6.4 Powerstroke

[ffbowhunter]

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

[huntnphool]

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

[jackelope]

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

Pretty sure '03 will be a 6.0L unless there was a year split and they put 2 different engines in them. You couldn't get a worse 6.0 leaker than an '03 6.0 leaker.
A 6.4L is just  a modified 6.0L. Same issues. Put a few bucks in them and they're solid but they have all the emissions crap on them and get crummy MPG's.
We've been putting lots of money in repairs into the 6.4's that are out of warranty. I'd either buy one expecting to put some significant $$ into it or steer clear.

[Woodchuck]

  Best advice I have heard on here in a  long time.

[huntnphool]

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

Pretty sure '03 will be a 6.0L unless there was a year split and they put 2 different engines in them. You couldn't get a worse 6.0 leaker than an '03 6.0 leaker.
A 6.4L is just  a modified 6.0L. Same issues. Put a few bucks in them and they're solid but they have all the emissions crap on them and get crummy MPG's.
We've been putting lots of money in repairs into the 6.4's that are out of warranty. I'd either buy one expecting to put some significant $$ into it or steer clear.

Yes, early '03 model year had the 7.3L available.

[jackelope]

I just put $6k into one between both EGR coolers, BJ's and brakes. Maybe a few other small things. It had 110k miles on it if I remember correctly.

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

Pretty sure '03 will be a 6.0L unless there was a year split and they put 2 different engines in them. You couldn't get a worse 6.0 leaker than an '03 6.0 leaker.
A 6.4L is just  a modified 6.0L. Same issues. Put a few bucks in them and they're solid but they have all the emissions crap on them and get crummy MPG's.
We've been putting lots of money in repairs into the 6.4's that are out of warranty. I'd either buy one expecting to put some significant $$ into it or steer clear.

Yes, early '03 model year had the 7.3L available.

10-4. That'd be the one to get then.

[huntnphool]

I just put $6k into one between both EGR coolers, BJ's and brakes. Maybe a few other small things. It had 110k miles on it if I remember correctly.

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

Pretty sure '03 will be a 6.0L unless there was a year split and they put 2 different engines in them. You couldn't get a worse 6.0 leaker than an '03 6.0 leaker.
A 6.4L is just  a modified 6.0L. Same issues. Put a few bucks in them and they're solid but they have all the emissions crap on them and get crummy MPG's.
We've been putting lots of money in repairs into the 6.4's that are out of warranty. I'd either buy one expecting to put some significant $$ into it or steer clear.

Yes, early '03 model year had the 7.3L available.

10-4. That'd be the one to get then.

If I remember correctly from the Powerstroke forums, about 30% of the '03's had the 7.3L.

[HawkCreek]

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

Pretty sure '03 will be a 6.0L unless there was a year split and they put 2 different engines in them. You couldn't get a worse 6.0 leaker than an '03 6.0 leaker.
A 6.4L is just  a modified 6.0L. Same issues. Put a few bucks in them and they're solid but they have all the emissions crap on them and get crummy MPG's.
We've been putting lots of money in repairs into the 6.4's that are out of warranty. I'd either buy one expecting to put some significant $$ into it or steer clear.

Yes, early '03 model year had the 7.3L available.

Been looking for over a year. Only found one truck that was exactly what I was looking for that wasn't overpriced but a lot. It sold in less than a day 

[sirmissalot]

I heard worse things about the 6.4 than the 6.0. I just finally got rid of my 6.0... What a fricking nightmare.

[MP123]

Any diesel newer than '07.5 or '08 model year is going to have a bunch on emissions crap on it.  DPF, EGR, maybe urea depending on make.  There's ways around it but if you're looking at that basic model year you might be happier with one that's a little older and doesn't have that stuff.  It's just one more expensive thing to go wrong and can leave you stranded when it plugs up.

[Mark Brenckle]

Just got rid of an '08 last week because the warranty ran out. Had I known the cab has to come off the truck for dang near anything I wouldn't have touched it in the first place. That and we never saw 15 mpg, ever. We got 11-12 with the (small) horse trailer, maybe 14 empty. Cured my love of Fords real quick! Now I'll just admire them as I pass them at the gas station in my new Dodge. 

[teal101]

Get a Dodge or a 7.3l.  You have to pump some money into those 6.0 and 6.4's to get them reliable.  The 03-06 Dodges have the 5.9l which is a great engine and they added the 6.7l in 04 I believe.

