Now does all this only apply to the 2003 6.0 or is it the 6.0 in general?

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Reasi I ask is I'm also looking at a 2006 f250 6.0 w/ 97k miles and a 04 w/127k miles both 4x4 both with 35" tires

 

These post apply to all 6.0s. The '06 and '07 trucks aren't AS problematic but the studs, EGR, and coolant filter are a must for even those

 

The thing with the 05+ trucks is the STC fitting on the HPOP will eventually fail. It's like $50 in new parts that are upgraded, but it's on the HPOP under the turbo in the back of the valley, a bit of a pain to get at it if it's the only thing you're diving in for.

There are a LOT of differences between the 03/04 trucks and the 05+, even in the motor.

 

So basically stay away from these trucks because they are HG blowin money pits. If i want a 4x4 4 door diesel that will last a long time and is comfortable for daily driving what would you recommend?

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@ mdub: my biggest concern is the heads. Work 12hr days doesnt leave me with much time to work on my rig and being as im getting it financed doesn't leave me with much money either on top of that my job is very demanding so I can't miss a day at all.

I'm not gonna be towing and mods won't come for a while prob 2 years or so in the mean time it woule be bone stock

Say I do the coolant filter and just drive normal with at most 2 long trips a year should i be fine?

Sorry for so many questions I'm just not familure with these trucks and i want to know if its worth getting into I'm just looking for advice from some experts on what i should and shouldnt do thank you all so much you have all been a ton of help

 

dont stay away from em just fix the probs they have as soon as you can. theses trucks run suprisingly well with some good tunes. most people opt. to fix the probs as they show up, usually the egr and oil cooler and then later on theyll have to put head gaskets and studs in. usually what happens between doin egr and studs is a tuner with some hot tunes was added. Thats not always the case, ive put head gaskets on trucks with 80k miles. Its not that you should stay away from them, its simply be prepared to have to fix the common problems eventually.

 

If you're not planning on running a tuner right away, I say go for it. They last surprisingly well stock, do the coolant filter right away and if you can an EGR delete. Those two mods and some gauges and some religious maintenance and you will have a reliable rig man. They're not as bad as most make them out to be.

What other truck on the market can you do 5 min of research and get to know all of the problems up front, when they'll happen, how they'll happen, and how to fix them all at once?

Don't be afraid to run it stock and work that thing! They don't like to be driven like an 80yr old lady, and they don't like long idle times. Use it!

 

the 6.0 are great truck with the right maintenance. if your looking for reliability look no futher. you could always look at the 7.3s. no EGR anything.

 

Or even better, if you can, fix the problems up front so you can eliminate collateral damage. These engines are monsterous when built up, and like Mdub said, if you have a heavy right foot, the truck will love you forever

 

Well thanks guys this has been a ton of help. Just out of curiosity has any one here replaced the studs and gasket on the 6.0 just in case I have to do it one day I was wondering how long did the job take I've replaced heads on my old ram and rebuilt a jeep engine so it wouldn't be my first time but every car is different so I'm just wondering if any one here has done it them self and how long it took with out factoring in the waiting time of having them decked

 

I have all of the parts sitting on my kitchen table to do this, I will be posting a very detailed write up on how to do it all man. Probably towards the end of the year. I got a complete parts list with P/N's etc.