Considering a 6.4. Input please?
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Considering a 6.4. Input please?
Hi everyone. Live in eastern South Dakota. I have a 2012 Ram 1500 4x4 Express 3.92 w/airbags and 50k on the odometer. use this pickup to pull out small BP camper, 3 horse gooseneck trailer 8k lbs, lumber, and occasionally hay. I have a company car so this is just a run around rig. Been a good rig but I'm debating changing to a 2008 F250 or F350 6.4 or comparable HD diesel. Looking at a clean 2008 F250 lariat w/120k miles for $22,500. Want to get into a heavier duty tow rig. My wife will occasionally use it for a 100 mile round trip commute during poor weather. I've heard mixed reviews on the 6.4, but I like it and am **** about maintenance... Plus, it's in the budget. The one I'm leaning towards is a Job 1, one owner, fresh trade, clean carfax, pulled a 5th wheel camper around the country by an old retired couple. Any input or suggestions? I posted this in the "intro" section as well. I fully expect some biased replies, but that's cool. Thanks!
Lead Driver
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Can you put a tuner, and delete the DPF in the exhaust?
The emissions system on these trucks is pretty much only good if you tow or highway drive 99% of the time.
I would have got rid of mine a while ago if it still had the DPF.
The emissions system on these trucks is pretty much only good if you tow or highway drive 99% of the time.
I would have got rid of mine a while ago if it still had the DPF.
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Yup, deleting the DPF, adding a tuner, and likely deleting the EGR would occur early in my ownership since the rig I'm considering is bone stock. It would be close to 90% highway driving (we live in the country and my wife's commute doesn't require city driving.). Thanks for the input!
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if you plan on deleting the emissions stuff.. I don't see where you could go wrong! The only thing would be maybe trying to attain an oasis report from the dealer to see all work performed on the truck for it's life this far....other thing may be the mileage on the truck and if it's been dpf present the entire time.......but if you delete it you'll see a "little" better mileage on the truck....lots more power depending on your choice of programmer and setting. I bought mine 18 months ago...been in love ever since the biggest thing with these trucks is preventative maintenance which you sound like your on top of.. and trying to find issues b4 they start. All the newer diesels have there own quirks...the 6.4 is no different but I haven't had an issue yet in 25k miles...trucks sitting at 73k so go for it if everything seems legit.
Lead Driver
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if you plan on deleting the emissions stuff.. I don't see where you could go wrong! The only thing would be maybe trying to attain an oasis report from the dealer to see all work performed on the truck for it's life this far....other thing may be the mileage on the truck and if it's been dpf present the entire time.......but if you delete it you'll see a "little" better mileage on the truck....lots more power depending on your choice of programmer and setting. I bought mine 18 months ago...been in love ever since the biggest thing with these trucks is preventative maintenance which you sound like your on top of.. and trying to find issues b4 they start. All the newer diesels have there own quirks...the 6.4 is no different but I haven't had an issue yet in 25k miles...trucks sitting at 73k so go for it if everything seems legit.
I don't change my fuel filters every 2nd oil change, I did once and they looked brand new.
I drained the water seperator a couple times only, and never found any water.
I think basically the way this works, is that you either get good fuel, and don't worry about it, or you get bad fuel, and nothing you do will change anything.
Keep the fuel tank full all the time so moisture doesn't collect in there.
Lead Driver
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The bad part about common rail diesels, and thats any brand, is that a hung injector can literally destroy the engine.
On older engines, with unit injectors, the fuel dripping in the cylinder with a bad injector was limited by the fuel pump, or injector unit. Now with these common rail *******s, the entire rail pressure can relieve from a bad injector.
This really sucks, because if the fuel system gets contaminated, you could end up replacing the fuel system along with a new engine too. But it's the way she goes.
On older engines, with unit injectors, the fuel dripping in the cylinder with a bad injector was limited by the fuel pump, or injector unit. Now with these common rail *******s, the entire rail pressure can relieve from a bad injector.
This really sucks, because if the fuel system gets contaminated, you could end up replacing the fuel system along with a new engine too. But it's the way she goes.
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From: Wyoming
08 is a little buggy of a year, and by 10 they got a lot of it remedied!
Delete the DPF and EGR, and especially if you are towing. Regens get in the way of usable towing! I just hauled long distance with mine, and the emissions will be coming out at all cost! Biggest PAI stuff our government ever wanted! Perfectly good, great, truck otherwise!
Delete the DPF and EGR, and especially if you are towing. Regens get in the way of usable towing! I just hauled long distance with mine, and the emissions will be coming out at all cost! Biggest PAI stuff our government ever wanted! Perfectly good, great, truck otherwise!
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I for one, although I do take care of it, do not roll around in bed at night worrying about my 6.4.
I don't change my fuel filters every 2nd oil change, I did once and they looked brand new.
I drained the water seperator a couple times only, and never found any water.
I think basically the way this works, is that you either get good fuel, and don't worry about it, or you get bad fuel, and nothing you do will change anything.
Keep the fuel tank full all the time so moisture doesn't collect in there.
I don't change my fuel filters every 2nd oil change, I did once and they looked brand new.
I drained the water seperator a couple times only, and never found any water.
I think basically the way this works, is that you either get good fuel, and don't worry about it, or you get bad fuel, and nothing you do will change anything.
