First I am getting ready to retire and am looking to buy a retirement truck I really like the 2009 2010 F250.

I mostly read just horror stories about the 6.4 are they really that bad.

I do realize you always find negative on the web but from 6.4 owners what is the truth.

I don't mind doing a EGR and a DPF delete but I don't want make more power stock is fine I know I will have get some type of tuner to make it work.

I am in CA but after I retire I am moving to Boise Idaho area will I be fine there with EGR and DPF delete I have no idea what they do for smog checks there and will it pass with the deletes done.

Or will Bulletproof EGR and DPF delete be good enough just put the DPF when smog check due.

We will not be towing much with the truck but I want a truck so in the future I can tow a travel trailer when we want to.

Where we are moving every thing close by and the truck will have a easy life spending most time in the garage.

I know every 120K or so I will have to replace the rocker arms but I like to tinker so it might be good for me.

I read keep the oil changed every 5K also helps get the 6.4 to last.

I not going to be pushing this truck do really need head studs or worry about cracking pistons with DPF delete.

Like I said I not going race the truck tow much I be like me and the wife kicking back and enjoying retirement life.

 

The only thing you left out is the cost of the repairs....and the devastation of a repair incident.

 

I would say if you like to tinker and don’t mind spending lots of saved up cash at a time on repairs go for it. They are powerful trucks. By far the nicest I ever owned. Just remember a saying from a very knowledgable guy here. “They are great until the break, when they break its expensive”. Are you sold on the 6.4 or do you like this body style? I noticed the 08-10 year range. If you are not sold on the diesel I would look for a V-10 in those year ranges. Last years for the V-10 in the F250-F350 trucks, but a very reliable engine. Hope whichever way you go it turns out good for you and you have an enjoyable retirement.

 

I had a 1997 with 7.3 years ago great truck I miss having a Diesel but also know the 6.4 not the 7.3.
I will take a harder look at the V10 but they have there issues also.

 

Having owned 6.4 trucks they are worse than the 6.0 trucks I had. The 6.4 has flaws that head studs just don't address. The rocker arms need replacement by 150k and two of mine are the cam which required full engine replacement.

 

What I am gathering from everyone is don't walk the other way is run from the 6.4.
Thanks everyone.

 

Some parts of Idaho around Boise do smog checks, I believe.

I wouldn’t say run away, but given that there are used 6.7s now that have almost no emission issues, I’d buy a 6.7 if I was buying one right now. When I bought my 6.4, that wasn’t really a good choice since the 6.7s were much more expensive.

I don’t agree that you need to change rocker arms at 120K. Could be true for some. I had multiple issues with the DPF part of my truck. MPG is much improved now and up to 3-4 mpg better. My truck gets better MPG than my friends 6.7 even though my truck is a F450 with 4.30s and he drives slower. My trucks has significantly more power. It’s not all bad. It’s simply not worth trading my 6.4 for a 6.7.

Like I said, given there are so many 6.7 used trucks out there now, I’d buy a 6.7 and skip the really bad DPF implementation on the 6.4. Kind of a shame, really.

One more thought is unless you really need a diesel, think about the gasoline engines. Diesel costs a lot more in a many areas.

 

I going buy a 1999 through 2002 with a 7.3 besides the transmission being the weak link and the rough riding front leaf spring front suspension it's a good combo.

 

Hp pretty low on the earlier models ....

 

Yes they are lower on HP but bulletproof and know to be a million plus mile motor.
Yes I know the transmission is going to go out thats the bad part.
But what I am going use it for it will work.
As I mentioned before I had a 1997 F350 new back in the day and worked out fine but did put new transmission in it under warranty and it put out trans light and had to be flushed out.
Only motor problem it ever gave me was an Idler pulley bearing went out.
I had to turn it in because of 9-11 I was working for the Airlines and we all got laid off.

 

They all have there issues. Just some are a lot less then others. My dad has had two v-10’s. First met it’s demise at 365,000 miles when the quick lube place forgot to put oil in it. The second is his replacement with 120,000 miles. Planning on getting another 200,000 out of this one with no issues.

My 7.3 gave up the ghost at 291,000 miles. Broken piston ring. But replacement engine is running great. Will drive until the wheels fall off. Lower on power but you can’t go wrong with a 7.3 IMHO.