Well the time has come to put the 550 under the knife for some updates and bulletproofing. This project was in the planning phase since I purchased the truck early last year. Before buying the truck I did what I could to educate myself on the potential issues that could come up with the 6.0.
After driving the truck for about a year I started having temp issues as well as a coolant leak. While knowing I could just fix the some of the problems and be back on the road, I wouldn't be happy. I couldn't see taking eveything off the motor to fix the issues and not fully bulletproofing the motor (as much as possible). The truck ran fine and did not show signs of blown head gaskets.
The truck itself is my DD and my tow rig for my Bobcat's. My main goal is to build up this truck to be as dependable as possible and add a little power in the process.
I am not a pro by any means with motors. I've had my loader and excavator apart, and have changed a head gasket on my Toyota mud truck. This project will be done with limited tools, no air compressor etc. The main issues is it has to be done in the driveway cause the truck is too long to fit in the garage. Will be done cab on.
My plans are as follows:
Head Gaskets + Studs
SCT Livewire TS
Tow Tune
Egr Delete
IPR Coolant Filter
Injectors (155's/???'s)
Turbo (MTW) Hybrid or Stage 1
4" Exhaust (Delete Cat)
BPD Radiator
BPD Water Pump
Remote Oil Cooler
Fuel Pressure Regulator + Gauge
Ford Updates (Blue Spring Mod, STC, Turbo Lines, etc.)
I will try to update this thread as much as possible with pics and details as I go along. It may be slow going at times due to work, weather and family life.
Progress so far:
(1)Many hours of reading page after page of info on this site as well as others.
Thanks Tuscany and others. You Tube and Diesel Power have some good info too.
(2) Got my list together and priced out so far.
My list of Ford parts came to $2750.00 from local for dealer (LoL)
Same list price from Tousley Ford $2040.00
Placed my order through Tousley parts will be here on the 18th. The rockers were on back order which is the only reason for the delay.
(3) Gathering info on sources of Turbo, Injector and Tunes.
(4) Started taking the girl apart. Removed fender flare, and inner ferder well.
Thats where I am at so far. Will tear into the truck more this weekend as time allows.
Will be ordering the rest of my goodies over the next few days. Should be a fun job, but I am a little skeptical on my abilities...LoL
Also getting my 2003 F550 studded, IPR EGR delete and up pipe, IPR coolant filter, new oil cooler, intake modified and all the updated parts. Cab is hanging and the heads were taken off yesterday. :icon_ford:
10/4 I priced it out to have someone else do it and was more than I wanted to spend . Although if I get any more jobs coming in I may have to go that route rather than loose work. I would rather do it myself but my time is starting to get limited. Not like that's a bad thing cause that means i'm making money.
I am about there myself so I know the feeling. I am lucky that I have a backup service truck (no AC) and a dump truck (no ac) as a last resort to drive..LoL
I bought this truck back in June to replace the 1993 Chevy 3500 6.5 turbo welding truck that I am currently using. I have been slowly outfitting the 6.0 while waiting to get the engine done. Hopefully I will be taking the welder off the Chevy and mounting it to the Ford in a couple of weeks.
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