Tow Vehicle Question

[Hblick48]

I have a 2005 F250 6.0 with 150,000 miles on it. Purchased from original (purchased new in 2005) owner 3 years ago, had 115,000 at that time. Also purchased his Montana.

He kept a log with every repair and maintenance. Changed oil every 3,0000 miles, and then switched to synthetic, changing every 5,000. All other maintenance by the book. One small warranty item, and the the turbo replaced at 105,000. I recently had oil analysis, engine internals great.

I was looking at new (used) F350. Would have to spend $40,000+ to get one. Decided to get bulletproofed for $8,500. Included Bulletproof EGR cooler and water pump. OEM oil cooler, stand pipes, dummy plugs, new injectors, new shocks. Within prior 6 months, had transmission rebuilt, new alternator, batteries, new tires, pads, rotors, and calipers.

Almost like a new truck, but it isn't. I'm way ahead financially, even if I have other repairs in the future. I'm in California, so no rust issues.

[next2dixie]

To the original question. I pull a 33 ft High Country with a 04 F250@ 214000 miles. I've had the truck 6 yrs the clock was at 123000 miles when I got it, I'm the 2nd owner. At 160000 the egr cooler rupture, replaced it the egr valve and oil cooler. Haven't had any other major issues. Routine PMS, no chip or tunes, monitor the oil/coolant deltas...in my opinion these are critical to the life of the 6.0. I also send an oil sample for analysis every other oil change. I've done this since I've owned the truck. Just like blood work, shows problems before they get big.My back ground, auto shop major in high school, retired Navy Chief Engineman, had a tour as senior instructor diesel engine operation,overhaul and maintenance. Retired to a position as District Equipment Engineer with a state transportation department. I've twisted wrenches all my life and still do at age 74. I trust my truck...But, I also know this anything mechanical can and will break down..even my 6.0

[RC_Travelers]

Hi
I also tow with a 2006 f350. Mine has 150000 miles and runs great. I did some mods but don't seem to have any problems. I do have a scan gauge. Need to keep an eye on the delta.
Randy

[Anatnom]

I have a 6.4 from 2008. Still have it and use it often. Originally I had a wire connector that came apart and that caused some issues but got the local dealer to find that and push it back together.
No problems till my radiator started to leak, got that replaced since I didn't want to mess with it. Local dealer has been great and explains everything to me in advance. I like not getting extra diesel additive and carrying that around but so far the engine runs well and is very capable. I might break down in a couple years to get the Ford with the aluminum body but time will tell on that.

[mtlakejim]

I have always been fairly loyal to Ford with gas burners. Primarily because that is what we used at work. But when it came time to go diesel it was a Ram simply because the Cummins has such a good rep. I still prefer the Ford interior and trim but it is the dependability of what is under the hood that really matters. Doesn't matter how pretty it is if it won't get you home!!




We are about to trade in the wife's Fusion (another ford) for a 3/4 ton truck. I haven't decided for sure if we will go diesel. If we do it will be a Ram but if we go gas then most likely a Ford.

[phillyg]

No problems with mine to 196,000 miles and blown head gaskets. Bullet-proofed, now no issues.

[krahopkin]

Have a 2019 6.4, with 120k on it, just had EGR replaced @ $3k, fingers crossed

[Lenny K]

I had a stock 2005 F350 6.0 and always was a big Ford guy. I am now a Chevy owner. Enough said about that piece of crap.

[pddiver1]

Originally Posted by Hblick48

I have a 2005 F250 6.0 with 150,000 miles on it. Purchased from original (purchased new in 2005) owner 3 years ago, had 115,000 at that time. Also purchased his Montana.

He kept a log with every repair and maintenance. Changed oil every 3,0000 miles, and then switched to synthetic, changing every 5,000. All other maintenance by the book. One small warranty item, and the the turbo replaced at 105,000. I recently had oil analysis, engine internals great.

I was looking at new (used) F350. Would have to spend $40,000+ to get one. Decided to get bulletproofed for $8,500. Included Bulletproof EGR cooler and water pump. OEM oil cooler, stand pipes, dummy plugs, new injectors, new shocks. Within prior 6 months, had transmission rebuilt, new alternator, batteries, new tires, pads, rotors, and calipers.

Almost like a new truck, but it isn't. I'm way ahead financially, even if I have other repairs in the future. I'm in California, so no rust issues.

