6.4 Powerstroke

[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.