What Did I Forget?

I haven't gotten a chance to comment on the ride of the Stableloads yet so here goes. These devices are not as bad a ride engaged with the bed empty as I had thought. Yes, there is more stiffness to the ride but it IS A TRUCK after all. Not that bad on reasonably good highways. There was a section of concrete road that was pretty brutal, but it was really bad before. We like to sing and make fun of our vibrato (bump induced). I believe I could leave them like this for the majority of the time even unloaded and not be bothered much. There is no slapping or other weird noises present. These devices will also come in handy for hauling firewood out of the high country.

Since I did not get the camper on the truck I have no data on that yet, or of the Stableloads flipped out of the spring pack.

The original dealer has the ball now. I reserve comment until they have had their team look and decide. Have had a good relationship with them so far. All dealer work is expensive but usually reliably done. Hard to predict the future as always!

Sucks.

What work did you have done? If they did glow plugs and dropped something in...they should cover it. If they had no way of dropping something in there....

Maybe you had an injector tip break off. It can happen.

At this point if a piston is ruined you have a few choices if the shop can't claim responsibility.

Rebuild. Should be 6-7k for a long block.

New. You know that cost already.

Cummins swap. 7-15k depending on options.

New truck.


Sorry, I hope it is simple for you and not any of the above options.

Visit Ford-trucks.com for other ideas. They have a 6.0 forum.

It's only practical for a new engine from a dealers standpoint because their rates are so high. Suggest you check around and find someone that is more inclined to repair the engine. Someone that really works on the engine internals, can replace just the one piston reusing the existing rings. If they can do it with the block still in the truck, you may be able to get out for $1k -$3k if you bullet proof it at the same time.

I had a shattered connecting rod in an Windstar. Fixed it for under $200 in the vehicle. Very fun working on the back side of a side ways mounted V6 in a mini van where everything was done by feel.

Granted it will be out of balance and shorten the life, but probably only by 1,000 miles or so :).

Wow! What a difference a day makes.

Today I called the dealer at home (no.1) and they said they wanted the dealer here in Boise (no.2) to do more diagnostics. They didn't want to come get the truck.

Drove the truck to the dealer 2 and they had it for a few hours. They called back and said the #3 piston was damaged, they glow plug was bent, and there was evidence of some foreign object that did it. ???????

Cost of extensive testing? $400 + $100 (from computer diagnostics at dealer #3 on Saturday). Dealer 2 called me and said it would be most practical to put in a new motor for $15K. My stomach felt weak. I felt like someone had kicked a ladder out from under me.

So I called dealer 1 and evidently they had a powwow and told me they were going to transport the truck home to their shop tomorrow. So I rented a car to go home tomorrow as well.

A new camper is looking pretty bleak now...

Sorry to hear it. Has your 6.0 been bulletproofed? If not and you love the truck like you say you do, you might condsider it if they have to go in for headgaskets.

Consider arp headbolts, a new OEM oil cooler, egr delete and coolant filter system. Get your FICM voltage tested, get some custom tunes. It won't be cheap but should make your truck last like a old 7.3, but with way more power!


Sorry man, they are great trucks once the quirks are taken care of. Best of luck!

Wow! Talk about Highs and Lows! I hope everything turns out okay for you on your Truck!

Bob in Calif.

Man, that is so heart wrenching, can't imagine how you are handling it. Hope it isn't anything too severe and not a cost to you but the inconvenience. Have my fingers crossed.

I went through the entire walk-through. We tested everything and asked tons of questions. Then I went to back the truck under it and I barely got it started. The thing had a miss and was stuttering badly. Needless to say it was not a good idea to put a heavy camper on it! I limped the truck to the nearest Ford dealer and got bad news.

I have either a blown head gasket or complications from repairs the dealer at home made to the truck last week. I'm 200 miles away in Boise and neither I nor the local dealer can touch the darn thing until I talk with the shop back home so as not to mess with any repair warranty. Vexed about how to get the truck home, not to mention worried about repair costs. Will know more in an hour or so.

Nelson's RV in Boise was very understanding and are holding the camper for us until we can get back. Nice folks.