Bought a new Truck!

[7StrokeThis3]

Got a steal from my neighbor... A local police officer always serviced always washed all the time....

2006 Ext Cab Short Bed, Charcoal Gray, chromed out, stock motor nothing done to it, mint absolute mint condition, 45k miles and I picked it up from him for 19,000$


I'm a big fan about the 7.3, Dont know much about the 6.0L but I hear some people have great luck with them and some have horrible luck.

Question is, how can I make this bullet proof, I am extremely mechanically inclined, ASE, Ford Tech and a lot done for certifications... I hear the head studs are weakened by heat and abuse from chips and tuners. I have heard from other guys at the shop as long as I baby it, an intake, exhaust and an EGR delete will make the stock studs last longer... I already performed ARP studs on a buddies of mine but his was beat to snot!

Any Ideas?

[Rotbody]

If you can get rid of the EGR cooler and switch out the coolant to CAT EC-1 or equivalent, just do a search on the topic on here.

Im deleting the EGR tomorrow. I talked to my Ford Tech buddy and he said about damn time....Its the number one cause to all the crap with them....
There will be guys on here that are a lil more hardcore than me though also.

[7StrokeThis3]

Great thanks! Is an SCT chip ok after the EGR delete or will Studs be the only way to keep the gaskets from blowing... I am installing a MBRP exhaust on it as well as gauges...

[Rotbody]

My truck will be EGR delete,coolant swap possibly, and stock tuned forever. Hopefully somebody else can shed some light for ya.

[Fox Hunt]

If you're for sure going to get rid of the EGR do the coolant swap first. You said you are getting gauges so thats good. A lot of people (myself included) like the edge CS or CTS because you just plug it into your OBD II port and get ECT, EOT, boost FCIM voltage etc. Make sure your delta between them is no more that 15* just cruising at operating temp. If it is, is shouldnt be cause of the low miles you will probably need to replace your oil cooler. If you did have to then would be the time to remove the EGR. Or you could do it when you swapped coolant, kinda your call cause I think you have to drain the coolant to do the EGR delete, not 100% cause I havent done it. By doing that you eliminate the biggest thing that causes headbolt and headgasket proplems. Im tuned with stock headbolts and EGR and no problems yet (only about 500 miles now but so far so good lol) Oh and add coolant filter when you replace the coolant too. Hope this helps.

[PGreenSVT]

Originally Posted by Fox Hunt

If you're for sure going to get rid of the EGR do the coolant swap first. You said you are getting gauges so thats good. A lot of people (myself included) like the edge CS or CTS because you just plug it into your OBD II port and get ECT, EOT, boost FCIM voltage etc. Make sure your delta between them is no more that 15* just cruising at operating temp. If it is, is shouldnt be cause of the low miles you will probably need to replace your oil cooler. If you did have to then would be the time to remove the EGR. Or you could do it when you swapped coolant, kinda your call cause I think you have to drain the coolant to do the EGR delete, not 100% cause I havent done it. By doing that you eliminate the biggest thing that causes headbolt and headgasket proplems. Im tuned with stock headbolts and EGR and no problems yet (only about 500 miles now but so far so good lol) Oh and add coolant filter when you replace the coolant too. Hope this helps.

Tell that to the folks with clogged oil coolers and blown egr coolers, head gaskets etc. and only 25 or 30k on their trucks.

IMHO the leading cause of problems with the 6.0 is Ford Gold G-05 coolant and improper maintenance whether through ignorance or neglect.

7stroke, read the first thread in my signature and check out the Bulletproofing thread by colo_dually in this forum. That should get you started in understanding your new truck.

[choff1212]

I have studs, black onyx head gaskets, manifold gaskets, and an egr delete for sale

[7Sparks3]

Thanks everyone!

[Fox Hunt]

I agree PGreen, I bought mine with 39k and and the delta was fine, first thing I did was a coolant change anyways. A higher mileage truck would be more likely to have problems i would think, but thats not to say it cant happen with a low mileage either. Luck of the draw in some cases...