Looking at '03 F250, school me on 6.0 PS

[whitetrash]

LOL, you did the essay for me!

I've done these specific things for friends, as well as a business. They are incredible engines, as long as you know what to do with them. Don't wait either, because they shit their pants all too often without "bullet-proofing" them.

As far as mods go, get the looney tune setup, and maybe a mild FICM tune. Basically, the FICM will improve the throttle response, and tune will help overall. You can reach 450rwhp with tune/exhaust.

When you think an injector is going out, or all of them are, make sure you have synthetic 5w40 in there, and test the FICM (super easy!).


I literally only know one person who actually owns a dependable durtrash pickup that doesn't come down with cosmetic and mechanical issues all of the time. They are a nightmare!


The commonrail cummins are hit/miss. Some go forever, others toss a rod out the side after 70k miles. I've enjoyed the ones that I have owned in the past, as well as my current one, but the going rate is way too high. 10k+ for a 5-10yr old truck with 100-200k miles is just ridiculous. There is an artificial value to them due to the reputation of the earlier 12v cummins (at least that's I think).
Also, on the commonrails, the 03 (possibly 04s as well) sometimes have the external lift-pump fail, so a recall was made for an in-tank pump, which not all received. 04.5+ year models with the 5.9l got slightly different rings, which proved to be a little weaker. Cylinder #6 is infamous for busting rings and causing excessive blowby.

I think it's just hit and miss with the duramax. Of the 10 or so people I know only 1 has had issues outside of injectors

[kingjason]

Wow all the hating on the 7.3. You could not give me a 6.0. Holy shit you guys act like your buying a race car. My 7.3 turbo will pull anything I want, reliably, and run 65-70 while doing it. Plus it will probably still be running when the 6.0,6.4, and 6.7's have all bit the dust. So many 250 to 300k trucks out there still running great. I have even heard of a few hitting 750k plus. I would much rather rebuild a tranny for 3k then a engine for 6k plus. At this point they even have the transmissions figured out so one good rebuild and you are set. Damn sure no injector issues that are holing out the engines. OP find you a good under 200k 95-03 7.3 and never look back. There are still plenty of them out there and in good shape. Who the hell wants to be guessing when their diesel is going to shit the bed. These bitches are not cheap to fix regardless of engine.

[eric 2v gt]

as far as diesels goes the earlier versions were the most reilable , there all a hit or miss just as any car out there is, there are things you can do to prevent potetinal problems and thats all you can hope for , and maintance is very very important , good luck

[green1995gt]

Wow all the hating on the 7.3. You could not give me a 6.0. Holy shit you guys act like your buying a race car. My 7.3 turbo will pull anything I want, reliably, and run 65-70 while doing it. Plus it will probably still be running when the 6.0,6.4, and 6.7's have all bit the dust. So many 250 to 300k trucks out there still running great. I have even heard of a few hitting 750k plus. I would much rather rebuild a tranny for 3k then a engine for 6k plus. At this point they even have the transmissions figured out so one good rebuild and you are set. Damn sure no injector issues that are holing out the engines. OP find you a good under 200k 95-03 7.3 and never look back. There are still plenty of them out there and in good shape. Who the hell wants to be guessing when their diesel is going to shit the bed. These bitches are not cheap to fix regardless of engine.

You obviously have never drivin a good running 6.0. I have had my 7.3 forever and I still like it. I have a built trans a bigger turbo all the good stuff. Runs good but hook up a big load I can tow anywhere, then hook up a big load to a correctly running 6.0 and it will out perform yhe 7.3. I still haven't sold mine but if it got stolen or wrecked I wouldnt buy another they are just outdated.

[FATHERFORD]

I just bought an 04 F250 KR 4x4 with 190k for $6500. Has had the studs done and the egr deleted. Just had the water start boiling out of the degas reservoir, so I'm going to be doing an oil cooler next weekend along with flushing the cooling system. Love my truck and wouldn't trade it for a 7.3.

bad cap or bad head gaskets...

[FATHERFORD]

that MTW guy seems like a knucklehead... I don't care to be high and dry for weeks/months if there's a warranty issue.

That's part of my attraction to the 6.4's. They're friggin' hot rods on 100% factory parts. So if I need a part for either of my trucks, they're WIDELY available anywhere

He is a knuckle head, but I know a few guys with his stage one turbo and it really wakes up a simple bolt on truck.

