Hey guys. I am in the market for an F250, mainly for a work truck and a weekend boat hauler (8000lb) There seems to be a lot of the 6.0 on the market with low miles 60k and for under 20 grand. So are the 6.0 problematic as I read or is blown up like the 5.4 spark plugs....meaning it sucks but not that bad in the long run. If these motors have made it to the 60k mark are you out the problem phase or is that the time they are just beginning. Let me know your thought.

Originally I like the gas trucks because I think they are easier and cheaper to maintain but the v10 and the 6.8 are kinda hard to find and diesels sound cooler. Are there any know problems with the gas motors. Again thanks for the help.

 

I would vote gas. More than enough power to pull your boat and very reliable.

 

Another vote for gas

 

Here's my experience with your comparison: my old boss has a 2001 V10 F250 crew cab 4X4 w/ 505K miles, original drivetrain. He's towed some insane loads with it too! Other friends/associates have taken these motors well past 300K as well.
I just bought a 2001 F250 v10 4x4 supercab with 166K miles - Lariat interior, short bed, amazing shape. Any comparable 6.0L diesels were $4K-$5K more and I couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a questionable product. I'm not a 6.0L basher but I know their history. My concrete buddy just had their high pressure valve blow on their crew cab 6.0L which is now sitting. My other 6.0L pals all do synthetic $140 oil/filter changes, cry about towing & baby their trucks like foreign paper mache's.
Summary - 6.0Ls can bring higher cost repairs & because they're still a diesel, they are in demand, costing more to purchase. V10 is a clear value and winner with reliability, consistency & few issues (exhaust manifolds to name one). "Better the evil you know than the evil you don't."

 

Another vote for a gasser for your kind of driving.

If you can find a 3 valve V10, that's the best way, IMO, to go for most guys using it as a work and occasional play truck. My '06 V10 did a decent job hauling a 12K trailer and most of the time I would like to have it back for DD duties vs the diesel (which I now have only because we are hauling an even bigger trailer)

 

Another vote for a V10. Otherwise check over the 6.0 real well, and put cash away just in case and buy that.

 

My V-10 performed well. The only common problem I heard of, and mine did it, was the bolts holding the exhaust manifolds to the heads would break.
Still wish I had my 460! But, living up here in the salt, the body rotted away!

 

Two reasons I did not order the diesel in my new truck.
1-I use it more like a car and only tow heavy once in a while. I would never save enough in gas mileage to pay the $8,000 for the engine.
2-I only live 3 miles from work, so the short trip would probably destroy the diesel engine by not properly getting it hot.

 

If you do buy a 6.0 look for the last two year models they made them, '06 and '07. Those have all of the updates/fixes in place from Ford and have proven to be very reliable. Ours gets ~20mpg hwy. Happy hunting.

 

Great recommendation...if you do go "6.0l route" steer CLEAR of the 2003 models...they were rushed & NOT ready. IMO there is a clear gradation or stair step of quality / reliability per each year they were debuted. Naturally as time progressed, Ford discovered issues & fixed them. the 2004 6.0l is better than 2003, the 2005 is better than 2004 & so on.
A pal of mine has a 2004 6.0l & has loved it with no issues. He only has 130k miles, but does the big $$$ syn oil changes every 5K and had the EGR delete performed. but he doesn't tow & mostly DD's.
The 2006 & 2007 6.0l's as stated were quality motors. But then justifying one of those for $18K vs a similar V10 for $9K doesn't make sense to me personally.

 

I went through the same thing as you a little over a year ago. After looking at lots of trucks and knowing how I was going to use the vehicle, gas was the way to go. I was really interested in a 6.0 diesel but it was not worth the added expense and maintenance costs. Plus I started to get nervous about all the possible issues associated with those engines. jmtc

 

Be very careful in States that check emissions equipment.
If they do and yours is missing or don't work, you could be looking at very VERY expensive repairs or you cannot drive it on public roads!

 

I tow 8000 pounds frequently with my truck. A 3V V-10 would be awesome, but a 3V 5.4L V-8 will easily get the job done, and are a lot easier to locate.

 

A 2v 5.4 would get the job done easily too. I routinely tow more than that with mine with no problems.

 

Agreed, my 2v tows my fifth wheel just fine, actually better than my 460 did..