This has probably been discussed ad nauseum but since I am a newbie and not well versed in searching maybe someone can give me a quick answer. My motor-head friend tells me the 6.0 diesels are in demand now by guys that want to modify the engine. Is that true and what modifications are being made?

 

I dont think they are being chosen for high HP applications, what they are doing is buying a nice truck with a questionable reputation and upgrading the known weak links. Most 6.0's are several thousand less than the competition yet able to be as good as if not better with some time/money investment. It takes aroun $4000-5000 to make the engine 'bullet proof', which some folks think is a waste of $$. They think that the original price should have guaranteed that it was! Anyhow you can find a nice truck if you watch and know ahead of time that there are area to be suspect. there are numerous threads on 'bullet proofing' to read just type in the subject in the search box, or do a search on the internet. my 6.0 cost me $3500 to 'bullet proof', but the tech upgraded the engine to all the latest TSB's for the 6.0. just got back from vacation avg around 12 mpg pulling a 6k trailer (estimated), over southern colo and north NM. crossed wolf creek at 65mph, 1200 egt, 66lb fuel press, water and oil temp withing 10 deg of each other trans at less than 200 deg. normal FP is around 70 psi for the truck.

I may be wrong but this is what I beleive your friend is referring to. Others may or may not chime in. But the 6.0 can put out some HP figures that are impressive, the head and bolt patterns keep it pretty low in comparison to others. One guy I read somewhere fabricated a whole new fuel injection system (like the new style), but I have not heard of anyone else doing anything.

 

Thanks so much for the in-depth info, much appreciated. Ironically I just ran into my friend and we briefly spoke. He said almost exactly the same thing you did, including the term "bullet-proof"! One of the reasons I am curious is I am considering selling my truck and wondering if it will command a premium or cause a reduction in asking price. Your thoughts?
I have heard over the years of the 6.0 failures and was concerned at first. But I have also heard it only happens to those towing heavy loads (of which I never have) so the fact the engines can be improved upon is encouraging. I still have not decided to pull the trigger on selling, and probably won't. For their mid-life crisis toys my friends bought the usual; Borget motorcycles, Porsche's, Corvette's, go-fast boats, etc. For me it was the King Ranch! I received it from the factory in November of 2005 (2006 model year) and only have 36K miles on it so it is especially hard to part with. I always said it will be a 10 year vehicle for me, probably will end up so.
Thanks again Hank.

 

Some of what people think are necessary mods for "bullet proofing" aren't really the case.

There are some mods that really don't prevent anything, they treat symptoms at best, not a cure. Some I would say are worth while mods or mods that aren't that bad to do.


That again isn't quite true.

Now if you try to really get on the vehicle with a heavy load before it gets up to operating temp and then yes, you will have a problem with towing that heavy load.

The majority of "issues" that people have with these trucks is more often directly related to them thinking that these 6.0s (and later) vehicles are just like their granddad's diesel (mine had a 6.9) and that isn't the case. That applies to them using shift on the fly tuners, driving like a bat out of hell without watching vehicles vitals. With the EGR system, most didn't watch how they idled their vehicle, which you could do with impunity on the older diesels, not so much unless you install a high idle circuit (easy enough to do with upfitter switches).

Not to mention the low mileage grocery getters that bought these things for stroking their egos.

This engine is not as bad as the claims are and before someone mentions warranty claims, how many false ones got through the cracks? I remember when the 6.0 trucks (some vans might still have factory warranty) were still in warranty even a lot of people here were advocating slipping in false warranty claims.
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Thanks Tex. Sounds like you too have intimate knowledge of all things diesel, much appreciated. Funny you mention buying to "stroke the ego". Although I am not a grocery getter, I am low mileage, and don't think I bought it to stroke my ego but I must embarrassingly admit I discovered over the years the ego does get stroked when encountering "lesser" trucks.

 

Hey, it happens to all of us.

These are damn good trucks and I honestly believe that their reputation isn't deserved. Unfortunately, it's time has passed.
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My bro in law bought his truck same time as I did. Few differences, had 18inch factory wheels, came from dealer with edge installed. Now he works his hard and as a result has had the problems many have had. Blew the egr towing a skid steer, been thru a couple of injectors, a turbo, has had problems with the intercooler blowing the caps off when the turbo overboosts. Has about 140000 on it. Has towed heavy, but he still loves it. Had 2001 or 2 7.3, before this one. Loved the milage on the 7.3, but it had its problems. He says the 6.0 overall with problems is a stronger motor. He does not run careful maint. They told him due to the areas he works (a logger) oil changes every 2000 miles were needed (sure he will). Just no time to do stuff like that and make a living. anyhow he has run rev x and archoil, says both work for him so he is also now running synthetic oil and it has made a difference. So hard work (pulling) may or may not caus a problem. BTW mine just rolled over 41000 on the trip we were on. No plans to sell or anything. Bought the truck knowing it would be a 'hanger queen" but not the kind which is always broken and she hasn't been. Wife loves it, got power, comfort and it is our travel vehicle NOT her honda accord. will sacrifice the milage for the power and comfort besides what is a measly 12mpg difference anyhow?

 

One very positive I find with my 8,000 Lb truck is the
safety it gives you over the little beer can cars on the road.

Sean