So I found an F550 stake bed I want to buy but its an 05 with a 6.0 bummer? Maybe not it only has 28k on it. I know they just didn't use it because every time I deliver there it was sitting, plus they have full maint docs from Ford that prove mileage.

If I buy this thing would it be wise to do the aftermarket oil cooler/EGR/coolant filter & flush and hope for the best or run it until I have issues?

I always do a full fluid & filter change (at a Ford fleet shop) on every new to me truck I get but will taking it a few steps further now make it more reliable in the long run? I will get a scan gauge first thing and the dealer/shop I use is well educated on the 6.0 just nervous about buying myself into problems. I need to run 150-300 miles a day trouble free.

Do I need to stud the heads on a stock motor? Or will they blow at 150k+ no matter what?

Thanks.

 

Spend some time reading on here, that will help you out a lot. This motor will run just fine without headstuds. There are people out there with 300k+ with factory head gaskets and TTY bolts.
As you mentioned, get a Scangauge2. Also it wouldn't hurt to get a fuel pressure gauge. The F550 is know for fuel tank delams.
On the oil cooler, if it doesn't have a problem, leave it alone. The egr cooler I personally would delete, if you can't, BPD makes an upgraded one.
Also stick with OEM filters.

 

The only thing that would stear me away from this truck would be the price, but if it's a good deal..... That is for sure some low miles, that seems really weird to me. What did they use it for... Or not use it in this case? Thing is probably decomposing from lack of use.

 

Buy it right and change the stc fitting, stand pipes, dummy plugs, delete egr. Add a coolant filter, change to red elc coolant and update the hpo resivour screen. Do a blue spring upgrade it will run forever.

 

Been reading, a lot. That is what brought me to these questions. I'm thinking if I correct the issues before there is even a hint of trouble I will be that much further away from having to do studs. I will look into the delam issue, can't delete Cali/smog, always OEM on filters.

Mr. Nobody, I am worried about rot also, people tell me that sitting is the worst thing for these motors & sensors. They didn't use it much because they have a fleet of vans and F-250's that suit there needs 99% of the time and nobody wanted to drive the 550 due to the brutally harsh ride. My first suspicion was yeah low miles because it is a 6.0 but it fires and runs good but the low miles means he wants top dollar. I think I can get a reasonable deal but probably not a screaming one because they don't know or care about 6.0 issues.

What to do what to do???

 

Personally, I would do head studs because that thing has really low gears and your probably going to pull a lot of weight. Ours was stock, always serviced at ford and we went threw the head gaskets too. Since the BPD upgrades and head studs it runs really well and have had know problems. He won't get top dollar for a F550 even with low miles. Its a great truck but I'd rather do it now then out on the road some where will you will really pay. Ours is California also but F350.

 

I still would not do headgaskets if it didn't need it. I drive an F550 that weighs 16,500lbs daily and some days pull an 10,000lb trailer with it. It has 150k miles with factory head bolts and gaskets. It has 4.33 gears.

 

Justin, I know you guys are out there I just know two many people like myself that have had problems. Its a personal call for each. I know my son pulls 16,000# toyhauler and so many of our buddy's pull so much less and still had to have them. Anyway good luck on what you decide.

 

I don't tow and usually regear to 4.10 on my F450's, but yeah 4.88's it will be screaming down the freeway. I think the cab has to come off to do head studs correct?

 

No, the cab can stay in place. And you can do it in your driverway.

 

Head studs are required when you get EGR leaks, or over boost that lifts the heads, you need gauges to watch water vs oil temp, fuel pressure, and boost. As lon as these systems are working properly and not chiped, you don't get problems, it's the over boost or water issues. The other issue is bad injectors dumping fuel and hydrlocking a cylinder. Watch FICM volts, codes to prevent this. A new FICM also can do wonders, rebuild by Ed. I would write up all the things it needs to have done and use that to negotiate price.

 

These things add up fast. I tried to hit him with the library of 6.0 issues but he says "it's a diesel it will run a million miles it's not even broken in yet" That's the mentality I'm up against, I told him to Google it. The bummer is from 03-07 are all 6.0 so finding a 7.3 that isn't all clapped out is tough and GM doesn't have anything in the 550 category without going kodiack or topkick and Ram has the 5500 but hard to find used and people still want retail.

 

You are in a tough spot, 550's aren't on every corner, but demand isn't very high either. Remind him it's not that the 6l is a dog, it has been sitting a lot, and that does not discriminate. What ever his price is, counter with your price and walk away. I had a similar experience when trying to buy my Ex. Found one with 72k, and they wanted $30k for it. They cam down to $25k, but that is still too much IMO for a 10 year old truck (it was an '03). I did end up finding a good Excursion, but I don't think they are quite as uncommon as a nice clean f550.