6.0 Power Stroke

The 6.0's built in 03' have a round Egr cooler built by Garrett that rarely have problems.I had an 04' that I sold at the end of last year because it was a SRW and I needed a DRW.It was built in 03' and had the round style EGR and 190k trouble free miles by the time I sold it.The only parts I replaced were the alternator and a/c clutch.

 

Every diesel pickup needs egr off it. You get rid of the problem.

 

2004 F350XLT, 6.0 PowerStroke, DRW, 16.000lb 5th wheel,
This truck has 150.000+ low cost miles, two alternators, I have changed the oil and filter every 5.000 to 7.000 miles is why I haven't had any injector, oil cooler or EGR problems.

CMFofNC

 

The oil cooler issue , was caused on the water side.

 

I'd rather deal with the Ford BS then drive a chevy or dodge..

 

the company is Bullet Proof Diesel in Mesa AZ. Outstanding parts and advise for the 6.0.

 

There are a lot of REALLY ignorant posts here. If you've never owned/driven one, then you shouldn't be giving advice about it. That goes for most things in life, not just trucks.

First of all, if you think you will buy any brand of truck, and never have a problem, you are an idiot. They all break down, plain and simple. Diesel trucks all cost a bunch to fix and maintain.

The thing about the Ford 6.0 is you can get one in a nice truck for $12,000. If you want a Chevy from the same year you will spend at least $25k on a base model, and a Dodge will be around $30k. (at least in my area) I agree it was bad on Ford's part to put this engine out the way they did. If I spent $70k on new one I would be pissed. They made some huge mistakes.

With that said, all the mistakes are well known, and have reliable fixes. A "bulletproofed" 6.0 has some of the most power and best MPG. If you take that $12,000 Ford and spend another $5,000 on the engine, you're still at $17k. That is significantly cheaper than a Dodge or Chevy.

Cummins is a great motor, Dodge isn't a great truck. Their bodies have a terrible reputation. Their transmissions have terrible reputation. There is a reason people frequently buy Dodge trucks with Cummins, trash the truck and put the motor in something else.

About a year ago me and my buddy both bought diesel trucks. I bought an 04 F350 (6.0) with every option, low miles for $12,000. He bought an 05 Ram for $32,000. They are essentially the same truck, except his is almost a base model. My Powerstroke proceeded to blow a high pressure oil pump ($1850) followed by EGR cooler ($300) followed by a cracked head ($3500) and bad injectors ($1000). Now I'm at $18,650. (That's what blue book value is!) My truck is completely reliable at this point and also has around 600hp. His Dodge has been to the shop just as many times as my Ford. Injector issues. Transmission issues x2. Body/suspension issues. Dealer recalls. He has spent at least $4,000 more on it. That makes $36,000 which is more than it's current blue book value.

Even after the nightmare I had with my Powerstroke, I would definitely get another one. Actually, I can get two, instead of just one Dodge for the same price. I have a nicer truck, with more power, and better gas mileage. Even my buddy admits mine sounds better! The 5R110 Ford put behind the 6.0 is far better than anything you can get in a Dodge. (Mine is a 5 speed my buddy's is only 4)

The one piece of advice you need about the 6.0:
Buy it CHEAP and spend a few grand on the engine YOURSELF. Don't pay blue book. Don't buy one that somebody else said they fixed. Buy a stock one and have the work done somewhere you trust. Now you have a better truck than the other guys and you can brag about how you built it yourself for half the price.

EDIT - I AM A CHEVY GUY!! I have had many GM trucks. (Also had a Dodge) This is my first Ford. I went to the dealer that had it wearing a Chevy hat, looking for a Chevy truck. I drove home in a Ford and now I wouldn't trade it for a Chevy.

 

Came close to buying an 05 last year. Price was right to go into and fix it right, but once we started it up, found it had a dead cylinder. Was not that cheap! Walked away fast.

 

The thing about the 6.0 is you gotta have a good mechanic. You can't take it to the dealer unless you're rich. I have a guy that works at the Ford dealer during the day, and in his own shop at night. The dealer charges $4200 for a head gasket job. He charges $1200. Same guy doing the work.

 

I am guessing it had a bad injector , and a nice hole in the piston ?