So I’m looking for a 6.0 and I’m aware the 2004 is a bad year of the engine. But what can be done to make it as reliable as a late model motor. No towing just daily driving. One truck is studded and bulletproofed. One is stock. Thanks in advance!

 

2004 is not a bad year for a 6.0, sure, the HPOP is a weaker spot than the later builds, but the(late builds) are not trouble free either.
If you are a little leery of an 04, you can always upgrade to the Adrenaline HPOP, if the one in there now goes bad. Or just jerk the old one and be done with it.

If this is a daily driver then drive it like you stole it a few times a week, or you will be pulling the turbo to clean/and or rebuild it.
Which one is studded? and what makes it bulletproof?

I've even seen adds for "partially" bullet proofed, which is a joke really.
Anyone can claim that just by adding a coolant filter.

 

345k on this 04 and still trucking strong with tty bolts,hauls for its upkeep,no tunes.

 

the bulletproofing is unknown I responded to the guy asking what exactly it was. It’s got headstuds aswell. My uncle had a 6.0 and it had some problems (2004). But I guess if I keep up with my oil changes I’ll be good. Just the oil system worried me.

 

Don't buy a 6.0, or any other diesel for just a DD and not working it (towing, etc). Get a nice gasser and be happy that all you will worry about is oil changes...

You make a mistake buying a 6.0 used and it'll whip your wallet to death; well that goes for the other makes too -- lack of intel. equals lottery level luck or certain pain in the right rear pocket...

 

05 and up had improved brakes and suspension. Well worth it. And Dan's 100% on the money. Buying a used 6.0 without capturing live data is like playing Russian Roulette with only one empty cylinder.

 

The brake hardware change really was not that much more of a change then good one-upmanship. The friction material change did more to improve the overall consumer brake feel/performance then the steel parts.

If you took the +’05 friction material and put it on a set of plates for the ‘99-04 (I had that done for giggles) you would think you’ve added ‘05 brakes on the older truck. There were some improvements with the steel, but you would need full test instrumentation to see it.

Friction material changes can really alter brake performance, but it’s always a compromise.

 

A diesel is what I’m looking for. It’s gonna be a dd but I’m gonna plow and tow etc. I want the good mpg and the performance of them.

 

The biggest benefit of the 05+ is not really the engine, it's the coil sprung suspension of the 4x4's. better ride and much better turning radius. not sure how much different the 2wd's are. You do get larger rotors too that I have heard reduce the warping issues that the earlier trucks had (TMT likely has some input on this).

If you really want you can actually upgrade the 03-04.5 engines to the newer hpop and oil system. It's a lot of parts but plenty of people have done it.

 

Maybe it seems like minor mods, but I still have my '05 brochure (wouldn't you figure...). Here are some tidbits from it:

On 4x4: coil front with F-550 control arms, 5.1' tighter turning radius, Dana 60 with 35 spline axle and 6K lb capacity, all new steering system.

Increased Frame thickness between 10% to 17%, increasing frame strength between 10 to 20%. New rear suspension w/ 3" wide leafs, changed shock placement, 7K lb SRW rear axle, MCU body mounts, Bigger brake rotors and calipers and improved pad material, new master cylinders. First time (and first of the big 3) to offer integrated trailer brake control, increased towing and carrying capacity, 17" minimum wheel size (larger rotors) up to 20", reverse vehicle sensor (not sure if this was offered before '05), up fitter switches offered. And while it wasn't in the brochure I think the sway bar(s) were bigger too...

Engine-wise: the improved HPOP, I think the ICP was moved mid-'04, bigger water pump, improved intake elbow, turbo update, and at this point I'm going off of too much feeble memory...

Scott

 

Thank you for the list. That was much needed. The motor mostly concerned me so Now im aware of difference, I can make my decision. Thanks again man