How about an '06 SD 4X4 with the 6.0?

Dargo · #1 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 04:59 PM

I'm really considering an '06 SuperDuty with about 75k miles on it. I've always been hesitant about the 6.0 but I've heard good things about the newer transmissions. I planned on buying an '02 with a 7.3, but I really wonder if I wouldn't be better off with a newer truck and the 6.0? I'd really appreciate thoughts about this matter. It looks like it will cost about $3k to $4k to go with the newer truck.

Anybody have any good advice or pros and cons of each of these trucks? I do like the body, interior and built in brake controller on the newer truck. But I'll be towing a 15k trailer relatively often. What do you guys think? I'd be coming out of a super strong '96 Dodge with a pumped up Cummins in it. I'm just getting tired of getting hit with a thousand here and a thousand there on the older truck. I'm worried the 6.0 will be far weaker than my old 5.9. Thoughts on these issues?

06silvercrew · #2 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 05:05 PM

I LOVE my 06 PSD. Wouldnt trade it for anything. Actually the wife comments quite often that "you love that truck more then me" LOL She has mentioned a couple times that if I wanted a brand new one I could, but have NO interest in letting go of my 06. The myths that you hear about the 6.0 IMO pretty much pertains to the earlt ones 03-04. The 05+ ride SO much better then the earlier leaf sprung trucks, and have alot of creature comforts that the earlier ones didnt. Im not by anymeans knocking the older ones, just personal preferance. Plus, IMO the 05-07 SD are the best looking ones to date. Plus, the 06 has some warranty left on the engine.

madjak · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 02:07 PM

Dargo,

I would go down to the 6.0 forum and read more about the 6.0.

I would get a Oasis report and a Carfax and be sure it checks out ok.
I had this same dilema when I bought mine, but I went with the 7.3.
Don't think I will ever get rid of this truck.

Good luck

redford · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Sounds like a great truck. I wouldn't hesitate to get it.

A turbo-back exhaust pipe and EGR blockoff would do a wonderful job of increasing your power, increasing your mileage, lowering your EGT and eliminating most of the complaints about the later 6.0L Power Stroke engines.

Dargo · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 05:12 PM

Well, I am picking up this truck tomorrow. I did get an OASIS report and it was not exactly clean. It just had the turbo replaced, various oil leaks fixed which also included an intake manifold gasket, the EGR replaced and the injectors replaced. I'd normally be panicked about such but I'll only drive this truck about 7500 miles a year and my local Ford dealer said that according to the In Service Date, I will end up with a full 3 years of powertrain warranty left at that rate.

Am I making a mistake? My old Cummins has 60k more miles on it and is 10 years older and nothing on the engine has ever broken. However, the new SD is laid out better for my needs, has a lot more equipment, and is obviously 10 years newer and still under warranty. By the time I sell my old Cummins powered Dodge (man, that will be a hard one for me...I've had it so long and it will honestly smoke all 4 rears from a stop light) and an older Jeep I have, I will be spending less than 5k to upgrade.

Oh, BTW, a huge question, is there any way to tell from the VIN if this new Ford has a limited slip rear axle? I really like that on my old Dodge.

bpounds · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dargo

Oh, BTW, a huge question, is there any way to tell from the VIN if this new Ford has a limited slip rear axle? I really like that on my old Dodge.

I don't recall if a VIN code includes that axle info. I don't think so. But there are about a million VIN decoders out there. Just Google "vin decoder" and try it. But you can look at spec label on the door jam if you have access to the truck. On an '06, in the axle column, if it says 3L then it's 3:73 limited slip.

Bill

Beerstalker · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 03:24 PM

I don't think there is a way to tell from the VIN number itself, but you can look for the axle code on the door sticker, or crawl under the truck and look at the tag on the differential. You will find a series of letters and numbers there. Counsult the Super Duty Tech Folder (the first thread in this section that says "Read First") it has a list of what codes mean what rear end.

One thing to mention though, is the Ford limited slip rear end is very limited. Many say it is pretty much useless. Supposedly draining out the rear end fluid and replacing it with new, but only adding half of the recommended friction modifier will make it work much better.

