Steelhog wrote: So where am I going with this? $9K is a deal but PLEASE have some $$$ set aside ($3,000 to $5,000) to replace the head gaskets, install ARP studs, you have to lift the cab to do the heads and studs, install an EGR valve delete kit, and install a coolant filter. The 6.0 is a very advanced engine and was a rocket off the line, pulled like a train but I just didn't have the stomach or wallet to drop another $5K into a truck that cost $4,000 to get out of the shop. I traded backwards for an engine I trusted but it is slower and louder.
He is correct. I have an 07 F-550 Tow Truck, with over 220,000 miles on it. Ran great for the first 50,000 then the EGR valve went out, replaced under warranty, then the injectors, then the EGR cooler, which also took out the oil cooler. Again, replaced under warranty. After warranty ran out, I had to replace 2 more injectors, another EGR valve, and am now replacing the EGR cooler.....again. Best thing you can do for these motors is religously change the oil no less than every 5,000 miles. Good diesel, with an additive, get rid of the EGR cooler altogether, and replace it with an EGR delete kit. These are great, strong motors, when they are running well, but, they do have some maintenance issues, and if you are aware of them, and have either the knowledge, or the money to fix them, they are a great motor.
I have a 2006 bought new with 125,000 miles on it. It's been to Yellowstone, Glacier, Big Bend and lots of other places either pulling a 5er or hauling a TC. Problems have been few, fun has been great.
My only advise is keep it serviced correctly.
autiger74 wrote: I have a 2006 bought new with 125,000 miles on it. It's been to Yellowstone, Glacier, Big Bend and lots of other places either pulling a 5er or hauling a TC. Problems have been few, fun has been great.
My only advise is keep it serviced correctly.
War Eagle and glad you got a good 6.0. The trans on a 6.0 is much stronger than the one behind 7.3's so you win some - you lose some. Meticulous service and the proper mods are a must. In a perfect world I'd have a Cummins drivng through an Allison in a Ford chassis. The guy that bought my '04 6.0 told me he would have the heads off in the next 24 hours, install the studs, EGR delete etc. He KNEW what he was buying and was prepared to do it right.
The truck got sold to someone else, and maybe for good reason. I have been working on vehicles for many years, and think I will pass on a diesel after reading this.
Mulebrain wrote: The truck got sold to someone else, and maybe for good reason. I have been working on vehicles for many years, and think I will pass on a diesel after reading this.
The repair bills are just nuts.
you are one fortunate dude as you have saved yourself a lot of $$ and aggravation.
Mulebrain wrote: The truck got sold to someone else, and maybe for good reason. I have been working on vehicles for many years, and think I will pass on a diesel after reading this.
The repair bills are just nuts.
you are one fortunate dude as you have saved yourself a lot of $$ and aggravation.
Mulebrain wrote: The truck got sold to someone else, and maybe for good reason. I have been working on vehicles for many years, and think I will pass on a diesel after reading this.
The repair bills are just nuts.
I would not pass on a diesel period. Just a 6.0. I'll never go back to a gasser truck.
Just for your reference as you seem to be looking... I have owned the following tow/haul rigs...
1994 GMC K1500 Ext Cab SB 5.7 TBI 5 spd man 4x4
1994 GMC K2500 Suburban 7.4, 4L80E 4x4
*2000 Excursion V-10 2V Triton Auto 4x4
2001 F350 CCLB Dually 7.3 PSD, 6 spd man 4x4
*2002 F350 CCSB SRW 5.4 2V Triton 6 spd man 4x4
*2005 Excursion 6.0 PSD, Auto 4x4
The ones with * I still own. Hands down of all the above, the 2005 6.0 has the most power and torque, but has had the most issues. The 1/2 ton GMC and the 2005 Ex I bought new, the rest I bought used. The most reliable would be a toss up between the 1/2 ton and the 2002 5.4 manual. While the 7.3 was a tank, and did offer the best fuel economy of any of these, it did not have the torque nor HP of the V-10 or the 6.0. It may have been that mine had 180K on it, but it was no slouch, and commuting, I managed 19-21 mpg empty in the 7.3 man dually longbed! Even the 1/2 ton GMC only rarely got 20 mpg. So far my only 6.0 "horror" story has been a turbo replacement under warranty.
From all that, and the fact that I have driven the newer 3-valve triton V-10, I would lean towards a 2005 or later V-10 Triton (3V) with 6 speed manual and 4x4 for the reasons of cheaper maintenance and lots of HP/torque. The 6.8 has proven to be a long mileage motor (many documented over 200K with normal maintenance), but the trade-off is fuel economy is pretty dim. But with diesel getting to be so much more than gas... It may even out depending on your location and use. My second, for reliability would be a 7.3 6spd 4x4, followed closely by the 6.0 (Bullet-proofed, if I could afford it ~$6K+) with the 6spd man and 4x4. I like the simplicity of the 7.3, but I like the raw power of the 6.0.
All of my trucks were stock engines and transmissions. I know that with mods each can be pumped up, but I do know that my 5.4 in the F350 feels like it puts out as much HP and torque as the TBI 454 did in the suburban! The newer motors may be smaller cubes, but they are getting alot more HP out of them. Again, if I could afford it, a supercharged 4V Dual overhead cammed 5.4 sure would be fun!
I hope this gives you some ideas for your future truck!
With Gasoline here at $4.40/gal and Diesel at $5.30/gal, I drive my F350 alot more than my Diesel Excursion due to the cost of running them here on the Island. I have no highways or freeways to let the diesel prove it's worth, so the stop and go, and short distances only yeild 10-12 mpg in the 6.0, while the 5.4 gets 9-12 for the same driving...
Good luck on your choices,
Garry in Kodiak, AK
Garry K
Wife + 4 kids
Retired Military Family.... Alway's on the move....
2002 F350 CCSB 5.4 6spd 4x4 in AK
1966 Avion C-10 Truck Camper
Offline
