Need a little refresher on the 2003 6.0

[bikepharmer]

I have spent more than a little time searching (and the wife is a bit pissed about it), but I was hoping for some words of wisdom on my 2003 6.0. The body build date is 5/03, and the engine build has a date of 5/19/2003. I am the second owner, with the first being a close friend of mine who is very meticulous with his stuff. It had the buzz flash when I bought it, but as I am only 6 weeks from being out of warranty (only 36K miles) I had them go ahead and do the latest flash to get rid of it. I was told that the latest flash had some EGR updates as well, but that could have been just some BS by the service manager. No other mods, basically bone stock 2003 Crew Cab 4x4 XLT PSD

Anyway, I have been scanning the posts and May seems to be a "tipping point" about some changes done to the motor. What is the good, the bad, and the ugly as far as this particular vintage? So far (and knock on wood) this truck has been trouble free. I don't do any towing to speak of, maybe a small trailer a few times a year. I mainly bought it to have the larger cab and just have always liked the Ford design. There is potential to borrow a travel trailer from time to time, but it hasn't panned out yet.

Like I said, I am close to being out of warranty and am wondering if is time to move this beast, or just keep it and take my chances. Some insight to the habits of the 2003 would be great. I am well aware of EGR and EGR cooler issues, but seem to recall that the EGR delete was easier on the early models.


Thanks!
BP

[WEWILLE]

how many miles??? Do an egr delete, and head studs then you can run it as long as you want.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by bikepharmer

I have spent more than a little time searching (and the wife is a bit pissed about it), but I was hoping for some words of wisdom on my 2003 6.0. The body build date is 5/03, and the engine build has a date of 5/19/2003. I am the second owner, with the first being a close friend of mine who is very meticulous with his stuff. It had the buzz flash when I bought it, but as I am only 6 weeks from being out of warranty (only 36K miles) I had them go ahead and do the latest flash to get rid of it. I was told that the latest flash had some EGR updates as well, but that could have been just some BS by the service manager. No other mods, basically bone stock 2003 Crew Cab 4x4 XLT PSD

Anyway, I have been scanning the posts and May seems to be a "tipping point" about some changes done to the motor. What is the good, the bad, and the ugly as far as this particular vintage? So far (and knock on wood) this truck has been trouble free. I don't do any towing to speak of, maybe a small trailer a few times a year. I mainly bought it to have the larger cab and just have always liked the Ford design. There is potential to borrow a travel trailer from time to time, but it hasn't panned out yet.

Like I said, I am close to being out of warranty and am wondering if is time to move this beast, or just keep it and take my chances. Some insight to the habits of the 2003 would be great. I am well aware of EGR and EGR cooler issues, but seem to recall that the EGR delete was easier on the early models.


Thanks!
BP

Most of the problems with the 03 6.0 were injectors and programming. I would keep the truck and take your chances especially if you are going to leave it stock and don't tow much. Should be a good truck.

[tech10002]

If you haven't had issues by now, the truck probably has already had everything addressed. I would think about studs and an EGR delete at some point. If you're planning on keeping the truck, you can extend the warranty another couple years and another 100k for around 1800. It's the Ford diesel care warranty. I'm probably going to do that on mine when it starts to approach 100k.

[bikepharmer]

I am considering the Ford plan, but with the Big 3 staring down the barrel of bankruptcy I am wondering if that is $$ well spent. I did watch the video segments at powerstrokehelp.com and it seems like the low-sulfur diesel should be helping things from an EGR perspective. Any thoughts on the HPOP design?

[sarcj07]

Originally Posted by bikepharmer

I am considering the Ford plan, but with the Big 3 staring down the barrel of bankruptcy I am wondering if that is $$ well spent. I did watch the video segments at powerstrokehelp.com and it seems like the low-sulfur diesel should be helping things from an EGR perspective. Any thoughts on the HPOP design?

Even if a company goes bankrupt, they can still operate for many years. I don't know if the Ford plan is worth the money though considering only the motor is covered and not the powertrain(on the diesel care)... I wish the aftermarket companies were trustable...