New guy looking for some answers

[IT_Dude]

Hello everyone. I looked for a newbie forum, but didn't see one, so this will be my first post. I joined here because my wife and I found out we're pregnant and my little 2 seat Tacoma 4X4 won't cut it with a baby seat. I've always been a Dodge guy, but have always preferred the looks of the Ford's. After a snowmobile trip in the back of a buddy's F-250, I realized there is more room in the back of a Ford than a QC Dodge. I'm not a fanatical die hard Dodge fan, so I started looking at Ford's and I have a few questions. I'll tell you what I'm looking for and hopefully you guys can help me out. I'd like a 05-07, 4X4, Diesel, auto, shortbed. 1. What is real world fuel mileage? 2. What are common issues? 3. Have you had a Dodge to compare to? 4. What would you say that you spend (on avg.) per year on the truck excluding mods. (i.e. routine maintenance) 5. How does it handle mods? 6. What are common mods? Maybe I missed something that I should ask. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot and I look forward to learning about these trucks.

[Mark1Ford]

I recently purchased a 2006 F350 6.0L diesel 4x4 crewcab longbox. (July 2009) My wife and I went into the venture "brand neutral" but having set parameters on what we wanted (diesel, 4x4 crew 6-pass longbox). Having owned ford and gm trucks but not dodge, I thought I would give one a try. After trying out numerous used vehicles with our specs in the 2002-2007 range, we both agreed that neither GM or Dodge crewcabs had the room that the Ford did. Even the GM dealer where I bought my used Ford, stated that the Ford crewcab had the most space until the newer dodge megacab came out. So far happy with my truck except for a few minor annoyances.

[cmcowboy]

Welcome to FTE. You have come to the right place. There are some people on here with great knowledge on these trucks. I will try to give you my advice on some of your questions.

1. depends on a few things, driving habits, where you live, gear ratio, mostly town or highway driving, tire size stock or + size, lift or no lift,and most important Maintinence, on time and proper filters and fluids. And numbers will differ from truck to truck because of some of these and others. All I can tell you is what I have experienced. I avg about 14 to 15 mixed driving. 11 to 12 towing 9000lbs or more.
2. EGR valve, water in fuel, and there is more that other guys will fill in.
3.NO
4.Thats a number I'm scared to figure up.
5.Never put mods on one, biggest problem is head gaskets and studs
6.exhaust,tuner, and lots more. The sky is almost the limit these days.

Like I said there will be some guys with some great info for ya.
Good luck and welcome to FTE

[bpounds]

Moving from a Tacoma, to a 3/4 ton diesel, because you are pregnant? You must be expecting this to be one hell of a heavy duty baby.

But seriously, why a diesel? Unless you need to haul something heavier than a baby, and as new parents there is reliability and budget to consider, a nice V-10 would seem to make more sense.

[IT_Dude]

bpounds, good question.

I used to have a 2001 Dodge Ram CTD and I loved it. It had to go because payments were killing me. Now, we're a little better off (not much) and I got the wife onboard. I'm over the biggest hurdle right there!! Seriously, we go on some snowmobile trips and I want to be able to pull the 4 place enclosed trailer around without a problem. Don't NEED a diesel, but loved the Dodge I used to have. I pull some trailers around now and then as well for mulch and things like that. Again, I don't NEED one, but I could use one. This will probably be the truck we keep till it dies!!

[bpounds]

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

I used to have a 2001 Dodge Ram CTD and I loved it. It had to go because payments were killing me. Now, we're a little better off (not much) and I got the wife onboard.

Sounds good. Just wanted to be sure you knew what you were getting into. Oh, congrats on your pregnancy, and best wishes.

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

1. What is real world fuel mileage?
I get 10 around the urban city. From 15 - 18 empty on the highway. If I drive the speed limit, I'm usually around 17.
2. What are common issues?
Not that much on an '05-'07. Many guys cause their own problems by adding tuners. EGR is a bad issue, no matter what you do, unless you delete it (illegal). Headgaskets are a common problem, tuners make it worse, but it can happen regardless. Ball joints in the front are a weakness.
3. Have you had a Dodge to compare to?
My brother owns an '05 CTD. He agrees that the transmission is a weakness and not much you can do about it. Otherwise an okay truck. The Superduty is a lot more truck, except for the motor.
4. What would you say that you spend (on avg.) per year on the truck excluding mods. (i.e. routine maintenance)
Oil changes are $100 or $60 DIY. Fuel filters are $120 or $40 DIY. I use Diesel Kleen with every tank of fuel, which adds a couple of bucks. Air filters are a wash with a gasser, because they last so much longer. Everything else is going to be pretty much on par with a gasser or a Dodge. However, any motor repair is going to cost a LOT more. Thank God for the 5yr/100k warranty.
5. How does it handle mods?
I'm not a fan of any motor mods. Most guys screw up their luck with those things. What's the point? It's got more power than a mere mortal should need.
6. What are common mods?
Tuner, exhaust, headgasket studs, EGR delete, coolant filter. Those are just the basics.

Maybe I missed something that I should ask. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot and I look forward to learning about these trucks.

