To Buy a 6.0 or Not to Buy

[AllenM]

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and I am thinking about buying a diesel truck for my next one. My '95 F150 has over 200k on it and is getting a bit long in the tooth.

I am looking at a 2005 F250 Crew cab 4X4 Lariat with 98k miles on it for a bit less than $20k. The truck is in very good condition and there are not even any scratches on the paint in the bed of the truck. The stealer has another 2005 that has 116k on it and was a few grand cheaper but that truck looked and sounded like it had been really used hard (the truck computer also was saying that it got 12 mpg ugh).

My question for all you diesel experts is exactly how reliable is the 6.0 engine? There are a lot of horror stories on the internet about engine problems with the 6.0 but I figure there are probably 10 good engines to every 1 you hear a bad story about. I figure the first thing to do would do the EGR delete if it hasn't been done already if I got the truck but how much time and money do you have to put into a 6.0 to keep it going.

I don't use my truck every day, mainly hauling my atv or pulling a boat on weekends or such. I guess I am spoiled by the old reliable 351 in my F150, 200K+ on it and all I have ever done is change the plugs and the oil in it. I don't really need a diesel but would like the towing power and economy of one over a gas engine.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments?

[Countryboy07]

Originally Posted by AllenM

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and I am thinking about buying a diesel truck for my next one. My '95 F150 has over 200k on it and is getting a bit long in the tooth.

I am looking at a 2005 F250 Crew cab 4X4 Lariat with 98k miles on it for a bit less than $20k. The truck is in very good condition and there are not even any scratches on the paint in the bed of the truck. The stealer has another 2005 that has 116k on it and was a few grand cheaper but that truck looked and sounded like it had been really used hard (the truck computer also was saying that it got 12 mpg ugh).

My question for all you diesel experts is exactly how reliable is the 6.0 engine? There are a lot of horror stories on the internet about engine problems with the 6.0 but I figure there are probably 10 good engines to every 1 you hear a bad story about. I figure the first thing to do would do the EGR delete if it hasn't been done already if I got the truck but how much time and money do you have to put into a 6.0 to keep it going.

I don't use my truck every day, mainly hauling my atv or pulling a boat on weekends or such. I guess I am spoiled by the old reliable 351 in my F150, 200K+ on it and all I have ever done is change the plugs and the oil in it. I don't really need a diesel but would like the towing power and economy of one over a gas engine.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments?

First off, , Second, the 6.0L is a great engine. You will hear alot of people bad mouthing them, trust me, I was one of them. People will never know how good a 6.0L can be if you treat them right. I've got an '03 with 108,000 miles on it and haven't had and issues with the truck until now. I have an oil leak, but that is just coming from the ICP sensor. My dad has an '03 as well and with almost 170,000 miles is just now starting to have problems with the injectors, his truck gets worked hard everyday. Get an EGR delete, Exhaust, and some gauges and you should have a truck that you love. If you want to risk it, you could also get an SCT for a litte extra , but then you run a higher risk of blowing your gaskets. BTW, get an Oasis report and post it up on here. Good luck with what ever you choose

-French

[2006PSDSD]

The maintenence on a diesel will cost a bit more, but that is parallel to the on your face when you have 15k behind you and you're passing prius's

As for the 6.0, I love mine, haven't had any issues with it. I've only got 30k on it, but dont foresee anything. Be sure to get an Oasis report and use that to make a decision after making sure the truck is sound otherwise. Ppost pics if you buy

[AllenM]

Oasis report? Newb question time.

[2006PSDSD]

A report of what repairs have been made, or not been made. Head gaskets, EGR problems, oil cooler, and anything else its been to the dealer for

[AllenM]

Here is the Oasis report on the truck. It looks pretty clean to me with the only warranty work being done last month when it was traded in.

[w_huisman]

That's a little different OASIS report format than what I have previously seen. However, it looks as though the EGR and oil coolers were replaced at 98,185mi, along with one battery.

I believe you have till 100kmiles or 12/30/09 to purchase the ESP warranty, which would extend the Ford factory 5yr/100k warranty to 84mo/200k.

Batteries should be replaced in pairs, so you may want to verify whether one or both batteries were replaced.

Beyond that, with a new EGR and oil cooler under the hood, that's a pretty good report that certainly wouldn't scare me away from buying the truck.

[OregonStroker]

If you got money to spend on the proper mods, the truck will be awesome. No doubt.

[AllenM]

One more question for you guys before I bit the bullet and get the truck. It has no bedliner and the bed of the truck looks like it just came from the factory (no scratches or any sign of wear in the bed) but it does have a hole in the middle for a goose neck hitch. Would it have come with that hole for a hitch or did someone remove the goose neck before they traded it in?

[2006PSDSD]

I'd say they removed the hitch to put in their new truck

Get us some pics when you pick up your new rig