[jackelope]

Just got rid of an '08 last week because the warranty ran out. Had I known the cab has to come off the truck for dang near anything I wouldn't have touched it in the first place. That and we never saw 15 mpg, ever. We got 11-12 with the (small) horse trailer, maybe 14 empty. Cured my love of Fords real quick! Now I'll just admire them as I pass them at the gas station in my new Dodge. 

Dodges of the same age got the same crappy MPG's. All of the big 3 went through that time frame all got crappy mileage with all the new emissions stuff. Now they all have all the crappy emissions stuff still, but they all get a lot better miles per gallon.  It just took a little bit for them to figure it out is what it seems like to me.

Get a Dodge or a 7.3l.  You have to pump some money into those 6.0 and 6.4's to get them reliable.  The 03-06 Dodges have the 5.9l which is a great engine and they added the 6.7l in 04 I believe.

Dodges had the 5.9L till mid-model year 2007 then they went to the 6.7L half way through the year. They were horrible at first also with EGR's and DPF's crapping out like mad. The down side to the Dodge is unless you can find a Mega-Cab, the back seats stink in them with zero leg room.

[teal101]

Just got rid of an '08 last week because the warranty ran out. Had I known the cab has to come off the truck for dang near anything I wouldn't have touched it in the first place. That and we never saw 15 mpg, ever. We got 11-12 with the (small) horse trailer, maybe 14 empty. Cured my love of Fords real quick! Now I'll just admire them as I pass them at the gas station in my new Dodge. 

Dodges of the same age got the same crappy MPG's. All of the big 3 went through that time frame all got crappy mileage with all the new emissions stuff. Now they all have all the crappy emissions stuff still, but they all get a lot better miles per gallon.  It just took a little bit for them to figure it out is what it seems like to me.

Get a Dodge or a 7.3l.  You have to pump some money into those 6.0 and 6.4's to get them reliable.  The 03-06 Dodges have the 5.9l which is a great engine and they added the 6.7l in 04 I believe.

Dodges had the 5.9L till mid-model year 2007 then they went to the 6.7L half way through the year. They were horrible at first also with EGR's and DPF's crapping out like mad. The down side to the Dodge is unless you can find a Mega-Cab, the back seats stink in them with zero leg room.

That is true.  Our work 09 does not get near the mileage my 98 24v does.  I see 18-20 average if I drive it nice.

You are correct on the engines and yes, the rear leg room on the dodges leaves a lot to be desired till the latest body style.

[jackelope]

The MPG's came back a little in the '10 Cummins engines. They were still figuring it all out in the '09's too.

[Mudman]

People I know with the 6.4 have spent alot of time at the dealership for repairs and most traded it in on a cummins or the new ford 6.7 which seems to be a great engine.  We all went to dodges.  An 05, 04 06 and 08.  The 08 got all deletes done and was great but sucked before when stock. The  others have weaker auto trans but we love them.  My 05 is great.  MPG is 12 to 15 towing and 17-20+ empty, lifted on 35s.  Its chipped and all that stuff too.  Trans is still holding.  My old 7.3 2001 was great as well except for auto trans.

[wastickslinger]

There is a reason that the 6.0 and 6.4 are more available and less expensive than the 7.3. When you find a nice 7.3 put a deposit on it cause i have seen them sell within 15 minutes of being listed. I know very little about them but trust a few good friends who talked me into looking, I now own 2 7.3's and couldn't be happier.

[chukarguy]

56k miles on mine.  Not one problem, except for crappy milage.  Did a tuner, DPF delete, and EGR delete at 50k.   Saw a lot better MPG after that.

[Romulus1297]

cumminsforum.com or powerstroke.org This isn't where you want look after you bought your new truck

[Mudman]

cumminsforum.com or powerstroke.org This isn't where you want look after you bought your new truck

Now thats funny!  True.  Might get the mods bug!  Really if you can delete the emissions crap all these trucks are much better it seems.  An 08 dodge went from 12mpg to 18+mpg and power went crazy too!  6.0 6.4 had issues too that emissions crap caused.   Commercials bragging about the power of these new trucks all over yet an old 7-3 or cummins with a few dollars in mods can pull just as good or better and get great mpg and less maint. cost.  Take a 5-9 04 Dodge and do trans mods good tuner and few other mods and I bet it will outwork a new truck.  All this could be done for well under 30k vs 50-70k new truck.

[jackelope]

6.0 and a 6.4. Just need a 6.7 for a trifecta.

[huntnphool]

6.0 and a 6.4. Just need a 6.7 for a trifecta.

Glad I have 7.3's

[Mudman]

That pic says alot! Is it EGR related?

[HntnFsh]

That pic says alot! Is it EGR related?

