Hi.
I'm not trying to start a big controversy.

I have a 2006 f350 v10. I love this truck, but I am getting killed with the fuel cost. When I purchased this one, I had a 15 min commute. I now have a 45-60 min commute. I pull a tandem axle enclosed tool trailer, so 10mpg is getting pricy So I am looking to get a diesel.

So as I am shopping, I have 6 things I want to get.
150,000 miles or less
$12,000 approx or less
Longbox,
prefer crew cab (at least an ext. cab)
diesel
superduty


I've had a pre 2005 superduty, and 2 post 2005 superduties. I am personally ok with either one. (I prefer manual transmission if possible)

It's been a while since I've had a diesel, Over 5 years actually. and that was a 12v cummins (good engine) so I would like some advise.

I have 5 decent options that are semi local, what would you guys reccomend.

1.2000 Ford F-350 7.3 Powerstroke Crew Cab - Alberta Cars For Sale - Kijiji Alberta Canada.

2.2003 Ford F-350 Lariat Pickup Truck - Alberta Cars For Sale - Kijiji Alberta Canada.
3.2003 Ford F-350 Lariat XLT Pickup Truck - Alberta Cars For Sale - Kijiji Alberta Canada.
4.Great work truck - Alberta Cars For Sale - Kijiji Alberta Canada.
5.2005 Ford F-250 XL Pickup Truck - Edmonton Cars For Sale - Kijiji Edmonton Canada.


So I guess, what I am asking, is this.

Is the 6.0 that bad? If I purchase a 2003/2004 and immediately do the egr delete, is this going to be a hassle free engine?

Is the 2005+ 6.0 fixed?

which engine will be better on fuel?

My gut says that the 7.3 in the 2000 may be a better purchase, but maybe it's because I have been reading about the horrors of the 6.0 for the last 8 yrs.

At the end of the day, I will never mod or chip this thing, it's for work, I need reliable not fast or powerful.


Thanks for any advise.

 

The 6.0 gets a bad rap because of a few issues. The 6.0 will get better fuel economy then the 7.3. I have driven a few 6.0 trucks and they really get up and go! You can find them pretty cheap but usually need work. The main things that users on here usually do to a 6.0 is egr delete and a coolant filter. I know a long haul auto transport driver who just hit 500,000 on his 04 F350 all he's done to it was an egr delete, coolant filter and at 250,000 he did the head gaskets and arp studs. The truck has gone through the usual expected parts. The 7.3 will last a long time but as we all know the 7.3 is becoming " outdated" but there are still good deals out there for both trucks.

 

Subscribing.

 

I think I would go with the 6.0. It has more power and gets better mileage than the 7.3, has a much better transmission behind it, and with a little bit invested in it and proper maintenance it can be just as reliable. I'd probably try to find one that's 2005 or newer, but that may be a little difficult with your $12K price range.

 

Pro tip: If you want to use examples to backup your position, don't use Wikipedia. It isn't and never will be an authoritative source. Anyone and their uncle can edit the text at any time, which makes it an opinion, not fact.

 

It takes a long time to make much back simply based on mileage and, in my experience diesels cost more to maintain. Are you sure this is a wise decision?

Steve

 

Get a small commuter car. Problem solved. Money saved. Argument ended.

 

As I understand it, he pulls his trailer on a daily basis, so a small car wouldn't work. If not, this is definitely the best way to go.

 

I'am from BC I'am on my 3rd 6.0 have I had any problems with them no, the only reason why I got rid of my first 6.0 as it was a truck with a 6spd manual in a F-450. The 6.0 and 6spd manual isn't a good combination because of the engine control system doesn't allow fuel before boosts.

My second 6.0 was a 06 F-450 automatic I sold the truck as I had no work for it now I currently own a 05 F-350 6.0 crew cab 4x4 truck had 150,000kms when I bought it paid 23,000 for it. It now has 160,000km on it no issues it is a nice driving truck. I really thought I was going to get better fuel mileage over my F-450s NOPE the F-350 gets at the most is 13.5 mpg.

My F-450s were 12mpg, the F-450s weighed 9000lbs empty my current F-350 empty weighs 8200lbs.

The 6.0 does cost more to operate over the gas engines, I'am using 5w-40 Delo 400 synthetic it costs me 135 dollars for a 18.5 litre pail. The oil filter from Ford is 28 dollars.

Never driven a V-10 but buying a 6.0 for fuel economy you are not gaining much over the gas if you are getting 10mpg. For diesel fuel out here in BC I'am paying 1.399 a litre (5.17 a gallon).

Why do I own a diesel is I like driving them owned 7.3 IDI, 7.3 PSD and 6.0s, I would rather have a 6.0 over the others. The old 7.3 PSD is a pig they make more noise than anything else.

The 6.0 and torqshift is a good combination, I haven't driven a manual transmission in 3.5 years.

I do all the maintenance on my 6.0s the other key is to let them warm up before you drive them. You don't short trip them they don't like that. Keep clean fuel, change fuel filters at the regular intervals. I use nothing but synthetic engine oil ie Delo 400 5w-40. Don't excessivly idle them and run them hard, I drive on 8-10% grades every day the engine gets a good work out. I haven't deleted the emmissions on any of my trucks.

Amazing out people that have no experience with 6.0s say they are junk they base their info off of hearsay and not real world experience.

To sum it up you are not gaining anything buying a 6.0 for fuel mileage you are not going to get much for 12 grand. Keep your current V-10 you know what you got. My commute to work is 60 minute round trip, aproximately 50km a day about 1100km a month around 271 dollars in diesel.

 

A commuter car won't pull a 7klb trailer, or carry 50 sheets of plywood. or 16' lengths of lumber.

Out of 1000 miles of driving, I'm towing at least 600 of them

 

I've weeded out the posts that do absolutely nothing to help the OP with his decision.

Please feel free to post if you've got something to say that will help, not bash, and not harass others. Otherwise, find somewhere else to post.

 

well,

I have to admit, it's not completely for mileage alone.

I have 2 things I would like to change on my current ride,
a long box
and a full crew cab.

What are you diesel guys getting when you tow 7k (approx)

I'm getting 10mpg , I kinda guestimated diesel at 15mpg based on my experience with an idi, and a 12v

If it's less than that, I might reconsider. The v10 does the job fine. it's just thirsty

 

I think you might be mistaken on the fuel economy issue. The newer the diesel trucks are, the worse they seem to do in terms of fuel economy. (with the exception of the 6.7. It would be hard to do worse than the 6.4 which is in large fault due to the EPA).

My advice on buying a used diesel truck is to forget the things you want to look at instinctively like the odometer reading. Instead focus on the condition of the truck and the maintenance of the engine. I have personally seen bad engines in both the 7.3 and 6.0 platform with less than 100,000 miles on them. My engine has over 400,000 miles on it and the engine is in much better shape than those low mileage trucks.

And of course, remember the single biggest factor in fuel economy is driving styles and habits. I'd first try to nurse all the mileage you can get out of your V-10 and then determine how much of an upgrade you might get with a diesel. Poor driving habits with a diesel while towing can net you in the 10 - 15 mpg range.

 

Sure they will

 

I just don't want to be like this guy..



Car Crash, Bad use of your car - YouTube