Best Diesel Truck Engine

[jackelope]

From my experience...

Duramax LBZ models (2005 I think)
Cummins common rail 24v 2007.5 and earlier (non dpf)
7.3 liter Power stroke,
6.0 liter power stroke if bulletproofed

I prefer the Cummins

Good or Bad?

These are engines I've personally used for work/play that I would recommend.
Ive had newer cummins and 6.4 liter PS that I don't recommend.  Both un-modified

what should a person watch for on the 6.4 ps?

EGR coolers, high pressure pumps, injectors, radiators.  I've had one in the shop the guy has had the engine replaced(elsewhere) and then the exhaust manifolds replaced 3 times.

[baker5150]

Probably the fuel level sending unit. Part of the fuel pump module.
Intermittent problems suck. If we can't reproduce them, we can't verify a failed part and 99% of the time, we won't guess/shotgun parts.  If we can't fix it, customers think we're not smart enough to figure out what's wrong with their vehicle.

From what I recall they thought it was a wiring issue between the tank and the dash.  We didn't think it was a big enough issue to pay a bunch of money to have them chase down a bad wire, so we just lived with it.  I never thought they weren't smart enough to find the issue.  This was back when Jerry Chambers owned the dealership in Bellingham. They had some really good techs back then, we did a lot of business with him before he passed.

[baker5150]

From my experience...

Duramax LBZ models (2005 I think)
Cummins common rail 24v 2007.5 and earlier (non dpf)
7.3 liter Power stroke,
6.0 liter power stroke if bulletproofed

I prefer the Cummins

Good or Bad?

These are engines I've personally used for work/play that I would recommend.
Ive had newer cummins and 6.4 liter PS that I don't recommend.  Both un-modified

what should a person watch for on the 6.4 ps?

We only had 1 6.4 so not a lot of experience, but it was in the shop a lot.  We had an electrical issue first that was covered by warranty, something simple but it caused a CE light to be on all the time, can't recall what the fix was..  We also had an EGR issue and had to pay for that out of pocket.  We no longer have that truck, it was a nice truck, but when they switched engines again, we went away from Ford and back to GM.  For fleet rigs, it wasn't worth the initial cost.  The newer GM trucks seam to have less mechanical issues overall.

[jackelope]

Probably the fuel level sending unit. Part of the fuel pump module.
Intermittent problems suck. If we can't reproduce them, we can't verify a failed part and 99% of the time, we won't guess/shotgun parts.  If we can't fix it, customers think we're not smart enough to figure out what's wrong with their vehicle.

From what I recall they thought it was a wiring issue between the tank and the dash.  We didn't think it was a big enough issue to pay a bunch of money to have them chase down a bad wire, so we just lived with it.  I never thought they weren't smart enough to find the issue.  This was back when Jerry Chambers owned the dealership in Bellingham. They had some really good techs back then, we did a lot of business with him before he passed.

It's nice when people realize we're not a bunch of dummies LOL.

[Skyvalhunter]

What's this were stuff? U have a turd in your pocket?

[C-Money]

I got away from diesel. Been doing my pulling the last 8 years with a 2004 Ford V10, 6 speed manual. Stock trailer, camp trailer, ATV trailer, does fine for me. Been very dependable.

Great truck but mine netted 7 mpg

I pretty much only drive my pickup when I'm going to have fun, so the fuel bill stings a little less....I'm 8-9 MPG towing, 11-13 empty. It would get expensive as a daily driver...

[jackelope]

What's this were stuff? U have a turd in your pocket?

I'm pretty much always a dummy. I just have to work hard to make the guys behind me maintain their smart image.

[Wacenturion]

I have a 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3 and love it.  Great engine, lots of power, reliable and good mpg, even towing.

[archery288]

$10k later..... Lol. That alone is twice all the total maintenance I've spent on my Ford since 2006 when I bought it. And all the tuners ect will make more costs in the ling run accelerating the wear on all rolling parts on the truck. I'd never buy a modified truck. Bearings, ball joints, gears, u joints etc all go out faster with big tires and more power. There is always a sacrifice no matter what folks claim on fuel economy. Bigger tires and more power equal more stress on everything which equals premature failure. I'd say half life if you're lucky nice engine.... Everything else is shot just past 150k.

Agreed with your statement 100% lol.  There is always a sacrifice for something done... I knew all of that going in to it with the modifications  but partly did them because I wanted them done for my own sake to not have a stock truck.  I intend on keeping the truck for a long time so when things start going out I will replace them with high-end parts to help preserve the life of the truck from that point on.  If you buy the right parts that account for the modifications the truck and engine will last a long time. Now if you're not planning on keeping the truck and willing to invest money in it, don't do the mods.

