Hey guys/gals (if there is any on here),
I am looking to upgrade into the diesel realm from my F-150 5.4L. The reason is for towing. There are several '08s in my area up for sale and was wondering if it would be better to hold off and find an '11 and break the bank. Or find a good clean low mileage '08 and do the mods. Any input would be appreciated on the 6.4 issues etc.
Thanks in advance. Andy

 

Gal here, first to reply!! My story is similar, so here goes....

I swapped my 2000 F150 5.4 for an '06 F250 back in 2009 - so essentially bought a three-year old used truck. I needed it to tow my horse trailer. It had the second year 6.0 engine, and I did a lot of research, test driving, and finally picked the one I wound up buying to be inspected by a mechanic. Got a clean bill of health, had a clean OASIS (Ford's warranty work report) and clean Carfax. That whole process took right at a month, and that was a totally problem-free truck the whole time I drove her.

The she was stolen in May of this year, wrecked transporting illegals across the border, recovered, and ultimately totaled by the insurance company almost a month later. In the interim, I started my research all over again. This time an '06 would five years old, maybe an '07? Looked at the 08-10 group, got lots of bad reports regarding fuel economy, and they were still pretty pricey. So rather than take a chance (and all that time) on finding another great 6.0, or being unhappy with the lack of fuel economy on the 6.4, I decided to just go ahead and spring for the 6.7.

Main things that made me head that direction was the reported fuel economy of the new engine, FACTORY WARRANTY (lol), and just the overall awesomeness of the truck. It's an amazing machine. SO if you can afford a new one, I don't think you'll go wrong with it - check out the 2011 6.7 forum and you'll see how many happy owners there are driving them.

If you'd rather buy used, the 6.4 engine will pull what you want, but it will cost you. Are the mods you're referring to to address that? They are now falling out of their three-year/36k warranties, which is why they are on the market, so think about what a mod will do to potentially violate any remaining or extended warranty on them.

The 6.0 version does have some good engines out there, but you have to really do your homework to ensure you get one. If you're willing to look hard and be patient, I'd go for one of those over the 6.4. But if it's all the upgrades Ford introduced with the 08 and up that are appealing to you as well (they sure did me!), pass them by and go new.

All IMHO, of course.... YMMV!

 

Thanks for the info Pam. I was hoping to get more info from the group but it seems like no one wanted to chime in. I am sure that I will be getting a 2011 now as I just can't get passed the cab lifting to fix the 6.4. Now I just need to decide on 6.2 or 6.7. There are so many threads on here that it is hard to follow and search for anything. Thanks again. Andy

 

Here's a good thread regarding when each engine is most appropriate, might have some info for you on it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...or-diesel.html