It's basically a power max with a 13blade exhaust wheel for half the cost.

I'm slowing building my 03 to be a reliable tow pig with some good power. Beyond a ported intake manifold, 155 injectors(which I just bought from warren diesel), and a turbo I'm done with this truck. Unless the gaskets finally blow then put in some studs. Should put me around the same power as stock 6.7's towing, and around 500hp with my SRL tune.

[kingjason]

You obviously have never drivin a good running 6.0. I have had my 7.3 forever and I still like it. I have a built trans a bigger turbo all the good stuff. Runs good but hook up a big load I can tow anywhere, then hook up a big load to a correctly running 6.0 and it will out perform yhe 7.3. I still haven't sold mine but if it got stolen or wrecked I wouldnt buy another they are just outdated.

I have driven one or two of them in my life. I also work with several guys that have the 6.7. To me reliability is way more important than how fast I can get to 70 from a stop. Now if I was doing hot shots for a living and pulling over mountains all the time I may think different. I didn't buy this truck for speed I bought it for towing and reliability. I had a 95 CC, 4x4, F350 long bed that was super reliable even at 200k. I only sold it to pay off my wife car at that time. That's the reason I bought my 2002 F250 with 140k.

[Jimbo]

So while we are on the subject, who do you go to for powerstroke work? I have an obs 7.3 that I am thinking about getting some upgrades on.

[Rotortrash]

Glad to hear the 6.0 is finally starting to receive the respect it deserves. I've always thought it was a great engine as long as you knew what you were getting into. So far I've done a FICM repair, SCT fitting along with dummy plugs and standpipes, and EGR delete. Mine only has 70k on it, so I'm trying to do stuff as soon as symptoms show up.

Great engines, and trucks, if taken care of correctly.

Didn't know the 03's were becoming the favorite to have these days, I'm with Cooter though, I like the looks of the 05-07.

[greenbullitt]

Early models had injector leak issues.
06-07 need a radiator if you plan to tow often.

lbz is where its at. Good trucks really...

[crapstang]

I've ran into multiple guys fixing to have the stealership rape them with a head gasket job, when the only issue is the reservoir cap. You can test the current one, but it is really just easier to replace it. Before you throw money at headgaskets, replace that cap!

[Cooter]

He is a knuckle head, but I know a few guys with his stage one turbo and it really wakes up a simple bolt on truck.

It's basically a power max with a 13blade exhaust wheel for half the cost.

I'm slowing building my 03 to be a reliable tow pig with some good power. Beyond a ported intake manifold, 155 injectors(which I just bought from warren diesel), and a turbo I'm done with this truck. Unless the gaskets finally blow then put in some studs. Should put me around the same power as stock 6.7's towing, and around 500hp with my SRL tune.

http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43009

more evidence of his horrible service

[Cooter]

and his world is now imploding on him on the forums...

I knew the dude was a flake

[streetdemon70]

Glad i never went through with getting a turbo from him. Looking more and more like I will go through Barder.

[jluv]

I love my '05. It's got 140k on the stock gaskets. It currently has a Banks exhaust and SCT Street tune. Also has the blue fuel pressure spring.

It got an egr delete and new oil cooler at about 110k. I've also had to replace the water pump, steering pump, brakes, ball joints, and fan clutch. Not cheap, but I plan to drive it for many more years.

I've had the stiction issues this winter. I picked up an Edge CTS monitor, beefier FICM with Atlas 80 tune, and some Rev-x. It's all going in next week and I'm also changing to 5w40.

The EGR delete is non-negotiable. Do that right away. Also, low battery voltage kills the FICM, so keep an eye on that. Romp on it every now and then to keep the turbo vanes moving properly. As far as studs, I'm gonna a wait until I need them. I'm not making big power or even driving it hard every day. So far, so good.

I have a set of Aries stainless step bars in good shape that I will make you a great deal on. Also one of the upgraded higher-amp Ford alternators and two Interstate Megatron Plus batteries, less than 18 months old. I upgraded to power steps and ridiculous alternator and batts (for my stereo system) and now I just want the old stuff out of the way. PM me if interested.

Good luck with your truck!