6.0 Powerstroke thoughts

[Slimdog350]

I own a 6.0 liter and love it. A lot of people don't realize that a diesel needs more maintenance than a gasser. Ford did have a lot of issues with that engine but there is so much material online to browse thru if you have any issues. If you know what to look for you can bite some of the issues in the butt. Keep your oil changed at 5k, change your fuel filters at 10k and coolant at 50k. I just did an oil cooler and egr in my truck. I put about $1,000 in parts into it and did my own install( I'm a diesel mechanic). Some people drive their diesels like they do a gasser. Drive it and forget it. Look up bulletproof diesel like bugle buster suggested. Talk to one of their techs. He will tell you all sorts of things about what's good and what's not. Read about everything. They also make a ton of parts for these engines. I'm happy with mine! Any questions pm me.

[C-Money]

Our work as well has had noting but problems with the 6.0. I'd RUN!

[Stalker]

I have owned an 06 F350 4X4 Dually crew cab for 5 years and love it. I owned an 99 7.3 that was the same and had to sell when I transferred to Italy; loved it as well but it was not without it's share of problems. What I can tell you about the 06 6.0 is that there are known issues with these trucks. However if you get one for the right price and drop some $$$ into taking care of some of these issues and stay up on the maintenance you should have a vehicle that meets all your needs and run for 1/2 a million miles or so. I changed out the EGR and Oil coolers with Bullet proof systems, added a Sinister Coolant Filter and AmesOil bypass oil filter system and have had no issues. I have put 70K + miles on this rig and tow a boat trailer combo that weighs 8K +. I have towed this across country and a good chunk of Canada and cruise down the highway 70-75 with no problems. Towing I get about 10-12 MPG and normal highway without towing I get 16.5MPG (this from a vehicle that weighs about 8500lbs). I also run a Bully Dog PMT set on Performance Mode. One thing I may add is keep your foot out of it so you don't slam it with turbo boost and you should not need to change head bolts to studs. Of course this is only what I have seen out of my vehicle, your results may differ. When I was looking to get mine I also posted on here and received some good gouge; part of which was to look more at the 06 model and avoid the 03/04 models as there were more issues associated with the early production models.

If at some point I do have a catastrophic failure down the road I think I will keep the truck but swap the motor for a 2002ish Cummings which should make it a bulletproof rig.  Hope above helps and good luck. 

[b23]

I own a 6.0 liter and love it. A lot of people don't realize that a diesel needs more maintenance than a gasser. Ford did have a lot of issues with that engine but there is so much material online to browse thru if you have any issues. If you know what to look for you can bite some of the issues in the butt. Keep your oil changed at 5k, change your fuel filters at 10k and coolant at 50k. I just did an oil cooler and egr in my truck. I put about $1,000 in parts into it and did my own install( I'm a diesel mechanic). Some people drive their diesels like they do a gasser. Drive it and forget it. Look up bulletproof diesel like bugle buster suggested. Talk to one of their techs. He will tell you all sorts of things about what's good and what's not. Read about everything. They also make a ton of parts for these engines. I'm happy with mine! Any questions pm me.

I had a 2004 6.0 that has only been in the shop 3 times since it was new.  First time was the TSB about the wiring chaffing issue.  No Charge.  Had the EGR cooler replaced under warranty.  Then a couple years ago I put the Bulletproof EGR cooler in it.  I've had a Edge controller on it since it was nearly brand new.  My father now has it to pull his boat around and it has been flawless.

The motor is actually a pretty high tech design but unfortunately they didn't complete the package with some of the components they bolted on it. 

ARP Head studs, bulletproof EGR cooler, Bulletproof external oil cooler are probably the 3 best things you can do to these 6.0L diesels. 

[wildmanoutdoors]

Just run from it and you won't have to do all the above stuff. My bro,s 06 has been a nightmare.

[coachcw]

wanting a 6.0 is like wanting VD ! don't do her brother !

[jackelope]

I own a 6.0 liter and love it. A lot of people don't realize that a diesel needs more maintenance than a gasser. Ford did have a lot of issues with that engine but there is so much material online to browse thru if you have any issues. If you know what to look for you can bite some of the issues in the butt. Keep your oil changed at 5k, change your fuel filters at 10k and coolant at 50k. I just did an oil cooler and egr in my truck. I put about $1,000 in parts into it and did my own install( I'm a diesel mechanic). Some people drive their diesels like they do a gasser. Drive it and forget it. Look up bulletproof diesel like bugle buster suggested. Talk to one of their techs. He will tell you all sorts of things about what's good and what's not. Read about everything. They also make a ton of parts for these engines. I'm happy with mine! Any questions pm me.

