New to me truck - now?

[purplesage]

Finally found what I think is a pretty clean 2004 250 SD. Before I purchased it I took it to a local Ford dealer and had them go through it. The head diesel mechanic gave it his thumbs up so I bought it. Here is my question - the mechanic said first thing I should do is have them update the programming since it was still running on old stuff. On this forum I've read that some of the new programming is not so good. How do I know what to have done and what not to have done.

My intention is to keep this truck for the long haul so I want to keep making it better not take steps back. Give me your thoughts. I know there is a ton of stuff on this site but there is so much that it makes it a little confusing for a newbie. Thanks

[novemberdelta]

I wouldn't have it flashed to one of the newest strategy. The fuel milage sucks with it. Get some gauges to monitor everything, delete the EGR and get some custom tunes would be my advice. Also go in the Tech files and read up on the maintenace and mods to make it last.

[xjeeper]

Ibought an 04 new in 04, and now have an almost identical 04 that had the ficm and pcm replaced and reflashed to the later strategies under warranty in 05 (as detailed on the oasis, and an underhood sticker) the first truck was snappier just off idle, and got better mileage in town. After having almost 200k miles in 2 04 6.0s all that I can reccomend is EGR delete, fresh fluids and filters religiously, check ficm voltage, blue spring. Cat delete and a cat back exhaust, the stock down pipe spools quicker than a 3.5 or 4" dp with stock or mild tune. Stock air intake is fine. When you delete the EGR also remove the intake throttle butterfly. I run afull mbrp 4" exhaust, Accufab intake elbow, Airaid intake, Egr plug and blocked up pipe, but, all of these products are not cost effective for mpg, and the first truck gained power (dyno tested) with the airaid intake, but lost power with a gibson cat back when running a stock tune. If your temp delta is ok, flush and run coolant without silicates, and add a coolant filter. The trans has both an internal filter (in the pan), and a small filter in a housing near the bottom of the radiator,service them both. I use Diesel kleene with most fillups and have not had any injector problems, and see enough mileage gain to pay for the additive. And check your oil level when you fill it during an oil change, my truck is full with 14 quarts, not the 15 called for. I hpe that this helps you enjoy your truck for many trouble free miles.

[scottharmon]

i love my 04 f250 super duty xlt i have done alot to it and today my egr delete comes in other wise i have never had a problem i 94,000 on it i get 16 in town 20 on the highway. the truck has never given a problem my be it is a freak of nature idk but i have just down pretty simple things to it expect the heads studs nothing simple about them. but intake, exhaust, gauges, diff. and trans covers, air ride, and 60 gallon fuel tank

[PGreenSVT]

It depends on the strategy that's on it now whether you should upgrade. If it has a FICM killer you should upgrade or roll back.

[bfrank81]

Once you get the strat situation worked out get a CTS and start monitoring. You never know what is wrong until you start keeping an eye on things.

[purplesage]

Thanks guys - just the kind of input I was looking for. I will work through things as I can but already went out and purchased some Diesel Clean. And will be changing the oil and fuel filters tomorrow.

Sure is a nice truck - Jon