I am in the market to purchase my first diesel truck and have settled on a Ford. I do not currently own anything that I need to pull but I would like the ability to pull a smaller boat or a camper down the road, if needed. I'd also like to keep the truck for avery long time. I want something comfortable with the right options so I have settled on the 6.0. I know the 7.3 is a great motor but the rest of the truck doesn't have the interior luxury options that I would like.

That being said, I know the 6.0 is notorious for having heating issues and blowing head gaskets. I would, at a bare minimum, have the ARP head studs installed on anything I purchase right away. I would also do the EGR delete and then check off the rest of the bulletproof options.

Now, my question is this. Should I be looking for a lower mile 6.0 or does it not matter as much since I will be doing various bulletproof mods? I'm currently looking at a fully loaded 06 F350 dually with 92k miles on it. The transmission was serviced and the EGR was replaced at 51k miles. The interior is immaculate and gorgeous, it's everything I want in a truck. It was involved in a minor accident 2 years ago and the fender was dented up. It was just pounded out, not replaced. The dealer is asking $24k with no warranty. It seems a little high but I don't think I can get them down low enough to where I want to be when I factor in the $5400 my local diesel shop will charge for the full bulletproof package with 4" MRBP exhaust, new intake, SCT Livewire, and all the other works.

Bottom line is this. I'm looking for a Powerstroke that is extremely comfortable inside. Must be 4 doors. I'd like to stay around $20k or less. What options do I really have? Is buying a high mileage truck and rebuilding the motor worth it? That still leaves plenty of other parts, including the transmission, with high miles. Should I look for a 6.4 instead and just spend more money for peace of mind? I don't know too much about the 6.4, most of my research has been on the 6.0. The current 6.0 I'm looking at is from a Ford dealer that is 1 mile from my house and my family has bought numerous vehicles from over the last 30 years. There are cheaper options around but the dealerships don't have the best reputations and I'm leary about buying from smaller establishments.

I'm just looking for some guidance in the right direction. Thanks!

 

Take your time and look around, I found 2 04 crew cabs last week and both had less than 45,000 on them. Both were priced under $19000, could probably be bought for $17500. $24000 is a little steep, could find one studded with injectors and turbo for less than that.

 

24k seems pretty steep imo. I wouldnt bother with a 6.4 either honestly...every powerstroke is gonna have issues. If it were me, id spend a little more and get something with the 6.7. You can find early 6.7s in the 30k area and then at least youre not buying a decade or more old truck and all the other issues that go along with that. But thats just me....if youre dead set on a 6.0l for some odd reason then at least go for an 05-07....stay right away from the 03 04 trucks. Again just my opinion but 05+ is alot nicer to drive. I hate front leaf springs...the coils ride so much better. In any case its a crap shoot with 6.0ls....sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get absolute garbage.