[6ohchris]

Hey guys, ive recently been quoted 1800 labor to do head studs. Ive been doing a lot of thinking and realize everybody is going to go with ford on this one but im trying to decide if i should keep dumping money into this 6.0 or if i should trade it for a 2002 lb7 with 30% over injectors. it has 257k miles on it and my 6.0 has 147k on it. ive had it almost a year and have a upgraded tci trans pan, sinister coolant filter, new oil cooler, s&b cai, blue spring kit, new egr valve, and a sinister egr cooler. what are yalls thoughts on the longevity of this truck and if this would be a wise trade for the lb7. not really sure on what im going to do but if this truck isnt going to last another 150-200k miles i dont want to dump anymore money into it. I take really good care of it and do all of my maintenance on time and i dont really tow that much or beat the crap out of it.

 

[STMPDUST]

Hey guys, ive recently been quoted 1800 labor to do head studs. Ive been doing a lot of thinking and realize everybody is going to go with ford on this one but im trying to decide if i should keep dumping money into this 6.0 or if i should trade it for a 2002 lb7 with 30% over injectors. it has 257k miles on it and my 6.0 has 147k on it. ive had it almost a year and have a upgraded tci trans pan, sinister coolant filter, new oil cooler, s&b cai, blue spring kit, new egr valve, and a sinister egr cooler. what are yalls thoughts on the longevity of this truck and if this would be a wise trade for the lb7. not really sure on what im going to do but if this truck isnt going to last another 150-200k miles i dont want to dump anymore money into it. I take really good care of it and do all of my maintenance on time and i dont really tow that much or beat the crap out of it.

Do you think you could drive the 2002 lb7 another 150 to 200k without dumping more $$ in it, im sure the 6.0 will need $$ as well, pretty big decision. Glad i dont have to make it

 

[DENNY]

I would stick with what you have. 250 grand MPH means other issues, ball joints, U joints, Brakes, starter, alternator, and new tranny. Stick with what you have. You should have sucked it up form the start and did the studs while you did the other stuff. Are they pulling and milling the heads for that price?
DENNY

 

[bismic]

As mentioned above, suspension and steering parts are expensive and you are going to have those expenses at 175k to 200k miles ,,,, on ANY truck you buy or drive.

 

[6ohchris]

I would stick with what you have. 250 grand MPH means other issues, ball joints, U joints, Brakes, starter, alternator, and new tranny. Stick with what you have. You should have sucked it up form the start and did the studs while you did the other stuff. Are they pulling and milling the heads for that price?
DENNY

im not sure im still saving $$ up right now, it will probably be another month or month and a half before it gets done. Im not sure if me heads are warped and need milling. im only puking a little coolant and thats when im running a canned tune on my sct x4 at about 2500 rpm so far i found a very well known diesel shop near my house and he quoted me 1500 labor to do studs. while hes in there should i go ahead and delete my egr? I already have a sinister upgraded egr cooler but if its going to fail in 100-200k id rather go ahead and delet it

 

[6ohchris]

Ok so now i found a clean 99 7.3 with 160k.... i would come out the same if not save 500 bucks if i traded for the 7.3....... might be the better choice!

 

[DENNY]

If the 99 has not had the injector O-rings replaced plan on doing that sooner than later. Also fuel filter rebuild (easy). Is this stock tranny? Has it any hot rod mods? I would run a stock tune on the 6.0 until it is fixed.
DENNY

 

[6ohchris]

If the 99 has not had the injector O-rings replaced plan on doing that sooner than later. Also fuel filter rebuild (easy). Is this stock tranny? Has it any hot rod mods? I would run a stock tune on the 6.0 until it is fixed.
DENNY

the 7.3 is really clean and well kept, not sure about the injector o rings. it has absolutley no mods to it other than some slightly bigger tires and id have to find out about the tranny. i drove it and it drove like a brand new truck no trans slip or hard shifting, it doesnt seem like its did a whole lot of towing

 

[jjohnsonlta]

If it was me I would keep your 6.0 for now. Especially if it's a 05 to 07. There a better truck in my opinion. The 03 to 05 maybe not. I wouldn't worry that much on head studs especially if you don't tow much. Are you sure your not running too much coolant ? I would invest in a coolant pressure gauge which will tell you if you indeed have a head gasket leak.

 

[6ohchris]

If it was me I would keep your 6.0 for now. Especially if it's a 05 to 07. There a better truck in my opinion. The 03 to 05 maybe not. I wouldn't worry that much on head studs especially if you don't tow much. Are you sure your not running too much coolant ? I would invest in a coolant pressure gauge which will tell you if you indeed have a head gasket leak.

Its a 2004.5 and I am puking a little coolant but i hardly loose any ive at the most had to put probably around a half or 1 quart of coolant in there in the last month. I am going to keep my truck though, already ordered head gaskets and working on ordering all of the other seals and gaskets. ill most likely be getting my gaskets done within the next month just have to save up a little more $$$ first especially since im starting college