[rkick1960]

Haven't posted at The Diesel Site in a long time, lurked a bit but not posted.


My 16 yo F250 is beginning to show its age on the body and interior and I really need a heavier truck. Can't afford a new one so I'm researching used F350's.


I found a '08 F350 dually with the 6.4 and 172K on the clock at a good price, however I know nothing about the trucks past 2002 when the 7.3 left.


Can someone please give me pointers on what I should look for before I get serious about this truck?


Truck is actually at a Chevrolet dealer but although they probably checked it over, not sure they would know what to look for.


Thanks in advance for any input anyone has!


Ricky

 

[Phil G.]

You need to know before you get into the 6.4L (or the 6.0) trucks, you either have to study fast and learn how to fix them yourself or be prepared for 1 or more $X,XXX repair bills. These trucks all have the potential of digging very large holes in wallets and it's not really a "remote possibility", it's more of a "likely possibility".

I expect that a much higher percentage of these trucks than the past 7.3L trucks are sitting used on dealers lots traded in because the truck scared the heck out of them with a potential huge repair and they got lucky or they just finished a band aid repair to get it traded as fast as possible. If a 7.3L was used on the lot years ago, it was generally just because someone wanted to update, not because of issues.

IMO, the 6.0L might have a higher occurrence rates of repairs but the 6.4 can take you down much deeper into the hole especially having to deal with twin turbos and the whole DPF thing.

 

[meteor56]

I have an 08 F350 DRW that I bought March 2015 at a fair price (a bit below Kelly book). It had 135K on it, DPF deleted and MiniMaxx tuned. I have put $13K in it this year: heads, water pump, fan clutch, oil cooler, and a bout with intermittent PCM failure. I now have 154K on it. If I can stay out of the dealer for a while that will be a plus. I also replaced the radiator (Mishimoto), added a coolant filter, BPD oil cooler kit, thermostats, both EGR coolers (preventive--the originals were still okay), and the EGR valve which was totally clogged and frozen up. I did this work myself, spending another $4K. This truck is here for the duration.

Crawl underneath to check fluid leaks: The external trans filter is normally a source of a minor leak. Lower driver side corner on the radiator is where failures often appear. Look at all the driveline seals. See if the DPF has been removed.

REALLY CHECK THE STEERING AND FRONT SUSPENSION! You do not want to experience the death wobble.

Engine compartment: Get a picture off Google Images of a stock 6.4 engine and compare what is or is not there. Has the EGR valve and/or cooler been deleted? Take a look at all the radiators on the front; make sure the fins are good with no evidence of leakage. If you have to change the radiator, all that stuff has to come out (it really isn't that big a deal to do so). Check the coolant: What kind is in there, and what is the condition. Same for engine and trans oil.

Make sure the manufacturer supplied "key" used to get the spare tire dismounted is there (an anti-theft device). If it has a sunroof, make sure it works. These fail often and the repair kit is around $500. Get the dealer to do a code scan; see what's there, and clear everything.

If I were doing it again, I would not buy a truck from a dealer that has been deleted or tuned . They don't know exactly what has been done to it, so they can't pass that knowledge on to you.

Meaningful engine repairs usually means lifting the cab, though some have managed without that. I don't have that level of expertise, time, or facilities. On the plus side though, the 6.4 is a pretty good engine and is built stronger than the 6.0. Remember, it was built to work, and work hard; not to be street profiler. Some people get really good mileage (according to them); I get 18-19 highway empty, 9-11 loaded, and 12-13 in town. I did once get 22.5 mpg but that was on a five mile, 45 mph downhill run.

If you go this route, this forum and others, along with YouTube will certainly save you some large dollars.

If it is a 4x4, read up on how to get back out of Low, and try the system out.

 

[wingnut60]

Just to let you know what MIGHT happen--I bought an '09 450 new and put 207k miles on it with no major repairs. I deleted it and added a tuner at 98k. At 207k, #8 cylinder lost all compression--needed new long block--Ford est $22k. Opted to sell as is, and found a '10 450 identical to the '09 w/64k miles on it. Deleted/tuned it also. Ran it to 107k miles, identical problem with #7 cylinder--this time, no option to sell/buy another as I was in Canada on vacation--cost $22k Canadian dollars. Odd part, came out to $16.9k when CC statement came in due to exchange rate. #s 7 & 8 are the cylinders that are doused with extra fuel to burn off the DPF in the regen cycle. I did not hot rod the trucks, majority of miles are solo driving, but towed heavy fifth wheel regularly.

So, if something goes wrong, it is big bucks to fix.

Also, if you are into Nav systems--the '09s up have a much improved harddrive nav system, night and day better than '08s.

I would look real hard for a '12-up truck over an '08-'10, ('11s were first year for 6.7L and 6-speed trans.)

Joe

 

[TD-5]

I would look real hard for a '12-up truck over an '08-'10, ('11s were first year for 6.7L and 6-speed trans.)