As far as the Oasis goes, I wouldn't worry too much. The turbos are known to rust up from time to time, and Ford has decided just to replace them now instead of trying to clean them. Oil leaks are often mis-diagnosed by shoddy service departments so it ends up taking multiple repairs before they finally figure out what to fix.

The biggest thing about a 6.0 is to find a good diesel tech that knows the 6.0 and only let him work on your truck.

krewat · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 05:12 PM

All things being equal (condition, mileage, etc) for $3K or $4K to go from an '02 to an '06, I'd get the '06

F350-6 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 07:26 PM

I'm not as informed on the 6.0 as I should be (I've got a few of them at work), but don't they use a variable vane turbo that's been known to stick and cause problems if not driven enough? If you're only driving 7,500 miles a year this is something you should check into down in the 6.0 section before you make your decision. They'll help you make your decision.

The 7.3's don't have this issue, and my 6.0 work trucks don't get much rest so I'm not to worried about this one myself.

BIGKEN · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 07:34 PM

Axle ratio is available in OASIS by doing an "As Built"...PM me the VIN and I'll run it for you tomorrow...the system is down until noon for upgrades.

Dargo · #11 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 04:00 PM

Thanks guys! I went ahead and bought the truck yesterday. Unfortunately, on the way home the truck started surging pretty bad and it seems that the radiator fan clutch went away as it sounds like a 747 jet all the time now when engine RPMs are up. Even thought the rest of the truck seems great, I'm pretty bummed out right now. There's nothing like buying yourself a new truck and having problems right away.

No local Ford dealer can get it in until next week, so I guess I'll have to hold off on putting my old Dodge up for sale. My wife is really letting me have it for spending money on a 10 year newer truck and already having more problems with it than I had in the last 8 years with the old Dodge. It's too late now, but hopefully I didn't make a huge mistake going with a Ford 6.0 diesel. I'm looking out the window right now at my expensive yard ornament...

sweetpete · #12 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 04:37 PM

That sucks. Is the dealer taking care of it pro bono? I'd be pretty ticked. But, at least it's one less thing you'll need to worry about.

Post some pics ASAP!!

Dargo · #13 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 07:03 PM

Hey, more good news, the front end needs aligned (wearing out the new tires on it) and the A/C stopped blowing cold. Man, I think I'm just going to be sick. I know this is a Ford site, but I really don't know if I should just take my total beating now and dump it and then go back with what has been the ultimate in reliable (Cummins) or if Ford will make this right. This isn't exactly a good start for a guy making the move from Dodge to Ford.

Dustin1690 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 10:18 PM

Not a good start at all Dargo I would go back and see if Ford will make it right or give you a different truck because thats pretty bad nothing beats the 7.3 or the 6.0 that wont give you troubles good luck

Dargo · #15 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 11:24 PM

My first good news! I put my gauges on the A/C system and found the system was low on freon. I then borrowed my BIL's (who is in HVAC) sniffer to locate the freon leak. Fortunately for me, it was just a bad Schraeder valve on the low pressure side. About $5 for a new valve, vacuumed down the system, refilled the system and now I have A/C again!

It still sort of sucked, but I can handle $25 total cost repairs that I can do myself.

I may (have all fingers and toes crossed) have also fixed the hard to start, rough idle and surging problem as well. Both fuel filters looked rather dirty to me when I changed them. On just a short 20 mile run after changing the fuel filters it seemed to actually run fine. The damn (can I say that here?) radiator fan still kept sticking and it sounded like I was driving a turbine powered truck, but the surging and rough idle seems to be gone.

Tomorrow is another day. I'll drop between $80 and $175 (big range if you ask me) on a front end alignment so hopefully I'll quit wearing out my front tires and the wheel will be straight. Then the service manager at my local Ford dealership is bringing it in on Monday. It turns out that I know the guy and he promises me that he can get anything wrong with the engine fixed; even if he has to replace the entire darn engine. And, since I won't drive it too many miles I'll have right at 3 full years of warranty left.

I'm off to a really rocky start but I really do like the way the truck looks and drives...er, when it's running right. Maybe with you guys to help, and a Ford service manager who says he'll help me, I can make the best of things. I sure hope so anyway. I don't want to think that a 12 year old Dodge is superior to a 2 year old PS Ford!