Thoughts on first truck... NEED HELP ASAP! - Diesel Forum

junior426 · 08-25-2009, 03:28 PM

Looking at a truck here local to me. 2004 F-350, Reg Cab, 4x4, 6.0 Diesel, 6-speed, 62,000 miles, 2-owner. Has a turbo-back exhaust, cold air intake, BTS Aurora Turbo, tuner of some sort, pyrometer installed right after turbo, what appears to be an intercooler pipe temp sensor, and gauges for boost and EGT. Talking to dealer, he knows both previous owners personally and there have been no issues with the truck. EGR has been replaced he belives. I really want to get this truck, just wanted some opinions on what kind of problems I could run into.

Drove the truck, starts mint, idles smooth, no strange noises, plenty of power, no black smoke or white smoke that I noticed.

Im a full-time professional mechanic, so I dont mind wrenching as needed, just wondering how well this truck should hold up.

Please help ASAP as I cant wait on this truck or it will dissapear.

**bugman** · 08-25-2009, 04:14 PM

With the modifications that you mentioned that are on the truck I would walk away from it. The 2004's were a problem year for the 6.0 engine. I would have the dealer run an Oasis report on itto see what has been done by other dealers.

Just a couple of things that may cost you money are the turbo back exhaust. The engine came with a catalytic converter so if it isn't still there the exhaust is illegal in 50 states. The tuner of some sort may cause excessive boost witch will lead to the stretching of the head bolts and then major problems.

Now if the dealer will give you a written warranty for 50,000 miles to cover the engine and tranny then I might consider it. Mind you I said give it to you and not sell it to you.

Smiley1 · 08-25-2009, 04:30 PM

I would walk away. Find a stock truck. Just as Bugman said you are running the risk of compromised headgaskets. Without a warranty you will be spending a weekend wrenching on this truck or spending over 2 grand to fix.

speedrcr78 · 08-25-2009, 04:58 PM

It would have to be a VERY good deal. At the very least get an OASIS from the dealer. Big boost=Big problems on these trucks. But if you get it at a good price and you can fix it yourself when it blows up then maybe it is not a bad deal for you.

junior426 · 08-25-2009, 06:39 PM

Already thought about some of these options. I checked into an extended warranty and there is an offer that they were willing to roll into payments. Its a 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I talked in depth with him regarding the coverage on it even with the aftermarket parts on it and he assured me that anything and everything within the powertrain would be covered, excluding only the A/C system.

I understand that these were problem prone trucks, and with all of their issues. From the reading that I have done, seems to me that problems occur from head bolts stretching, which can be remedied with a set of ARP studs and some new head gaskets.

Also that casting sand in the cooling system can be another prone issue, but easily solved with installation of a external coolant filter and repeated filter changes after it is first installed.

Second to last seems to me that there were problems with the EGR system; mainly the cooler right? Problems with the EGR can be helped with the coolant filter system, and careful monitoring of any coolant consumption.

And last if I remember correctly were the turbo's on these trucks, and should not be a problem with the BST Aurora that's on there now, right?

Please let me know how I have done on my estimation and what you still think. The extended warranty would be another $1300, but would cover the truck for 5 years or 162,000. I know it probably isn't the best truck I could find, but I have wanted a truck for years now and I'm tired of not having one. Plus I'm big on the fact that this one only has 62k, is a 6-speed, and would be a real truck.

Thanks for your time guys, it is greatly appreciated.

Smiley1 · 08-25-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junior426

Already thought about some of these options. I checked into an extended warranty and there is an offer that they were willing to roll into payments. Its a 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I talked in depth with him regarding the coverage on it even with the aftermarket parts on it and he assured me that anything and everything within the powertrain would be covered, excluding only the A/C system.

I would not take his word on this one. I dont know of a company that is going to warranty performance parts or the engine they are put on. You need to look at the exclusions in the warranty contract.

timbo2 · 08-26-2009, 08:29 PM

I Would Look For A 06 Or 07 With No Tuner If You Get A 6.0 With A Tuner You Will Be Pulling Heads Or Just Get A 7.3 As The Other Poster Said With Mods Your Wasting Your Money With A Warranrty It Will Be Denied The Salesman Will Tell You Anything To Make A Sell

chuckster57 · 08-26-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

I would not take his word on this one. I dont know of a company that is going to warranty performance parts or the engine they are put on. You need to look at the exclusions in the warranty contract.

Is it a FORD warranty or a third party? Third party would be a deal breaker.

junior426 · 08-27-2009, 10:41 AM

Thanks for all the help guys, I've decided not to go with this truck. It was a little impractical cost-wise for the point Im at in my life right now. Found a 97 F-250 with a powerstoke private party that I might go look at. Maybe start from the bottom and work my way up to a superduty. Hey, it would still be a diesel!

**bugman** · 08-27-2009, 10:47 AM

If you like the lines of the old body style and like dependability then the 97 is a great truck and you'll fall in love with the 7.3 engine. But then I am a little bit biased since I own a 96.

Jim

blizzardwarrior7 · 08-27-2009, 12:04 PM

IF your looking for long term reliability, defiitely go with a 7.3....You can afford to get a pretty high mileage one and still be able to count on it, and you can find lots of bargains on them, check on ebay!

timbo2 · 08-28-2009, 08:33 AM

I Think You Will Be Pleased With A Older 7.3 My 7.3 Pulls Heavy Loads Much Better Than My 6.0 The Older 7.3 Were A Bit Loud On The Cackle But Hey Its Diesel Its Soppose To Cackle

Ljutic SS · 08-28-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbo2

I Think You Will Be Pleased With A Older 7.3 My 7.3 Pulls Heavy Loads Much Better Than My 6.0 The Older 7.3 Were A Bit Loud On The Cackle But Hey Its Diesel Its Soppose To Cackle

I am a little confused on how your older 7.3 pulls heavy loads much better then your 6.0 Does your 7.3 have much more torque and horsepower then your 6.0? Your 7.3 should pull about the same as a new 6.4 if it pulls better then a 6.0

69cj · 08-28-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbo2

I Think You Will Be Pleased With A Older 7.3 My 7.3 Pulls Heavy Loads Much Better Than My 6.0 The Older 7.3 Were A Bit Loud On The Cackle But Hey Its Diesel Its Soppose To Cackle

I think something is wrong with your 6.0. No way they compare stk. vs. stk.

blizzardwarrior7 · 08-29-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69cj

I think something is wrong with your 6.0. No way they compare stk. vs. stk.

In fact alot of people will stand by the fact that there 7.3 tows better....Im one of them....Any diesel tech will agree that the 7.3 has more low end grunt than the 6.0...I also find the slow throttle response of the 6.0 slightly annoying when towing, my 7.3 might not be as fast as my 6.0, but I know one thing: I can smoke the tires on my 7.3 from a stop without powerbraking it, while my 6.0 wont unless I let it run out 10-15 feet!