6.O diesal Truck trade or fix

Bird Freak wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

kirbybear wrote:
I have an 04 with 125K miles. Get a Scan Gage to see if you even have any problems. Not all 6.0 have problems.

Until they do…...

same can be said about anything!

I agree, but everything over time has a track history. The 6.0 has a poor one. So why set your self up for possible disaster?

Dave H M wrote:
Yes if you have $60-70k for a new truck go for it, but if willing to keep your present truck get it checked out and then make a decision based on the information presented as a result. Just remember nothing is ever certain, new trucks fail just as older ones do.

Some folks throw some hefty figures out there.

I did not look at cheby or dodge but did order a 2012 F250 gasser with 4.30 diffy, rated for towing something like 15000 :h out the door for 36 and change. Realistically you can get there for less than 60-70K.

Bingo!!!!!

In my experience in both life and RV.net people go from small engined high geared half tons towing a TT. Then go get a diesel and rave about how awesome it is. When a lot didn't even try a big gasser rig. Probably would have been blown away by them as well.

When it's time for my wife and I to get another TV it will probably end up being another gasser. There is something to be said for the peace of mind that comes with owning a capable and reliable gas rig. No EGT, Exhaust Brake, balance of coolant and oil temps needed. Regular ole factory gauges work fine. But you will spend about 30% more in fuel. That's a fact.

But there are no wrong or right answers for everyone. Everyone is different. And that is why there are so many choices out there.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Yes if you have $60-70k for a new truck go for it, but if willing to keep your present truck get it checked out and then make a decision based on the information presented as a result. Just remember nothing is ever certain, new trucks fail just as older ones do.

Some folks throw some hefty figures out there.

I did not look at cheby or dodge but did order a 2012 F250 gasser with 4.30 diffy, rated for towing something like 15000 :h out the door for 36 and change. Realistically you can get there for less than 60-70K.

Someone here said to replace the head gaskets. I disagree.

There are many 200K plus 6.0's out there with the original TTY head bolts still in them.

Remember the ole' saying... If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I agree stay away from Ford dealerships that:
1. Don't know how to diagnose/trouble shoot (tend to throw parts at it)
2. Aren't too familiar with the peculiar issues and known solutions.
3. Price gouge

I found a good independent diesel shop that specializes in powerstrokes who charged less, was well versed on the 6.0l issues/weaknesses and communicated well with me during the process.

bpounds wrote:
I don't think I would sink $10k into an '05 truck, no matter what brand or what engine. And I love my 6.0 too. Even so it wouldn't make financial sense to me.

But for the OP, I'm reading between the lines and thinking you don't really know what, if anything, is wrong with your truck. You're just reading all the scary stuff on the internet. It might be that you need a dose of reality.

Getting the scangage and learning how to use it to diagnose your truck is a good start.

Staying far away from any Ford dealer is your second step. That's where $6-$10k quotes come from. It will take some research, but you need to find the real experts in your area on the 6.0. Reach out to places like the state chapters over at ford-trucks.com forums, and they can tell you who to trust.

Hate to say it, but most of the scary stuff comes from dealerships that have high shop rates and don't treat their techs well. The good ones don't stay at dealerships.

You are probably looking at more like a tops of $5k to fix any issues with your 6.0. Chances are you are looking at oil/egr coolers, and high pressure oil leaks. Those two things done together I could get done for about $3k at a trusted shop in my area. Maybe some injectors and those get expensive. They are also commonly misdiagnosed. Don't be talked into doing head studs preventively. It might never need them.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

kirbybear wrote:
I have an 04 with 125K miles. Get a Scan Gage to see if you even have any problems. Not all 6.0 have problems.

Until they do…...

I've never owned ANY vehicle that was problem free. And I'm curious, since you're apparently a Cummins fan, why you like to hang out in the 6.0 forum.

Fish please explain! The new Dodges do not use the CP4.2 injection pump. So what are the fire issues you are concerned about. Chris

mccrawwf wrote:
Please give your thoughts, or the the best financial and safe move for the future. I have a 2005 Ford 3500HD 6.Ol Deisal truck that I pull a 34 ft. Jayco 5th. wheel. Iam aware of the problems with my truck and the more I read the sicker I get. At this point-98K miles-no problems. Based on 2 estimates Iam looking at 6K to 10K to fix the problems before they happen. What is best-trade or fix? If I trade Iam going to a Dodge Diesal. Iam 63 years old and hope to RV till around 75. My trips are limed to a couple of trips to SC a year.
Tks! Bill

If your nervous about your truck and believe everything you read on the internet, then I would recommend selling your truck for your own piece of mind.

But if your solution is to buy a Dodge Diesel, you better do your homework or you could be jumping out of the skillit and into the fire. :E

for all that think the 6.0 is not a good engine, in the new diesel world there is a 700hp 6.0 featured. I think it got up to 107 in the 1/4 mile. I am sure it cost some $$ to get there, but no more than a chebby or dodge.

If the OP has no problems then he needs to really check what is going on. Get a scan gauge or something to see what your engine is doing. I spent less than $4000 for the work on mine to include studs, new BP egr, New OEM oil cooler and all the latest upgrades per the TSBs. Dont know if there are good shops where he is but find or ask if willing to travel to have truck worked on for recommendations. DON'T go to the guy in Georgia that is all over you tube. Knowledgeable folks have pointed out his many errors although he does a good sales job. The guy I use is a lead tech at a local ford dealer. Guarantees his work and is very reasonable. The 6.0 is a good engine overall, but like all there have been some problems more related to dealers and lack of knowledgeable techs to work on them. Also lazy owners seem to have caused many along with the performance guys who used and abused the engine and then went for warranty! I know dealers that installed AM performance parts and when a problem arose had to remove them for warranty repair approvals by ford, particularly if a engineer was coming to check the vehicle out!

Yes if you have $60-70k for a new truck go for it, but if willing to keep your present truck get it checked out and then make a decision based on the information presented as a result. Just remember nothing is ever certain, new trucks fail just as older ones do.

ClevelandJim wrote:
I respect Bryan's (Carringb) knowledge of vehicles a lot. I'm a Ford v-10 fan, and I also owned a 2005 6.0 PSD Excursion. I'd bulletproof the diesel myself. Along with the previously mentioned mods, I'd get the bulletproof EGR Cooler, and I'd get head studs installed. You can do some of this stuff year-by-year and probably make it to South Carolina just fine. No engine is full-proof, so take what you know and start locking it down. BTW, I have a scan gauge and hate it b/c I find it hard to read. Check this out - it is cheaper too.

Check this out if you have Android phone. I have it for the gauges while driving and is great for powerstrokes to watch icp or duty cycle. Works with 12 dollar blue tooth adaptor.
click here