Do you trust your 6.0?

[Nu2Ford]

I'm trying to determine if I should use my 2006 6.0 as off-road exploring/ adventure vehicle. Reliability is paramount if you're off road and a 100 miles from a tow truck-able road.

So the question is: Would you trust a 6.0 under these circumstances?

The reason I ask is that I like my truck very much, but always feel like I'm waiting for something to break.

Don't take this as a knock to the 6.0, it just happens to be what I own. I'm not sure I'd trust ANY modern diesel simply because of how temperamental they can be and their complexity.

[RRF985]

Absolutely. I trust my truck 100%. Anytime it has started giving me an issue I have fixed it before it became a bigger problem. It has never left me stranded in the 2.5 years of ownership and IMO, with the strict maintenance on it that I'd do, I doubt it ever will.

[JasonY]

If i was going to routinely be off the beaten path, id find a cheap blown up 6.0 and a rusted out 12v dodge and swap the 12v cummins with a manual trans into the ford. Then you can roll start the thing w/o power if needed, will even run w/o electrical power completely if needed.

Jason

[fordpwrstroke7]

After my 04 was "bullet proofed", I felt confident in it. Are there better vehicles for off roading and exploring?...definitely.

[Nu2Ford]

Originally Posted by fordpwrstroke7

After my 04 was "bullet proofed", I felt confident in it. Are there better vehicles for off roading and exploring?...definitely.

Absolutely there are better vehicles, but this is what I own. The problem with bullet proofing from what I've seen on the forum is that "bulletproof" does not always equal no problems. Some guys have spent quite a bit of coin bullet proofing only to have continued issues related to their efforts.

It would be a hard pill to swallow and a hard lesson learned to spend the money to bullet proof my truck only to have it fail anyway.

[californiadreamin]

Short answer: no.

It's left me stranded before (oil rail dummy plugs, no start). My 1st generation tacoma 4x4 was the **** when it comes to reliability.

[deesle]

Its a reliable engine with some quirks, once removed can be almost perfect. Bulletproofing can have issues as some people don't put them back together right, always a possibility of something going wrong. I am doing it now and hopefully I am doing it right.

[silverbullet4x4]

Originally Posted by Nu2Ford

Absolutely there are better vehicles, but this is what I own. The problem with bullet proofing from what I've seen on the forum is that "bulletproof" does not always equal no problems. Some guys have spent quite a bit of coin bullet proofing only to have continued issues related to their efforts.

It would be a hard pill to swallow and a hard lesson learned to spend the money to bullet proof my truck only to have it fail anyway.

I agree it would be a hard pill to swallow but how often does that happen with work done by reputable shops. By reputable that doesn't include HG done by some ford dealers. I got rid of my 05 before i had to do anything major but i wouldn't hesitate to buy another 6.0. It's like everyone says, usually proper maintenance equals reliable.

[xjeeper]

I have used both of my 04 6.0s for this sort of overland camping, they have never left me stranded, When I managed a 4x4 shop I saw many IFS chevys with suspension mounts pulled off of the frame, dodges with busted steering boxes, axle shafts etc. any Ford has an advantage in chassis robustness, do the basic bulletproofing, carry the basics as far as tools and parts. Problems that are universal are much more likely to strand you than any 6.0 specific issue, so check batteries/charge systems, suspension and brake lines. These trucks will 4 wheel well if you dial in the suspension to flex(remove the rear swaybar if eguipped, lower tire pressure etc. Be prepared to get unstuck, 60" highliftjack, straps, maybe Maxtracks and a winch, shovel.

[kinnisoj]

Look at the space shuttle. It was built to be way far from the nearest AAA and cost billions of dollars and was built by the worlds top mechanics and they had nothing but issues. If man makes it , it can fail.