Decided a gasser wasn't going to get the job done, so I am looking to buy an used 6.4. I'm not looking to mod this truck for extra power, just reliability due to short commutes during middle of week and heaving towing once every few weeks. What do I need to know and do to get this truck outfitted properly and be legal? Thanks for your input! This is all new to me!!

 

PARKLAND JUST WROTE THIS ON ANOTHER THREAD....... The 2008+ trucks are nicer in many ways. I went from f250 to f350, and the new truck is much nicer riding. It is quieter, not just engine noise, but from road noise as well. The newer transmissions are really great. Despite the allisons smooth shifting and massive marketing, the truth is that it really isn't that great, sure it shifts nice, but it is not quite as strong as the ford tranny. The ford tranny is pretty stout. Some guys have wrecked them with big tuners, but it is amazing what they will take, with giant tunes like spartan's +350 tune and +310 tune, which dyno almost 600 rear wheel HP. I am pretty sure that is the most RWHP capable out of any diesel pickup truck ever, with just a tuner, air, and exhaust. If not, it's gotta be close.

The 6.4 engine itself, is possibly the toughest, strongest diesel engine ever put in a pickup, with the worst emissions system ever put in one as well. The EGR and DPF emission system works fine, but only if you were to use the truck almost exclusively on the highway. In town errands and stop and go traffic, and even mixed driving, will eventually cause problems with the DPF getting clogged.
The bottom end on a 6.4 is really stout, really nothing to worry about. Head gaskets go sometimes for some guys, but usually the tune is to blame, remember that these trucks make huge power and boost, so taking that into consideration, they hold together really well.
The compound turbochargers are amazing with tunes, pulls really hard, even at low RPM's. If I had one complaint, it would be actually that the turbochargers can sometimes make too much boost, which I also think has something to do with head gasket issues.
The cooling system on the 6.4's is great, although a few guys had radiator issues with leaking, still present in the 6.7's. Same possibility for cavitation issues as with any other truck.

100% stock, I probably wouldn't buy another one, but if it can be tuned, it's a great truck. Stock, it gets the job done for sure, still a great truck, but the emissions junk is not worth it. I can tune and delete where I live, so it's all good. My next truck might be a 2010 6.4 truck possibly.

 

the only issue is you can't delete and be legal... NOW YOU COULD DELETE... and leave the tuner on stock power level...if you don't want more hp... most guys change their mind though! These motors aren't meant for short commuting with the emissions/dpf parts on the truck.....that's why quite a few members here have deleted/or plan to.

 

Short commutes or any other short trip service are very hard on any of the new emissions controlled diesels, and you will have to take that into account.

If you (illegally) remove emissions equipment they can handle short trips ok. Alternatively you will have to pay extra attention to *not* interrupting a DPF regen if one starts on your commute, potentially driving around an extra 10 min to allow it to complete.

You will also have to pay extra attention to fuel dilution in your used oil reports to see if you need to do shorter oil changes or potentially just drain a quart to keep the level in check between changes.

A gas engine may be a better option for the commuting and once a month towing service. Alternatively a small, cheap car for commuting and save the nice truck for weekends. It sucks to eat up your ESP warranty miles on commuting anyway.

 

I wouldn't commute in a super duty, unless you have a reason to, or your just so rich that money means nothing.
I got a caprice classic that I use all the time, for short trips or commuting when I dont need a truck.