[tex25025]

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

1. What is real world fuel mileage?

Unfortunately, that will very from person to person for a plethora of reasons, some of which you wouldn't even think would affect mpg. I wouldn't go by what people post on here, no offense to them, it's just too many variables to really make the conclusion that you'll get the same mileage as they do(I know I don't).

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

2. What are common issues?

Quite a few unfortunately. EGR valve/cooler, turbo sticking, headbolts tend to to be the bigger ones that get people in a tizzy of the truck. The first two can actually be mitigated if you drive the diesel in a different manner then what people used to drive the diesel. This is definately not my granddad's old 6.9(which was also my first vehicle to drive and run thru high school) and habits have to change with the times.

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

3. Have you had a Dodge to compare to?

Yes, an old 5.9 when they first came out with the 24 valve. Low end TQ was good on that dodge, but you had to fight with it to stay going on interstate speeds. Tranny sucked big time.

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

4. What would you say that you spend (on avg.) per year on the truck excluding mods. (i.e. routine maintenance)

Actually I would have to consider mods as part of routine maint. due to the fact that I use an a/m fuel pump, so my primary fuel filter is a/m as well, but you really don't want to know what I spend. This would also vary from person to person depending on how often they do it(severe service or regular service, what type of oil they use etc).

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

5. How does it handle mods?

Depends on what mods you use.

Originally Posted by IT_Dude

6. What are common mods?

Gauges, intake, tuner, and exhaust are the usual mods that people would do. However, I would advise against the intake as it doesn't help out compared to the stock intake like alot of people like to think with regard to performance and even filtration.

I need to add this caveat that with regard to tuner in particular, the 6.0 is very particular with which ones you get otherwise you run an exponential increased risk of damage to the engine and to the tranny if you go with what the typical uninformed public goes with with regard to tuners(those that follow ad campaigns more then anything else).

[IT_Dude]

I understand mpg will vary depending on all that, but I don't think most people have 10" lifts and enormous tires. That's why most people say a range X - X mpg. I just want a few examples. If people get 6mpg, I'd imagine they'd explain why. I'm just trying to get an idea, not splitting hairs.

[69cj]

I have an 05 4 X 2 and I can vary my mileage immensly with a single movement of the foot.
On average I get 12 to 15 city, 17 to 21, best, empty highway and 10 to 13 towing a 13k to 14k 5er. I have been very happy with the mileage I get on my truck and it has been a good one reliability wise. However, there are some here that have not been that lucky. My recommendation if you get one is to keep it stock except for the addition of items such as coolant and power steering filters. If you get a good one you will be thrilled. If you get a bad one you will hate the day you saw it. If the weight of the trailer you pull is under 7k you would be better off with a gasser. When a 6.0 does break, it can also break the bank.

[Cowboy65]

If your looking for something in the 2003 - 2007 model year I would suggest looking in the tech folder in this forum. There is ample reading material there to answer your questions.

2003 - 2007 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

[IT_Dude]

Cowboy65, thanks I've been reading all I can.

[shhorn68]

I have a 2004 4X4 CC long bed and I have really enjoyed it. It has ~120k miles and other than maintenance I have only had to replace the alternator. I bought it used and got the oasis report. It had some EGR issues when it was about a year old but i have not had any issues and I have owned it over two years.

I get 15-16 mpg with mixed highway/town driving. When I haul it drops to 10-12 mpg. I live on a farm and when I haul it is usually pretty big loads. It will vary on driving habits and any additives you use in you fuel. I use a Lucas additive that lubes the injectors and it has given me an extra half mile per gallon. Probably is a wash for what it costs, but, I have talked to some OTR truckers that say it helps save injectors, seals, etc. due to the ULSD fuel we have to use.

I have kept my truck stock but I do intend to add a coolant filter and an aftermarket exhaust. I am not looking for performance as much as I want the truck to last forever.

Before you buy get the oasis report. It will tell give you a good idea about the truck's issues.

[cheezit]

What is real world fuel mileage?
Im getting 18-22 out of mine bone stock but im easy on the pedal and spend a lot of time on the hwys

What are common issues?
the most common issues I see are caused by lack of good maintance. there have been some headgaskets,egr,injector, and turbo issues and some complaints about the trans.

Have you had a Dodge to compare to?
Im am a Ford Senioe master tec as well as Cummins certified on the isb engine. they all have issues. As with any diesel they are not cheep to fix or drive. but nope dont think I would own a dodge

What would you say that you spend (on avg.) per year on the truck excluding mods. (i.e. routine maintenance)
thats not really a fair question as I get 99 percent of what I need to do maintace with for free. So I would say less then $300 a year and thats with all the stuff Ford requires as normal maintance

How does it handle mods?
Depends on the mods and the driver. they will do better with mods and tunes from one manufacture over another. they do fine with exhaust mods. AND DO NOT CHANGE OUT THE FACTORY AIR FILTER FOR AN AFTERMARKET ONE

[IT_Dude]

cheezit,

Why do you emphasize to NOT change out the stock air filter for an aftermarket one?

[Cowboy65]

The Donaldson OEM unit provides better filtration than any aftermarket unit and provides plenty of flow as long as you stay under 500 Hp.