He should have taken it back to the dealer, and had them tune it... It seems today people have forgot how to tune an engine. I have a 06 and tow my 12500lbs race trailer, with no real problem. Infact when going to the track, I run right with an 06 6.0 psd. My son has an 02 7.3. he has a little more power on hills then us, and get better mpg all around. I get 13.86 not towing, and 11 or so towing. Trailer, and truck are in my sig, and in profile. I hear stories like yours, but I always hear stories so I dont put much to them. Mine does one hell of a posi burn out to...

 

Since the OP wants an '06 or newer (and the old 7.3s have all racked up some serious miles), my vote is for an '06-'07 6.0L. I think that's the best compromise for price, power, economy and options.

Just my .02

 

I see a lot of people say how much better a 7.3 is or how bad a 6.0 is. I have a early 04 truck and so far have had a bad oil cooler that was under warranty. The best advice anyone can give you if you are looking at a superduty diesel is first get a oasis report to see what problems ford has fixed. Next take into consideration that the 7.3 is a great motor that produces less power stock and tuned. To get a 7.3 to produce the power a 6.0 does tuned will take a lot of money. Also the 7.3 have issues but are cheap and easier to fix. The bigest weak link is the tranny if you get a auto. On the 6.0 the head bolts and the egr system is the weak link. The late 04-05 trucks have a stc fitting that is a issue as well. The 06-07 have a better rep but with sensible upgrades such as a egr delete and head studs the engine will be as good as the 7.3 and the torqueshift tranny is far superior in the 6.0 and 6.4 trucks. The 6.0 does not typically offer the milage that the 7.3 guys claim but 11-13 towing heavy is normal and 16+ empty is also common the highway. The new 6.4 has emission issues that can be addressed by removing the dpf and tuning the truck which will improve drivability and mpgs. With the newer trucks I would try to find one with a warranty and a good oasis report. As far as gas trucks go I have driven the 5.4 and the v10 and would steer away from the 5.4 if you plan to tow heavy at all. There are somethings I just wouldn't comprimise on. I have a diesel and would recomend it to any one but for some people the $80 dollar oil changes and $50 diy fuel filter changes will have to be considered.

 

Thank you very much for that info. These are things that I have been hearing but never new if the input was real or not. It may be better than to go with a 6.4 and address the emissions stuff which I hear is about the same issues with the cummins engines. I suspect the two engines would probably have close to the same mileage with or without load provided I do the same improvements. I believe I did hear Ford is coming with a cummins in the 2010--is this correct?

 

people have said that, but it is not true.
ford is making their own 6.7 PSD in house.