Looking at used Ford F-350 high miles

Apm10266 wrote:
I am looking at some used 05-07 Ford F 350 Duals, 6.0 diesel, with around 200,000 miles, just to pull my TT and assorted camping gear. We expect 6-7 trips per year, 100-300 miles trips. I am fully aware of the 6.0 problems but hey, if it's running good at 200 thousand the bugs have all been felt with is my thinking. These are in my price range and there are not many Dodge or GM trucks as Fords in my market. What say u ?

Funny you say that about the problems being addressed. My BIL called me a couple years ago and asked me the same question about a 2005 6.0 that had all the upgrades done. I told him the same thing you are thinking." If its got that many miles on it then it has surely been bulletproofed and should be a good truck." Well a about 3 months later he had to drop 5k in it. He now has 2 injectors and a couple glow plugs that need to be replaced. He just drives it 30 miles a day to work. Just sayin.

How big is the camper? If you just camp a few times a year then a gas job would be better, depending on weight. Otherwise, I have seen several 6.0 Fords with that many miles still on the road. I think most have had some repairs or even bullet proofing done by now. But you need to find out. There is a place in Goergia that knows Powersrokes very well. I believe his site is Powerstrokehelp.com. Others may correct that. I would look to see what he has for sale or take the truck to him if your able prior any purchase. Regardless a lot have been burned by that engine here as well as the 6.4 Ford. So expect a wide range of answers. You mentioned about dodge and Chevy, my thoughts are they are more expensive because of the 6.0 issues in the past. That being said I would not pay much for one, just my opinion. I have only used those engines at work and we have gone through lots of engines. But they are driven hard, so not normal use, but for the right price then it could be a good buy.

In general I think the 200,000 miles on a modern day diesel is no problem. My own '05 Chevy Duramax has 216,000 on it with no problems. We just ran 3,550 miles from VA to CO and back this summer.
However, I've had experience with 2 Ford 6.0 trucks at work: an '03 and an '06. Even when they weren't in the shop I still thought that my Chevy drove better, handled better, started quicker, and sounded quieter. My co-workers agreed on the numerous times my truck was pressed into service when the company's Fords were in the shop.

All I can say is there's a reason you're finding those in your budget and not the other 2.
To be fair though, 200kmi on any diesel or any vehicle for that fact opens up a lot of "possible" and some probable failures.
Any 10+year old truck with 6-9000engine hours is a gamble. Just that the house wins more often with a 6.0.

I bought a 08 with v10 at 160000. 5 months later the 5r110 tranny needed rebuilt. I've got 3000 in rebuild. Just consider that when you make offer.
My only other thoughts are the 6.0 actually does better when run regular. When used less frequent problems occur. The firehouse where I work we have problems keeping turbos.
Good luck

X2 on a gasoline engine. You can probably get something really nice with a lot less miles. My friend at work just replaced 2 injectors on his Cummins at 200,000 miles and it was very expensive.

Just how big is that TT. Most bumper pull trailers can be pulled by a lesser truck than a DRW one ton. I own a Ford but I'd be concerned about buying a 6.0L, maybe if it had the deletes and other fixes added.

Run away from this truck as fast as you can. My BIL had one and it was a money pit. Get a new 6.7 or a new Dodge or Chevy

Oh come on guys....there are good ones out there.

You mostly only hear about horror stories here but I'd buy another for a reasonable price after having it checked out first for any obvious issues.

Any truck over 200k is a roll of the dice with any number of age / mile related possible issues down the road...a typicall risk when going used vs new.

OK flame away...

I had 3 Fords over the course of 20 years with the last one being a Ford 6.0L. It had a shade over 100k miles on it and had a bedplate leak, failing oil cooler (plugging up), and several weak injectors that made it run very rough when cold. And the truck had an EGR delete and was maintained better than the book. I got burned big time on the truck on resale value and had a hard time finding anyone to buy it or take it on trade. I had 2 dealers tell me outright that they simply would not take it. You can see what I have now in my signature and am very happy.

The 6.0L just has too many inherent design flaws that make them prone to trouble even with being "bulletproofed". If you want a Ford, look for a cherry Super Duty with a 7.3L diesel. You will have a fantastic truck with a good reliable engine that is good on fuel and good resale value. But be prepared to look long and hard and pay for it! :B