Well, after a few years on the 6.0 forum, it's time to go back to the F-150 side. I was at Bass Pro shops a couple weeks ago and my F-250 lariat was stolen. I never dreamed what a nightmare that could become. She was dressed nice, with ranch hand replacement bumpers front and rear, steel tool box, headache rack, bed rails, 4" superlift and 35" tires. It's sad that you can work hard for something, have the truck of your dreams, and watch it all disappear in less than 2 minutes on a security camera. Never mind the fact that almost all of my tools were locked in the tool box, and my custom Springfield 1911 was tucked between the seats.
After owning a 6.0 for 4 years, another one wasn't even a consideration. During that time I spent over $8000 in repairs. Not maintenance, but repairs. I did a lot of the repairs and all of the maintenance myself, but without the right equipment to diagnose the problems, I was stuck taking it to the dealer on too many occasions. Add the 15qt oil changes, expensive fuel and air filters, and other basic maintenance costs that go with any vehicle, and this thing turned into a money pit.
So, I decided to go back to a used half-ton. I gave the Dodge a chance, but the ride quality was horrible (2 different '08 models), and the cheap plastic interior was a turn-off. I did like the hemi though. Obama-motors products weren't even a consideration. Yesterday I bought a new loaded 2010 F-150 FX4. With incentives, I could buy new for less than some used '09's. What a sweet truck! Ford really outdid themselves with this one. I have never driven a truck that was this refined, quiet, and smooth. The power is adequate, but not overly impressive. I wish they had stolen my other one after the release of the 6.2, but such is life. This will be my 7th Ford, so the decision to buy another one wasn't that difficult (as long as it wasn't diesel). With a little lift and some decent off-road tires/rims, she'll be good to go.
I learned a few things the hard way through this ordeal, so I'm going to get on my soap box. Don't leave ANYTHING in your truck that you don't want to part with. Take lots of pictures of your truck and any accessories that you have and save EVERY receipt that has anything to do with your vehicle. It will save you a lot of headaches when you file the claim with insurance. Buy some jimmi' jammers or something similar, or a quality alarm that has a guarantee against theft. Don't depend on your factory alarm. Be careful where you shop. They know they have a problem there, but refuse to do anything about it. I was parked out in the open, in the middle of the day. It took less than two minutes to steal mine, with the doors locked and the so-called factory alarm set. Be prepared for your insurance company to make you feel like a criminal and try to screw you with an offer much lower than the value of your truck. I tore that adjuster a new one over the phone when he made his initial offer. They are currently re-evaluating it, and he promised a much better offer the next time. Be prepared to negotiate. They are in business to make money, and if they can get you to accept the minimum offer, they will. Do your homework and know what your truck and everything on it is worth before you talk to the adjuster. They will call you back soon after you file the claim. You never think about this happening to you until you walk out into the parking lot and realize your truck isn't there anymore. I knew better than to leave valuables in my truck, but I did it anyway. And I paid dearly....
I would like to thank everyone on the 6.0 forum for the help over the years. As always, this site has saved me a lot of money and headaches !

Take care,
BWL

 

Sorry to hear, good luck with the Insurance company.

 

Wow, thank sucks. Sorry to hear about that. Its a wake up call for the rest of us to be even more vigilant and not complacent with our valuables. At least you stayed with Ford who avoided the bail-out.

 

Yeah, I was proud when Ford stood tough and didn't take the bail-out money. Plus, I've been very pleased with all of the Ford's I've owned, except for the f-250. I loved the truck, but it was a costly love affair !

 

Sorry man..... no other way to put it but that sucks, what year was your f-250? My aunt has an 09 f-150 and they really are nice trucks, i love her's, but personally im sticking to diesel, good luck.

 

I'm really sorry to hear about your dilema and good luck. Don't take this the wrong way but it does sound like you never needed a diesel. We are in a diff. world now and if you can't justify a diesel by your payload or disposable income, well you know where I'm headed. Once again good luck to you.

 

lakewood, mine was an '03. I know they made quite a few improvements since then, but I would kick myself if I bought another one and started having the same problems. I started checking carfax reports on some used diesels and it sent chills down my spine !
The 6.4 wasn't a consideration after I head the horror stories about how dificult they were to work on. From what I've heard of the new 6.7, it sure sounds sweet. It took them awhile, but it appears that Ford is finally giving some consideration to making them easier to work on. I was impressed how they "uncluttered" the new 5.4's.

 

sorry you lost your truck man. my alarm system is a 200 lb english mastiff who loves me and his truck.

 

Thankfully I've got the alarm system covered.

 

Maybe you should have gone for a new f-250 with a 6.2, but anyways, hope you like your new truck and im having some 6.0 problems as we speak, but i still love it, for me my 6.0 was love at first sight, 7.3s i dont particularly like, and 6.4's i've heard way to many horror sotries about them just like you, and people say the 6.4 has less problems then the 6.0 haha.

 

Nice dogs... my jack russel hate diesels, he freaks out when he's in one, and my lab gets car sick, i need a good viper alarm system

 

If your truck was an '03, didn't it have one of those computer-chip ignition keys required to start the engine? If so, how did they start it?

I've been sitting here thinking if they didn't have the properly-coded key, nobody could start my truck(s). Not so?

 

I have the same almost the same alarm. A pitbull and a blue healer. I dont know what one is worse. both weigh in at 60lbs.

 

Thanks. You're correct on that one. I didn't need one. It was want vs need and a gas truck would have done everything I needed it to. I loved the power of that diesel though, especially after I bought a programmer.

 

No, the '03 just used a regular key. I heard that they pull the column off, bypass the ignition wires, and they're gone. It takes an experienced thief about 90 seconds to steal one. My new truck has the chipped key, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the turds find a way around that too.