Its FORD related! 

[Mark Brenckle]

That pic says alot! Is it EGR related?

Its FORD related! 

  They should post that pic at every Dodge and Chevy dealership in the country~ 

[huntnphool]

 Seriously though, I'm not sure why so many think this is a big deal. Unless you do all of your own wrenching its probably a great design and eliminates time for major engine service.

 Porsche has been doing the same thing for decades.

[jackelope]

The reality is, there are not a lot of backyard mechanics that would be able to do the Diesel engine repairs where the cab off is required. Most guys doing that kind of work have the tools to get the cab off. My guys have the cabs up in the air like that in under an hour. It's really not a big deal. The other reality is, if they designed the front end of the truck long enough that the engine wouldn't end up under the firewall, the hood would be 5' longer, then everyone would complain about the weird way it looks with such a long nose.

[Mark Brenckle]

How long it actually takes is of no consequence to me, how many hours can you charge for it? 

  And who knows, maybe it only happens once or twice every 5 or more years after 100k miles, I just wasn't comfortable with the overall reliablity of the truck.

[jackelope]

We use alldata as a labor time guide. There is no labor time for removing the cab. It is built into the labor time for replacing whatever part you have to remove the cab to replace. I have technicians that will remove the cab on a 6.4 L and I have technicians that won't remove the cab when they don't have to. You don't always have to. Some guys like to because it is very nice to work on the engine like that. I have no issues with your questioning the reliability of the truck. That is a valid point.

[varminthunter09]

I have an 08 Dodge with the 6.7. GREAT TRUCK! 18600 miles with no issues.

[bearpaw]

Found a 08 6.4 powerstroke with 80k miles.  Great deal...however I have heard mixed reviews.  Any one have input?

Find a 03 7.3L with the same mileage.

Pretty sure '03 will be a 6.0L unless there was a year split and they put 2 different engines in them. You couldn't get a worse 6.0 leaker than an '03 6.0 leaker.
A 6.4L is just  a modified 6.0L. Same issues. Put a few bucks in them and they're solid but they have all the emissions crap on them and get crummy MPG's.
We've been putting lots of money in repairs into the 6.4's that are out of warranty. I'd either buy one expecting to put some significant $$ into it or steer clear.

Yes, early '03 model year had the 7.3L available.

Yes, I've got an 03 with the 7.3.... 

[jackelope]

6.0 and a 6.4. Just need a 6.7 for a trifecta.

Oops. I didn't get the Trifecta all at once but close. 6.7L grenaded. Coming out.

[Woodchuck]

  Ouch

[Maverick]

Read all this and still interested in buying a dang 6.4 lol. After doing the deletes and tuning them it sounds like they do well... What kind of cost would I be looking at in parts to do that myself?

[Mudman]

2500$-6500.  Depends.  Cheap tuner and full deletes for 2.5k maybe. Really if u wanr a 6.4 you should wait n save for 6.7l ford.  Huge improvement it seems. I left ford for cummins.  A superduty with a cummins manual would be a good build for you!  Its done alot.

[jackelope]

6.0 and a 6.4. Just need a 6.7 for a trifecta.

Oops. I didn't get the Trifecta all at once but close. 6.7L grenaded. Coming out.

The grey 6.7 truck finally left today. Short block and 2 heads. Spun two bearings and piston smacked head. Oops....thanks, Ford for about a $15k warranty ticket.
 

[Mudman]

  I guess best advice is no Fords.  They all have their issues but I know 1 thing, a Cummins Dodge is cheaper to maintain and is reliable.

[jackelope]

The 6.7 was a fluke. We see 50-60 appointments a day and a lot of trucks and that was a first for us. I've written repair orders and replaced Cummins engines too if that's all it takes to scare you away.

[Mudman]

Yup, with fords reputation lately that is all it takes.  I have never heard of a 5.9 all stock new dodge randomly spinning bearings and grenading.  But im not in your business, you seen it all im sure.  I loved my 2001 ford but these new ones I cant trust yet.

[DRobnsn]

Read all this and still interested in buying a dang 6.4 lol. After doing the deletes and tuning them it sounds like they do well... What kind of cost would I be looking at in parts to do that myself?

I had a 2001 Dodge ext cab Cummins that I put well over $10k in mods 70% of that being the full billet trans. I was hard on the truck and spent allot of time chasing squeaks and rattles, Ball joints, steering wander and the list goes on. I had a good time in that truck and it wasn't bad to work on. My needs changed and I sold it a few years back.

