Evening,

So I have to admit, I bought a 15 Ram 3500. Well after a year, I'm coming back to Ford. I sold the Ram...and I am now looking at a truck I can pay cash for because I am tired of payments.

So opinions are needed. I gotta have diesel. I tow a 14k 5'er semi-regularly. It will also be a daily driver. I want room to upgrade the 5'er to a heavier model, just in case.

So here is where I could use some advice. I found a 2011 F450 with 208k miles on it. It has all the bells and whistles I want. I know the 6.7 motor is awesome. BUT, are we talking 600-700k miles awesome(with maintenance of course) or is thing at the end of its life?

Keep in mind I am a field service engineer, meaning I drive approximately 30-35k miles a year. And no, I can't get a commuter car and a truck. and The wife has put her foot down saying the truck HAS TO HAVE side airbags.

So...any guidance?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully, I'll be back in a Superduty shortly.

Also, can anyone run a VIN for a Ford window sticker? The VIN: 1FT8W4DT8BEA76116. Thanks in advance.

 

I would go to great lengths to try and avoid the first year of a motor, especially the 6.7, which had several issues in it's first year that required a complete tear down rebuild... or new long block... with dropped exhaust valves being one of those oft repeated concerns.


No one knows if the 6.7L motor is "600-700K" awesome, because few, if any, have run them up that high yet. We KNOW that the 7.3L is a 600-700K motor, because enough people have put twice that number of miles on them (yes, 1.4 million miles). We know that the 6.0L can be a 300K motor, if they are deleted, which isn't an easy option in the state that you live in. Deleting is illegal in every state in the union, but in your state, they actually check every two years.


If I were looking for a used 6.7L, I'd probably focus on the 2013-2014 model years, before the changes Ford made in 2015 where folks complain of "jackhammering". I'd happily bypass the increase power of the latter models for the 3 year mature development of the previous model 6.7 (ie, 2013-2014). I'd be inclined to skip the first year (2011), but might still consider a 2012, if that helped with affordability.

 

as for the Vin. top of this page.. . "Tools" then, Vin decode

First year of anything is NOT good. as owners are factory final Test drivers.

Cost. A lot. but having a New Ram.. you already know.

after the basic truck.. diesel is 10k. 4x4 is 9k... top end trim and paint is 6 to 8k

and Used 2 to 4 years old.. is almost the same as NEW.

getting a selected truck today.. almost always require a payment plan.


Best of luck with your search.
.

 

Check out FordEtis home page. Plug in the VIN and you can see the as-built information. Unfortunately they altered the window sticker site so you can't get older stickers anymore.

What made you dump the Ram?

 

what did you not like about the RAM 3500. the dually version is right up there with the capabilities of an f-450.

Theres no way the 6.7 engine will last 600 or 700 miles.

folks like to compare pre-emmissions era engine longevity to todays choked, heat constrained, oil with out metal protectants like zinc and fuel with lower fuel lube value.

some improvements of the 6.7 vs the 6.4/6.0

the 6.7 has a bigger water pump and fi that pump cavitates it will not leak coolant into the crankcase as happens on 6.0/6.4

the 6.7 has bigger lifters than the 6.0/6.4 which are prone to lifter grenading

the 6.7 uses a bar across the top of the rockers which sprays oil on the rockers to prevent rocker waer . the 6.0/6.4 does not have this bar and in the case of the 6.4 there is premature early rocker failure. both the 6.0/6.4 suffer from rocker cracks/breakage.

turbos are still failing on the 6.7. the 6.7 uses a ceramic bearing which cracks. the 6.0/6.4 has metal bearings but suffer from oil seal leakage and bearing wear. none of these engines have a system to keep oil flowing to the turbo bearings on shut down.

if you want a truck to drive 35K miles a year and last you 600 to 700 miles, its got to be a pre 2006 f-650 with cumming engine and Allison transmission.

 

Ceramic bearings went away starting in Model year 2013.


Idle a bit before shut down if you just come off the hwy or were towing. That will help the turbo as well.

 

I honestly got tired of paying 680 a month for a truck. I was just hoping that the 6.7 would be a very reliable motor. From my research I've found that yo be the case. But my knowledge stops around the 180k mile range.

 

have you looked on ebay.. not to purchase.. but to collect information..

I did last year when looking for a Ford with the 6.2L Gas..

found a few over 350,000 miles.. and asked a few questions.

 

I love my 6.7. I dont have that many miles on my truck because it's a 15. However i have towed my 5th wheel about 14,000 miles without any problems. It pulls hard and very stable when towing. i did have to add air bags because of sag. It also made a difference in the ride quality. Adding all the bells and whistles does effect the towing capacity of the truck so check the yellow sticker in the door.
I see that you are looking at a 450 which is more truck than you need for the size 5th wheel you have. Also registration may be more expensive with that size truck, something to consider. Also a F350 DRW would work nicely for you but being you want a daily driver that may be to big for you also. A SRW may be more what you are looking to get.