I just pulled the trigger on what appears to be an unmolested 2004 6.0L. Drove the truck many times before purchase, no obvious issues. EGR was replaced by Ford in 2006 and well maintained otherwise. I am going to get an exhaust to let it breathe a little. I never had one issue with my last 6.0L (the one in my SIG) but its been a while since I've owned one. Any new tricks that I can do at home to prevent it from grenading on me? Certain ways to drive it? I'm going to do the bulletproof hopefully soon but short of that, any new tricks to keep me on the road???

 

I sure enjoy using my DashBoss. If you ever have issues with your truck, the readings will be the first things asked for by the experienced folks here. About $170 or so delivered and plugs right in to your OBD. Also, pay attention to the preventive mx tips as listed under the tech section.

 

Maintenance and gauges.

My opinion is keep an eye on the boost, otherwise drive it like ya stole it..

Josh

 

Thanks guys! I tend to drive like a grandma in my old age...too many tickets! I guess a dashboss or one of the OBD Bluetooth gimmicks is next with exhaust. What about the EGR unplug and butterfly deal that I read about in the sticky?

 

Never unplug the EGR.

A set of digital gauges should be the priority, especially over exhaust.

Josh

 

10*4 but why is it a huge part in the sticky if its no longer recommended?

 

Not sure. It's possible the reference you speak of was written before the function of plugging/ un-plugging was fully understood in regards to the operation of the EGR and the engine fan operation and VGT.

Long story short: unplugging the EGR effects the operation of the fan, which means the engine could overheat.

Better to turn off the EGR with a programmer (SCT) and doing an EGR delete.

Josh

 

Gotcha...my last 6.0L was custom tuned with an SCT that turned the egr off. I do recall that now. Will that take the place of the egr delete or still delete the egr even with it turned off by the programmer?

 

Yeah, sorta. The function of the EGR is disabled. However, it can move under full boost and such. And still carbon up since the EGR Cooler is still functional.

It's all good bro... Gauges are #1. Whether DashBoss, Torque or ScanGauge.

Josh

 

I'm a bit gun shy with this one even though I never had issues with my last one. But I had customs tunes and exhaust right out of the gate. Spartan built my last custom tune...are they stillbthe best 6.0L tuners or are there new kids on the block for good safe tunes makin power? Spartan had a bybrid tune that I always ran and it was badass. Drive stock until you hit 3/4 throttle and then it really powered up.

 

Matt @ Gearheads and Vivian @ Quicktricks are the ticket for custom tunes.

I have a couple custom tunes from Vivian, but use the "Canned" tunes on the SCT quite a bit as well.

Josh

 

I have read, and Im hoping someone here will back me up, That the egr needs to remained plugged in even If its deleted to help control the engine fan speed for proper cooling. I know some people do the welded plugs for the delete and leave the sensor installed as opposed to using the block off plate

 

Long story short see Post #7

Josh

 

Lol... I had this thread opened up the other day and just responded. Post #6 was the last post at the time... haha

 

Hey Bullitt, I am going to buy a scanner today. I want so.etching that will cover the bases of what I need to live monitor. I see the scan gauge II is pretty popular. What do you suggest that I can get my hands in today? Will the scangauge live monitor all that I need to troubleshoot issues?