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Old 10-16-2008, 10:41 AM   #1
Bill-N-Donna
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New Tow Vehicle!

Well almost new, new to us anyway. We purchased a 2004 diesel F-350 crew cab dually the other day. I was riding with my son when this nice looking truck caught my eye. I told him to circle back around so we could take another look at it. We stopped and looked at it then I drove it. I called the D/W and told her what I was doing and she said to bring it to her so she could see it and take a ride. Took it back to the dealers lot and they made a comment about how quick I got back; really didn't take offence but felt it was slightly sarcastic due to the fact I had it for about an hour or so. I first asked them what was wrong with it as the price was way lower than I would have expected it to be. I was told it had high miles on it. Asked them what their bottom dollar was and they said to make an offer. I did, and they accepted.

I'm totally happy with the price since Kelly's blue book for private trade is about $5,000.00 higher than what I gave for it. I also took it to my mechanic and they didn't like the fact that it was a 6.0. Apparently there have been quite a few problems with them. The mechanic told me they were hard to work on. Someone else stated that you may get a good one or it can be a bad one. Not sure but I think since it had 310,000 mile on it might indicate that the motor has in fact been a good one. At any rate, time will tell. The truck just doesn’t match the high mileage on it. It appears that it was mostly road miles.

OK, this is my first experience with a diesel and I'm already learning a lot. 15 quarts of oil for an oil change, filter on top of motor. Makes a lot of noise when it's cold and then it smoothes out after it gets warm. The service dept at the Ford garage seemed to imply this was normal.


Now after I've just about wore you out with all of that; I didn't get a response on the search for a 6.0 diesel, so does anyone on here have the 6.0 and if so how do you like it? How does it tow the Monty? Have you had any problems above what should be expected?

Inquiring minds want to know!






 
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:57 AM   #2
BB_TX
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I have an '07 F350 6.0 and before that a late build '04 F250 6.0. Never a problem with either and tows great, drives great, and rides great. But I never approached that many miles on either.
I have been a long time Ford man and I did a lot of research on the 6.0 before I bought one. It seems that most of the problems were with the '03 and early build '04 models year 6.0s. The primary culprit was the turbos with many being replaced while still under warranty. You could ask your dealer if he will print out an oasis report on your truck to see what its repair/maintenance history is. Any work done by a Ford service department will show up on the oasis report.
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Old 10-16-2008, 12:29 PM   #3
bsmeaton
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Congratulations on that new tow motor - nice looking rig. Same color as the 2001 I had (brings a tear to me one good eye ).

Our current 2006 is a 6.0 and it is supposed to have more power than the 7.3 in our 2001, but it just doesn't seem like it. I never really felt the bottom of the bucket on that old crate like I do this 6.0 pullin a hill. However, the 6.0 seems far more high tech and combined with the transmission it makes for a better towing machine.

When I went from a lifetime of gassers to my first diesel, I just had to learn that every noise that would have meant a death rattle on a gasser, is actually normal on a diesel! I just learned to ignore them.
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Old 10-16-2008, 12:42 PM   #4
Wiarton William
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I have an 04 F350 Lariat PSD...crew cab, short box,.....it has never let me down but I have had the Turbo changed 4 times..the EGR twice... You will find unlimited advice,some good some nonsense.
www.theDieselstop.com or Ford doctors diesel technician (search google).........I have been told that the reason I have problems with my turbo is that I dont drive it enough and dont get it hot enough...which I dont...had a resident mouse in the engine compartment for two years.(its 41/2 years old) I have 49000 miles on it and about 35000 of them where towing.....it has to cool down by idling for at least 5 minutes after a long drive...otherwise the bearings in the turbo will melt...and I use 6 oz of cetane every third tank fillup.....helps burn the fuel cleaner and hotter which is good for the EGR and Turbo....You might try and find out who owned it and contact them to see how they drove it....if they didnt have any problems then they must know what to do....
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Old 10-16-2008, 01:29 PM   #5
swanny
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nice lookin truck!!!! good luck with it!!!!
a good resource is www.dieselplace.com

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Old 10-16-2008, 02:04 PM   #6
Jay Bird
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Bill,
We have a 2007 F350 6.0. No problems so far. Used mostly for pulling the Monty. Just crossed the Smokeys and Applachians and no problem pulling.

