I have a really nice f150 that I really enjoy, no issues etc. I am looking to buy a 2002-2005 used F350 diesel to haul my horse trailer BUT I have heard from various people that the 6.0 litre diesel engine is nothing but trouble. Is this the case? if so should I look for a 7.3? Or should I just switch to ... gulp... a dodge???

Thanks so much!

 

I have a f350 with the 7.3l, it has been a really good engine, recently had an injector cup fail, but thats all in 105000 kilometers. I know of some people that could get rid of the 6.0 fast enough, and some that still have it and love it.

It depends on the truck.

The Dodge, that's your choice, Ford has a better trany, auto or stick.

Thats why I bought, Had a dodge and had trany probs.

Stevlin

 

The 7.3 (made up until mid 2003) is much much more reliable than the 6.ohs. Any 2003 - 2004 6.0, STAY AWAY FROM. From 2005 - 2007, they weren't too bad of a motor as long as they were kept mostly stock without a tuner.

The Dodges have a nice motor, but the rest of the truck is junk.

 

I haven't had any problems with my 06 6.0, I think as long as you stay away from the earlier models and don't go crazy with performance changes, you should be good. IMO, the Ford SD is by far a nicer overall truck than either GM or Dodge, the Cummins is the best engine but the truck that surrounds it is cheap....

 

It depends on the truck really... some of the 6.0s were never-ending trouble, and others never had a single problem. My bro-in-law has an 06 6.0 and he hasn't had a single issue with his. Lots of people haven't.

I would try and get the service records, and if it is clean, then go for it.

 

no problems here with my 6.0. 40,000 miles so far

 

personally, i've heard that the 6.0 is junk..........but thats just what i've heard from one mechanic that i really trust, but i drive a f-150 and have never owned a diesel so not sure how much my opinion matters

 

The HPOP went out around 20K and was replaced (and I suffered sever withdrawl symptoms for the 2 days the dealer had it), but my main problem is that I have way too much fun driving it, especially with I hook up my fifth wheel travel trailer and head out on vacation - nothing pull like a SuperDuty (at least in my estimation).

 

Have you ever owned one yourself?? Probably not. I tell you what, lets hook up 12,000 trailers to each truck and you tell me which is better. Yours or mine? And while we are at it, lets see whose engine will last longer, yours or mine? Junk is far from the truth. Maybe you should think before you start to spout out something you do not personally know about. I love my 6.0 and the power that comes with it.

 

The 6.0L engine are in fact very troublesome, so don't let anyone go around and tell you that they're perfect. Now there are trucks out there that run great, but just like anything they have issues. Unfortunetly for the 6.0L they have had more than their fair share. The 03 and 04 6.0L were the most problem plagued years, so stay away from them as the chance of getting a lemon is much higher during those times. The late 04s were a little better as most of the 03 built engines were used up by then.

At work we have 2 03 F550 4x4 6.0L service body trucks. One in particular has been very bad. The chasis and service box have been great, the engine just can't stay together. Last year it went through 4 injectors that I know of, but I think it had a full set of 8 replaced at the begining of the season. It has also gone through 1 turbo, many EGRs, and other parts in just the last 2 years I've been with the company. Ironically enough it died yesterday with a 35' flex head behind it in the middle of an intersection. It had to be pulled to the side of the road. The other truck hasn't been as bad, but still went through 4 injectors and an hpop last year. We also rented an 06 4dr long box F350 last year and that even had to go into the shop. I did not hear the exact problem with it however.


We just took delivery of our 07 F250 4x4 service truck last week. So far its done well (100 miles on the truck) which I hope continues. It has quite a bit of pep and doesn't have turbo lag that others with 07s I've seen complain about. Our 07 F550 should be here late next week, so hopefully it does the same.

After all the problems I've experienced with the 6.0L and the fact that its such a hit and miss deal makes it hard to justify buying one. The 05-07s would be the best bet to get a good one, but even thats not gauranteed. Since you're looking at 02+ trucks you could still get a 7.3L until mid year 03. Due to that engine being far from new (orignally introduced in 94) the majority of the bugs had been worked out and was a pretty reliable engine.

 

If you had read my post you would know whether or not i've owned one......like i said its just my opinion.

 

I agree with Powerstroke73 in part. SOME have problems, but I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of the later (05 and up) are trouble free and good stong engines. A point to consider .... when was the last time you read a post with the general theme of "Hot Durn, this is one he!!uvanengine"? Most of the folks that pizz and moan about their engines are but a small population of owners/users as compared to the number of folks that are happy and only pitch in when the vocal minority start to do their best to convience all that ALL the 6.0L are a piece of junk.

I'll admit, mine hasn't been trouble free. I had the HPOP go out last fall around 25K (now have 33K). Am I peeved? NO. Wuz I upset at the time .... a bit, but not enough to make a blanket statement that all 6.0L are a piece of junk! Am I down on all 6.0L's? He!! NO. Would I get another truck with a 6.0L? In a heart beat if something was to happen to my current truck.

Also, of those that are having problems .... how many are stock? Probably 50-50. When you start modding an engine (any engine) you are gambling that what you do won't cause any damage. If I remember right, the International version of our 6.0L is rated a whole lot less (both HP and Torque) than what Ford rates them, so to my thinking, right from the get-go, Ford has already played the numbers game with the computer to get more HP / Torque, which to me says that the envelope is already stretched before it even leave the factory.