Ive been looking at 6.0s awhile now all over and talked to over a dozen lots,and over a dozen owners and looked at hundreds online i was amazed what was considered a bulletproofed 6.0 in this country, not sure if all was just trying to ripoff someone who did not know any better or they themselves got ripped off when they bought but i laughed at a few car lots what they called bulletproofed,things from straight piped exh to aftermarket air filters was said to be "bulletproofed" 6.0.

 

Mark: Are you asking for a list of bullet-proof items (like what folks here think a bullet proofed 6.0 should have?), or just pointing out the lack of knowledge out there on the Sales folk's side...?

 

I know but alot dont, even here you might see a few new folks say bulletproofed when all they have is a water filter or aftermarket air filter, i was shocked by things ive heard over the last month whats being considered a bulletproofed 6.0 from folks had one for sale, but im sure a car lot knows better but hopes they catch some that dont know any better and buys thinking they bought a bulletproofed 6.0 only to then do research to find out.

 

It's not uncommon for some shady folks or car lots to sell a 6.0 as "bulletproofed", throw some fancy words on the windshield and put lipstick on a pig, as with many other cars or trucks.

Biggest problem is someone might be in the market for a 6.0, read about some of the problems and see a "bullet proofed" truck for sale and assume it's good to go, needing nothing at all.

 

IMO the bare minimum to be considered "bulletproofed" is studs and egr delete. Or studs and BPD egr cooler if you need to pass emissions.

You can see the headbolts and egr cooler from under the hood, so at least you don't have to take the dealers word for it.

 

There is no such thing as bulletproof, IMO.

 

Exactly Jack, and I think some are let down when something goes awry on a bulletproofed 6.0 thinking it's something that makes it immune to problems, or during purchase assume that a particular truck makes it somehow trouble free.

If it's mechanical the odds are it will require repairs at some point.

Ours still has the factory bolts but no cooler, so am I partially bullet proofed?

 

Every year model has some weaknesses that should be addressed. As smart folks above have said, the label of "bulletproofed" is not real meaningful!


Personally I agree that head studs are important, but on a stock truck there are some VERY respected techs that can give you reliability with the stock bolts on a stock engine. That being said, stuck turbos, plugged oil coolers, etc can increase the risks of problems with cracked heads or leaks at the head gasket (and other problems). Keeping up with proper maintenance is critical even if someone says they have "bulletproofed" their vehicle.


On a high level ..... some weaknesses are:


All model years:
1. leaks at the head gaskets (head studs help IMO, but there are no guarantees)
2. plugged oil coolers due to poor coolant maintenance, wrong coolant, or overheating the coolant system (proper maintenance greatly reduces issues w/ the OEM oil cooler, as does CAT EC-1 rated coolant, and a coolant filter also helps)
3. FICM reliability - less of an issue if batteries and alternators are well maintained (FICMrepair.com has resolved my FICM reliability issues)
4. Fuel pressure (updated Ford regulator spring kit resolves this unless heavily "tuned")
5. IMO stock alternators are marginal, but the OEM unit at 140A is pretty good.
6. I think all model years need aftermarket "gauge systems" to be considered "bulletproofed"


2003:
1. HPOP (aftermarket HPOP is better IMO)
2. Original injectors (less reliable than the later model year injectors, the current Ford remanned injectors are good. Be careful with aftermarket remanned injectors)
3. ICP sensor (and it is in a bad location) - replacement Ford sensors are probably now more reliable


2004: some have the same 2003 weaknesses and some have the 2005 and up weaknesses


2005 and up:
1. STC fitting - HPOP discharge (the upgraded Ford one-piece connection has resolved this weakness)
2. original dummy plugs (Ford upgrades have pretty much resolved this weakness)
3. EGR cooler (shell and tube models have resolved this issue in most vehicles - I have the BPD (BulletProfDiesel) EGR cooler and am very pleased with it, I am not worried about reliability even with a functional EGR system)
4. Standpipes were updated by Ford - not sure of how much added reliability was gained from the Ford upgrades


There are lots of other "smaller" weaknesses that could be addressed, but maybe not necessary to call something bulletproofed (coolant filter, 08 transmission pan/filter, CAC boots/tube, turbo drain lines .. to name a few).

 

^^^^^ That was where I was going: it depends on the year...

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN MARK???!!!

We even had a thread here about where did Bismic go...?

Back on topic:
Number one on my list for all years is if it was well maintained its whole life up to the point you are considering it.

Then there are the things you can do to make it more resistant to common failures (thanks Jack), because everything can fail...

back off topic: YEA!!!! Mark's back!!!

 

Bullet proof. Take 6.0 out of truck. Install in M1 Abrams tank with A-10s overhead, now it's bullet resistant, not proof.

No, really, it's hard to call it bullet prooof. Mine ran fine till 165K and I'm at least the third owner. Was an oil field truck through two owners and I believe it was driven hard put up wet. I got about 9K on it before head gaskets gave it up. Did HG's, ARP studs, EGR delete, water filter, etc. I plan to drive it for at least 10 more years, maybe more.

It's what makes it work, some have said they have yet to do anything, and some have done all they can, and yes, it will die when it wants to.

Off my soapbox now.

 

MIKE,per some ive talked to yours is bulletproofed, or close enough to call it.

 

Idiot repellent would be more important than bullet proof. The 6.0 will not tolerate neglect, the trick is determining how much and if it can be saved economically.

 

Give us all your definition of bulletproofed if you know.

 

IMO, no such animal, just a catch phrase for owners to feel justified in spending a huge amount of cash on their truck or a salesman trying unload one.

 

I agree that you can't truly bullet proof it but I would consider Studs, EGR delete, STC fitting (where applicable), flushed/and possibly changed cooling system to cover it on a stock truck. Starting to see bullet proofed very loosely applied even here. I think the ARP studs are the heart of it. Until they get changed out, you always gotta wonder..............