Should I be afraid??
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Should I be afraid??
Hello,
I'm currently looking for a 3/4 ton diesel truck. I really like the body and interior of the F-250 crew cab but I've got a few questions. First, should I be afriad of the 6.0L PSD? I've heard so many bad things about them that I don't know if I could be comfortable buying one. I've also heard that the 7.3L was much more reliable, but I just don't know. Second, I know high mileage (around 100K) is much more of a issue for gas engines...if I found a 6.0L with 100K or so could I trust it to have all its "problems" resolved? I want to get a good, solid, reliable truck that can do whatever I need it to and a 3/4 ton diesel fits the bill, I'm just very leary of the 6.0L...please help!
I'm currently looking for a 3/4 ton diesel truck. I really like the body and interior of the F-250 crew cab but I've got a few questions. First, should I be afriad of the 6.0L PSD? I've heard so many bad things about them that I don't know if I could be comfortable buying one. I've also heard that the 7.3L was much more reliable, but I just don't know. Second, I know high mileage (around 100K) is much more of a issue for gas engines...if I found a 6.0L with 100K or so could I trust it to have all its "problems" resolved? I want to get a good, solid, reliable truck that can do whatever I need it to and a 3/4 ton diesel fits the bill, I'm just very leary of the 6.0L...please help!
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Mainly just driving around. I tow my bass boat as much as I can (approx 4000 lbs. total) and I have a construction business on the side, so I also pull my tool trailer (approx 4000 lbs) some and just some general hauling. I'm looking to get a couple of pieces of earthmoving equipment like a small track hoe and a skid steer, so I'd like to my truck to be able to occasionally pull 10K - 12K loads. I've talked to alot of folks that swear by the Cummins and DuraMax, but I just like the syling of the F-250 better. Hope this helps you guys help me!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 6
From: Abilene, Texas
I love my 6.0 I wouldnt trade it for the world. The Duracrap is ok for highway use, but I dont like the trany, or the suspension. It is too small, and tends to fall apart. The Cummins is a good power train, but they cant seem to build a body to go with it. They tend to rattle to pieces. 100K on a diesel is not that much. In fact that is barely getting broke in. IMHO, I would stay clear of the 03 & 04 6.0 though. That is the first two years of the motor, and they had a lot of probs. I know a lot of people here and personaly that had no probs with the first two years, but there are a lot that did. I would look for 05-07 6.0's if I were you. Anyways I know I will get rediculed for that, but I wanted you to get an honest answer from me.
Oh, and welcome to FTE. This is going to be the best site to get help with your new 6.0
Oh, and welcome to FTE. This is going to be the best site to get help with your new 6.0
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Cummins is a decent engine, really good at towing at lower speeds(55 and under), you have to fight with it to stay at interstate speed. Duramax is just a bad choice. I knew a guy that was diehard chevy(gasser though at the time) went with the duramax, 4 months later he got one of the new 6.0s and has stuck with them ever since. He hauls alot of crap with his truck too. Farmer(cow-calf operation and hay sometimes) and runs his own construction business as well.
Personally, a later model yr with a 6.0 would be a good choice. I was burned by my 02 7.3 so I tend to try to steer people away from them. Even though I was in the minority with problems from those trucks, but unlike what the 7.3 guys will say they do still have their problems and for a tow'er you don't want to have the kind of problem that I had. Now granted it wasn't an engine problem, but it still isn't a good problem to have especially if you haul live cargo as I do.
After all that go with a later model 6.0, bottomline.
Personally, a later model yr with a 6.0 would be a good choice. I was burned by my 02 7.3 so I tend to try to steer people away from them. Even though I was in the minority with problems from those trucks, but unlike what the 7.3 guys will say they do still have their problems and for a tow'er you don't want to have the kind of problem that I had. Now granted it wasn't an engine problem, but it still isn't a good problem to have especially if you haul live cargo as I do.
After all that go with a later model 6.0, bottomline.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 713
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From: KS
fear the 6.0 not. use caution with 03 and 04's. (mine's had it's problems, but i can't exactly dump it for a newer one, plus this one's special... i'm going to do my best to drive it til it DIES). take the time to learn their habits and maintenance requirements. other than that, they'll treat you right. and my stocker w/ 3.73's outpulled my bro's 1T 7.3 w/ 4.10's. and i was loaded over a ton heavier, too. it was great... 
