04 6.0 reliability?
More Turbo
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 526
Likes: 7
From: Houston
52K on a 6.0 is nothing. I have 190K on my '04 and I'm still on the original head studs. Never put a tuner on it and glad I didn't. The only real problem I ever had was the EGR cooler split. Deleted that almost five years ago and that is the only thing I've ever done that wouldn't be considered routine maintenance. The truck runs great.
Bought this truck in March '04 and have no intentions of replacing it anytime soon.
2006 Bullet-Riddled 6.0
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 651
Likes: 5
From: Sac River Delta Ca.
^^^ what he said, a well maintained 6.0 is a dependable 6.0, that's as simple as it gets. I have 75,000 miles on my truck and has been flawless, Chevy and Dodge don't build a truck that compares to the F250 it's a solid durable machine in a class above them. Period
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 59
I'll throw my $.02 in...
I bought a 2005 F250 in late 2004. I installed a service body when I started using it for work in late 2006. For most of its life it weighed 9900+ pounds and I also routinely pulled a 7000 pound trailer.
In May of 2009 I sold it with 170,000+ miles and not a single wrench touched the engine for repairs. Just one set of batteries and an iTBC.
My current 2006 F250 has 101,000 miles and according to the OASIS report never had engine work. A/C compressor was replaced though.
For whatever reason some people pick on the 6.0 and praise the 7.3. Funny how they forgot all the issues with that engine.
I bought a 2005 F250 in late 2004. I installed a service body when I started using it for work in late 2006. For most of its life it weighed 9900+ pounds and I also routinely pulled a 7000 pound trailer.
In May of 2009 I sold it with 170,000+ miles and not a single wrench touched the engine for repairs. Just one set of batteries and an iTBC.
My current 2006 F250 has 101,000 miles and according to the OASIS report never had engine work. A/C compressor was replaced though.
For whatever reason some people pick on the 6.0 and praise the 7.3. Funny how they forgot all the issues with that engine.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
I just don't wanna buy a truck that's gonna give me issues. Like I said before I'm not into performance tuning the farthest ill go is a upgraded air intake and a better egr valve or delete it completely my main concern is all this **** I been hearing about the head bolts but from what I'm reading if it remains mostly stock with no hot tuner then the stock head TTY bolts will be fine. It also seems like the 6.0 isn't as bad as its made out to be.
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 59
I just don't wanna buy a truck that's gonna give me issues. Like I said before I'm not into performance tuning the farthest ill go is a upgraded air intake and a better egr valve or delete it completely my main concern is all this **** I been hearing about the head bolts but from what I'm reading if it remains mostly stock with no hot tuner then the stock head TTY bolts will be fine. It also seems like the 6.0 isn't as bad as its made out to be.
#2 Deleting the EGR is a good idea
#3 The stock headbolts are fine if the boost is under 25 psi or so, and you're ahead of the game if you delete the EGR
Josh
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I bought a 2004 6.0 with 65,000 on it. I did all the stuff (EGR delete, ARP studs, blue spring, etc.) and had to put a tuner on it for the CEL. Just tuned it to mild (40 hp) and put the tuner behind the back seat. I tow a 12,000 5th wheel all the time and have put 11,000 miles on it with no trouble. I use to tow with a V-10 and thought it did a great job, but this beast eats mountain passes with no strain. If you are not towing heavy, you probably don't need the new bolts and studs, just keep up with the maintanence.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Leave stock intake alone. Check. What about a bigger exhaust to keep the temp down? Nothing crazy I believe the stock is 3 inch turbo back I was thinking a 4 inch good idea or no
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2006 Bullet-Riddled 6.0
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 651
Likes: 5
From: Sac River Delta Ca.
Yes the 4" will help keep temps down for your exhaust valves and guides the manifolds as well as the turbo because the hot exhaust is moving out of combustion chamber faster. You may loose a bit on your very bottom end until turbo spools up and starts a draft through the pipe but it's a worth while investment and straight piping it is even better.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
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Josh
2006 Bullet-Riddled 6.0
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 651
Likes: 5
From: Sac River Delta Ca.
6.0 Was the last engine before the feds strangled them with heavy emissions equipment like the 6.4 and especially the 6.7. Like Bullit said no sensors or lights at all.
Straight piping a 6.0 is a good thing for it, going to be louder than stock for sure but not bad. I like the sound of it, your truck will have a unique sound unlike any stock diesel truck. People will know it's you without looking after they hear the sound of the turbo whine and deep note.
Backpressure is lower, there are no negatives to straight piping exept for the noise level is higher. Lower exhaust temps are worth it.
Straight piping a 6.0 is a good thing for it, going to be louder than stock for sure but not bad. I like the sound of it, your truck will have a unique sound unlike any stock diesel truck. People will know it's you without looking after they hear the sound of the turbo whine and deep note.
Backpressure is lower, there are no negatives to straight piping exept for the noise level is higher. Lower exhaust temps are worth it.
