collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: School me on diesel trucks.  (Read 19075 times)

Offline Blacktail Sniper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 5916
  • Location: Rochester, Washington
  • Kill'em all...let the gravy sort'em out!!!
  • Groups: blacktail sniper
School me on diesel trucks.
« on: April 30, 2015, 09:32:13 AM »
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.




It is better to be consistently incorrect than inconsistently correct...

Sarcasm: The ability to insult stupid people without them realizing it. 

My level of sarcasm depends on your level of stupidity...

Sarcasm makes smart people laugh and stupid people mad.

Offline huntnphool

  • Chance favors the prepared mind!
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 32899
  • Location: Pacific NorthWest
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2015, 09:36:38 AM »
04's had a 6.0L, my advice would be to drop a year and look for a early '03 7.3L.
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline 2labs

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2299
  • Location: Graham
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2015, 09:41:43 AM »
Do some research. That engine is a boat anchor!!
Dino was robbed
Habitual Rock Poacher
Do these "attack" pants make my ass look big?

Offline turkeyfeather

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 5128
  • Location: Stevens County
  • Groups: NWTF
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2015, 09:46:47 AM »
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.
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is who you actually are while your reputation is merely who others think you are.

Offline Jonathan_S

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 8999
  • Location: Medical Lake
  • Volleyfire Brigade, Cryder apologist
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2015, 09:49:33 AM »
Instead of dropping a year, drop a tenth of a liter and go with a 5.9 Cummins.
Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with too many facts.

Offline Blacktail Sniper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 5916
  • Location: Rochester, Washington
  • Kill'em all...let the gravy sort'em out!!!
  • Groups: blacktail sniper
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2015, 09:52:21 AM »
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?
It is better to be consistently incorrect than inconsistently correct...

Sarcasm: The ability to insult stupid people without them realizing it. 

My level of sarcasm depends on your level of stupidity...

Sarcasm makes smart people laugh and stupid people mad.

Offline Doc Sauce

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 271
  • Location: Bremerton
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2015, 09:54:41 AM »
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... 

Offline Woodchuck

  • GO TEAM!!!
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 12147
  • Location: Walla Walla
  • HuntWA Woodblock
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2015, 09:56:09 AM »
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.
Antlered rabbit tastes like chicken


Inuendo, wasn't he an Italian proctoligist?

Offline Woodchuck

  • GO TEAM!!!
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 12147
  • Location: Walla Walla
  • HuntWA Woodblock
Antlered rabbit tastes like chicken


Inuendo, wasn't he an Italian proctoligist?

Offline turkeyfeather

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 5128
  • Location: Stevens County
  • Groups: NWTF
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2015, 09:58:26 AM »
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.
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is who you actually are while your reputation is merely who others think you are.

Offline Jonathan_S

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 8999
  • Location: Medical Lake
  • Volleyfire Brigade, Cryder apologist
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2015, 09:58:42 AM »
6.0 fords can be made into a reliable beast but require some spendy upgrades to accomplish this.


 :yeah:

Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with too many facts.

Offline Woodchuck

  • GO TEAM!!!
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 12147
  • Location: Walla Walla
  • HuntWA Woodblock
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2015, 10:04:02 AM »
Are you looking at auto trans or man?
Antlered rabbit tastes like chicken


Inuendo, wasn't he an Italian proctoligist?

Offline jstone

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 6566
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2015, 10:10:46 AM »
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

Offline Skillet

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+43)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 5823
  • Location: Sitka, AK
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2015, 10:11:37 AM »
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.
KABOOM Count - 1

"The ocean is calling, and I must go."

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
     - Gordon Lightfoot

Offline Blacktail Sniper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 5916
  • Location: Rochester, Washington
  • Kill'em all...let the gravy sort'em out!!!
  • Groups: blacktail sniper
Re: School me on diesel trucks.
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2015, 10:33:07 AM »
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....  :o








It is better to be consistently incorrect than inconsistently correct...

Sarcasm: The ability to insult stupid people without them realizing it. 

My level of sarcasm depends on your level of stupidity...

Sarcasm makes smart people laugh and stupid people mad.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Dan-o
[Today at 09:38:04 PM]


Lynx kittens confirmed in the Kettle Range by Caseknife
[Today at 09:25:51 PM]


Seeking recommendations on a new scope by Klickitatsteelie
[Today at 09:23:56 PM]


Looking for Solid 22 LR input by MADMAX
[Today at 09:19:31 PM]


2025 Canning by Twispriver
[Today at 09:15:12 PM]


2025 Montana alternate list by Edminsterquality
[Today at 08:47:06 PM]


WSTA 2025 Summer Rendezvous Agenda by Trapper John
[Today at 08:00:27 PM]


First attempt at polish sausages by Stein
[Today at 07:58:22 PM]


Fullsized Truck Opinion: HiMiNew vs LoMiOlder by MADMAX
[Today at 07:57:22 PM]


Sockeye Numbers by Southpole
[Today at 07:44:30 PM]


Best all around muzzy (updated) by jjhunter
[Today at 07:44:26 PM]


38% increase in fishing and hunting licenses by Sitka_Blacktail
[Today at 07:02:41 PM]


50 inch SXS and Tracks? by 92xj
[Today at 05:34:03 PM]


3 days for Kings by MADMAX
[Today at 05:06:49 PM]


Full moon and last week of September by pd
[Today at 04:51:23 PM]


Hunting bears in the thick stuff by ghosthunter
[Today at 04:33:46 PM]


GMU 247 Entiat bear hunting by Ridgerunner
[Today at 11:56:01 AM]


2025 Crab! by spin05
[Today at 05:11:11 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal