ford question

[Laxaholic]

Looking at an f250 extended cab. 2003 6.0l.
Do the extended cabs getting better mileage or are they any quicker?

Do these model years/engines have any known problems?
The one I'm looking at is a 4x4 and has 104k miles.

What does everyone think?

Would suit my needs alittle better than my 100 series. Pulling j24, snow driving, throwing kayaks/bikes in the bed, etc.

Thanks

 

[Athabasca]

The 6.0 especially 2003 models have alot of issues. The search function is your friend
either powerstroke.org or dieselstop. There would be more specific answers to your questions on those sites.
It can be made into a good engine with some modifications once again the search helps.

The extra cab will be a lighter truck I guess so it will possibly have better mileage numbers. It will have better clearances than a Crewcab also.

I just bought a 99 with a modified 7.3. It took a while to find but after the research on the best engines out there I decided on a 7.3.

 

[2040JAVIER]

6.0 engine

The best year to get is 05-07 with the 6.0 or older f250 with the 7.3

 

[BigJimCruising]

Worst engine ever put in a truck. Finally got rid of my piece of junk, a 2007 F450 with the 6.0 engine. Had to pull the engine at 30,000 with a bunch of issues. More problems at 40,000 miles. Lucky for me it was under warranty otherwise I would have gone broke trying to just keep it running. And this was its last year of production, so much for getting it right after years of effort!! I'll never own another one, probably won't ever own a Ford again either. Any company that willingly sells crap like that should be run out of the country!!! Junk, Junk, Junk!!!! And for what it's worth everyone else I've known who had one has had similar problems.

RUN!! don't walk away from that truck!!!

 

[Rot Box]

For every 10 people that like the 6.0 there are a 100 that hate them. I would list all the reasons I personally don't care for them, but I don't feel like writing a novel at this hour.

 

[Laxaholic]

I only ask because my old man already has one. a 2005 f250. 4x4 king ranch. intake, exhaust, chip, etc. It will roll. Hasn't had a lot of problems, other than the recent injector problem. Needs 3 replaced...Its been good truck.

What would be a good truck then?

 

[lllateralus]

If you are looking for an older truck (2003) then go a year or two older and get a 7.3 truck. There were 2003's that came with 7.3's, but they are harder to come by.

There is a big difference in the 7.3 and 6.0. The 7.3 is the best diesel engine they have ever offered, (on par with any cummins engine, in my and many people's opinions) and then there is the 6.0.
It is plagued with problems. There are always going to be people who love their 6.0, and I respect that. But the truth is, if you get one, you are taking a huge risk.

 

[Buliwyf]

I had a F350 DRW with the 6.0L diesel. When that engine ran it was an awesome performer. Excellent power and torque. Very good fuel economy. The truck weighed 13,000+ pounds with a tool body bed that had huge flat sides that stuck out. It got about 19MPG at 73 MPH.

But it was built by retarded UAW lackys with hammers and chisels. Poor design. Broke down twice leaving me stranded. EGR flooded engine, then 6 months later I had a warped cylinder head and the truck was drinking a gallon of coolant evey tank of fuel.

Run as far from the 6.0 Diesel as you can. Get an old 7.3, or a newer 5.4 or 6.8 gasser.

 

[Larry]

My main fleet has around 7,000 of VT365 6.0L diesel engines. They are not in Ford trucks but in delivery vans. Actually, big brown ones that deliver goodies to your door steps. These engines are absolutely terrible but great job security for a service guy. I get a dozen calls a day with issues on this while none on the GM Powertrain gas engines we offer. The 6.0L diesel is a great engine for a boat. You can wrap a chain around the alternator bracket throw the whole engine overboard while leaving the other end of the chain attached to your boat and fish in the same spot for as long as you want. It is also a great engine for a Ford truck. Two equally matched fine pieces of engineering and quality in one convenient package.

 

[Saline]

^^Good stuff! LOL!

FWIW, I have an 04' E series with the 6.0L and haven't had any problems.
.
.
.
.
knock on wood, fingers crossed, rabbits foot in pocket.

 

[Rot Box]

I agree if you like the Super Duty's you should keep an eye out for the 7.3. The problem is the newest 7.3's are creeping up on being almost a decade old so it makes it that much harder trying to find a keeper. Either way I'd take a 500k+ mile 7.3 over a brand new 6.0--seriously.

My brother has the newer 08 6.4 diesel in a very heavy F450 package. It has been reliable for 120K miles until last week when the EGR did some major damage to the engine. Haven't heard the diagnosis yet but it had to be towed to the shop. 4th radiator, second steering box but mostly trouble free other than that. The killer on the 6.4 engines is the emissions and it ruins the truck for me. If I could have a 6.4 without the EGR (better than the 6.0's system but still troublesome) and without the re-gen exhaust I would take one in a heartbeat.

 

[Buliwyf]

I agree if you like the Super Duty's you should keep an eye out for the 7.3. The problem is the newest 7.3's are creeping up on being almost a decade old so it makes it that much harder trying to find a keeper. Either way I'd take a 500k+ mile 7.3 over a brand new 6.0--seriously.

My brother has the newer 08 6.4 diesel in a very heavy F450 package. It has been reliable for 120K miles until last week when the EGR did some major damage to the engine. Haven't heard the diagnosis yet but it had to be towed to the shop. 4th radiator, second steering box but mostly trouble free other than that. The killer on the 6.4 engines is the emissions and it ruins the truck for me. If I could have a 6.4 without the EGR (better than the 6.0's system but still troublesome) and without the re-gen exhaust I would take one in a heartbeat.

I think the 2011 has no more regen. They switched to DEF. Will have to wait and see if they are any good.

Those will be 6 years used before I could even dream of owning one anyways. I've bought houses cheaper than the new trucks.

 

[Larry]

I think the 2011 has no more regen. They switched to DEF. Will have to wait and see if they are any good.

Those will be 6 years used before I could even dream of owning one anyways. I've bought houses cheaper than the new trucks.

All 2007 and later diesels sold in the US have an aftertreatment (DPF) regeneration cycle. The aftertreatment system is designed to capture and oxidize soot in the exhaust and is the entire genesis of the 2007 diesel emissions standards. Regen is not going away on any manufacturer’s “on highway certified” vehicles regardless if they use DEF or not. 2012 brings on another bag of worms for some diesel engine like Cummins where they will have to use DEF on the 2012 RAM pickup trucks as well (2010 and later RAM chassis cabs already run DEF).

There are more reasons NOT to buy a new diesel truck than reasons to buy one these days. Durability, dependability and fuel economy are down while cost and complexity keep going up. You’re going to start seeing a lot more new fleet and personal use pickup trucks running gasoline engines on CNG and propane in a few short years from now. Diesels are becoming very undesirable thanks to our federal government.

 

[DoMiNiC1]

7.3>6.0

 

[Darwin]

5.9 >7.3>6.0