Ford 6.0 diesel; the good, the bad, the ugly?

[timswi]

I love people that can't afford a new vehicle and say they don't buy one on account of the depreciation. My 08 duramax was bought and paid for in FULL before it left the dealers lot. Been not too bad of a truck, with the only issues being the gimmicks. So how does that depreciation (driving off the lot) affect me? That low mileage truck is actually worth a pretty penny today.

I don't pay cash (I have reasons for that) but I put more than 50% down and pay them off quickly. Worked well for me.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Not saying someone should be ashamed of not paying cash for a vehicle or that I am rich and could afford to. Just worked out that way for my last three trucks.

I can't help but think that things like trucks, tractors and houses wouldn't cost what they do if people had to pay for them outright.

 

[Paystar]

Ford maintained the lead in pickups with all these so horrible engines such as 5.4 gas, 6.0 and 6.4 diesel. Maybe the horrible rating is overblown. Obviously there are a lot of engines that never had issues and it is sounding like those that did were often not stock. All engines have problems, these diesels more than normal, granted. But Ford would not have maintained its lead if the engines they used over a span of 10 years were as a bad as has been written by some members. Just my :2cents:

And you obviously hear about more problems when there are WAY more of these motors on the road out of all other brands combined, LOL.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

I am in a similar situation. Rebuilt a 2002 chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas engine. New cab corners, repainted the truck. Long and short of it, I didn't do anything to the engine. It has just under 200,000 on it. The last three summers that truck has been used real hard. I am happy with the engine, truck just doesn't have the towing capacity I need. You can get a 2010 chevy 2500HD with the 6.0 the 6L90 trans and 4:10 rear axle to tow 14,000 lbs.

I understand all the reasons you want a diesel. If I pulled a lot of weight regularly it would make financial sense. If I put 5,000 miles a year on it that would be a lot. But when I need the truck I want it to work.

Thing is I am not sure if Ford has a decent engine period, in a heavy duty truck, that was holding up in the mid 2000's they might. I am partial to chevy's 6.0 LQ4.

The other manufacturers(other than ford,chevy) don't have the physical numbers of used vehicles available, such that you can get parts. Not to mention the knowledge base that is available for the Ford's and chevy's.

To answer your question, based on your requirements I don't think any diesel is the way to go. So then it is gas. Then if it is gas, I just happen to like GM's 6.0 and the right mid 2000's chevy truck can get me the towing capacity to get me by for the short period of time I need to use it.

 

[goeduck]

Not saying someone should be ashamed of not paying cash for a vehicle or that I am rich and could afford to. Just worked out that way for my last three trucks.

I can't help but think that things like trucks, tractors and houses wouldn't cost what they do if people had to pay for them outright.

Vehicle rebates are often tied to loans. So on the last two vehicles I took out a loan, kept it for the required 6? months, then paid it off 100%

 

[4570Man]

And you obviously hear about more problems when there are WAY more of these motors on the road out of all other brands combined, LOL.

Where’s your data on that claim? I see more Duramaxs vs 6.0 fords. Add in a Cummins, 7.3s, gas burners, newer 6.7s and and there’s definitely not more 6.0s. And then there’s the 6.4 that’s ever worse.

 

[Paystar]

Where’s your data on that claim? I see more Duramaxs vs 6.0 fords. Add in a Cummins, 7.3s, gas burners, newer 6.7s and and there’s definitely not more 6.0s. And then there’s the 6.4 that’s ever worse.

Just from what I see all over tv, magazines and the internet.

 

[WilliamBos]

Where’s your data on that claim? I see more Duramaxs vs 6.0 fords. Add in a Cummins, 7.3s, gas burners, newer 6.7s and and there’s definitely not more 6.0s. And then there’s the 6.4 that’s ever worse.

You need to clean your glasses - GM never outsold Ford In any engine era. There are tons of 6.0 Fords on the road today, the bulk are not tuned either. Most had head studs installed when head gaskets & egr cooler was replaced.

I’d take a 6.0 truck over a Duramax GM anyday - the Ford is superior to the GM.

 

[4570Man]

You need to clean your glasses - GM never outsold Ford In any engine era. There are tons of 6.0 Fords on the road today, the bulk are not tuned either. Most had head studs installed when head gaskets & egr cooler was replaced.

I’d take a 6.0 truck over a Duramax GM anyday - the Ford is superior to the GM.

The claim was there’s more 6.0s than all other manufacturers combined which isn’t even close to true. The 6.0 was made from 2003-2007. The Duramax is nearing a 20 year production run. I already looked for the numbers of 6.0s built and couldn’t find it but I bet if you compared Chevy and GMC vs one or the other it would be a closer comparison.

 

[goeduck]

The claim was there痴 more 6.0s than all other manufacturers combined which isn稚 even close to true.

