No, I still have a year of pmts. left.

 

It's cheaper to keep it. And if it is running good and treating you right, and you clearly like it, then keep it. Sounds like you are a little spooked by all the bad stuff you read here. Just remember two things. 1) We collect all the bad apples here. The good apples are out working for their owners 2) Any repairs you might need will cost less than payments on a new truck.

 

1. Make sure you follow the oil / filter / fluid change recommendations to the letter.

Must use Ford OEM filters and to spec fluids.

Note: the coolant flush (you are probably due), done properly is like $200 or $300 with a VC-9 cleaner that must be used.

Watch the dealer tech to make sure they did it right.


2. Verify EGR is clean and not carbon plugged (which prompts early failure.)

3. Consider (but not essential) adding a coolant filter.

4. This may not work on your 2004, but check if it is updatable to this flash....it depends on whether your vehicle was rebuilt with a 2005 motor and electronics. If it is a 2005, Get it flashed to latest flash (which monitors a critical set of variables EOT/ECT differential) and warns you with a wrench light if it is trouble.


Always have $5,000 ready to spend on it... but be aware that you can get a brand new rebuilt long block motor for $5,000 and a used motor in good condition for much less, so don't get talked into $6,000 of repairs easily.


If you do not tow most of year, you must exercise the vehicle at least once a month with wide open throttle (high RPM etc.) full load for a bit.


I would keep it until the wheels fall off.

 

Karen, I think you'll find that the 6.0 is no more troublesome than any other diesel. I have a brand new 2011 6.7liter that's been more of a turd than my 6.0liter with 160,000.

You have to ignore the idiots, in the general forums there are a lot of guys who will bash anything and everything. Stick to this sub-forum, this is where the real knowledge and experience is.

I think it's also wort while learning how to do much of the maintenance yourself, it'll save you a lot. A few gauges and a little maintenance will give youa truck you'll love for many years to come.

 

I would trust an '06 or '07 diesel...i wouldn't trust an earlier model. Check the tech folder for the mechanical updates by year.

 

1. The OP already own the 04

2. Any model year, if properly maintained and service, can field a good one

3. Any model year, if not properly maintained and serviced, can be a lemon.

I have a 2005, and it is relatively trouble free.

 

Karen, the above is an example of bad advice/info.

 

Ouch!

It's common knowledge that your chances are better with a later model 6.0, but there is nothing wrong with a well proven earlier model. Dance with the one that brungya.

 

So since I last posted the truck broke down, had to replace 4 injectors, got ripped off ($2300.) so much for ignorance...I have been told to get rid of the truck by numerous mechanics so I heard about replacing the 6.0 with a Cummins? What does anyone think about that? I would have to pay someone to do the whole job. How much does it cost and would it be a good idea. I really do love this truck. Was going to replace it with a Chevy, but they aren't so pretty as this Ford.

 

I hate to hear you got ripped like that, and worse if they only did 4 of them. The other's most likely will go soon, and you'll have to go back in there. Cummins convernsions never go smoothly, and if you're not the one doing the work its cheaper to get the 6.0L bullet proofed than that. (I did a write up on what goes into that here on FTE). I wouldn't get rid of the truck, I'd find a 6.0L friendly mechanic and bullet-proof it. Just my opinion, I know I wouldn't trade my 6.0L for any other truck on the road.

 

Cummins conversions are a colosal waste of money, and only make sense for those who like to do conversions and work on their own trucks. It has to be more of a hobby than a financial decision.

Moreover, you live in WA, and you may have diesel smog checks, depending on your county. I don't know about their rules, but in CA that baustardized combo would never pass an inspection. Along that same line, be careful with your "bulletproofing" moves too.

For those who don't have diesel smog checks, just wait. You will.

 

This is so true about the future of emission testing by the states, all the feds have to do is pressure a state with threats of withholding highway money for not mandating testing. Anyone want a investment tip, start buying diesel cats that were removed from diesel pickup's and sit on them for a few years.

 

I agree. From doing a very casual search on the subject and without getting into alot of research a cummins conversion would cost north of 10k and could approach 15k.

 

Funny - she never checks back here after she posts for advice until she breaks something else. She obviously doesn't WANT good advise BEFORE she takes it somewhere to let an inexperienced 6.0 wrencher work on it or it's a "pulling our chain" set of posts!

 

You mod a truck to the extent of a cummins conversion that means that you are doing all your own work unless you take it to the shop that did the conversion or know a place that knows how to work on them. Won't be able to take it to Ford because of the dodge engine in a "lower" model number and won't be able to take it to Dodge because of the surrounding shell around the engine.

Bulletproofing also has it's downfalls as well depending on whose idea you take on what it means to bulletproof a 6.0. Some might not still touch them if you are one of those that believes getting rid of the EGR system is apart of bulletproofing a 6.0 (which I don't) as if it's missing from the truck, some shops can get in trouble if their states have regulations about working on trucks that are supposed to have emissions equipment that don't.