newbie diesel owner questions

[Diamondpilot]

I would not hesitate a bit with the 6.0 and the Torque Shift. It really does not give you all the much better mpg in reality because if you are like me you run it and work it harder. The improvement comes with allowing it to breath a little better through the intake and exhaust.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

Your average is about what mine run. Both have 3.73's and both are currently at the high 16 mpg mark. I run them hard though. Cant resist running down Camero's and Mustangs. Try driving it by the tach on the highway. I set my tach at 1,900 rpm, the sweet spot on the 6.0. This is 79mph, our speed limit is 75 here so I am right with traffic. With my chip, 4" exhaust, and intake/filter upgrades I see high 23 mpg.

Enjoy the truck.

Chris

speaking of performance, what do these things turn stock 0-60 and 1/4 mile? My truck seems to pull real hard from about 50-90

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not sure. They are strong. I took mine to the drag strip once and it would do 14.1 @ 98mph. Pretty good for a 7,600# truck. Dargo's is 8,100# and he ran about the same but a little higher mph. Of course we both have chips. I had to run mine if 4 wheel high to about the 1/8th mile to get it to hook up. Dargo's, being a dually and heavier did not have to us the 4x4. I have stomped mine down at 60mph and had the rear wheels break loose.

Chris

 

[Frostyford]

Regarding the "grenading". Some of the earlier 1997 - 2002 Powerstrokes had turbo's that would "fall off". The solution back then was to use interferance bolts. Mine got it before it "fell off". The biggest issue was power loss if that did happen. Those day's are long gone and many people never had an issue with their turbos. I suspect there was one guy on the mfg line that messed up the installation. So it was random who suffered. While mine is a 7.3L with only 64K miles on it, it has been rock solid all the way.

The 6.0 is a different engine completely. I think you did well. Big things to hit is fuel filter, and air filter. Those are relatively cheap to replace. I believe around 100K you'll be looking at injectors. Also note you might want to check the Cam Position Sensor. There was a recall on my 2001 for that a year ago.

Got more questions....try TheDieselStop forums. TBN for tractors TDS for trucks. I'm sure there are many common members between the two sites.
Scott

 

[Soundguy]

Actually the later 6.0 had the least warranty claims of any other ford engine.Ford Power Stroke engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matt

My late 04 6.0 powerstroke has been a super dependable machine.

I'd change all fluids and filters when i got it.. and from there, keep an eye onthe air fitler at change. i usually change mine at oil interval of 5k, and do the air too.. cheap insurance for good breathing.

my air filter has been swapped over to a napa 9490 element.

soundguy

 

[deerefan]

My late 04 6.0 powerstroke has been a super dependable machine.

I'd change all fluids and filters when i got it.. and from there, keep an eye onthe air fitler at change. i usually change mine at oil interval of 5k, and do the air too.. cheap insurance for good breathing.

my air filter has been swapped over to a napa 9490 element.

soundguy

It seems to be quite a chore to change mine from what i've heard. When you guys tow, do you leave it in D and just hit tow haul or drop it down in 3? My 97 F150 only has an o/d button, no tow haul. I just turn it off and go.

 

[deerefan]

Regarding the "grenading". Some of the earlier 1997 - 2002 Powerstrokes had turbo's that would "fall off". The solution back then was to use interferance bolts. Mine got it before it "fell off". The biggest issue was power loss if that did happen. Those day's are long gone and many people never had an issue with their turbos. I suspect there was one guy on the mfg line that messed up the installation. So it was random who suffered. While mine is a 7.3L with only 64K miles on it, it has been rock solid all the way.

The 6.0 is a different engine completely. I think you did well. Big things to hit is fuel filter, and air filter. Those are relatively cheap to replace. I believe around 100K you'll be looking at injectors. Also note you might want to check the Cam Position Sensor. There was a recall on my 2001 for that a year ago.

Got more questions....try TheDieselStop forums. TBN for tractors TDS for trucks. I'm sure there are many common members between the two sites.
Scott

will do thanks...also found some good info on fordtruckforums.com

 

[Diamondpilot]

It seems to be quite a chore to change mine from what i've heard. When you guys tow, do you leave it in D and just hit tow haul or drop it down in 3? My 97 F150 only has an o/d button, no tow haul. I just turn it off and go.

Just hit the tow haul button and leave it in D. If you are talking about the air filter being a chore I cant really remember since I have changed the intake tube and filter to a washable style at 5K on all my trucks.

As for the Cam Position Sensor mentioned earlier that was only a problem on the 7.3. I had a 1999 and that was the only part I ever replaced on the motor in 9 years of ownership. They CPS was such a problem for a while that guys carried a extra one in the glove box and the necessary wrench with them. Now they have CPS that are much better and basically if you replace it with a new one you will never have another problem unless its a fluke.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

I've been reading up on power service additive for my truck. Is this something you guys do or is this more for newer trucks (08 on up)?

 

[Soundguy]

It seems to be quite a chore to change mine from what i've heard. When you guys tow, do you leave it in D and just hit tow haul or drop it down in 3? My 97 F150 only has an o/d button, no tow haul. I just turn it off and go.

just use the tow/haul button.. changes shift points plus a few other things.

I changed my breather element due to 2 reasons.. cost of the old element was high.. adn the new element should filter as good.. but be cheaper.. plus it's not so much of a chore to service.

soundguy