Recently I started looking at Diesel trucks again for towing,daily driving and general work. With a new baby I wanted as much space in the back seat as possible without spending 40k+ on a truck.  I know a fair amount of people with 3rd gen Dodges 5.9's and 6.7's and while they are great trucks I just can't get passed that darn tiny back seat. I also wanted options which the Dodge only came with for top dollar when buying used or new.

So to me it was down to the Ford, I test drove 8 different 6.0s ranging from low mile 30ks to highest of mile at around 100k. 2 had check engine lights on and all of them had plugged oil coolers. I knew any 6.0 would come with issues attached at some point but didn't realize finding one without a plugged oil cooler would be so difficult. Plugged oil coolers is not a well known problem to many dealers and allot of people so they sell them either way. Many things can go wrong with a 6.0 but once the bad parts are updated they can be reliable. Generally the 6.0 is much cheaper than any of the other diesels when comparing them with options. The price difference can often be enough to pay the difference in making the engine reliable so if you plan on keeping it and you need a real back seat that may be a reason to buy a 6.0. Or a 6.4 for that matter.   

I ended buying a 2008 6.4l king ranch F-350 with 67k that the dpf fell off of and had a programmer installed. I've only had it a short time but so far I like it. The interior is comfy and big it has almost every option and quit allot of power. As time allows or if need be the EGR cooler will fall off as well and a coolant filter will be installed very soon and the Ford gold coolant will be flushed out and replaced with something good to keep that oil cooler from getting plugged.

[stryker]

2006 6.0 Turbo Diesel - It ran great off the lot. Purchased used in 2011. Started having 'Water in Fuel' light issues, battery charging issues, smoked intermittently until it was fully up to temp. Still loved it.

Traded it for a 2014 with 6.7 turbo diesel, with 27 miles on it. OMG, so much more power.

Just don't ask about my payments... 

[Mudman]

Delete it all and put a Spartan 275 tune in it!!!!  Just kidding. Sounds like nice truck, hope its good to you. Hope its as tough as your old Ram was.  My cummins squeaks n rattles too.

[WaltAlpine]

I still have my 99 7.3. 240k. Still runs great. No problems. Just the usual things that wear out over time.

[DRobnsn]

Delete it all and put a Spartan 275 tune in it!!!!  Just kidding. Sounds like nice truck, hope its good to you. Hope its as tough as your old Ram was.  My cummins squeaks n rattles too.

I've heard good things about spartan tunes. The truck had the H&S black maxx already installed when I bought it so I'll probably run that for quite some time. I'm running the 250 wild tune right now. It's amazing how it builds boost at any speed rpm and in any gear with low egts. I didn't think it would have the low end grunt like a moderately modded 5.9 Cummins does but it pulls at low rpms like a tug boat.  Okay maybe not quite like a tug boat but you know what I'm saying 

[Mudman]

Yes they are fun to play with.  Maybe spank a "hot rod" once awhile.  that motor is no slouch.  My dodge has a few go fast goodies but not to extreme.  What I need is more air-turbo.  Maybe twins.  Darn truck has tons of power but cant use it all or egts get to high.  Is 6.4 running twin turbo? Cant remember.  I know they can be very quick.  Headstuds are something to think about if your running that big tune.  I will say my 7.3 Ford towed better.  It just handled nicer with weight, but it was also longer than my Dodge shorty.

[DRobnsn]

Yep, 6.4's are compound turbos. Head studs may be in the future but I'll back it down on power a bit and watch egt's when towing heavy. I have the tuner set up to only add power when up to operating temp. That is one of the biggest killers of head gaskets cold cylinder temps and lots of advanced injected fuel. Gotta make sure everything is up to temp and tight before thrashing on it. Twins are the way to go IMHO the only caveat when doing aftermarket twins is sizing. The 6.4s have one vgt turbo which helps allot with running wildly different hp levels. When most aftermarket sets are sized for somewhat narrow power levels. If that makes sense? Not to say a good set of twins won't handle big power they just won't tow as nice as a specific towing set. You probably know all this already though.

[Mudman]

Yes, you are right on.  Twins are expensive.  I would have to drop 3500$ for a decent set but would love it.  They are the only way to have cake and ice cream!  Now a single like Aurora 3000 or Phatshaft are about 1500$ to drop in.  This would put about 340hp to the ground across rpm band towing.  Much better than the stock 260ish?  Twins I could put 450hp down pretty easily  But my trans would need serious work for that.$$$$.  I refer to working power not peak.  I dont understand all this dyno crap of 632hp when they cant use half of that towing.  I could drop 450hp on a dyno but only use 300 of it working the truck so whats the point?