Hello,

I am a newbie on this site and to full size trucks. I purchased a 2005 F-350 SD Lariat last year and have already had some issues. I had the FICM rebuilt and oil filter leak fixed, but judging from all the problems that seem to be inherent to the 6.0L I am wondering if I should keep it.

Since the FICM rebuild, (and before) I only get get between 11 to 13 mpg even taking it slow with no load.

I have 10K I can use to either up-grade what I have or apply to a newer model. What are your thoughts? Thanks for all the great info on this site.

 

To be honest man i have an 03 and wouldn't trade it any day. If it were ME i would upgrade your and make it YOURS if you know what i mean. I hope the best of luck to you man.

I have not had any issues with mine except i had to do a blue spring upgrade but i think 05 that issue is fixed i am not sure.

Anyways again good luck and just be happy with your decision

 

If it was me Id put the money in the 6.0L

So far I wouldnt buy any of the Newer Diesels the 6.4L or the 6.7L

Im NOT AT ALL saying there Bad trucks that 6.7L pretty BadA$$ as long as everything working Fine.

But some of the newer diesel Failures are as much as 10K-15K$$$$

I could rebuild Engine and a Trans for that kinda money owning a 6.0L

Another Kicker I heard about the 6.7L was injector change requires the new inject to have to be programmed to PCM. I try to do all my own work if Possible so a new truck would limit what I could do if a Problem does present itself

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As far as the Poor MPG could be a Few diffrent things.

I lost 40-50 miles per tank with just a Bad thermostat Im not saying you have a Bad thermostat Im just using it as Example

The best thing you could do right now IMO is get a scangaugeII and study up on here how to Bullet Proof the 6.0L.

Then by the gauge readings see what needs to be addressed.

Being an 05 at some point you could have a issue with the High Pressure Oil System. Normaly STC Fitting & standppipes & Dummey Plugs

You also need to see the condition of the Oil Cooler so again Gauges

Gauges are a Must for a 6.0L Things could get expensive just throwing parts at it for a Poor MPG Concern. The Gauge will pay for itself I have a few diffrent diagnostic tools and ALL Have Paid for itself with the money they save. Also with a Gauge you can see a Problem develop and fix it B4 it fails and Sometimes when 1 thing goes Bad it will cause Multiple system Failures.

So another Example is the FICM a Bad Battery or Alternator will Kill the FICM multiple things can Fail

 

Thanks for the info! Any and all input is greatly appreciated. I guess I need to lay out a battle plan for best use of funds. Sounds like Scangauge should be the first purchase then, from what I have read, look into Coolant Filter, Bulletproof ERG, etc.

Any thoughts from the Masters on what you would do with the $10K for best "bang for the buck???" i.e. If the cab needs to come off, what should I put the funds towards? and/or does the cab even need to come off to do what must be done to keep on the road with heavy loads for next 10 years or so???

Thanks in advance, the information here is great!

 

SGII and coolant filter is a Great start


The cab doesnt need to come off thats kinda a Mechanic Choice

For 10K And 05
Gauges
coolant filter
STC Fitting and Standpipes and dummey plugs

I guess BIG question is what you want. You can make pretty reliable truck for Less than 10K IMO

Is it just address any problems or weak areas?????
Or are you trying to Build a RACE Truck

Sounds like going to work the truck some with Heavy Loads So you may want to look into ARP Studs

 

Benny pretty much has you covered. I wouldn't invest in the studs myself unless having HG issues. A bad egr cooler is symptomatic of a bad oil cooler thus the need for the gauges. Many, myself included, are still running stock coolers with no problems once the cooling system is cleaned and maintained. Keep the maint. up and use only OEM filters. Don't forget the external tranny filter and 30,000 mile hot flushes, very important. If you don't know the history of the truck I would change all filters and fluids now so that you have a base point for your maint. The 6.0 demands good maint. to be happy.

 

ARP studs. New OEM headgaskets. Updated standpipes an dummy plugs an STC fitting. Dieselsite coolant filter. ScangaugeII. New oil cooler. Bulletproof diesel EGR cooler. Restore an VC-9 coolant flush. Fleetguard CAT rated ELC coolant. SCT tuner. updated turbo drain pipe.

All of that, if remember right, would be close to 3500$ to 4000$. If you Can do your own wrenching you can save a lil money. If you don't think you can tackle it, which doing headgaskets with cab on is pretty tough, you could pay someone who knows an works on 6.0L an still get it all done for less than 10K.

 

You can also check out Powerstrokehelp.com. He has this video on youtube talking about bulletproofing the 6.0 for under $5,000.00!


COST OF BULLETPROOFING THE 6.0L POWERSTROKE - YouTube

 

Careful with this site. He has some good info and some bad info. The bad info can burn you.

 

Do not mean to steal thread. Where do you guys buy most of your parts?

 

I bought all mine from iprresearch.com he had all the parts I needed an at good prices. I didn't want to buy parts from 3 or 4 different places because of shipping. I ran across that website an called them. Talked to Vince, the owner, an ordered my parts.

I did ARP studs. HG. Standpipes an plugs. Oil cooler. STC fitting. All from one place.

 

May i ask what they all ran you? if you do not know just tell me to shut up lol

 

If I remember right. It was about 1200 - the HG because he didn't have any in stock at the time.

ARP studs. Standpipes an plugs. IPR valve. Oil cooler. STC fitting. Seems like I ordered something else, but can't remember.

I ordered his oil cooler. He offers his design an OEM oil coolers. His design has bigger coolant passages so ALOT less likely to stop up.

Innovative Performance Research

 

Wow i may be the brokest 6.0 owner out there lol. I am only 23 though.... guh i might just have to sell it but i love my truck lol

 

If not having any troubles with it right now. Put back some money each week for upgrades. 50$ a week will add up before you know it.

Only reason I did all that to mine is because it put me down while on a family camping trip. Good thing is we were only 1 1/2 hours from home camping. It ended up only being the IPR valve. But I told wife. If I'm goin to fix it I'm goin to fix all the problem I have read about on here. Thanks to the bank, an me for buying the truck for less that loan value. I was about to borrow the money to fix it all at one time.