My (new to me) 06 F350 DRW Lariat

[mlux2008]

Hi all,

Just picked up a 06 F350 Dually Lariat. Crew cab long bed. This is the first truck i've ever owned. Traded in my 2004 Explorer Limited for this. The truck was shipped in from California. No rust anywhere. Convinced the dealer to throw on a new set of tires on the back (replaced all 4)

As of right now this is what I know
Purchased the truck for right at 20k with 102,000 on the clock
Mechanic I work with states
~ has new struts all the way around
~ New turbo with upgraded oil lines going to the turbo
~ Needs oil cooler replaced (temps are going over 225 degrees)
When he does that he is going to remove the EGR valve and put in the delete kit
Also replacing both batteries to ensure good use over the winter

Anything else I should know? Any suggestions to improve fuel economy? Its not a daily driver, just a backup vehicle. Any other problematic issues I should look forward to? Any advice for how often I should drive it or what i should do to improve reliability would be greatly appreciated. Pictures added below!

[MyTractorsSexy]

not to make your trip to the dealership more expensive... while you have it taken apart to ARP headstuds with OEM head gaskets... you may as well do it when your already in that for the egr delete and oil cooler...



ps. congrats on the truck!

[mlux2008]

The mechanic I'm working with said that he has seen a lot of them last without changing the headstuds. I asked him specifically if it should be changed. He said since I don't plan on trying to get BIG power out of it and I haven't had problems, just keep running it. Also it would tack on an extra couple grand that I really don't want to spend after purchasing this. Hopefully I didn't buy a money pit! thanks for the comment

[MyTractorsSexy]

i hear ya i wouldnt want to spend it either. and i hope they do last for ya.

[mlux2008]

Anything I should do to it to increase reliability? Or possibly get better fuel economy? Did I overpay for the vehicle? What Kind of fuel economy should I expect out of it?

[MyTractorsSexy]

install a coolant filter and flush the gold coolant out and replace with ELC

[mlux2008]

That is being installed when he does everything else along with the coolant flush. He said thats part of making the motor "bullet-proof". I'm looking into possibly a monitor/gauges to run in that. Know of anyone who has used it or any luck with them? I don't plan on bumping up the power. Its plenty for what I do with it. just want to make sure when I'm pulling I'm not hurting anything. Any other threads for new guys? good people to talk to?