Keep the fuel tank full all the time so moisture doesn't collect in there.
we usually agree parkland... but maybe differ here! I was taught by good guys like senix and bubba quite a few good guys with 6.7's also gave good advice... to each their own as opinions go...but the main stay that was repeated to me was oil changes at 5 fuel at 10 , drain water sep and run fuel conditioner I've done it all for the time I've had it and will continue to...maybe we're all lucky that have done these steps...or you've been lucky yourself not doing them regularly enough. Either way there bad *** trucks that are hated on quite a bit...not sure why...but I love mine! ALSO I SLEEP LIKE A GRIZZLY BEAR IN PEACE 70 degrees in Florida!!! I don't worry about trucks use them as they we're intended if they break....well we put money back for that rainy day
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Central Texas
My 2 cents.
I bought my 08 about a year and a half ago with 51,345 mi. Today 96,000+ mi.
Deleted two weeks ago w/Gearbox Z DPF-R, no hp increase, just gets rid of DPF & EGR operation as I understand it.
I may add a tuner later.
Mileage went up about 1.5 mpg. Not great, but it achieved the delete and a lil better mileage, so I'm ecstatic.
Now for the truck.
F350, 4x4, auto, CC, LWB, Lariat and I love it. It's plenty potent for towing our 36" 5er, comfortable, quiet and goes nearly anywhere.
Doesn't like deep mud, it's to heavy.
Old dirty, enjoy your truck.
I bought my 08 about a year and a half ago with 51,345 mi. Today 96,000+ mi.
Deleted two weeks ago w/Gearbox Z DPF-R, no hp increase, just gets rid of DPF & EGR operation as I understand it.
I may add a tuner later.
Mileage went up about 1.5 mpg. Not great, but it achieved the delete and a lil better mileage, so I'm ecstatic.
Now for the truck.
F350, 4x4, auto, CC, LWB, Lariat and I love it. It's plenty potent for towing our 36" 5er, comfortable, quiet and goes nearly anywhere.
Doesn't like deep mud, it's to heavy.
Old dirty, enjoy your truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
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we usually agree parkland... but maybe differ here! I was taught by good guys like senix and bubba quite a few good guys with 6.7's also gave good advice... to each their own as opinions go...but the main stay that was repeated to me was oil changes at 5 fuel at 10 , drain water sep and run fuel conditioner I've done it all for the time I've had it and will continue to...maybe we're all lucky that have done these steps...or you've been lucky yourself not doing them regularly enough. Either way there bad *** trucks that are hated on quite a bit...not sure why...but I love mine! ALSO I SLEEP LIKE A GRIZZLY BEAR IN PEACE 70 degrees in Florida!!! I don't worry about trucks use them as they we're intended if they break....well we put money back for that rainy day
The only way it would make sense to change fuel filters at XXX exact amount hours, and oil at XXX exact hours, would be if it was subjected to the exact same fuel quality, and output, the entire time during the duration.
There are some bigger engine MFG's that go by fuel burned, rather than hours or miles.
IMHO the problem with common rail diesel fuel systems, is that they really don't filter the fuel enough to keep the fuel system safe. Brand new filter, or 30,000 km's on it, the water seems to get through. Pick your battles.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Think about it like this;
The only way it would make sense to change fuel filters at XXX exact amount hours, and oil at XXX exact hours, would be if it was subjected to the exact same fuel quality, and output, the entire time during the duration.
There are some bigger engine MFG's that go by fuel burned, rather than hours or miles.
IMHO the problem with common rail diesel fuel systems, is that they really don't filter the fuel enough to keep the fuel system safe. Brand new filter, or 30,000 km's on it, the water seems to get through. Pick your battles.
The only way it would make sense to change fuel filters at XXX exact amount hours, and oil at XXX exact hours, would be if it was subjected to the exact same fuel quality, and output, the entire time during the duration.
There are some bigger engine MFG's that go by fuel burned, rather than hours or miles.
IMHO the problem with common rail diesel fuel systems, is that they really don't filter the fuel enough to keep the fuel system safe. Brand new filter, or 30,000 km's on it, the water seems to get through. Pick your battles.
Perhaps this is were a good demulsifier additive can help improve upon that filtration aspect. How much is negligible though. I use the Ford stuff bought in gallon containers. The ford stuff is just re-branded Stanadyne. Every fill up gets 4 oz. I must confess though, I have owned my truck for almost 2 years, drained water separator ever 1st of the month (or following Saturday) and have never seen water. I do fill up at the same station on the same day every time though. Quality of fuel plays a huge roll in this I would think.
From Stanadyne site.
Q Do Stanadyne fuel additives help remove water from diesel fuel? A Yes. Stanadyne uses Demulsifiers in all of our diesel fuel additives. Demulsifying the water in the fuel allows the diesel engine water separators to remove water from the fuel more efficiently, preventing water from entering into the fuel injection equipment. Emulsified water in fuel can cause a variety of issues including: • Erosion of the injectors (especially in HPCR engines) • A reduction of the speed of combustion resulting in still burning particles striking cylinder wall and crown • Volatility of the fuel in the pumps before entering the engine causing fuel delivery issues • Incomplete combustion/ power loss • A dilution of the oil film in the engines cylinder leading to increased wear • Corrosion in the engine and fuel system components
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Redford, Mi.
I agree about the fuel conditioner, I use Optilube, more than I need for sure, but who cares. I drain my water separator every month and almost always there's a few droplets of water in it.
I think the conditioner whatever you use is a big deal to these engines.
I think the conditioner whatever you use is a big deal to these engines.