Questions about life expectancy
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
Over 11 years ago I wrote up a thread on buying used 6.0L's. I basically expressed my opinion that they can be a good buy and can be made to be reliable. Ever since writing that I had people posting what a POS they were and that my truck was going to grenade at 100k miles, then 150k, then 200k, etc.
I am at 235k and it is running well - a 15 1/2 year old truck. Still enjoying it. My "minimum goal is 250k, but that will take 2 more years. The truck is just plain old and normal things are showing their age. A new one would be great, but who wants the expense!
I guess the bottom line is that we learned a lot in the first 5 years of the 6.0L. Many thanks to techs that unselfishly helped us learn. When we wisely apply what we have learned, we should have a VERY good chance at a strong reliable truck. That said, now we have to start with a used truck. Who knows how well it was cared for, or what cheap parts were thrown into it. We have pretty much all seen the threads that make us cringe at some of the cheap parts used ..... and the unwise band aids. Then throw in a few cases of poor workmanship.
If I were able to find a reasonably priced "stock" 6.0L at 150k miles or less, I would be very tempted to buy it. IMO 250k miles on a well cared for 6.0L, that has the necessary reliability upgrades, is no problem. IMO 350k shouldn't be a problem. Clearly any make and model can have the rare defect, or the odd case of terrible craftmanship, that can negate this approach. IMO it is no better or worse than other vehicles in that regard.
Just my 2 cents.
I am at 235k and it is running well - a 15 1/2 year old truck. Still enjoying it. My "minimum goal is 250k, but that will take 2 more years. The truck is just plain old and normal things are showing their age. A new one would be great, but who wants the expense!
I guess the bottom line is that we learned a lot in the first 5 years of the 6.0L. Many thanks to techs that unselfishly helped us learn. When we wisely apply what we have learned, we should have a VERY good chance at a strong reliable truck. That said, now we have to start with a used truck. Who knows how well it was cared for, or what cheap parts were thrown into it. We have pretty much all seen the threads that make us cringe at some of the cheap parts used ..... and the unwise band aids. Then throw in a few cases of poor workmanship.
If I were able to find a reasonably priced "stock" 6.0L at 150k miles or less, I would be very tempted to buy it. IMO 250k miles on a well cared for 6.0L, that has the necessary reliability upgrades, is no problem. IMO 350k shouldn't be a problem. Clearly any make and model can have the rare defect, or the odd case of terrible craftmanship, that can negate this approach. IMO it is no better or worse than other vehicles in that regard.
Just my 2 cents.
And then your wish might just come true...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 836
Likes: 213
There are a vast number of things that determine how long your truck will last, some you can control and some you can't.
Maintaining your truck, doing repairs as soon as they occur go a long way to keeping it on the road. Of course you could be in an accident(not your fault even) and the insurance will write it off simply due to the age of the truck.
Without repeating what Mark said these trucks are good. Regular oil changes and monitoring the vitals(EGT, fuel pressure and coolant pressure) are key. It is fine to have a tune but keep in mind that just because you have studs doesn't mean that the HG issue is gone forever. Jump in a cold truck, drive it like a teenager in a hot rod and that will definitely shorten the life.
My 6.0 Excursion with 275K needed the HG done at 190K. Previous owner had the 100hp SCT tuner which I am sure contributed to this issue and I didn't know about this forum prior to purchasing.
My brother's 2003 CCSB is completely original(fuel pump, intact EGR, gold coolant) and has 266K. I am considering purchasing it but we are still in negotiating the price. It is currently at my shop and I have been compiling a list of what it would take to make it reliable. Just the other day I did put a coolant pressure gauge on it and ran some tests and it didn't get over 5 psi/released pressure and only recorded 1 psi after more heavy driving.
Forums such as this one and the people who regularly contribute to it go a long way to helping us keep these trucks going.
Rob
Maintaining your truck, doing repairs as soon as they occur go a long way to keeping it on the road. Of course you could be in an accident(not your fault even) and the insurance will write it off simply due to the age of the truck.
Without repeating what Mark said these trucks are good. Regular oil changes and monitoring the vitals(EGT, fuel pressure and coolant pressure) are key. It is fine to have a tune but keep in mind that just because you have studs doesn't mean that the HG issue is gone forever. Jump in a cold truck, drive it like a teenager in a hot rod and that will definitely shorten the life.
My 6.0 Excursion with 275K needed the HG done at 190K. Previous owner had the 100hp SCT tuner which I am sure contributed to this issue and I didn't know about this forum prior to purchasing.
My brother's 2003 CCSB is completely original(fuel pump, intact EGR, gold coolant) and has 266K. I am considering purchasing it but we are still in negotiating the price. It is currently at my shop and I have been compiling a list of what it would take to make it reliable. Just the other day I did put a coolant pressure gauge on it and ran some tests and it didn't get over 5 psi/released pressure and only recorded 1 psi after more heavy driving.
Forums such as this one and the people who regularly contribute to it go a long way to helping us keep these trucks going.
Rob
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,829
Likes: 3,114
From: Jersey Shore
These were not designed for the 325hp Ford demanded before launch. Most people with stock setups rarely get into WOT unless they tow heavy, and their failures are still rare. Many tunes just push to a point of no return, and many who get tunes do like WOT. Stock people rarely mention how many miles they have, but they are out there.
I believe the target for this engine was a B50 at 250k, 50% will have needed a major by that point. Maybe it was a B50/300k.
I believe the target for this engine was a B50 at 250k, 50% will have needed a major by that point. Maybe it was a B50/300k.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 994
From: Chambersburg, PA
Just an anecdotal comment on the tuners. I installed an Edge CTS2 tuner on my manual transmission truck with 140k miles. The economy tune seems pretty close to stock to me. The towing tune immediately slipped the stock clutch when I get on it. The performance tunes do the same. Those tunes obviously exploited an old clutch that needs beefed up. All this to say, a performance tune will definitely eat away at life expectancy just based on the extra stress they put on components. Part of the reason I purchased the CTS2 was it’s monitoring capabilities, not necessarily the tunes. Though I have to admit it’s fun to roll coal every once and a great while…..even for an old guy like me. I’m more about longevity and I believe the 6.0 if taken care of, will provide that longevity.
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