calling all ford owners

2000 F250 7.3L Power Stroke, 6speed manual, single rear wheel, 2wd. At times I think 4wd would be nice but I added TruTrac positraction and it takes care of most of the problems. Love my truck.

I'm not nearly as educated on the subject as many of the members here but I would venture to put forth that from my anecdotal research, the engines with the bad reputations were often because people were pushing the engine harder than it was designed to do. I'd point out that many of the people on the forums for these trucks fall into the enthusiast category and these people tend to push their trucks hard, either for work, play or through performance upgrades. These people can also tend to be pretty vocal when something does go wrong. The reputation of these engines may very well be deserved but that doesn't automatically mean your going to have bad luck with it.

Ford increased the payload capacity by 1000 pounds in 2005
If you plan on a 6.0 diesel model, think about nothing older than 2005

what you think of this one with gas engine

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=412194329

here is one truck i was interested in

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=452667573

I have a 2005 F350 Lariat excab SRW which I bought used 10 years ago.The first thing I did was get an Oasis report from a Ford dealer,at the time they were free you just need the VIN no. This will tell you everything that was done while the truck was under warranty by any Ford dealer.If there were a lot of issues with the engine more research is needed or walk away. If you should decide to go forward the first thing you need to get is a Scan Gauge to monitor your engine. These cost about $125. With this gauge you can monitor the difference between your coolant temps. and your oil temps. This is the telltale sign for an oil cooler that is getting clogged,you don't want to be over 14* difference (AKA delta),This should be taken as you cruise down a flat road at operating speed.If you have your camper on back and are pulling a hill you will not get the "delta" that you want no matter if your oil cooler is new or if it is 10* out,that is normal. You can also monitor the FICM (fuel injection control module) which Ford says should be between 40-50 volts,I think the average is 46-48 volts and If mine went below 46 volts I think I might get a new one. This is one of the things that can kill the injectors.You can also check your EGR or the charge from the alt. and many other things,all you do if program the thing you want to check.
But as said before the most important thing is MAINTENANCE.
I have never used an oil additive or synthetic oil,have sent my oil samples to be checked every 10K or so miles and they come back stating that I could go further on the next change which I never do,I use Delo LE 15w-40 only and have been since I had my 97 7.3. I use fuel additives intermitently.I have had no major problems with this truck.I did take it in for the "Hanging drop of oil" that never seemed to fall just before the factory warranty ended and they pulled the engine and resealed the oil pan. But before the warranty expired I bought the extended warranty that was offered at the time for $2000 thinking what everyone else thought about these engines. And just before that expired and since I hadn't had to use it I took it in complaining about oil leaking between the heads(In reality it was no more than you would see on any engine,just enought minor seepage to collect some dirt) they had to pull the engine again and at this time I had ARP had studs installed (had to recoup some of the $2000 for the extended warranty:)) I would not hesitate to buy another 6.0 if everything checked out ok.They all have there own problems Dodge Chevy and Ford and they all have remedies. If you get one here are a few things to remember:

1: They don't like to be "chipped" if you do you HAVE to get gauges ie;pyrometer etc.Scan Gauge does not have that capability.

2. They liked to be driven/worked,the turbo can rust up if left sitting to long.

3.Maintenance,maintenance,maintenance.

Sorry if this was long but I could go on.

Always love these threads... so many opinions.

I've owned all three makes. I've got no use for Dodge; the trucks tend to fall apart around the motor. Had good luck with the Duramax's overall.

In respect to the OP's question, I currently still have 4 trucks with the 6.0. We have good return on these, but they like to be ran hard. Driving around an RV once in while and going to work or getting bark once a month isn't going to cut it.

Two of these have had the studs done. It seems to be a given and I'm ok with it. Still cheaper than a new 6.7.

I've got no problem with the engine. It's a matter of where you're going to spend money. New payment (most folks) or a repair bill... the ROI for us is still there.

The biggest issue for me is the age of the truck over all (running gear, etc). The 6.0's are getting to the age where I hesitate...the truck has to be in pretty decent condition.

2013 F350 DRW.
6,200+ lb payload at 14.000 GVWR
Ford''s bullet proof 6.2 L

400,000 mile Ford 6.2 liter engines

I own a 2004 F350 6.0 diesel crew cab Lariat long bed 4X4 SRW that had in the past 3 problems with EGR. The last one out of warranty costed me 8K. My truck only has 86K miles.
Just purchased a 2016 Lance 1062. For that I also purchased Vision 19.5" wheels and new tires to withstand 4500 lbs per wheel. The truck came with a rear torsion bar. I installed 4 Hellwig shocks and air bags.
End of April I am going to take my first trip with the camper. Prior to this the only heavier haul the truck did was to pull a 6000 lbs boat and even that not often as the boat sat in the water for the Summer.
I am going to try to take it easy and not push the engine. I drove the camper from NH to NJ with original tires and no problem. I bought the Vision because my tires could burst with the weight on a long trip.
We will see how the 6.0 engine will hold. We cannot predict things: my 2006 Mercedes Benz SLK350 with 63000 miles just threw a rod and the new engine cost me 10K. Who would think this would happen to a MB?
Last time I had the EGR cooler problem, the Ford dealer that fixed it told me in a very assured way I would not have any more problems with it. That was in 2009. People tell me they made modifications to the cooler and the chips that control it. I do not know anything about it to give you an intelligent answer. I am not a mechanic, I am an engine monitor. I just let my wife know the truck is not running.
Godspeed.