I had a 2004 6.0 that has only been in the shop 3 times since it was new.  First time was the TSB about the wiring chaffing issue.  No Charge.  Had the EGR cooler replaced under warranty.  Then a couple years ago I put the Bulletproof EGR cooler in it.  I've had a Edge controller on it since it was nearly brand new.  My father now has it to pull his boat around and it has been flawless.

The motor is actually a pretty high tech design but unfortunately they didn't complete the package with some of the components they bolted on it. 

ARP Head studs, bulletproof EGR cooler, Bulletproof external oil cooler are probably the 3 best things you can do to these 6.0L diesels.

This.
If you've got about $6k to burn and are not a diesel technician, go for it. Once you drop the 6 G's on it, it'll be bombproof though.

[Gamehunter034]

Yea I really don't  have extra cash laying around to buy and put straight into upgrades. With all thats been said it definitely has me reeling back on looking and sticking it out with my half ton. I pulls my trailer just fine just sketchy going over the passes but got me from point A to B this camping season. Its a 5.3 which seems to be pretty bullet proof its self I'm more concerned about tranny issues later on. But thats the nature of towing. I am considering a intake and after market exhaust to get a little better flow not sure about a programmer I don't know how much they really help, any ideas?  Thanks guys


Sent from my Iphone 5s

[WARHORSE]

Letting it breath will help a lot.   As far as a tuner on a gas vehicle u will see some difference but not as dramatic of a change as a diesel.   

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Put a CUMMINS in it...

[jackelope]

Why not just buy a dodge if you're going to spend thousands putting a cummins engine into a ford truck?

[Skillet]

I've owned my '06 6.0 auto since new, 112k on it now.  Love the truck.  I often pull real loads with mine, but I maintain religiously and know what to look for in terms of potential issues. 
That said, I would NEVER buy a used 6.0 that had a lift and bigger tires, had ever had an aftermarket tune on it, or without having all maintenance records available for review (including OASIS report) and having a ScanGuage hooked up to it during a test drive that allows for an accurate assessment of what you're looking at.  Even then, as others have said, it would be wise to be proactive in addressing some of the known issues.  Ford makes a beast of a truck and I happen to think these years are some of the best looking trucks ever made, but this excellent International engine suffers from some hokey engineering of the bolt-on stuff.  All upgradeable if it hasn't gone past the tipping point (which is a failed EGR cooler, allowing coolant into the intake, which will stretch the stock head bolts, blowing your head gaskets).
In short, educate yourself and proceed with caution.  You could do worse, like the 6.4 Powerstroke...

[GameHunter1959]

I was looking for a descent low mileage 7.3 liter. I could not find anything fair priced with low mileage. I gave up. Just bought the new 2014 6.4 liter RAM 3500 gas model. I get 15.3 miles to the gallon. Love it!
My only negative about it. It Boggs down in the lower gears until you get the RPMs up. The electronic tranny takes a minute to shift up to the next gear. Other than that; no complaints. Go to Dave Smith and finance a new truck!

[Gamehunter034]

I was looking for a descent low mileage 7.3 liter. I could not find anything fair priced with low mileage. I gave up. Just bought the new 2014 6.4 liter RAM 3500 gas model. I get 15.3 miles to the gallon. Love it!
My only negative about it. It Boggs down in the lower gears until you get the RPMs up. The electronic tranny takes a minute to shift up to the next gear. Other than that; no complaints. Go to Dave Smith and finance a new truck!

I have been curious about this new motor. My brother and law works for a body shop and had to fix one and said it seemed to run well and the guy said he was getting 16ish mpg. I may wait till the beginning of the yr or spring to make a decision, I have a new baby due anytime now and trying to get my hunt in as well.


Sent from my Iphone 5s

[Rick]

Its a 5.3 which seems to be pretty bullet proof its self I'm more concerned about tranny issues later on. But thats the nature of towing. I am considering a intake and after market exhaust to get a little better flow not sure about a programmer I don't know how much they really help, any ideas?  Thanks guys

The factory intake and exhaust flow more air than the 5.3 can use. Save the money for gas and beer.

If your truck is "sketchy" towing a 23' trailer,its not set up to tow correctly.  Get a quality weight distribution hitch and sway control. Keep the tires inflated correctly.

Don't be afraid to run it at 4K+ rpm if necessary. That's where small blocks make power. If GM thought it wasn't good for the engine,they wouldn't have designed it to turn those rpm.