Possible New Owner, Need Help
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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Possible New Owner, Need Help
Hey guys, im obviously new here but looking to purchase my first diesel and need some help. I found a 2004 f350 crew cab 4x4 with around 71000 miles on it for $23000. clean looking truck (haven't driven it yet) My only concern is the 6.0 powerstroke engine. I've heard there were some problems with this engine but not sure how serious these problem are. Dealer handed me the carfax and everything checked out. It was used as a corprate vehicle for most its life then on for private use. I have also found a 2008 f250 crew 4x4 that has the 6.4 powerstroke, less than 50,000 miles and listed for $28000. Carfax reads clean. I havent looked at this one yet. Any opnions or sugestions? Are the problems with the 6.0 so bad that I should just stay away from it? Any help is greatly apprciated!!!
Posting Guru
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Just remember that for every bad experience with the 6.0L you may hear about, there are thousands of us that have great experiences that do not speak up. The 6.0L is a great truck, but make sure that it is maintained properly. I absolutely love my 108K mile 6.0L and have had no problem with it at all.
That being said, every engine has it's problematic things. The 5.4L and V10s have been known to blow spark plugs out, requiring costly head work. The 6.4L has radiator issues. Even the 7.3Ls have their problems such as a weak transmission. As long as you do not mod the truck and maintain it properly, the 6.0L is just fine.
Another added benefit to the 6.0L is the fact that it is great on mileage. The 6.4L has been known to get horrible fuel economy, and at $3.50 a gallon adds up quickly. 10-12 mpg vs. 16-18mpg is a savings of 75 or so miles out of each tank. On a 40 gallon truck, this means that a 6.4L would average 400-480 miles to the tank, a 6.0L would average 640- 720. These 240 miles would add up to 13.3 extra gallons saved in the 6.0L, or an additional $46.55. That adds up quickly.
That being said, every engine has it's problematic things. The 5.4L and V10s have been known to blow spark plugs out, requiring costly head work. The 6.4L has radiator issues. Even the 7.3Ls have their problems such as a weak transmission. As long as you do not mod the truck and maintain it properly, the 6.0L is just fine.
Another added benefit to the 6.0L is the fact that it is great on mileage. The 6.4L has been known to get horrible fuel economy, and at $3.50 a gallon adds up quickly. 10-12 mpg vs. 16-18mpg is a savings of 75 or so miles out of each tank. On a 40 gallon truck, this means that a 6.4L would average 400-480 miles to the tank, a 6.0L would average 640- 720. These 240 miles would add up to 13.3 extra gallons saved in the 6.0L, or an additional $46.55. That adds up quickly.
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I read through the mileage thread and saw people getting over 200,000 miles so that makes it easier to over look the issues. Just wondering, do these issues pop up at random miles or is it usually around the same mileage. I dont plan on doing anything to it, maybe exhaust/chip .. maybe. Like I said, this truck looks clean, sounds strong and low mileage for as old as it is, and besides, it's a diesel, they last forever.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Clearwater Fl.
You didn't say whether the F350 was a dually or not, but if it's a SRW, you don't gain much over the F250. If money isn't a concern, I would go with the 08, F250. The 08 is a nicer truck. Good luck.
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Posting Guru
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6.0
if you can find a clean 03 or 04 that has been fixed. you will be very happy.actually if you find an early 03 with the square egr cooler,that's the one. i have one with 194,500 and all i have done to the motor is an icp sensor.no turbo problems,no egr problems. my motorcraft batteries lasted 7 rs and i get 15.90 in town and 17.90 on the road.best ford or any truck i've ever owned.
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carfax says it was shipped to dealer 3/23/2004, now sure when they stopped doing the square EGR cooler, to be honest i dont even know whre i would look for it. I will have to check it out when i go back to the dealer.
carfax says wiring jumper harness installed and also axle seal replaced
carfax says wiring jumper harness installed and also axle seal replaced
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Posting Guru
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Actually, I have seen some pretty plain Jane 2008s, and some really decked out 6.0Ls. My 6.0 was loaded to the gill, and is very plush.
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Posting Guru
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I read through the mileage thread and saw people getting over 200,000 miles so that makes it easier to over look the issues. Just wondering, do these issues pop up at random miles or is it usually around the same mileage. I dont plan on doing anything to it, maybe exhaust/chip .. maybe. Like I said, this truck looks clean, sounds strong and low mileage for as old as it is, and besides, it's a diesel, they last forever.
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If you can afford newer, then why not? My truck said corporate on the cafax also which I found out was NuGreen landscaping. Corporate could be anything from Construction to towing.. I knew mine was a fleet truck before I even ran the carfax. BE MINDFULL, miles can be decieving on a fleet vehicle. The miles maybe low but the hours can be very high (snowplowing) or what not.
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That's too much for the 6.0. March 2010 I bought a 2004 quad-cab short bed with 47,000 on it. $3,500 in suspension and tires and the thing is in beautiful shape. I paid $19,500 and $1,600 for a 3 year 36,000 mile aftermarket warranty.