I work for Dodge wrenching on Cummins all day so I know my way around a truck.

Looking at a 2004 6.0 in beautiful shape for 10k. I've read about problems with mods that blow out head gaskets and what not.

I plan on keeping it stock and using it to tow my jeep and do long distance runs to California and Minnesota.

It also just rolled over to 200k miles.

Any input?

 

Personally if you have the money I would look for one with less miles, at 200K+ miles the engine is in the twilight of its service life (250,000) , that is to say that components are likely going to start failing just due to normal wear. And some of the components are very expensive and even more so if you don't have the ability to do the work yourself. Now if you are not afraid to turn wrenches and aren't put off by the thought of putting money in to it for repairs then go for it. If you are absolutely set on buying a 6.0L get yourself a scan gauge II or one of the smartphone apps like Dashboss for IOS devices or torque pro for android that you can take on test drives and check the vitals of the trucks you are looking at. I am not saying that just because it has over 200K miles that the wheels are gonna fall off in 50K more miles because the engine has reached its service life of 250K but rather since you don't know the service history its a crap shoot at best. If it were my choice I would opt for an 05'-07' just due to the rock solid HPOP that came in those years. I would also read through the tech folder, there is a wealth of information there on these trucks, https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/30...ch-folder.html

 

I had 270K on mine right before I got rid of it.....

 

So I've gotta ask, you must be bored right? When you say wrenching on Cummins all day, that means changing oil? I only ask because the Cummins is the most perfect, reliable motor on the market or so I've been told

 

How much did you get for it with that many miles?

 

If they were as reliable as people say I wouldn't have a job. Every engine has its issues.

Edit: the motor isn't that bad. Its the thing they attached it to that sucks. I hate cheap interiors and it wasn't until like 2010 that Chrysler got off there *** and made a good product.

I guess I'll keep my eyes open for something with less miles.

 

Yeah, a good clean 6.0 shouldn't be too hard to find.

In my area they are a little expensive. Just as an example, an 05 with 100k miles would be around the 20-25k range. That's the crew cab long bed configuration.

Good luck with the hunt.