Looking at '03 F250, school me on 6.0 PS

[Cooter]

That will work, thanks! The '03 is being offered at $10k, with 121k miles. I"m sure I can get it cheaper, just wondering if it will be worth it in the end. Maybe I should just get an old Dodge and be done with it!

if it was a white lariat w/ gray interior and clean as a pin, I would consider it, but I'd still probably pass on it. The later truck is worth $2-3k more to me purely on asthetics

[Sean88gt]

I wouldn't hesitate to own another 6.0, just be prepared to address issues before they arise.

[eric 2v gt]

3 diesel techs at my job have 6.0s and they all have egr deletes and studs, one of them is on there 3rd motor, i personally would never get a ford diesel , i work at a ford dealership and drive a cummins 5.9, you will have to spend money on your truck, good luck

[Cooter]

You will spend the money up front on a 5.9 truck. And then more when the transmission and front end go to hell

[Sean88gt]

You will spend the money up front on a 5.9 truck. And then more when the transmission and front end go to hell

People seem to forget that the Cummins is wrapped in the gem called a Dodge. The package is garbage.

[SonicblueGT03]

Might as well go for the trifecta......any issues with the Chevies? Later model Duramax and an Allison trans?

[streetdemon70]

I bought my 06 6.0 in February with 148k miles on it. It now has 194k miles and all i have done to it is change out the STC fittings and dummy plugs. It is bone stock and has been a great truck. I would have no problem today jumping in it and driving 3k miles. Keep up with the oil, fuel, and air filter changes and you should be good to go. Only thing i recommend is putting a monitor on it so you can watch for problems before they happen. I have the scangaugeII on my truck.

[Cooter]

Might as well go for the trifecta......any issues with the Chevies? Later model Duramax and an Allison trans?

You couldn't give me one. You get similarly shitty build quality of the Dodge combined with the engine complexity of the Ford. The Allison is junk at anything over factory power, and you have the POS IFS to contend with also.

Worst of the big three IMO

[DriveWayBuilt]

I just picked up an 04 King Ranch ranch with 225k on the clock, I love it! But it's also my first truck, lol I figured any long as it last long enough to save up a little coin I'll "Bullet Proof" it but for Now i'm just enjoying it.

[whitetrash]

Might as well go for the trifecta......any issues with the Chevies? Later model Duramax and an Allison trans?

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

[turboford]

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.

[crapstang]

Check delta between oil and water temp. If a large difference you have a clogged oil cooler.

Delete EGR. This can be easily done by welding up the ends of the EGR.

If your head gaskets aren't blown don't mess with them. My 03 6.0 has 200,000 miles on them and still on the OEM gaskets and I run a FICM and ECM tune.

Injectors have a problem with sticking(stictation) when cold. Can be patched with a good 5w/40 synthetic and rev-x or archoil. I'm to the point where mine need to just be replaced.

Up-pipe bellows tend to crack after high mileage.

Your fuel pressure spring most likely needs to be replaced with a new ford "blue" spring. Through on some 6.4 banjo bolts while you are at it.

Maintenance is key. These 6.0's don't like dirty oil.

The 03, although the most "problematic" with the help of the aftermarket is starting to become the favorite year.

The transmissions also are notorious for the 3-5 shift flare(4th is rarely ever used, these are 6 speed autos) There is a solenoid you can buy for $100 that fixes it.

You can buy these trucks cheap and as long as you got a few grand cash you can put into it you can have one very reliable, high gas mileage and fun to drive truck.

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!).

You couldn't give me one. You get similarly shitty build quality of the Dodge combined with the engine complexity of the Ford. The Allison is junk at anything over factory power, and you have the POS IFS to contend with also.

Worst of the big three IMO

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.

[Sean88gt]

Might as well go for the trifecta......any issues with the Chevies? Later model Duramax and an Allison trans?

I owned one, it burned to the ground while one of my driver's was running to safety.

This was after the block exploded and I spent a young fortune to replace it.

Comfortable interior though.

[SonicblueGT03]

So, no to the Chevy/GMC option then.....

Thinking I may just take my chances with the '03. If I can get them down another couple of grand, it might make it more palatable when I have to spend some cash on it.

[Cooter]

Sounds like a plan to me