I've mentioned in another thread that I'm considering buying an '08 F350 with the 6.4 diesel. I'm wanting to take this vehicle into retirement with me. My income will be greatly reduced and looking at some of these repair horror stories is scaring the H-E-L-L out of me.

My question is: Are there 99 out of a 100 people that are happy but all we hear about is the bad ones ? Anybody have an idea of what % are having problems and how many are running just fine if all the proper servicing is done?

 

remember this is a message board where people are looking for answers to there truck problems..

that being said if you do buy one make sure you by a warranty with it like a premium care
and read lots on this board

 

I will echo what koboss1 said, people usually don't come looking at these forums if their truck is running good. Take a look at all the '08-2010 Superdutys on the road and then compare that to the amount of people on here with problems, I'd say it would maybe (and that's a big maybe) add up to about an honest 1-2% of the trucks that are on the road. Most of the major kinks with these trucks have been worked out in the new ones and you take the same chance with any new vehicle that you buy. I'm sure if you did a search on GM or Dodge forums you would see the exact same scenarios.

I have lots of friends that have 08-09 SD's and love them and none of them have even heard of this site. I have never had any issues with my truck and only came here for some advice on tuners and other aftermarket mods. Definately look into the extended warranty if you are worried about problems down the road and don't let a few horror stories scare you. Good Luck

 

I second that!! This site can be your best friend and your worst enemy. I love the resource to help me work my way through some of the quirks that owning a diesel can bring, but at the same time I see some of the rare issues that occur and make me think its happening to alot of people, but when compared to all the trucks on the road its miniscule. I would say get the truck and drive until your old and ripe. We only get one lap around this life and it might as well be in a bad a** truck!!!

 

Love my truck; have had a few problems, all covered by warranty. The diesel is going to cost more in routine maintenance no matter what compared to a gas engine.

 

Other than going through 3 radiators, my 4th will be installed next week, my 6.4 has been fine. I drive 3500-5000 miles every month, 120,000 on the odo now. No problems out of the motor, or the rest of the truck.

 

I totally agree with all the above, I had a TCM go bad at 600 miles that I had to work thru and the blend door issue but I think that was about it.

Reliable for me, just keep up with the maintance and drive it like a oil burner and it will serve you well.

Driving it in town to get groc is where I see the issues with these.

 

I agree - daily commuting with stop and go and redlights is not the best idea for these trucks. Unfortunately I have to do some of that, but on the open road towing is where my truck excels. I can pull 12,000+ pounds of cattle at 70mph and not even know they are back there! I try to maintain the truck exceptionally well and always run with cetane booster in the tank. My mileage has actually gotten a little better in the past six months. Towing I get 11mpg and around town about 13.5 to 14.0

 

That is the key to keeping both the 6.0 and 6.4 running happily along. They can both be excellant trucks but neither is happy if you skimp on the scheduled maintenance. If you can't afford the maintenance then you will not be happy with the truck. That is guaranteed.

 

I had a 2006 F-150 with the 5.4 gasser. My 2008 F-350 6.4 get's the same mileage as the 5.4, even though the F-350 is about 2k heavier. In my opinion, leave the stock diesel alone until the warranty expires, spend the money on proper maintenance, and you'll have an awsome truck for years to come.

 

Thanks for all the info. I usually drive my van all week and the truck sits parked till the weekends. I live about 8 miles out of town. (3miles gravel) Is that enough time for it to get a good run and a warm-up?

 

8 miles? Not even close....

 

8 miles is barely enough to get it warm. you can still do it but I would not want to very often as you will start to get buildup on your EGR valve and the mosture will start to build up in the motor because of condensation.

 

everyone here has the right answer for you. all my boss has driving since i meet him 11 years ago, super duty's. i told him i was thinking off trading in my 05 chevy 1/2 ton and he said i would be very happy with the super duty. i was considering the 350 till he told me the 250 would do anything i ever needed with a better ride. he would know, aside from a heavy haul trucking company, he just bought a 3rd farm. he uses his 250 to move his farm equipment and a cat d5 bull dozer. he was right, i have been very happy with my 08. cost more to maintain than the 5.3 liter gasser in the chevy but i dont hesitate to haul any thing anymore.

 

I will start with saying I do not own a Ford diesel.
However I will add my 2 cent's.
I do have a friend with an 08 6.4 He has cracked heads. However he did run his with a tune at 500 something (what he says) horse. The heads most likely would have been fine, however everything has problems. May not be yours, but everything has it common problems. He did run his knowingly with bad head gaskets. Eventually his heads went bad too.

Now don't remeber what's in my sig now, however I will say this. I like Chevy, always have probably always will. But depending on what your talking about I like Ford too, think the can be great trucks too. All opinion. Anyway. I'm sure you know about your problems. (common to your truck) I have an 03 Dmax runs great 107k Almost 108. Being the first gen Dmax that had injector problems I still have factory injectors in mine runs great real strong. Yet it's a known problem, some guys are on their 3rd or 4th set.
Just an idea even with common problems like everyone is saying forums draw out the people with problems.
They are great if you have a problem, but it's not everyone, also you have to account for regulars,and those who only post when they have a problem. Really you are seeing a small part of Ford owners in this entire forum.