So im think of buying a 03 dually.

I didnt want to buy a 6l but I need something to pull my Bobcat.

My question is .....is it going to blow up if I chip it and use it ?

Ive got a 02 7.3 now with a chip and I use it hard , the harder I use it the better it likes it.

 

If your serous about the truck, get a CarFax and an Oasis (Ford dealership only) report for the history of the truck. There are allot of good '03 & '04 trucks out there.With a 6.0L, if you can get it on the hitch the truck will drag it. These motors make an insane amount of power for their size.You don't chip a 6.0L; just tune it. But I think you'll be happy with a stock truck. I'd be careful trying to compare a 7.3L & 6.0L powered truck. They're two different animals. Just keep in mind the 6.0L demands/requires a more rigorous PM plan. You can't put off oil changes or run off-brand/aftermarket filters on a 6.0L; it will come back to bite you in the butt if you do.The 6.0L will work as hard if not harder than that 7.3L all day long and may actually do it slightly more efficiently in my opinion. I know there is no difference in my truck when I drop the 5th wheel onto the hitch. Well other than it burns a more fuel to make more power. It will still run 70 mph all day without a fuss.

 

Thanks your opinion makes me feel a little better.

If you even mention buying a 6l around here people give you a big lecture and a horror story about someone "they know" thats got a 6l.

Theres lots of pretty decent looking trucks for not a bad price because they seem to have such a bad name.

I talked to a shop that said for 4 thousand they could fix it before it breaks ?

 

Keep in mind this is just my opinion, I'm far from an expert on 6.0L engines.I wouldn't be scared of the engine. Like I told someone else a couple of days ago, I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm not going to bash any other PSD engine...I get mad when folks come into the 6.0L forum bashing it...so I'm not going to do it to any other PSD. Now a Dodge or Chebby...well, what can I say? I have my faults.Sounds like the V10 guys keeping crap stirred up. They can't stand it that we can make more power with less fuel. They might make more torque...but it ain't enough I'd crow about it. Their only advantage is lower maintenance cost compared to the diesel engines. But then that motor is done by 150k miles; a PSD is just getting broke in at that point and still good for another 150k. Yeah, I don't like the V10 guys...but then they don't like us either.
And that can work to you advantage. If you know what your looking at or for, you may come across a pretty good deal for a good price. I don't think it can be said enough, research...it will pay dividends with these motors.I think they're trying to take you for a ride. Depending on how you want to look at it, to me the only real weakness in these motors is the Torque-To-Yield headbolts. Going with ARP headstuds isn't a bad idea. Now, some will say the EGR cooler is weak, but on a '03 you just about can't kill it (the late '04 to '07 aren't as tough). The oil cooler on the other hand does have a bad habit of clogging from crap in the coolant...which does cause the EGR cooler to fail. I'm not saying the coolant is to blame...but a coolant filter is a good aftermarket addition.

I run a stock truck...so I can't say you have to get a tuner to get one of these trucks to do what you need. I know I can drag my 11k pound 5th wheel with little effort. Yeah, the truck slows down pulling some mountain grades around here (don't know the percent of the grade). But the truck can usually maintain 60 mph which is more than enough for me. I didn't buy a sports car, I bought a truck for pulling trailers...and it does a fine job doing just that.