6.0 Powerstroke thoughts

[Gamehunter034]

I am not new to diesels and am not here for a debate on cummins is better blah blah blah. I have owned a 7.3 in the past and miss the heck out of it but traded it due to lack of space before I had my daughter (extended cab). I bought a 5.9 cummins quad cab and loved it until I had front end issues then injector issues. Towards the end of having that the injectors were having issues again and the clutch was going out and I simply did not want to nor have the money to replace them so I traded it in for a gasser. I have a 23ft travel trailer which is a lite model but still get sketched out pulling over the passes going camping with a half ton. I have my eye on a nice 04 6.0 with 79k miles on it, I know they primarily had head stud and gasket issues along with egr issues and some with electrical issues. Providing this one happens to be a lucky truck or already have those bugs worked out what should I be watching for if I follow through with taking a look at it and seeing my options with it. Any thoughts from current 6liter owners or guys that have spent time with these trucks? Thanks!

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[jrebel]

Our ambulance fleet runs 6 liters and I would not buy one to save my life.  We have had nothing but problems.  I know there are a few good ones out there, but I have yet to see one.  Now the new engine ford has out appears to be a power house. 

Good Luck...Oh, and don't buy the 6 liter.   

[Gamehunter034]

Haha thanks J! Yea my father has one of the new 6.7 and loves it. I may hold out for a good deal on a 7.3 crew cab but their getting harder to come by!


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[Taco280AI]

Buddy in Idaho had one, but got rid of it after too many problems.

[270Shooter]

My girlfriends dad has an 05. Lost the oil cooler and 1 turbo I think it has 120k or so on it. Other than that it's a nice truck.

[HawkCreek]

Never even heard of a 6.0 that is actually used to pull that spent less time in the shop than on the road.

[jrebel]

Not sure what your price range is, but there are quite a few 7.3 liters for sale around the 100K mark, which really is just getting broke in.  My buddy runs a 7.3 with 170K and it still runs well.  I guess what I am trying to say is...I wouldn't hesitate buying a 7.3 with 100K. 

[Gamehunter034]

I don't want to spend more than 23k it will be financed I know some may scoff at financing but its what works for me. I have seen a few at that northwest motorsports but have read a lot of negative reviews about them but have also heard positives as well. I am not shy of buying a 7.3 with 100k I ran mine to 168k before trading it never had anything wrong, replaced batteries and alternator and ball joints. Otherwise it did everything I threw at it.


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[fish vacuum]

I know they primarily had head stud and gasket issues along with egr issues and some with electrical issues.

That should be enough for you to avoid them. I'd never buy a rig knowing they were prone to so many failures.

[trophyhunt]

It's a no brainer, dura max diesel with the Allison tranny! Simple

[Cap.Silver]

My neighbor has one - its in the shop most of the time .... I would look somewhere else .

[buglebuster]

I was in the same boat as you 1 1/2 years ago. Traded in my 7.3 extended cab with 100k on it for an 04 6.0 crew cab with 50k. The truck I bought had just had new head gaskets, egr cooler, oil cooler,  and egr valve replaced. I figured it was a steal for the price and all the problems have been fixed. Wrong! 2 months later I sent it down the road after 7 trips to the shop, from everything from injectors to head gaskets again! I didn't have a chance to tow with it in the time, probably a good thing it may have blew up. I did like the stock power it had and the way it sounded, but there is a reason they are cheap. If you have about $6500 extra to spend you could buy it and bulletproof it and have a sweet truck!

[Gamehunter034]

Dang thanks buglebuster! Thats not good and definitely makes me re think looking at it. I may just hold out until I find another 7.3 or until spring. I wont be camping again until spring so I can hold off as I am not in a rush.


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[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Unless it is a very good deal, very good, so good that even after you drop 6k into it to fix a majority of the issues, you still feel like you got a good deal, then get it.  There are still 7.3l out there with low miles that can be had or step up to the new motor.  I don't think its a Ford thing, that motor is just a pain in the butt and generally not worth the head aches.
 Of course everyone is asking the moon for diesels these days, so expect to pay top dollar for well cared for truck.  Personally, just buy a 2500 gasser and save the extra 10 grand for a new toy. 

[WARHORSE]

Our ambulance fleet runs 6 liters and I would not buy one to save my life.  We have had nothing but problems.  I know there are a few good ones out there, but I have yet to see one.  Now the new engine ford has out appears to be a power house. 

Good Luck...Oh, and don't buy the 6 liter.   

I worked for the same ambulance company.  When. And I do mean when they ran they ran good. But they were always in the shop!  Stay away from the 6 liter!