George
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Old 10-16-2008, 02:21 PM   #7
sailer
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We have a 06 f250 with 43000 miles on it and love it its a 6.0 and pulling i get from 10.0 to 11.6 mpg i try to drive at 63 mph but find it at 70 a lot ,, i am adding air bags, a 45 gal diesel tank and i need new tires before a trip nort in june sailer i am pulling a new 3465sa at 38'4" so it is a big lead anchor back there
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Old 10-16-2008, 02:30 PM   #8
Waynem
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Bill,
I had an F-350 King Ranch, Crew Cab, 4x4, 6.0L and all the trimming that I pulled the 3400Rl with for 1 year, including a round trip to New England. It thought the Cumberland Gap was a mole hill. A great truck with a great engine. Only problem I had was to replace the computer module for the fuel injectors. Pricey to say the least. I didn't advertise it as "for sale," because I traded it and the Hanna in on an SOB. It had 68,000 miles on it. The RV Dealer turned around and sold it for $20K (Salesman told me $16K) Someone got a really good deal. Wish I had known!!
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Old 10-16-2008, 04:43 PM   #9
clutch
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Congratulations on your new tow vehicle. I am sure you are going to like it.
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Old 10-16-2008, 05:12 PM   #10
Bill-N-Donna
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Thanks for all the responses. It's reassuring to hear all of the great times everyone had with theirs. I haven't even got the hitch on it yet. I’m anxious to say the least, to hook it up and take the Monty for a good pull. I have calculated the mileage twice in a row at over 15 MPG and that is a big difference form when I was only getting 9-10 MPG not towing with the Dodge gasser.

I will say this; it has been used for towing where it came with a goose neck hitch already in the bed. I was told the hitch I have should mount ok. I certainly hope so.

That brings up another question; I have to install a brake controller, what suggestions does everyone have for the best operating system?




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Old 10-16-2008, 06:59 PM   #11
Carl n Susan
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As someone wrote earlier, the 6.0's are either very, very good or very, very bad. In my case the late 2004 6.0 had a problem passing any of the many Ford dealers on the I-5 corridor. The usual indicator was a check engine light. Then at 18K a turbo went, at 25K the cam was replaced and at 30K it melted two pistons. Ford then exchanged it straight across for a 2008 6.4L.

The 6.0 pulled the Monty just fine. The 6.4L is a little stronger but the mileage is about 1 MPG worse. However the 6.4L mileage is exactly equal to my friends 1999 7.3 pulling the same trailer (we have traveled over 2K miles together) and I can out pull him on any hill. I used my sisters 2003 7.3 to pull my trailer home when the engine let go, so I have experience with four different Ford flavors. For pulling (and comfort) the 2008 6.4L is better than the 2004 6.0L, which is better than the 2003 7.3L, which is better than the 1999 7.3L. If the fuel consumption of the 6.4L was just a little better, I would be a very happy camper.

I think you will be very pleased with your 6.0 particularly if you are coming from a gasser.
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:32 PM   #12
Icehouse
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Congrats on the truck! She's a beauty!
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:42 PM   #13
stiles watson
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Congratulations on your purchase. May you have many, many miles of trouble free service.
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Old 10-17-2008, 01:41 AM   #14
bncinwv
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Bill,
I only have one word of advice with regards to the brake controller.....Prodigy, Prodigy, Prodigy.....sorry, a little more than one word, seriously though, install a Prodigy, set it up per the instructions and you never have to touch it again other than possibly adjusting the boost depending on the speed you are pulling. I use Boost setting number 2 and rarely have to touch the unit. Others bmay differ, but that is my story and I am sticking to it....and I am glad to see you actually got a rattlin', smokin', noisy, manly diesel to pull with. Tim Taylor (Home Improvement) would even approve!!! The only thing I see wrong with the truck is the four letters and that funny lookin' emblem on the front!! HA HA!!! That oughta lengthen your thread. Blessings!!
Bingo
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Old 10-17-2008, 02:51 AM   #15
Wiarton William
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I have a Prodigy in mine....it hooks right into the Ford wiring loom under the dash, there is a snap in Plug that fits the Ford connections...I have only done it once and would not be able to describe to you how to do it...takes more time to take the cover off the dash under the steering wheel than it does to plug it .
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Old 10-17-2008, 05:29 AM   #16
fulltimedreamer
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Great looking truck!! Enjoy.
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Old 10-17-2008, 05:37 AM   #17
capn chris
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Bill,
I've got an '04 6.0L and am now approaching 100k miles. I keep the oil changed and fuel filters regularly. Not cheap! You'll gag when you buy them or pay someone to change your oil! Good maintenance should give you years of enjoyment. BTW, you will like the way she pulls those WV and MD hills like going to Gettysburg. Best wishes,
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Old 10-17-2008, 11:29 AM   #18
skypilot
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The common saying for the Fords (and newer Diesels) is 'Drive it like you stole it!!'; they are a work truck and don't like to be babied with daily driving. According to my neighbor (a long-time Ford Mechanic) the biggest issue they have is caused by short drives where the vehicle never really get hot and worked. Pulling the Monty should help keep it running for a long time to come.
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