This is good advise, or if these are not within your budget, look for a clean 07 6.0 litre that has had the upgrades like egr cooler, head studs, gaskets, oil cooler etc. Make sure there is documentation for the work done.
An 08-10 with a 6.4 can put you in the poor house real qiuck.

 

[Quixel]

I would look real hard for a '12-up truck over an '08-'10, ('11s were first year for 6.7L and 6-speed trans.)

This is good advise, or if these are not within your budget, look for a clean 07 6.0 litre that has had the upgrades like egr cooler, head studs, gaskets, oil cooler etc. Make sure there is documentation for the work done.
An 08-10 with a 6.4 can put you in the poor house real qiuck.

DANG!! Just got this 08 F350 and you scaring the chit out of me! I used to work on all my cars, but I know nothing about diesels...and if I did I'm not really in good shape any more to work on it.
Mine has the Mini Maxx and exhaust delete, but still has the coolers under the hood. I'm not sure what all has been done to it...

 

[wingnut60]

Quixel,
There are quite a few 6.4s running without any problems, but if you do have something go wrong, it gets expensive in a hurry.
Both my 6.4s had the MM and delete--both blew a piston, first one at 207k miles, 2nd one at 107k miles. Whatever--do not hot rod the truck on performance or race, you will find out what it costs to fix one. I never ran either one hard, just tow a lot.
Whatever, change the oil at 5k and fuel filters no longer than 10k, and use only Motorcraft filters for each.
Good luck.

 

[Quixel]

Quixel,
There are quite a few 6.4s running without any problems, but if you do have something go wrong, it gets expensive in a hurry.
Both my 6.4s had the MM and delete--both blew a piston, first one at 207k miles, 2nd one at 107k miles. Whatever--do not hot rod the truck on performance or race, you will find out what it costs to fix one. I never ran either one hard, just tow a lot.
Whatever, change the oil at 5k and fuel filters no longer than 10k, and use only Motorcraft filters for each.
Good luck.

Thanks, sounds like I'll need it. I did get to see the CarFax on this and it looked like it had regular maintenance at the local Ford dealer. This is a single cab o farm truck, the guy had a huge acreage and took really good care of his equipment, so I'm think I might be good for a while. I don't tow a lot of weight myself, but thought it might be handy to have for the daughter's travel trailer (toy hauler), in case they had trouble with their diesel.

 

[flredmond]

holy crap! i just bought a 08 f 350 with 61 k on the clock. should i just take it in the #@$^ and try to sell this truck? none of this sounds good to me.

 

[Quixel]

holy crap! i just bought a 08 f 350 with 61 k on the clock. should i just take it in the #@$^ and try to sell this truck? none of this sounds good to me.

Mine had 70K on it when I bought it. So I'm guessing I'm good to 100K anyway....from the posts though it looks like the roll of the dice. The guy on YouTube that OWNS a diesel repair shop says not to but a 6.4....now that's scary...LoL

 

[lilosdually]

Dude don't trip I just bought an 08 F450 King Ranch 50k on it and now I feel like crap. It was an impulse buy, and now I feel like such a sucka. I was in the market for a 250 really and not knowing this diesel game got took by all the things you don't do. Man I thought this stuff was Ford Tough!!! The cold part is it was a birthday present to myself. We wanted it for real casual pulling and camping and I mean a reeeeaaaaal casual pull here and there. Am I good or what? Can we at least do that? Camping maybe twice a year and someday horses. I just figured it would be the last truck I'd ever buy. I guess I should trade it back in about 6 mos.? It is my first diesel and boy did I [email protected]#% this one up. This is the truth. Its a beauty and now I see why the mileage was so low. Interior is immaculant but now it all makes sense. Can some one help with me with upkeep and maintenance. I've driven it to church and everything. I mean my little 06 siverado has 242k with the basics. Oil, brakes, ...etc. The general stuff. Now I'm scared to drive it. For real. And for all that being said which year is the best? I thought a King Ranch was the one. I mean the stuff I read makes me feel like the biggest dope. Is there anyhing I can do. I am a diy.

 

[Phil G.]

lilosdually, the low miles is on your side. The fact that you are a DYI is also in your favor. The BEST thing you can do for yourself is take an interest in maintaining it, try to enjoy the process, consider it a challenge that you will win and start reading...and reading.... and reading the 6.4L engine forums. That is how I learned my 6.0L. Mine is well over 400,000 miles and still going. Through the help if this forum, I pulled the engine and put new cylinder heads on it a couple years ago. I pull trailers with it commercially and it works great. Look at the Dieseltechron videos on you tube for the 6.4L. Ron (RIP), Ron was the best guy on the internet for helping with Ford Diesel engine repair and maintenance.

If you can do stuff yourself, these trucks can work out just fine, I'm very happy with mine. It's just that you can't pay a garage $125hr plus marked up parts prices to maintain them...in that situation, your better off selling it rather than taking the chance of a major repair, IMO.