The diesel is good for the following:

A) exceptional in town fuel economy.

Compared to the 5.4, my PSD just putters around all day (30 to 40mph limit zones) for less than 1/5 tank, including long idle times.

My 5.4 would eat at least 1/4 tank doing that.

Thumbnail estimate of everyday driving (not with load) is:

10 mpg for gas 5.4

15 mpg for diesel 6.0

Someone please chime in --- I do not have actual results measured scientifically here.


B) good highway fuel economy

At 70mph, the diesel outperforms the gas 5.4 by about 20% or more in mileage.

15mpg for the gas is pretty normal (unless you have a problem or are hauling heavy loads)

18mpg for the diesel is routine --- much better if you slow down.


C) tow / hauling --- sustained heavy duty output

Hard to compare here. 5.4 is a light duty engine that last 200,000 miles max.

Diesel will last over 200,000 miles in mid / heavy usage.

My Diesel is at 260,000 miles and never been overhauled --- original parts.

The diesel will pump out close to 50% of rated output all day, and properly taken care of (fluid changes, etc.) last 250,000 miles easily, and mine look like it has another 200,000 miles in it for light duty use.

I know a fleet operator who routinely gets 850,000 miles on their diesels.... with nearly perfect maintenance (done to his schedule... not to the manufacturer's).


D) Idling / Accessory power

Diesels can (yes even of the PSD 6.0 doesn't like it) idle all day and night.

In Alaska, that is precisely what they do --- the engines of commercial vehicles are never turned off for the duration of real winter.

Do that to a gas engine and you drastically shorten its life.



E) Less volatile fuel

A must if you are using chassis for Ambulance --- Ford refuse to sell you a gas engine


F) Show off value


Haven't seen anyone showing off their Ford V-10 or V-8 5.4 lately... but drive a diesel, and you have an instant conversation starter.

Plus a whole community of nuts like this forum that is dedicated to making the thing run great (or fixing bugs).

You wouldn't get that kind of support for more common and boring engines.


G) Diesel Fuel prices

That use to be much more expensive, but that is past, and now, Diesel is priced 5 to 10% less for a fuel that has more energy than gasoline per gallon.

A great deal.



H) Maintenance

Up to 2007, the emissions systems is relatively simple (EGR and cooler).

Known troublesome parts like the EGR valve, reflash, and the EGR cooler can be swapped out and the trouble goes away.


From 2007 and later -- more sophisticated things, like the Catalytic converter that runs on Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel that can be poisoned by as little as one tank of high sulfur fuel.


Someone - do the pre-2007s have a catalytic converter?



2010 and later --- that is the pig in a poke.

Very high EGR recirculation rate, Diesel Particulate Filter catalyst that have to be regenerated, etc.

Much more costly to own and probably unjustified unless you really have a commercial need for a Diesel vehicle.



-------------------------------

Having said this,

I have 2 nearly identical E series, one a 5.4 gas, and the other a 2005 6.0 PSD.

The gas one is cheap to maintain --- never needed a wrench, oil changes are $25, and no tune-ups to 100,000 miles.

Routine filter changes are dirt cheap.



The diesel is a high mileage, tired, old vehicle that has been well maintained ---- and guess what?

Not bad even with the higher maintenance costs.

Basically because I did not pay $7,000 or whatever for the diesel up front. My cost / profit on this thing is doing great.

I get the economy of the diesel --- have a few fixes like EGR etc. that I need to do.

A few heart stoppers (P0404, P0405, plus turbo underboost codes, all of which were cleared and seem to have stayed off.

Probably need a good EGR valve cleaning... plus a turbo cleaning after 257,000 miles.

But nothing fatal.


So there you have it.....


BTW, if you must get one... get one that is:

A) got a bit of warranty left on it (or you can get an inexpensive warranty extension out for a year)

B) avoid the 2007 ULSD with the catalyst regen

C) avoid the 2010s for a year or two when it comes out.



I hate to say this, but for most average users... who are not routinely doing heavy duty hauling....


Gas is the way to go.

 

All 6.0's come from the factory with cat. conv.
03 to 07 are 6.0. 08 started the 6.4 with dpf
03 you could get 7.3 or 6.0

 

I have towed with the diesels and gas engines and definitel prefer diesel. The only reason this one is being considered is because it was offered as part trade for a tilt deck truck with a cummins that I have for sale right now. It is bigger than I need so downsizing to a pickup is the smart way to go. Otherwise I would be hanging on to the cummins. I will only have the 6.0 for up to a year max, until I finish building my other truck.(55COE with 6.9 IDI)

Thanks for all the info.

 

Thanks for the info.

Can you tell me what does the cat converter for the 05 cost to replace?

Exactly what does it do?

Is it a DPF and does it automatically regenerate?

Mine just passed the gov. inspection with flying colors..,

 

Okay, so I have some more details here and a couple pics. Tell me what you think guys, yay or nay.

VIN #1ftsw31p64ec66538
prod date Mar 7, 2004

It has been for a few EGR issues and had it replaced at least twice. Head gaskets were replaced, some front end bushings, ball joints, EBP sensor, had a few recalibrations on ECM for throttle response and issues, alternator and batteries replaced, and a couple recall #'s repaired/replaced. If anybody needs specific details, I have them. Or maybe you have suggestions of codes I should look for and run away fast. The guy is an older farmer and in my experience, farmers maintain their stuff very well. He has also given me the names of the dealership and a local garage that he takes the truck to for regular service, so I will also try to contact them. Truck has 250,000km so about 150,000 miles for you boys down south. Here's a couple pics.

 

gearloose,

1. I don't know what they cost. Not cheap I can say.
2. Changes the properties of certain combustion by products. That's all I
know on that. I used to know more on the subject but I am getting old.
3. No it is not a diesel particulate filter and therefore does not regenerate.

 

Boils down to one word: price.

If it is under $10k USD, sure...

 

The EGR issues and the head gasket would concern me. Can you find out when they were last repaired/dealt with? If it's been a couple of years since those issues were resolved, I'd think you are probably ok. If they have been real recent...you don't know if the underlaying issues have been resolved.

I just had a buddy of my have his 250 worked on because of an EGR issue. He did the bypass and it still wound up costing him about 1500 US.

The truck looks ok...but it's like trying to diagnose over the phone.

Check the 4x4 and make sure it's working. Other than those issues, followup with the dealer/mechanic and see what they tell you.

Joe

 

Looks like the EGR issues were taken care of in 2005, head gaskets as well. I'm going to contact the dealer tomorrow and go from there. Hopefully all is good but we'll see.