6.0L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 2003-Up Super-Duties and Excursions. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 6.0L Power Stroke engine.
I'm considering an '05 F350 Ext Cab Lariat LB with the 6.0L PSD. It seems to have been kept up nicely and the price is reasonable. However, I've never owned a diesel before and I'm trying to understand what I would be getting myself into. I've had one gasoline truck or another for the last 15 years. I understand diesels and the basic differences in operation between a diesel and gas engine. I also understand that a diesel can provide a lot more performance in SPECIFIC situations than gas can. However, extra performance never comes for free. What trades should I be considering when I'm looking at a truck like this? Besides great towing/hauling power, are there other benefits I should be considering? What are the negatives? In general, should I expect to pay more for maintenance of 6.0L PSD vs. the Triton V10? I figure the worst thing I could do is to jump head first into a purchase of a diesel truck without knowing the potential pitfalls. If something goes wrong, I'll blame it on the diesel, which wouldn't be right.
Some of you might already recognize this question from a thread I posted last night asking about improvements to the 6.0L PSD since '03. In that, I also asked for some insight about making the jump from a gas engine to a diesel. I figured the second half of that question could probably use a thread of its own, if you all don't mind. Thanks to those who already answered in the previous thread.
I'm considering an '05 F350 Ext Cab Lariat LB with the 6.0L PSD. It seems to have been kept up nicely and the price is reasonable. However, I've never owned a diesel before and I'm trying to understand what I would be getting myself into. I've had one gasoline truck or another for the last 15 years. I understand diesels and the basic differences in operation between a diesel and gas engine. I also understand that a diesel can provide a lot more performance in SPECIFIC situations than gas can. However, extra performance never comes for free. What trades should I be considering when I'm looking at a truck like this? Besides great towing/hauling power, are there other benefits I should be considering? What are the negatives? In general, should I expect to pay more for maintenance of 6.0L PSD vs. the Triton V10? I figure the worst thing I could do is to jump head first into a purchase of a diesel truck without knowing the potential pitfalls. If something goes wrong, I'll blame it on the diesel, which wouldn't be right.
Some of you might already recognize this question from a thread I posted last night asking about improvements to the 6.0L PSD since '03. In that, I also asked for some insight about making the jump from a gas engine to a diesel. I figured the second half of that question could probably use a thread of its own, if you all don't mind. Thanks to those who already answered in the previous thread.
I have owned three diesels. A well made and designed diesel is as good as it gets. However, the Ford 6.0 is not it. Also review Consumer Reports.
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Truck Build Date: 03/05 Kentucky
Engine Build Date: 02/28/05 Indianopolis
Purchase Date: 8/05 Sold date: 01/31/07
MPG: 16.08 2007 ytd average; 29k miles
2005 F 250 PSD Crew Cab Long Bed XL Auto
Completely Stock Truck: No Modifications
15 days in shop; a factor in deciding to sell.
I'm considering an '05 F350 Ext Cab Lariat LB with the 6.0L PSD. It seems to have been kept up nicely and the price is reasonable. However, I've never owned a diesel before and I'm trying to understand what I would be getting myself into. I've had one gasoline truck or another for the last 15 years. I understand diesels and the basic differences in operation between a diesel and gas engine. I also understand that a diesel can provide a lot more performance in SPECIFIC situations than gas can. However, extra performance never comes for free. What trades should I be considering when I'm looking at a truck like this? Besides great towing/hauling power, are there other benefits I should be considering? What are the negatives? In general, should I expect to pay more for maintenance of 6.0L PSD vs. the Triton V10? I figure the worst thing I could do is to jump head first into a purchase of a diesel truck without knowing the potential pitfalls. If something goes wrong, I'll blame it on the diesel, which wouldn't be right.
Some of you might already recognize this question from a thread I posted last night asking about improvements to the 6.0L PSD since '03. In that, I also asked for some insight about making the jump from a gas engine to a diesel. I figured the second half of that question could probably use a thread of its own, if you all don't mind. Thanks to those who already answered in the previous thread.
Here's a new thing to think about- I was on my way home this afternoon from a convention, and the battery light came on. I had my diagnostic laptop with me, and found the alternator was putting out only 11.9/12.v at speed. It's 70 miles from the nearest parts store. Since the diesel is compression ignition, I made the drive to the parts store to buy the new alternator with no problems. A gas engine would have pooped out after about 20 or so miles (sucking the battery dry).
Just FYI....
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2002 Excursion 7.3
1999 F-250 SC SB 4X4 auto - sold
diesels the way to go,6.0s can be tempermental.keep it seviced dont chip it,drive it like it was meant to be driven.have fun
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2002 f250 lariat 7.3 150k(motor has 100k)
4.125"yes thats 4 1/8" diy tymar intake(size matters...lol)
AIH delete,ccv delete,zoodad mod
4" exhaust no kitty or muff
4r100 1-2 2-3 3-4sonnax accumulator valves,.427 sonnax line pressure mod valve
fab fours bumper(winch ready)
built my own leafs for 4.0 of lift!!!!!!
18" xd bronze revolvers with 325 nittos to wrap them
isspro pyro and boost guages on pillar mount....
I feel the "trade off" that you had originally asked about, is the cost of the maintenance. Diesel engines are a specialized piece of kit that I don't let just anybody work on....on mine anyway. I also feel that you have to have a reason for owning one. If you are buying a large diesel powered vehicle just for a commuter vehicle, I don't think you will be pleased. If you have serious work for that vehicle to do than I feel that you will be tickled pink with the results.
