point.
  • Mjoseph320's avatar
    Mjoseph320
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    I didn't know that about the insurance. The previous registrations were part of the paperwork and I think I saw it registered as commercial but I assumed it was because it was owned by a working ranch and they just registered it that way as a tax write off or something. Thanks for that tip!
  • Stefonius's avatar
    Stefonius
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    Just for frame of reference, my 2003 F-450 DRW 7.3L Diesel cost me $5,500.00 to purchase with 105k on the odometer and full dealer maintenance records.

    For $21,000.00, I hope your truck comes with a gold-plated bedliner.
  • Jeep_Hauler's avatar
    Jeep_Hauler
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    Hi I have a 2005 F450 6.0 that has gone through the usual problems, head gaskets etc. If you decide to by this truck one of the first things you should add is gauges or a monitor to watch all of the operating temps. I would recommend having a diesel shop check out the engine and coolers. They can plug into the obd port and see if a problem with the coolers exist. You said it was bullet proofed so this should not be an issue. Check the ford truck forums for info. This is a low mileage truck that may have all of the problems resolved. The other thing you may want to check is the availability/price of insurance. My truck has a GVW of 16,000 lbs. I now have to buy a commercial policy for this truck, allot of companies would not insure a F450.
  • boogie_4wheel's avatar
    boogie_4wheel
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    My parents had an '04 F450 that was 4wd. They have a 4.30 axle ratio. About 60mph was where it wanted to run, and got 10-12mpg running with a 22k combined weight. Handled the 30' horse trailer well.

    IIRC all the 'bulletproofing' cost $4500-5000 for all the parts (EGR cooler, HPOP, head studs, ect). I think a bulletproofed 6.0L has a lot of potential, with the only weak link after all that being the sticking vanes in the turbo. The turbo can be removed, cleaned, replaced in a few hours (I've done it twice).

    I'm laughing at the 6500lb trailer; yeah it will be plenty of truck. My dad considered bulletproofing theirs, but then found a deal on a MDT so he went that route instead.

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