I'm looking to trade in my 00 Limited 2wd V10 for a Disel 4x4 X. I found one in NC (I'm from SE Ohio) but its an 05 so it has the 6.0 and I'm aware of the problems that they were plagued with but i'm just wondering how everyone elses 6.0s last and have treated them. I know that i can rebuild the engine and swap to bolts for stubs and dlete the egr and replace the oil cooler but i'm not gonna have 1400 dollars laying around anytime soon. So i need to have one that is gonna last at least a year. I don't plan on drag racing it (thats what my mustang is for) so its not gonna be at WOT very often but ocaisionally I do load the stang up on the trailer and haul things so it will be under load at some pionts.
if anyone has some insight, pros cons, whatever i just need some testimonials.

 

I think the best advice I've heard for finding an '05 6.0 is to find one with a true '05 engine and not an '04 engine. Most have an '04 engine, using them up in production.

You are able to tell by the stickers on the engine exactly, but you probably don't have access to that right now. By simply looking at the VIN though, the conversion happened somewhere in the D00001-D49000, with the end of that range defining roughly the end of Excursion production. So yes, I think some in the D range had the '04 engine, but you will know that if it's an A, B, or C series, it'll be '04 6.0 equipped.

I think others will need to know the mileage on it too, in order to suggest what you do. If it already has 150k, I'd say you should really really consider the EGR/stud thing asap. If it's only around 75k, then you are probably ok for a little while. Just my opinion, coming from a non-6.0 owner...

 

buy a scan gauge or edge insight to check the health of the engine, through the on board diagnostics port (obd) . When you test drive it the coolant & oil temperature delta should be less than 10 degrees with no load. I have 04 6.0 in my 05 eb and its been a great engine when properly taken care of. Other owners should/will chime in about this. Hope this helps...

 

I love my '05 Ex (2wd) w/PSD.
Look for clean/well cared for interior more so than low miles.
I saw some with low miles but abused interiors.
You'll need a 20 min hi-way run to check out the delta between ECT & EOT
with a Scangauge2 (or equivalent).
IPR & IPC might also be good to monitor while test driving,
but spring upgrades will likely be needed (lots of v/b spring threads)

Just drove back-n-forth from FL to NC this past weekend (1350 miles).
Averaged 20.7 MPG PLUS found diesel on both ends @ $3.999.
Hauled 1200 lbs of stuff South in my Ex and it made the ride better.

bought mine with 98k on it in Oct 2010, near perfect interior.
Now has 120k on it and it's wonderful on long hi-way cruises.

 

There are a few schools of thought that I've found so far.

1. Get a low mileage one and do all the "upgrades" asap

or

2. Get a high mileage one means it's either in good shape or all the questionable parts have already been replaced.

I'm in group 2 mostly because I spent almost a year looking for the one in the right condition with the right options.

Mine has a great exterior and an interior with only minor wear on the leather drivers seat side bolster. Everything else is perfect!

And it came with 136k miles. I figured I would take the risk and was ready to spend the money upgrading and/or repairing if something went wrong.

If you don't have $1500 to spare I would resist the temptation to buy a 7 year old PSD with an unknown history and potentially $5k in "basic" repairs/upgrades in the "high priority" list.

 

Well i found an 04 that i like a little better and is a much better price, it has 146 on the clock and has had the problem suspects repaired already so im probably going to go check it out sometime this weekend.