Things that I keep in mind WRT my diesel that I don't give a second thought towards my gas engines are fuel filters and fuel quality. I am religous about changing fuel filters and always use an additive as well as only buying from larger stations with fresh fuel.
Stammer..do you really need a diesel or just want one? Buying used probably most cost effective.
btw..to much to list, but everthing you ever wanna know about the 6L is here on TDS. Good luck!
Good question OT - in truth, I don't really want a diesel. I mean I do because of all the potential that a diesel offers, and I'm sure everyone here will agree that diesels are bada$$. But I'm not looking at the truck because of the diesel. I take care of a bunch of rental properties and I have a couple kids so I need an extended cab for the kids and a longbed is almost a necessity. Nothing about that says diesel. That doesn't say anything bigger than a gas F150, but it's really tough to find a longbed extended cab in an F150 that's not a fleet truck with vinyl seats and floors. By the time I find a truck with a decent interior and those other body features, it's almost exclusively a diesel F250 or 350.
This has been extremely helpful. Those are some great insights Simon. I appreciate everyone's willingness to share your thoughts with a non-diesel owner who won't have much knowledge to give back for a while. Please let me know if you have any other thoughts. Thanks!
My friend has a feet of V10s for his landscape business. You really cant go wrong with the V10. They are hard to find and have very poor resale value. His 05 V10 will do everything my 6.0 will do no problem. His trucks range from 50k miles to 191k miles. Cost $19.00 for an oil change and the truck with 191k miles only needed coils and an EGR valve its hole life ( about $250.00 in parts) He runs 4.33 gears in them all and gas mileage sucks about 8 towing and 10-12 around town maybe 15 on the highway. But when you take into account his low maintenance cost and the cost of diesel its not bad at all.
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05 f350 CC LB King Ranch. 6.0 stock with torqushift and 3.73 gears. This thing is SLOW
Do yourself a favor and walk away....that truck is a piece of junk. The 6.0 engine should have never made it off the drawing board. My 6.0 has been in the shop more times than all other vehicles I've owned combined. I've also had just about everything in the front end replaced from bushings to balljoints, you name it, it's been replaced. All under 70k miles. Most of the front end repaired under 50k miles. Mine's on it's way back to the dealer again for more engine trouble.
Probably not a popular thing to say on this site but you'll do better with a Chevy. My father-in-law has one with 200k and now problems.
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2004 6.0 PSD CC Lariat FX4, Tow Package, Air Lift Bags, 2006 Jayco Eagle 325BHS 5th Wheel
I agree w simonl, if you dont tow heavy or more n a few times / yr, imho gassers are more economical in terms of feeding & care. If you occasionally need to do some pick-up-truck duty for your rental properties, a surburban like gasser towing a trailer can do the job. Fuel & oil & filters are all more expensive when comparing diesels to gas trucks. If primary use is comfortably seat family on trips, & you plan to keep it <100K & no or very few tow evolutions, I'd go gas.
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O7 F-250 XLT S/C L/B, 4X4, 2" lift, Firestone air bags, o/b compressor, Ranchos, Linex, Diselsite coolant filter, Fumoto oil drain, straight through truck muffler, 5" Flo-Pro s/s tip, Kobalt toolbox, bug shield & ventshades, Steelcraft s/s bull bar, IPC dr & fog lights, Rampage s/s step boards, Line of Fire LED under tailgate, fog lights on class III hitch reverse lights, JVC HDR-1, Infinity Kappas, wheelskins, cover king dash mat, Husky mud flaps.
Artic Fox 21-5R 5ver
Totalled 01 F-350 C/C, L/B (someone ran a stop sign, & ended up as a hood ornament), many xtras, best of which from Rob Riley (Diselsite), Jody Tipton (DP Tuner) & many thanks to Dieselstop contributors.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. If you can read, thank a teacher, if it's english, thank a vet.
Last edited by shooter 7 : 03-04-2009 at 01:07 PM.
Reason: typo
I consider my switch from the 7.3 to the 6.0 the worst choice I ever made in terms of trucks... Make your first choice either an older 7.3 with low mileage (good luck) or get a chevy duramax... Or a really older cummins... And I've also don't use it as a grocery getter... Diesels need to be put to work on a regular basis to avoid issues...
If you are not pulling more than 5k lbs. on a regular basis, you dont need a diesel. If you want it for a "hot rod" yes they can be made to run very impressive for a big truck but you will tear it up and then you will be on here saying what a piece of crap it is.
My 05 has been a pretty good truck. It got head gaskets replaced at 45k and I had studs put in. The truck has never been chipped or raced. Other than that no probs and it tows great.
If I ordered a new truck today (I'm not) I would order a F350 V10 6sp. manual with 4.30 gears. I'm not convinced the new 6.4 is an improvement over the 6.0.
Stammer- i had a 06 with the 6.0 i had it chipped, intake, exhaust all that fun stuff. it was ok until 60k miles. then it went to crap. i now have an 08 with the 6.4 which is a complete piece of ****!! well at least mine is. Anyways I would say look for a 06-07 duramax if anything. Im getting my 08 lemon lawed and im looking for duramax. no more fords for this guy. Love everything about the trucks except the engines. Wish ford could have kept the 7.3
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Good luck!
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