Hi,

I have a cabover camper and need a new truck to carry it. My current truck is a 1990 4wd gas (giant engine) Ford F250 standard cab and we need an extended cab for our family. I am considering a 2004 F250 4wd with 114K miles offered for sale for $14K. The current owner tells me he bought the car in 2006 at 36,000 miles and in that same year took it to the local Ford dealership for engine warranty repair. The dealership ended up rebuilding the 6.0 L engine and the owner claims it has been running like a top ever since. He has been using it to carry a cabover camper so the rig is all set up for that use. It appears to be in great shape, its a Lariat so has leather interior. The tires and brakes were replaced two years ago. With all the issues I have been reading about concerning the 6.0L engine I am a little gun shy. Any advice from any of you? Thanks.

 

Damn sounds like a good deal all set up for a 5er. I know it's going to cost me 2k alone to set mine up right. How many miles now? what been done mod wise? How about some pics of the engine compartment. And welcome to FTE!

 

Read the stickys and figure out what you need to check. I would not be concerned about a rebuilt engine....I bet @6.0run can help you out with that situation.

Is there proof of the new or rebuilt engine, was it sudded, were all the HPO updated done? Whats the maint records look like?

 

If it has 70k+ on the rebuild id think your fine. Id be worried about the shape of the oil cooler and the egr cooler. Id personally budget to remove or bulletproof the egr cooler. Headgaskets may or maynot be a issue down the road if it isnt studded. My 2006 truck i bought with 43k and ran a hot race tune on it till i sold it with over 120k and i had no issues. Not everyone has had my experience. I also dont drive like a crazed fool

 

Before purchasing, I would like to see proof of what was "rebuilt". If receipts are not available, it is hear say.

That is a good deal if it is healthy. I would spend a few hundred bucks and have a reputable 6.0 diesel tech spend a few hours with the truck prior to making a commitment.

 

Look at the sticker on the Passenger side valve cover, if RED then 2003 engine, if Blue and printed 2004 then 2004 motor. Myself, being an original owner of a 2003 6.0L I can not recommend the 2003 motor for anything other than a boat anchor. Significant updates between the 2003 and 2004 motors, just be aware that Ford did carry over 2003 motors into 2004 trucks.

My current 2004 F250 has the 2004 motor with the ZF6 manual, 220k and not a concern.

 

I would respectfully have to disagree with you on this one, maybe personal opinion but I love my 03 and its an early 03 my neighbor across the street from me has an early 03, and my neighbor to the left of me has an early 03 as well....As i will agree there were a few upgrades, but i have had far less headaches with my 03 engine then my prior 06's, which I had 2 of.

Not saying you're wrong but I wouldn't hesitiate to buy an 03 any day of the week

 

Agreed and respected - mine was an early build and I feel lucky that I dumped it prior to the motor warranty expiring, I had a really bad experience. To your point, if a person has a 2003 now with mileage then things are probably fine.

 

The early motors had a better egr cooler but a worse hp oil pump. The hp oil system is a little different but that is pretty much it

 

What he said!!!!!!

 

Always good to conduct your own research into these motors.

This is a partial list. Within the tech folder is the 2004 Ford 6.0L Coffee Table Update with great pictures and drawings of the differences between 2003 motors and 2004 motors. Also injectors are modified.

9/29/2003
2004 enhancements:
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS:
Engine/Transmission
Diesel Engine, 6.0L
•Revised components for emissions controlns
– Increased EGR cooler size and modified tube
configuration ll
•“Wavy” HP oil rail has volume increased to 30 in
from 15 in
. This reduces pressure fall-off during
injection and improves emissions & fuel economy
• Modified rocker carrier for wavy rail mounting and
glow plug serviceability
•Lower emissions of 2.5 gms NOx/BHP-Hr (was 3.2
in 2003)
•New engine calibration
•Revised NVH Sound package/Heat management.
Heat management floor pan patch is used to control
heat generated by emission control devices
• Intake manifold revised by eliminating the rear
branch for improved serviceability
• Redesigned turbocharger to reduce turbo whine and
improve low end boost and ability to drive EGR
– Number of turbine blades increased from 10 to 13
–Revised trim and VNT vanes
–Revised mounting bracket
•Revised exhaust down pipe tunes out turbo noise
• Piston bowl and pin bore geometry are modified to
improve combustion and durability
• Camshaft intake profile and exhaust event timing are
modified for emissions
• ICP Sensor is relocated to RH rocker cover for
improved heat protection
• LH rocker cover and breather are modified by
moving the breather external to the rocker cover to
allow for larger rail and to improve breather
performance
• Incremental cooling hardware for increased heat
rejection
•Water pump increased to 100mm (from 90mm) for
increased cooling system flow to offset higher heat
rejection
• Enhanced Vistronic variable speed fan clutch
is controlled by Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
• Diesel engine fuel system is revised to place fuel
filter/heater ahead of the fuel pump. Improved fuel
pump life, reduced waxing and reduced heat transfer
to the fuel tank are the resulting benefits

 

If you are really serious, spend the money to get a scanner and hook it up so you know your numbers before you buy. Wish I had done that. You will need that for any diesel.

 

I will add that the 2005 to 2007 trucks had many upgrades. larger brakes and frame with higher GVWR and GCWR. tighter turn radius and smoother ride from the coil spring front axle (4X4). The availability of the factory trailer brake controller and the factory "up fitter" switches.