Ditto here in Colorado
I have a 2004 F350 purchased from original owner in 2009.
I have had the honor or replacing Oil pump, 2 Turbo chargers, 5 alternators, ficm, and many other parts. I have an Edge computer that was on the truck but I only use it to watch temps and such and never use the programs.
The truck always ran hot when towing 2011 (347THT) on any hill and eventually had issues with fuel injectors so had them all replaced but still had issues.
About three years ago I had the truck Bullet Proofed and replaced the heads, bolts, egr, oil cooler bypass. I have had no issues since having the truck Bullet Proofed which I should have had done long before but the mechanics always seemed to believe they had the issues fixed each time. Boy did I waste lots of $$ before doing the Bullet Proofing. Although I did have to finally replace the transmission and radiator two years ago. I baby this truck as it's not cheap.

Over the last 9 years I have spent well over 25K on this truck because each time I thought.......I know what I have fixed and what else could go wrong....it's cheaper than buying a new truck. Of course that was until the next issue.....well rinse and repeat and here I am 9 years later.

If you have the truck and have issues, get it Bullet Proofed, if you are looking at the truck.....look elsewhere.

I am invested in this truck and have had may compliments on it but if I knew then what I know now I wouldn't currently have this truck.
Your mileage may vary but I can tell you I follow this trucks issues online ever since I have started having issues (2010) and the lack of a proper Oil cooling design causing excessive heat kills this engine.

[Gabby1987]

We had a 2004 6.0 power stroke with a standard transmission that we did not use to pull the fifth wheel because it had a flat bed on it, however we did use it pulling cattle trailers. We finally traded it off in 2014 with 437,000 miles on it (it died turning into the dealership, thankfully we had already made the deal and written the check for the new ram). Wife was old school and had it serviced at the dealer every 3,000 miles and if anything was due to be serviced according to mileage it was done. Had very few issues and they were dealt with when they popped up. I’ve heard it said you either had a good one and loved it or a bad one and hated it. We definitely had a good one.

[mlh]

Most of the time people that bad mouth almost anything have never had what they are talking about.
Lynwood

[dfb]

Originally Posted by mlh

Most of the time people that bad mouth almost anything have never had what they are talking about.
Lynwood

I have had 3 Ford powerstrokes.. a 95, 97, and 02. The 95 had the most power.. The 95 and 97 head oil galley leaks in the back of the head. Every year it was glow plugs and relays. Who is the genius who put the GLOW PLUGS under the valve covers? My knee would get sore getting to the right rear valve cover bolt!. the 2002 lariat was very nice. Here is the thing that really burnt my toasties. I change my own oil and instead of the oil pan bolt being machined to the pan, there was a little washer!. That sucker would leak oil on my garage FLOOR... Id much rather have a rod go thru the side of the block than to see a drip of oil on the floor!. I had enough and went to Ram in 04.. the interior was junk compared to the Ford lariat. Since then I have had a 15 and 17 Ram. The interior now is likely nicer than Fords or GM.. THE RIDE IS FIRM BUT VERY QUIET. THE prices of the new trucks make it very likely this is my last NEW TRUCK. Nevada not only got 5000 in sales tax, but stole 1477 to register the thing the first year!..

[CaptnJohn]

And I thought NC was bad. New F350 dually last month was $790 tax and $455 to register.

[Dave W]

Not had a 6.0 or 6.4 but from all I had researched before I bought a V10 then the 6.7 is that hey would either last for a couple hundred thousand miles or die on a regular and costly basis. I came slose to buying an '06 Harley Davidson model until I had an OASIS report pulled. It was a clunker.


There were a couple issues early on in my 6.7's life, being a very early manufacture 2011 vehicle, but so far the broken CAC tube being replaced with a steel version and the DEF heater that was just replaced under a special program have been my problems at 123,000 miles. The EGR cooler 'throws' a code occasionally but I just clear it and then take the truck for a pretty long high rpm ride and it stays away for a minimum of several weeks, but usually months.


Back to the 6.0 - unless, and this is only my opinion having never owned one, it had been bullet proofed, I would not be comfortable. A 6.4 - I might be a bit happier.

[dfb]

No one makes a great v-8 diesel.."diesel mechanic said"

[dfb]

Brother has as n 84 f-150 300 6.. 395000 miles now. Sits for a year and just like a Woody Allen movie, it fires right up! No wonder Ford quit making the 4.9... they'd go broke, ! Lol