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What exactly do you mean by "it's maintenance habits"? Are there some things I should know that are different from routine maintenance on these?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Airdrie Alberta
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 368
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From: Kansas
I would agree with staying away from the 03-40's. Mine was a complete lemon. Unlike the prior comment, I did get ride of mine even though I should have fought harder to get a buy back. The dealership did me right on the trade in, 12K over blue book. Now my 07 has done more wore in one year than that thing did in 3 and I love this thing. Like said before you have to really be **** with these trucks when it comes to maintenance. I changed my oil and changed the fuel filters last night, that was kind of spendy. Especially when you have to do both at the same time. I also agree that the F250 is the best looking truck out there, well that is up until the 08's. Some one should be shot for that ugly a$$ front end.
Welcome to FTE and good luck on getting a new truck.
Welcome to FTE and good luck on getting a new truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
One more note on oil, if your doing everything yourself then invest in synthetic oil. I don't have any hard proof, just anecdotal, but I use mobil 1 synthetic and it seems to help the engine alot during the winter months and fuel mileage hasn't been as low during those months as it had been for previous trucks that I have had go thru cold months and not used sythentic and they were outfitted the same way(as far as size, DRW, gears etc not performance mods), just didn't weigh as heavy as this one does.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 224
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From: New Baltimore, Michigan
My 03 has been a great truck. Only a few problems that allot odf 03 and 04 owners have had. Those are Fuel Injectors, Exhaust Y Pipe, EGR and Head Gaskets. I bought my truck in 04 with 57,000 miles and now have 140,000. It is a great truck. It is my daily driver and pulls my 7000# travel trailer.
I Love It
I Love It
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
You take care of it...it will take care of you. I have two 6.0L , 06 King Ranch, and 05 Excursion(wifes) I love this truck. The only problem you will run into is if you try and make the engine do something that it was not "designed" to do (i.e. heavy mods, tuner, trying to make it puff like your grandfathers pipe) With a little attention and regular maintenance these engines will run for 400K plus miles with little problem. You should have to replace your seats before you should replace the truck...Good Luck and hopefully you will learn that most people in this forum have had problems, that is why they are here, to get help and get some questions answered. There are plenty of people on this forum that have had zero problems with the 6.0L. Have fun picking out your Truck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Now that all depends on how you go about doing it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,918
Likes: 178
From: Princeton, BC
I will put in my 2 cents. I have had mine for 3 or 4 months now. Within two weeks I changed the injectors. I had 3 or 4 that were bad. I bought some off ebay for $400.00. I have changed fluids and filters so I know where I stand. I believe the injector issue was most likely poor maint by the previous owner.
Would I get rid of this truck. My answer is no way. It pulls well, and has power to spare. It's like a sports car in a truck body.
I guess they may be kind of hit and miss but I love mine.
Would I get rid of this truck. My answer is no way. It pulls well, and has power to spare. It's like a sports car in a truck body.
I guess they may be kind of hit and miss but I love mine.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I wouldnt be afraid of the 6 liter, but i would do research into it before ya buy one. There were lots of stock problems with them, and even more when guys put tuners on them. The reliability of them can be improved to that of a stock 7.3.
To go to a dodge truck(even with the mighty cummins), or a chevy truck would be a step down, the ford super duties are a really great truck.
I have know a few guys that have had problems with the automatic transmissions in them while towing. We had an 03 shop truck that towed 8-10k constantly and it went through two of the torqueshift transmissions. Two of my friends had the tranny's fail while towing a little bit lighter loads (one was stock, one truck had a tuner on it) and all of them got replaced under warranty.
What I would suggest doing is spend some time in this forum, and read alot. You will see what common problems, and fix's, and problems are.
I have been keeping my eye out on a used 6.0 to go along with the 7.3 truck I currently drive, and have read alot on here, and thats the best way to find out about em!
To go to a dodge truck(even with the mighty cummins), or a chevy truck would be a step down, the ford super duties are a really great truck.
I have know a few guys that have had problems with the automatic transmissions in them while towing. We had an 03 shop truck that towed 8-10k constantly and it went through two of the torqueshift transmissions. Two of my friends had the tranny's fail while towing a little bit lighter loads (one was stock, one truck had a tuner on it) and all of them got replaced under warranty.
What I would suggest doing is spend some time in this forum, and read alot. You will see what common problems, and fix's, and problems are.
I have been keeping my eye out on a used 6.0 to go along with the 7.3 truck I currently drive, and have read alot on here, and thats the best way to find out about em!