6.0l powerstorke engine

[okierver]

looking at a 2006 king ranch FX 4x4. with a 6.0l powerstrke engine, how is it for towing and mgp. just courious how you like yours, for the ones that have a 6.0 powerstroke. current vehicle is 2003 f250 7.3

[dieselguy]

Although I'm a Ford guy thru to the Blue ... your old 7.3 is infinitely more reliable than the "Sick O". That being said, 6.0 owners fall into two distinct categories ... the truck was at the dealership for issues more than it was in the owners possesion or the truck worked great for its owner. In my area, sadly the split was about 40 - 60. 6.0's fuel economy wasn't much to write home about either. The 6.0 did a lot of damage to Ford's truck image.

[BB_TX]

There have been lots of issues with the 6.0, especially the 2003 and early build 2004 models. Later models seem to have been more reliable. For many of us, they have been great trucks with little, if any, problem.
I owned two, an '04 F250 SRW that I traded at 53,000 miles for an '07 F350 SRW. Traded it at about 77,000 miles for the current '12 F350 just because I got the new truck fever.
The '04 I bought before I bought the trailer and found out I needed more payload capacity. That is the reason I traded for the F350. But other than an EGR valve replaced at 35,000 under warranty, it was trouble free.
The '07 I used to tow the Monty for about 15,000 miles. I had a cam sensor replaced at 53,000 under warranty. Otherwise it was troublefree.
Both would get near 20 mpg highway, not towing, if I kept my foot out of it. The '07 would get a little over 10 towing the Monty. Towed great in Colorado mountains.
I would get an oasis report to see any previous issues it may have had.

[1retired06]

I had a 2005 6.0, I put over 100K on it and it never saw a dealership except for two computer flashes. Initial issues on early production 6.0s (wiring harness, injectors) were resolved. I am sitting here in Willow Tree RV resort, SC, and my brother in law is in the next site with 220,000 Miles on his 6.0. He replaced the turbo at 93K (under warranty) and has had no other problems. 6.0 tows well and I averaged 12 MPG towing, 20-21 on the highway not towing.

[dieselguy]

Other side of the coin testimonials ... next door neighbor had an 06 that loved to sit in the dealers service bay. After much anguish, he actually got a new V-10 as a result of the "Lemon Law". The company my son works for has an 05 and 06. They haul antique tractors on gooseneck flatbeds as well as tow horse trailers with the living areas in front ... never see anything over 8-10 mpg towing at 65mph. Like mentioned earlier ... get a history report or try and talk to the previous owner. It may save you from buying someone elses cast off.

[vangoes]

I had a 2004 6.0 and the only problem I had with it was an EGR valve replacement around 35,000 miles. I traded it with about 50,000 miles on a 2008 6.4 only because of the horrow stories I read on various forums about the 6.0. Guess what, my 2008 has been in the shop more than the 04 and I only have 47,000 miles on it. Hmmm, maybe I should look at the 6.7's.

[Carl n Susan]

All of the 6.0L motors are great, until their not. The latter years are stronger due to improved head bolts than the early years. Many folks have had no problems. But a significant number have had problems and they are usually catastrophic. My 2004 ate a turbo (18K miles), had an EGR failure(21K miles), and then (at 25K miles) an injector stuck open which hydraulic locked one cylinder. Ford replaced the motor in that truck and then exchanged the truck for a brand new 2008 6.4L one. The 6.4L is a better motor but the fuel mileage sucks! I now have a 6.7L and have no complaints at all. Lots of power, creature comforts, towing capacity and relatively decent fuel mileage.

I don't advise buying a 6.0L if you don't have to. And if you have to, be double darn sure you have a Ford Extended Warranty. There are at least four members here on the MOC (that I know personally) who had their 6.0L self-destruct without a warranty. Replacement ranged from $9k to $19K.

[jwedell]

Not trying to bash any models, I like them all. My cousin had a 07 F350 dually with the 6.0 diesel, I had a 08 chevy 3500 dually 6.6 duramax. We both towed Montana 5ers about the same weight. On grades he couldn't keep up with me. As these rigs get heavier this might be worth considering. Overall he loved the truck and had no problems. But the power always bothered him. If you're in no hurry it will never matter. Good luck, John

[mlh]

I have had a 7.3, 6.0 and a 6.4. I never had any trouble with any of them. I didn't much care for the 7.3, no power. The 6.4 is a very good engine but stock has too much hesitation. I liked the stock 6.0 the best. I DO agree with Bill get a Oasis report. You can have trouble with them but then you can have trouble with any of them. Nobody has a patent on reliability.
Lynwood

[kylec2]

I have a 2007 6.0L and have been pleased with performance and reliability. I am getting 11.5 MPG pulling my rig. With any diesel I would recommend an extended warranty...enjoy!

[Bill-N-Donna]

I’ve put almost 60K Miles on the one I have now with over 361K miles on it presently. I’ve had work done on it but consider glow plugs, injectors, wiring harness and things like that normal maintenance. I’m also a firm believer in preventive maintenance. Ours runs great today! Tomorrow it may break but I wouldn’t hesitate to start out towing the Monty on a long trip if needed. If I was going to get another I would look into the 6.7!

I get 12-13 MPG around town and about 9.5 while towing. With just the truck on the highway I get much better but it is a truck and I like it. I’m not bothered by the MPG.

[1retired06]

Had the 7.3 and the 6.0. Skipped the 6.4. Now have the 6.7 and it is the best diesel I have owned.

[junglejim]

Just a few comments.

First, my 6.0 has 78K on it and has never gave me so much as a hiccup. I am religous about maintinence, 5k oil changes and 10k fuel filters wether it needs it or not. These 6.0 do not like old oil, dirt, water, etc. in the fuel or oil.

Second, company I work for uses all Ford vehicles. Only trucks they can get to hold up to the BEATING the guys give them. They have poor maintinence and are neglected until something breaks. My point is they hold up. They have had ALOT more 6.4s in the shop than 6.0s. The 6.0s like to be worked.

Third, I am a die hard ford guy. But that is just a personal opinion. They all make good trucks to pull these rigs nowadays. If I couldn't have a ford my next pick would be a dodge. And as far as pulling a 14k pound rig up a hill and thinking its a race, keep doing that and see how long any truck lasts.

Try and get an oasis report for it. If it states alot of repairs walk away. Ones that start to have problems early on continue to have problems. Don't be afraid of the 6.0. Better than the 6.4 IMO with better MPG. The later 6.0s didn't have near the problems as the early ones.

PS. MPG towing is 10 to 12 and 13 to 15 city and 16.5 to 19 hwy.