PU Truck - which model?

2001400ex wrote:



1) like the repeated use of the word irresponsible. Someone takes the internet too seriously.

2) I already retracted the recommendation after I read follow posts from the OP. The first post didn't have enough information. I am no motor head but owned a 6.0 and it ran awesome.

3) yes the engine was a disaster, which were centered mostly on the first 2 years of engines. What made the engine terrible was the casting sand that would block the EGR and oil cooler, which could/would blow the head gasket. Which required the cab to be lifted. That fix is easy with a coolant filter. The rest of the issues you mentioned were not as pervasive.

4) the 6.4 didn't have those issues and once you put some work into it, the truck gets better fuel mileage. That engine is a great value right now.

5) yes, the OP, not being a motor head, should buy a gas engine to tow with, which i already acknowledged.

And how many head bolts per cylinder does the 6.0 have? OH! I only see four!

https://www.alligatorperformance.com/arp-250-4202-head-stud-kit-for-03-07-ford-6-0l-powerstroke?gclid=CJyUsZK6jM4CFZFgfgod81UO1w

Times two!!!!

6.4

http://www.bulletproofdiesel.com/ARP_Head_Studs_for_Ford_6_4L_Power_Stroke_Diesel_p/6000099.htm

Times two!!!!



Chris

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

Most of the 05/06 6.0s did not have those problems. Nice rant tho.

Go argue with Ford. They are the ones that said in court documents that this single engine had the worst warrantee claims of any engine in the companies history.

They are also the ones that sued their vendor because of a BILLION dollars in warrantee claims over this single engine. (It's well over that now.)

So those few 6.0 that failed must have cost around a million dollars + apiece to fix. :B

I will say it again. It's irresponsible to recommend a 6.0 diesel to someone that knows nothing about engines when there are other great Ford choices out there like the V10 or the 7.3.

If the OP had a shop full of tools and knew the 6.0 inside and out, my answer would be different.

1) like the repeated use of the word irresponsible. Someone takes the internet too seriously.

2) I already retracted the recommendation after I read follow posts from the OP. The first post didn't have enough information. I am no motor head but owned a 6.0 and it ran awesome.

3) yes the engine was a disaster, which were centered mostly on the first 2 years of engines. What made the engine terrible was the casting sand that would block the EGR and oil cooler, which could/would blow the head gasket. Which required the cab to be lifted. That fix is easy with a coolant filter. The rest of the issues you mentioned were not as pervasive.

4) the 6.4 didn't have those issues and once you put some work into it, the truck gets better fuel mileage. That engine is a great value right now.

5) yes, the OP, not being a motor head, should buy a gas engine to tow with, which i already acknowledged.

Tony B wrote:
I will probably be doing a lot of west coast and east coast driving. We are not back country people anymore and will be staying in parks whether they be private, state or Fed.
Will I ever actually need a 4WD?

Doesn't sound like you would need 4wd. You can put a locking differential in the axle of a 2wd and, with good tires and weight in the bed, go many places that 4wd's can go.

After I put the Powertrax LockRight auto locker in the rear axle of my SRW F350, I didn't use 4wd nearly as much. I run that truck with BFG All Terrains.

Most of the 05/06 6.0s did not have those problems. Nice rant tho.

Go argue with Ford. They are the ones that said in court documents that this single engine had the worst warrantee claims of any engine in the companies history.

They are also the ones that sued their vendor because of a BILLION dollars in warrantee claims over this single engine. (It's well over that now.)

So those few 6.0 that failed must have cost around a million dollars + apiece to fix. :B

I will say it again. It's irresponsible to recommend a 6.0 diesel to someone that knows nothing about engines when there are other great Ford choices out there like the V10 or the 7.3.

If the OP had a shop full of tools and knew the 6.0 inside and out, my answer would be different.

I will probably be doing a lot of west coast and east coast driving. We are not back country people anymore and will be staying in parks whether they be private, state or Fed.
Will I ever actually need a 4WD?

Ok, most 6 liter Pstrokes didn't have problems. Allot of people would beg to differ. Sort of the same for the 6.4.
You want reliability and not a gear head? This is not the place to start.
Look for the best HD gasser truck, new enough to have a 6 speed trans (unless you find a cherry old 8.1/Alli GM) with the lowest miles your budget can withstand. Any flavor.
If you can do 2wd, you can actually find some deals compared to the majority and more popular 4wd trucks.
$15k will get you ALOT more truck in an ext cab 2wd vs cc 4wd that most people want.

Early 2000's Chevy Dually with the 8.1/Allison should fit the budget. Great TV even by todays standards.

We didn't have any problems with the 6.0 diesel in our '05 E350 van. The van 6.0's are de-tuned, compared to the pickups. They have about the same power output as the International VT365 tune for that engine.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

2001400ex wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

2001400ex wrote:
If you are looking for value, the 05/06 Ford 6.0 and 07-10 Ford 6.4 diesels are your best options. But be prepared to do about $1,500 of work on each one first. Other than that, the v10 is a solid choice.

:E :E :E
Did you really just recommend a 6.0 and 6.4 to a person that knows nothing about motors and say it was his "best options?" What next? Recommending a 5.7 diesel? Gesus!!

I posted based on the first post. I don't think it's difficult to educate yourself on those engines and the problem areas. After reading subsequent posts, yeah a gas engine is probably the best route. (I didn't see the $10k budget when I posted).

For those on the $1,500 comment. You need is a coolant filter, egr block plate, up pipe, tuner and exhaust, which will be around $1,000 in parts ($300 more for the 6.4) and it's less than $500 in labor.

They are great trucks if you just do a little research first. (Keep in mind, I had a 6.0 for 18 months that had every problem in the world, expect the head gasket issue).

Well that's a start: :B

Then there is the head studs and gaskets for $600


Then there is the $3000 in labor for replacing the head gaskets. Last time I checked AllData they gave 28 hours to replace the head gaskets on the 6.0. :E


Then there is the fact that Ford does not recommend to shave the 6.0 cylinder heads. So now we need another $1800 bucks.


Then there is the $400 FIMC issue


Then if the FICM takes the injectors out you're looking at another $1500.


Then you have to buy a new turbo if you don't want to deal with "cleaning issues" or overboost that will kick a head gasket out. Oops, there is another 2 grand!


Then you need a blue spring and an O ring kit and then you need a really good mechanic that really knows what they are doing to seal up the bed plate leaks.


Then, then, then, then; after you do all of these things and then some; you have a pretty good little engine! :R

Sorry, but to recommend the second and third worst diesel engines in US history to someone that doesn't know anything about engines is irresponsible IMHO.

Most of the 05/06 6.0s did not have those problems. Nice rant tho.

My dad still uses is 99 7.3 and only has a little over 100k miles on it. Been a great truck for him although it feels about like driving a tractor after towing with my Ram. I think a newer gasser would offer a more refined experience, albeit while burning a lot more fuel.