calling all ford owners

Lots of Ford diesel horror stories here...
Consumer Affairs

Thanks for replies . Lots of great info

As a quick addendum, I do run cetane enhancer (Ford's), Archoil additive, and Howe's anti-gel in the winter. I have used and still use occasionally Optilube instead, but the winter version does not handle the Idaho cold. Several posters have stated that 6.0's need oil and fuel additives and I agree. In fact, I would recommend them to any diesel owner.

DIY oil changes run me about $80-100 with full synthetic. Fuel filters are expensive and should be replaced based on mileage and fuel quality. If you gel in winter, replace them. Be sure to catch Diesel Tech Ron's online videos, may he RIP. He was a tremendous asset to the Ford diesel community.

My work in the transportation department allows me to drive lots of different trucks, especially pickups. I see lots of good things about the different makes, and lots of things I don't like, but I cannot say with any conviction that one manufacturer is head and shoulders above the others. Emotional brand loyalty colors much of the discussion on the internet, so take what people say with a good deal of skepticism. Nikon vs. Canon, Lance vs. Arctic Fox, there is something out there for everyone to bash.

A Ford is what I own so I feel like I can comment on how it has treated me. Everyone around here in ranch country is partial to Dodge -- back in Virginia they were Ford lovers. Where I work they like the Duramaxes. I just like trucks! : )

cooldavidt wrote:
A diesel and any sort of 'extra' cab space reduces payload.

Diesel are good at proving torque. Torque is needed when pulling a load. You will be carrying a load not pulling a load.

Payload is the critical item.

You should buy a camper before the truck then you will know the payload the truck can carry before you buy the truck. If you are set on a 'big' camper you will need a 350 dually.

I have a 250 single and it carries my 10' rig nicely. With airbags and upgraded rims and tires.

My advice wold be to buy a gasoline standard cab.

The payload limitation on the F250 is due to the Class 2b limit of 10k lbs GVWR. The rear axle is loaded pretty much the same whether you have a standard cab or crew or whether have a diesel or gasser. If you watch your rear axle capacity and choice of tires, the rest of the truck really doesn't matter because the rear axle will get about the same amount of weight.

For those forum members that are in a province that takes GVWR labels as legal limit, they should be the only ones concerned. The rest of the members can register for their desired weight and pay for their share of road wear.

I have an 06 F350 6.0 and it has served fair. Dropped a glow plug in cylinder at 60k and the motor was replaced. Had it bulletproofed and have had great luck since. Tows and hauls great. Both motors like a lot of attention. Oil and fuel additives seem to be a must. Oil changes (DIY) with full synthetic Delo and Rev-X run about $180. We use Optilube fuel additive and have had great luck with the combo regarding injectors. It is more expensive to run/maintain than our 7.3 or Dodge were. We run a lot of miles. my next one will be the 6.7, if the current positive feedback continues.

A diesel and any sort of 'extra' cab space reduces payload.

Diesel are good at proving torque. Torque is needed when pulling a load. You will be carrying a load not pulling a load.

Payload is the critical item.

You should buy a camper before the truck then you will know the payload the truck can carry before you buy the truck. If you are set on a 'big' camper you will need a 350 dually.

I have a 250 single and it carries my 10' rig nicely. With airbags and upgraded rims and tires.

My advice wold be to buy a gasoline standard cab.

happycamper1942 wrote:
I have a 2008 f350 shortbox crew cab with the 6.4 litre diesel. Heard lots of bad reviews but Ive done lots of big trips with my camper and my 5th wheel with no major problems. Love it.

Agree 100% and have the same year truck. Mine is an '08 F350 Super cab long box. with the same engine and I have owned it since new. Initially I was having de-rating issues due to the DPF so I went out and bought the H&S Mini Max tuner and deleted. Best move I ever made. Since then the engine and truck have been terrific. religious oil changes and fuel filters (both) and cetane added every fill. Turn off the EGR and I will remove the EGR's this year as well.

Naysayers say I bought the wrong year and I will admit I wish I had the 6.7 for its quiet, but I have more power than I need, get decent mileage (Highway of 14 mpg with the camper on) and no major (or even minor) maintenance so far.

I have a 2008 f350 shortbox crew cab with the 6.4 litre diesel. Heard lots of bad reviews but Ive done lots of big trips with my camper and my 5th wheel with no major problems. Love it.

OBSPowerstroke wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
Navastar had the 7.3 down to a science. When Ford decided to build the 6.0, issues began.

The 7.3, 6.0, and 6.4 liter Powerstrokes were all built by Navistar. Due to the poor reputation of the 6.0 and 6.4, Ford decided to take the motor in house and designed and built the 6.7 that premiered in 2011 and is still in use today.

I'll stand corrected then. Maybe it was the advent of the pollution controls that made it less that reliable.

All I know is my 1997 OBS 7.3 runs like a top and gets 21 on the highway unladen.

No pollution stuff on mine. Even has a road draft tube.

OBSPowerstroke wrote:
Due to the poor reputation of the 6.0 and 6.4, Ford decided to take the motor in house and designed and built the 6.7 that premiered in 2011 and is still in use today.

The 6.7 was under development before the 6.4 had any reputation. I think it's more than likely that Ford had the 6.7 in development because of the lawsuits with Navistar in respect to the 6.0.

The main issue with the 6.4 is the DPF. The first generation DPFs for all brands were pretty horrible.

Also, if you read Ford-trucks in the time frame of 3-4 years ago, you'll know there was a split between which engine people preferred between the 6.4 and 6.7. I know that's the case, and I've pointed that out on Ford-trucks. All you need to do is a few searches to validate. Otherwise, I would have gone 6.7.

The 6.4 will never have the following of the other engines since it was not produced as long. Sure, there are a few people out there that absolutely hate the 6.4, but it's revisionism at it's best. Again, read about the the 6.4 with threads 3-4 years ago. The latest ones slant almost all negative for the hand full of people who still have one. :)