Hey guys im new to the site but not new to powerstroke I have had 2 7.3's and am looking to buy a new truck and im stuck between a 7.3 and a 6.0. I have worked on 7.3's and know quite a bit about them but I know absoultly nothing about the 6.0 I love the king ranch but I also love a lariat le 7.3 I think my biggest fear is the unknown. I am aware of the common problems of the 6.0 but how common are they? how much reliabilty do you risk if you modd a 6.0? thanks Guys Don

 

IMO - If you want to mod, you should plan on head studs, a complete EGR system delete, and a tuner w/ custom programs that are written for what you want out of your truck (including the EGR system delete). After that, there are specific weaknesses by model year that you need to be aware of and address. The ICP sensor and pigtail problems of the 2003 years, the STC fitting for 2005 and 2006 model years, some of the early injectors seemed to have problems (although I see posts from several 2003 and 2004 owners w/ 100k plus miles and the original injectors), the 2007 turbo seems to be the most reliable (although some say it is because there are not enough years of operation yet, but I believe the mods like upgraded oil supply and drain, and some internal mods have helped reliability). Also, the water pump improvement in 2004 was a good move and harness changes in 2005 were necessary,

I have a post on the differences by model year that may give you some helpful info.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...del-years.html

These trucks can be very finnicky and they need to be maintained meticulously. When you buy used, most of the time you do not know what the maintenance history has been. I have a post on buying used 6.0's that also may be helpful.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-look-for.html

In summary - I think some of the best buys out there may be on late model used 6.0L trucks (06 and 07). You need to look for good ones and be prepared to spend some cash up front on the reliability mods. After that, they are designed to be 300k+ engines.

Here is another thread that may answer some questions:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-problems.html

 

so is the 6.0 better than a 7.3L will it make more power than a 7.3?

 

wow - what a question (let the battle begin) ..............

In my opinion:

Suspension durability, ride quality, handling, comfort and features, power, towing and hauling capacity, drive train, go to a good 6.0L.

Fuel economy (although only slightly), ability to mod (although Tex25025 and a few others may disagree), lowest total cost of ownership, ease of working on it (space, etc) and reliability go to a good 7.3L.

One of the important questions to ask is - "Do you have a better chance of getting a good 7.3L or a good 6.0L?". Read up on this and make up your own mind. Many people on both side of the fence on this one.

I own both (actually I sold the 7.3L to my son who still lives at home and we use it on the hunting lease). I love them both. I am way more meticulous on maintenance on my 6.0L, but it is way more fun to drive. I also know that I will spend more $$'s on the 6.0L - over time.

"Which is better?" - only you can decide.

 

I was in the same spot a few eeks back..... On one hand I had a 99 7.3 with REALY low miles and on the other I had an 06 6.0 with a few more miles. About the same money. I drove them both and thought about it ALLOT. Got some great info from the guys here and the 7.3 board, thought about it some more, drove them both again and then bought the 6.0.
My uncle thinks I am nuts, my dad thinks I am nuts and a few other friends know Im nuts in general. What it came down to for me was the pleasuer of driving the 06 over the 99. The creature comfort is like apples and oranges. I did the research on the 6.0 and feel like I know the most common concerns on the engine and felt comfortable I got a truck that had been taken care of.

I agree with bismic completly on this..... This is a decision you will have to make all on your own based on your research of both products. I think if the 6.0 was given as many years as the 7.3 to grow we all would have a differant board here today....... Just my thoughts.
I can tell you so far I like my 6.0 and am happy with my purchace!

Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you!

 

right on Jasontrucks76, and bismic, I have owend both and I really think the newer rig is a better truck in genral. I have been very happy with it. I was also very happy with my 97.

 

Why not get a 2003 King Ranch 7.3L??

 

I don't believe there is such an animal.

 

Ah yup think you are right.. Looks like they offered both engines but seperate trim for each.

 

That really depends, overall, even in stock form I do believe the 6.0 is better then the 7.3. I think it had some problems and I think those problems got bad press and Ford didn't have properly trained technicians to handle them at the time.

Some issues I do believe were also caused by operator error. The 6.0 brought about changes that people that owned diesels before then couldn't get it in their head about habits that they had to change in order to maintain these newer diesels. Less idling, stringent oil changes, good quality fuel, cool down time for the turbo etc. Alot of problems could have been mitigated if the owning public had a little more information(whose fault it was, I think everyone had a little bit to blame in that one).


Absolutely. Even in stock form it already makes more power then the 7.3. The 6.0 could make enough power with a tuner that it would take a/m injectors, a/m turbo and a fuel system to get the 7.3 close(yes that's right, close not at) to what the 6.0 can do with tuning alone.

I have yet to actually get with any of my trucks the average mpg that people "claim" to get with an equal equipped truck, so I don't really put much faith into "claims" of mpg no matter what the vehicle that is being discussed.


It all depends on how you do it. Parts do cost more for the 6.0 compared to the 7.3, that alone would put "you" in the more expense range for doing mods. As far as physical ability, the space is rather cramped and with big hands it does make it even harder sometimes.

Kinda up in the air on that, although more often then not I would say that's correct.

Yes to the first part, the only thing that keeps me from saying yes to the second part is the "nightmares" that I had when the tranny went out on my old 7.3 and it left me in a lurch. Even when my tranny was going out on the 6.0, it didn't leave me in a lurch like the one behind the 7.3. Other then that I would agree with that until someone mods the 6.0 and then I think the 6.0 would be even more so then the 7.3.

 

WELLLL you guys have been very help full. But that does not make this any easier. lol. I think I am heading in the direction of the 6.0 but from what I am hearing a 05 or newer would be best? because the newer suspenion, newer dash etc. It sounds like to me there is alot more entailed with a 6.0 with the egr system. seems the biggest things are the egr, head bolts and maintence, which I am a stickler on anyway with my old 7.3 One last dumb question I really love the looks of a dually opinons on that?

 

To be honest, the 06+ trucks are the best. The 05's can be pretty troublesome because it was the first run of the new HPOP and so on. Whatever you do, get an OASIS report run on it whatever year 6.0 you end up with so you can know if it will be a nightmare or a good truck. Duallies look great in my opinion, just more truck than I need.

 

Don't forget the TBC controllers as well. Those I don't think came out til 05 either.



I wouldn't do a DRW just based on looks alone. You have to make a few sacrifices if you plan to get a DRW and some of them you may not want to deal with. Not only have the vehicles that I owned been diesel, but they have only been DRWs, so I have plenty of experience with them.

 

What kind of sacrifices are we talking? I know tires for one, and lower gearing in most cases which could mean fuel mileage.

 

daily driver dually not as easy as a srw truck, especially in parking lots and tight roads