[Oh Mah]

From my experience...

Duramax LBZ models (2005 I think)
Cummins common rail 24v 2007.5 and earlier (non dpf)
7.3 liter Power stroke,
6.0 liter power stroke if bulletproofed

I prefer the Cummins

Good or Bad?

These are engines I've personally used for work/play that I would recommend.
Ive had newer cummins and 6.4 liter PS that I don't recommend.  Both un-modified

what should a person watch for on the 6.4 ps?

EGR coolers, high pressure pumps, injectors, radiators.  I've had one in the shop the guy has had the engine replaced(elsewhere) and then the exhaust manifolds replaced 3 times.

Thanks,what is and how many miles would you suggest the "DELETE" thing whatever it is?

[Pnwrider]

$10k later..... Lol. That alone is twice all the total maintenance I've spent on my Ford since 2006 when I bought it. And all the tuners ect will make more costs in the ling run accelerating the wear on all rolling parts on the truck. I'd never buy a modified truck. Bearings, ball joints, gears, u joints etc all go out faster with big tires and more power. There is always a sacrifice no matter what folks claim on fuel economy. Bigger tires and more power equal more stress on everything which equals premature failure. I'd say half life if you're lucky nice engine.... Everything else is shot just past 150k.

Yea, but your trucks don't have all the emissions crap the newer ones have for one. Second, it doesn't cost 10k to delete and tune a truck. More like 1-2k largely depending on the tuner. My buddy just had to have the egr replaced on his '11 f350 to the tune of $2k. Longevity also depends on what tune you run. If your running a performance tune, absolutely it's gonna take its toll on the internals. I'd argue that a stock or fuel mileage tune does nothing to decrease longevity. Just reduces having to replace dpf and egr down the road.

[baker5150]

$10k later..... Lol. That alone is twice all the total maintenance I've spent on my Ford since 2006 when I bought it. And all the tuners ect will make more costs in the ling run accelerating the wear on all rolling parts on the truck. I'd never buy a modified truck. Bearings, ball joints, gears, u joints etc all go out faster with big tires and more power. There is always a sacrifice no matter what folks claim on fuel economy. Bigger tires and more power equal more stress on everything which equals premature failure. I'd say half life if you're lucky nice engine.... Everything else is shot just past 150k.

Yea, but your trucks don't have all the emissions crap the newer ones have for one. Second, it doesn't cost 10k to delete and tune a truck. More like 1-2k largely depending on the tuner. My buddy just had to have the egr replaced on his '11 f350 to the tune of $2k. Longevity also depends on what tune you run. If your running a performance tune, absolutely it's gonna take its toll on the internals. I'd argue that a stock or fuel mileage tune does nothing to decrease longevity. Just reduces having to replace dpf and egr down the road.

 
The benefits and setbacks to a modified truck all depend on the mod itself.

And if you own a 2006 Ford 6.0 , your going to be putting money into it at some point.  It's only a matter of time.  That bill seams to run around 10k.  Ford really screwed 6.0 owners by not recalling those things

[Mudman]

7.3 fuel system is inferior.  Auto trans are not good.  Loud.  33% more parts to break.  mpg is less than 5.9 cummins.  Power is less.  That said they are good and rate # 2 from me.  5.9 cummins is the best period.  No contest here.

[huntnphool]

7.3 fuel system is inferior.  Auto trans are not good.  Loud.  33% more parts to break.  mpg is less than 5.9 cummins.  Power is less.  That said they are good and rate # 2 from me.  5.9 cummins is the best period.  No contest here.

 I've never touched my fuel system, rebuilt the transmission at 400k because I thought it was slipping, turned out to be a oil pressure sensor, still pulls my loaded 22' boat over the pass on cruise at 75mph without kicking down and continues to get 18 mpg daily driving........all while approaching half a million miles! YMMV

[Mudman]

7.3 fuel system is inferior.  Auto trans are not good.  Loud.  33% more parts to break.  mpg is less than 5.9 cummins.  Power is less.  That said they are good and rate # 2 from me.  5.9 cummins is the best period.  No contest here.

 I've never touched my fuel system, rebuilt the transmission at 400k because I thought it was slipping, turned out to be a oil pressure sensor, still pulls my loaded 22' boat over the pass on cruise at 75mph without kicking down and continues to get 18 mpg daily driving........all while approaching half a million miles! YMMV

That is remarkable!  I did say #2.  I love em but love cummins much more.  200k ready for 4th trans, sensors(cam etc) injector harness, glow plugs, relays, injectors, fuel sytem/bowl issues, Ball joints, u joints, so I didn't have great luck.  I did love the truck though!