School me on diesel trucks.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Howdy,

Looking at getting a diesel pick-up, have never owned one before, so am very green as far as what to look for, avoid, etc.

Be searching for awhile now, and have decided to go look at a 2004 F-250 Super Duty. Powerstroke, 2WD, super cab, short box.

I have owned a 1999 Super Duty, but it was gas.  I really liked it, and in hindsight, wish I still had it...I know...I know!!

The biggest draws were the cab confort levels and spaciousness, and it hauled anything I threw at it.

The one we are headed out to check out tonight has just over 100,000 miles, is the Powerstroke, automatic, and just a very nice, clean looking rig.

Not wanting a new truck, just cannot justify the prices, so looking in early to mid 2000's model years.

Is there anything about the Powerstrokes in those year trucks, trannies etc., to be cautious of or look for?

Thanks for any insights.

[huntnphool]

04's had a 6.0L, my advice would be to drop a year and look for a early '03 7.3L.

[2labs]

Do some research. That engine is a boat anchor!!

[turkeyfeather]

I have done tons of research as I have considered making the jump to a diesel as well. If you want a Ford find a 7.3 even if it has more miles you'll be better off. Otherwise (and it pains me to say this) look at a Chevy or GMC.

[Jonathan_S]

Instead of dropping a year, drop a tenth of a liter and go with a 5.9 Cummins.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the info!!

What is the specific issue(s) with the 6.0l vs 7.3?

Is it just a power level difference or mechanical/reliability issues?

[Doc Sauce]

I have an 06 f35o... with a 6.0L.  Bought it for next to nothing because of the "boat anchor" engine.  Spent a little bit of money to upgrade weak parts of the engine (insert jokes here) and came out spending less than I could have on any of the others, unless I went with a much MUCH older truck.  I didn't want to do that because I cannot verify how it was maintained or treated previously. 

Bought it with 60,000 miles, did the work, have 154,000 miles on it now... have towed heavy loads across the country (mountains, desert, city traffic) and have had zero problems. 

I am extremely happy with my 6 liter.  Very happy with it.  Plenty of power, good fuel milage.

Just my opinion... 

[Woodchuck]

6.0 fords can be made into a reliable beast but require some spendy upgrades to accomplish this.
The 7.3 is a solid motor, known somewhat for injector issues but in most cases that can be tracked back to lack of oil maintenance.

[Woodchuck]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,171554.0.html

[turkeyfeather]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the info!!

What is the specific issue(s) with the 6.0l vs 7.3?

Is it just a power level difference or mechanical/reliability issues?

6.0 are well known for their horrible reliability. At the opposite end the 7.3 was as close to a bullet proof engine as Ford made.

[Jonathan_S]

6.0 fords can be made into a reliable beast but require some spendy upgrades to accomplish this.

 

[Woodchuck]

Are you looking at auto trans or man?

[jstone]

Doc Sauce what did yu do to your 6.0 I am thinking on having the head bolts done? How much and what did you do? My truck needs to last me 3 more years. I have 144000 on it. 2003

[Skillet]

I have an 06 f35o... with a 6.0L.  Bought it for next to nothing because of the "boat anchor" engine.  Spent a little bit of money to upgrade weak parts of the engine (insert jokes here) and came out spending less than I could have on any of the others, unless I went with a much MUCH older truck.  I didn't want to do that because I cannot verify how it was maintained or treated previously. 

Bought it with 60,000 miles, did the work, have 154,000 miles on it now... have towed heavy loads across the country (mountains, desert, city traffic) and have had zero problems. 

I am extremely happy with my 6 liter.  Very happy with it.  Plenty of power, good fuel milage.

Just my opinion...

Exactly this.  I have an '06 F250 6.0 as well.  I bought it new and have 115k on it now.  Just recently did a lot of the suggested preventative maintenance on the internals and feel I'm good to go for another 200k now.  Wasn't really that much money in the grand scheme of things.  Would have preferred not to have to do it, but it is what it is. A weekend of wrenching and it was done.
As Doc says, you can get good ones on the cheap because of their rep.  If you go this route though, I would never buy one without pulling an Oasis report on it to see what was fixed under warranty, and hooking up a Scanguage to it on the test drive to check your engine oil/engine coolant temp deltas. That way you know what you're looking at before you buy.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Are you looking at auto trans or man?

It is an automatic.

I am also erring on the safe side and figuring that the truck has had no modifications done to it, and is completely stock.

Plans for use are hauling a two-horse trailer and a car trailer with a vehicle or hay, etc., not looking at big loads of heavy freight. 

Not really needing or wanting it to be a 4wd, but there is a 1999 with a 7.3 with a little more miles, 150,000ish, super cab, long box, automatic at bacically the same price point.

Assuming both are stock, and considering the "normal" risks involved with buying unknown, used, it sounds like the better gamble is to just pass on 6.0 and go with the 7.3, just in general history/experiences?

Any vehicle, used is a rick, but it is sounding like the 6.0 does or will need some serious work, basically just "because?"

Maybe we should just look for a gas V-8....