What is everyone's thoughts on this year/model? We were originally going to stay away from fords as we heard their older diesels had engine problems, but hubby really likes the look and drive of this one and the price is great. So tell me the good and the bad. Thanks. 2004 f350

Loved my 06 F350 but hated the problems I had with the engine. I spent over $5000 in less than a year trying to get the truck running correctly. New egr, egr cooler, oil cooler, fan clutch, changed out Ford Gold coolant to Cat ELC coolant, rebuilt entire front brakes, oil leak from turbo area we couldn't figure out, front hubs would not auto lock and finally the CAC tube would not stay on while pulling. I couldn't get rid of the truck cast enough.I'm sure others will be along shortly to tell you their horror stories as well. Not all are bad though. It's a **** shoot on getting a good one.It is was me, and this is my opinion, run don't walk away from the truck, there's a reason its so cheap. Look for answer 6.7 F250 or a GM or Ram.

I have a friend with the 6.0 engine. He had to spend money to rebuild the engine, but loves it. His fuel economy is pretty low, but it has a lot of power. I notice that the turbocharger was repaired or replaced recently... I would find out what that is all about.If it were me, I wouldn't be scared to buy a 6.0, but I would be prepared to put $5K or so into the engine to bulletproof it if necessary. I have never owned one, so I speak only as the friend of a 6.0 owner.

I have a 2005 with the 6.0 diesel an 52,000 miles. No real problems with it and it rides vey comfortably, but having said that I'd buy a 2011 or 2012 when they went to the 6.7. There's no reason to buy a 6.0 that more than likely will have problems. The 6.7s have more power and get better fuel mileage.Bill

I highly recommend watching the you-tube video about the best Ford diesel year as explained by a mechanic that specializes on Ford diesels.What year Powerstroke is best?

I had a 2004 F250 6.0 and then a 2007 F350 6.0. Almost no problem with either. Towed my 5er great. And I would guess the majority of owners were the same. But there have been more than enough owners that have had significant problems with the 6.0 to give it a really bad reputation. Might get a good one. Might not.

2004 Ford F-350 diesel | Good Sam Community

spoon059
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2016
FishOnOne wrote:
Just so you know the last catastrophic engine failure from a member on this forum was a cummins.... Funny how selective memory works here. :W

Seriously... you need to let it go man. You don't like Cummins, Ram or Dodge. We all understand. Can you go away now?
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jan 11, 2016
Flashman wrote:
DeezPanthers1 wrote:
Well we found out they said they replaced the whole engine, we didn't get all the details as we didn't have too much time. After hubby read up he has decided to go with a Chevy/gmc. Honestly I was leary as his last ford blew up in our driveway a few months ago. It was a very old ford but still, it wasn't even running when it caught fire and by the time we got the extinguisher it just exploded.

Classic!

Just so you know the last catastrophic engine failure from a member on this forum was a cummins.... Funny how selective memory works here. :W
blofgren
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
rhagfo wrote:
DeezPanthers1 wrote:
Well we found out they said they replaced the whole engine, we didn't get all the details as we didn't have too much time. After hubby read up he has decided to go with a Chevy/gmc. Honestly I was leary as his last ford blew up in our driveway a few months ago. It was a very old ford but still, it wasn't even running when it caught fire and by the time we got the extinguisher it just exploded.

He might at least take a look at a RAM, the Cummins engine is tough to beat for strong running and low maintenance.

x2. Good call on not going with the 6.0L; I had a 2003 6.0L and as you can see in my signature I made a change with absolutely no regrets.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 10, 2016
DeezPanthers1 wrote:
Well we found out they said they replaced the whole engine, we didn't get all the details as we didn't have too much time. After hubby read up he has decided to go with a Chevy/gmc. Honestly I was leary as his last ford blew up in our driveway a few months ago. It was a very old ford but still, it wasn't even running when it caught fire and by the time we got the extinguisher it just exploded.

He might at least take a look at a RAM, the Cummins engine is tough to beat for strong running and low maintenance.
Flashman
Explorer II
Jan 10, 2016
DeezPanthers1 wrote:
Well we found out they said they replaced the whole engine, we didn't get all the details as we didn't have too much time. After hubby read up he has decided to go with a Chevy/gmc. Honestly I was leary as his last ford blew up in our driveway a few months ago. It was a very old ford but still, it wasn't even running when it caught fire and by the time we got the extinguisher it just exploded.

Classic!
DeezPanthers1
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
Well we found out they said they replaced the whole engine, we didn't get all the details as we didn't have too much time. After hubby read up he has decided to go with a Chevy/gmc. Honestly I was leary as his last ford blew up in our driveway a few months ago. It was a very old ford but still, it wasn't even running when it caught fire and by the time we got the extinguisher it just exploded.
Wadcutter
Nomad
Jan 10, 2016
A friend had the same year and engine. After 2 yrs he traded it. He figured the amount of time it had been in the shop and during the 2 yr period it had been in for repairs more days than he had it at home.
nohurry
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
What everyone has told you is true. I would say this particular truck may be a great value for you though if you get it at a good price. The car fax shows it has been regularly serviced at Ford dealership. That indicates to me no one tuned/modified it, and they took good care of it. They also traded it in back to a Ford dealer. That means they were happy enough with it not to switch brands. And the dealership not only took it in trade, but didn't wholesale it out to and auction house. Indicates to me that it's one of the "Good ones". So I'm going to recommend that if you like it, use the 6.0's reputation to your advantage and negotiate them down to rock bottom $ and buy it, with the caveat that you may want to keep a few thousand bucks in savings just in case. That can be said of any diesel that's 12 years old though. Good luck.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
We had 2 6.0 Fords at work. Both had expensive problems with head gaskets, turbos, oil coolers, etc. Even when they were running I wasn't impressed.
My personal truck is an '05 Chevy Duramax. I would drive it to work and then get in the company Fords. It was a remarkable difference. My Chevy started quicker, was quieter, handled better, and got better fuel mileage than the Fords.
So, based on my experience with them I wouldn't take one if it were free.
NY_RVer
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
I have an '06 with 215,000 miles on it and have found it to have plenty of towing power, both for my TT and 6 different trailers I have for my business. Like others have mentioned though, there are issues that may come up and can get costly. I believe I went through all of the ones mentioned already, and do remember putting up to $12,000 into the truck in repairs one year. Head gaskets blew at 172,000 miles, and ironically temp only rose when pulling trailers uphill, whether empty or full. Had studs put in, and complete wiring harness replaced due to electrical issues at that time, and the truck has been a pleasure ever since. Have had many different trucks in my 40 yrs of driving, and currently have a few different diesels, but the Ford has been my favorite and hope it keeps going for many more miles. Good luck with whichever you choose to go with, as you will probably not be dissapointed with any of the "big three". Enjoy your travels.