Background: I have a 2005 F250 diesel 4x4 with 65k on it. It is in relatively in good shape. I have a gravel drive and the truck sits out there in Ohio weather. The underside has some surface rust and the calipers have been replaced a couple of times. Other then that, no issues. I am retiring this summer and we are planning on traveling the country for a few months with our travel trailer. My question is should I take my 2005 and take a chance it may die in the middle of nowhere or should I make my one time life investment and buy another new diesel? DO the new diesels have better mileage and what did you pay for a newer f250 diesel 4x4 with a crew cab? Thanks in advance

Wow! My 06 GMC 2500 duramax has 150,000 on it and it's just broke in. Diesel well maintain will run 300,000+ miles. JM2C.

Since yours is an infamous 6L personally I would drop it on someone else and buy a new one. Yes you now have to add DEF for emission compliance, but other than additional cost it seems to be doing OK.

Heck, a new one could die in the middle of no where just as easily. :E

Stranded in HoustonThat you even asked the question says you have a glimmer of doubt in your mind. I'm more afraid of a 6.0 that has had less than 10,000 miles per year than I am of one with 300,000 miles. Yes, I am serious. The 6.0 has a reputation of failing big time, typically when you most need it to be reliable. IMHO I would go for a new gas truck for the amount of miles you drive. The new ford gasser is rated to pull up to 15k ish lbs depending on configuration. Plus, not $13k HPFP failures to deal with :DGood luck no matter what you decide. You can take some preventive measures to try and resolve the 6.0's issues before they grenade the top end. They may or may not work. They key seems to be to monitor the oil temp and the coolant temp and shut down the truck if they get more than 15 degrees apart. More than that and 'they' say that it means there is a major problem brewing. They say that shutting down and getting the truck immediately repaired prevents the chain reaction failures associated with this motor. Thanks!Jeremiah

New or newer becomes the issue. Starting in 2007.5 the three big guys all produced diesel engines that got considerable lower mileage, which did not go back up until the DEF models came out. So with Ford you need to jump ahead to the 6.7 at least. Dodge to the late 2013's with DEF and I am not sure on the GM what year that was. Towing mileage should be in the 10-12 MPG range.Both the new GM's and Ford's use the Bosch CP4.2 injection pump that is known to fail once in awhile and is a very expensive out of warranty repair, with Ford in some cases blaming it on the user's fuel!RAM still uses the older Bosch pump, and if you get the one with the Aisin 6 speed auto(medium duty truck tranny), it is a great rig. I would love to have a new SRW 3500 RAM. With the 7K RGAWR they will handle a trailer with 3500+ pin weight!Now the down side! These new trucks cost 3 or 4 times what many of us paid for our first house in the early 70's!Going into retirement with a 9 year old truck might not be the best plan! Mine was 5 years old when I retired in 2006. It now needs tranny work. Chris

SHould I maintain my 250 or buy new one? | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

whsk
Explorer
Jan 24, 2014
6.0 is a money pit-I would get a Cummins if I had my choice-mine is doing fine!-whsk
akronharry
Explorer
Jan 24, 2014
Thanks everyone
brooks379
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
I'd run it until it started costing to much then I would go get a new F350 with a 6.7 . I'm in the same boat as you but this 02 7.3 Powerstroke just won't die...I'm looking for the first reason to buy a new 6.7 F350 crew cab 4x4 off road w/8' bed just because they are so good looking .
Redsky
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
Since yours is an infamous 6L personally I would drop it on someone else and buy a new one. Yes you now have to add DEF for emission compliance, but other than additional cost it seems to be doing OK.

To avoid a possible $1,000 in repairs you recommend that the OP spend $45,000 on a new truck? What have you been smoking?

The problems with the Ford Powerstroke engines for the 2005 model year are easy to research as are the probable repair costs. Most common problem was with the EGR valve and that is hardly a major repair item.

As the OP has owned the truck since day one they know if the maintenance has been done on the truck over the years. Before heading out on the road with a trailer in tow there is time for very little money to replace the belts and hoses and batteries and fluids and even the EGR (or carry a spare) and do other preventative maintenance which will go a long way toward minimizing the chances for a breakdown on the highway.

Being retired if you are stuck for a few days in some town while waiting for repairs it is not going to be the end of the world. You might need to rent a car for a few days but that is a trivial expense.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
Fishonone your dad is a wise man!!!!!! lol !!
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2014
monkey44 wrote:
QUOTE: "...Since yours is an infamous 6L personally I would drop it on someone else and buy a new one..."

Maybe you'd like to be that someone else he drops it on - not a very nice comment.

Anyone who buys a 6.doh at this point KNOWS what he's getting into!
shadows4
Nomad
Jan 19, 2014
OPer I see everyone is anxious to help you spend your money. But then you asked. Myself I would do some research on what needs to be done to make the 6.0L reliable. I know it would be much cheaper than a new truck. At 65K miles your truck should have a lot of life left.
spoon059
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2014
monkey44 wrote:
QUOTE: "...Since yours is an infamous 6L personally I would drop it on someone else and buy a new one..."

Maybe you'd like to be that someone else he drops it on - not a very nice comment.

He wouldn't be holding a gun to someone's head and forcing them to buy it...
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
monkey44 wrote:
QUOTE: "...Since yours is an infamous 6L personally I would drop it on someone else and buy a new one..."

Maybe you'd like to be that someone else he drops it on - not a very nice comment.

Why? Trading it in is going to be dumping it on someone else isn't it?
Besides there is no way I would buy a Ford now. Not that Fords are not nice, and I assume they are, but I am so happy with my Cummins why would I downgrade vehicles.

You could get a F650-750 with a Cummins. Hey why can't you get one with a 6.7 PowerStroke?????

Op get out while the gettin is good!

Any of the big three new diesel trucks will be far better than what you have now.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2014
monkey44 wrote:
QUOTE: "...Since yours is an infamous 6L personally I would drop it on someone else and buy a new one..."

Maybe you'd like to be that someone else he drops it on - not a very nice comment.

Why? Trading it in is going to be dumping it on someone else isn't it?
Besides there is no way I would buy a Ford now. Not that Fords are not nice, and I assume they are, but I am so happy with my Cummins why would I downgrade vehicles.