Not true. Read his comment again in context to my post. Reference was 5.4 gas + 6.0 diesel + 6.4 diesel

 

[4570Man]

Why is there so much hate for the 5.4? They had some issues spitting plugs and the long timings chains are prone to stretch both problems are shared by the v-10 by the power isn’t that bad. I’d drive a 5.4 over a 6.0 or 6.4 anytime.

 

[goeduck]

Why is there so much hate for the 5.4? They had some issues spitting plugs and the long timings chains are prone to stretch both problems are shared by the v-10 by the power isn’t that bad. I’d drive a 5.4 over a 6.0 or 6.4 anytime.

You would have to ask rankrank1 post #55

 

[Paystar]

The claim was there痴 more 6.0s than all other manufacturers combined which isn稚 even close to true. The 6.0 was made from 2003-2007. The Duramax is nearing a 20 year production run. I already looked for the numbers of 6.0s built and couldn稚 find it but I bet if you compared Chevy and GMC vs one or the other it would be a closer comparison.

No the claim is that for year to year there are more Ford trucks sold than the other makes. So whether it be the 6.0 years, the 6.4 years, the 6.7 years....Ford is always the truck sales leader. Unless all the news articles and truck magazines all lied???

Either way I could care less. That's why there are many brands out there. I buy what I like, you buy what you like. GMC, Chev and Ram have to have fans too...or they wouldn't still be here.

 

[Snobdds]

It's true that the Ford 6.0 sold more than the duramax and cummins combined over the same period of 2003-2009, when ford put the engine into trucks. It's not even close really...

This is a good thread on the issue with lots of good links back then.

How many 6.0's sold each year? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

[hawkeye08]

My understanding on the 6.0 PSD is that they had some casting sand left in the block that plugged the EGR cooler and caused overheating, which caused head gasket problems.. If the coolant was a problem also, then more issues. The coolant filter certainly helped, but staying on top of the coolant would also be needed.

My BIL bought a 1 ton used with low miles with the 6.0 PSD. It was in the shop alot, both for engine and trans problems. He was finally done with it and sold it to some guys in Idaho. I asked them if they were going to "bulletproof" the PSD, they said no, they make boat loads of money buying Ford 6.0 PSD trucks and putting Cummins engines in and selling them. I saw several of them at Costco over the years (just noticed them in parking lot, they sound different than PSD for sure).

 

[Paystar]

I haven't heard of a casting sand issue? That sounds like the E7 Mack I bought in 2000. It got towed home the first 5 trips due to casting sand.

But I have read numerous articles about the Ford Gold coolant causing issues. So ya, if your motor has both you are in for some bad times, LOL

Nothing wrong with a Cummins conversion if you can get a good deal on the motor. Could be a viable option versus the cost of a 6.0. full rebuild.
In Canada here it cost me 6 grand to rebuild and stud my last 6.0 And it would have been 17 to order a performance built long block off the internet.

 

[catskill_tractor_guy]

sounds like you want a Dodge then. Manual tranny has been history w Ford/Chevy for nearly a decade now. Disappointing, I know. But I'll add: I find the paddle shifter to be pretty nice and I do a lot of downshifting with it.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'm still kicking tires on ton trucks... mostly looking on Craigslist for something below the rust belt. My criteria is pretty liberal; manual shift, heavy 3/4, but preferably a ton truck. Right now I'm looking at mid-2000, as they are in my preferred price range for a truck which will probably see 5000 miles per for the next few years, then a lot less after that.

Currently I find this F350 rather interesting [FONT=Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif]https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/d/monroe-2006-ford-f350-super-duty/7032105466.html.

I may consider taking a ride down next year (month), assuming they still have it. The 6.0 makes me nervous though, it seems like the Ford Diesels of that era had some growing pains as they were introduced to emissions.
[/FO.i have an 01 F 350 7.3 auto flat bed dual tire reg cab with 97k sitting right here.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'm still kicking tires on ton trucks... mostly looking on Craigslist for something below the rust belt. My criteria is pretty liberal; manual shift, heavy 3/4, but preferably a ton truck. Right now I'm looking at mid-2000, as they are in my preferred price range for a truck which will probably see 5000 miles per for the next few years, then a lot less after that.

Currently I find this F350 rather interesting [FONT=Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif]https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/d/monroe-2006-ford-f350-super-duty/7032105466.html.

I may consider taking a ride down next year (month), assuming they still have it. The 6.0 makes me nervous though, it seems like the Ford Diesels of that era had some growing pains as they were introduced to emissions.
[/FONT]

I have a 2001 F350 7.3 4X4 dual wheel reg cab auto with 97k miles just sitting here with a clear title. No lift or big tires ever. Not even mud grips. Flatbed already on it. Aluminum rims. Hasn't been anywhere in years. Wanted to keep it below 100k miles.

 

[Koogan]

2006 early 2007 Duramax in GMC and Chevrolet, one of the very best diesels out there.