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03 6.0L powerstroke

4K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  Lmbhngr 
#1 ·
I am buying a 03 6.0 in about a week. A friend of mine told me Ford had a lot of problems with the 6.0 in 03. Can anyone give me any info on this thanks.
 
#2 ·
The only thing I can say about the 03 is that if you open up the exhaust and intake you'll hear so much turbo whistle that it'll sound like a jet engine....WAY more turbo noise than the 04+ engines, they modified the turbo for those years. You'll probably soon get a reply from mschn99. He's a very smart diesel tech and works on a few 7.3s and many 6.0's. Personally, I would go with a 7.3 which was an option for that year, or look for an 01 or 02. You will have so much less risk than going with the 6.0. Some guys have 6.0's and swear by them, and have been trouble free. But many of them have had problem after problem, and many disputes with dealers on whether it's covered by the warranty or not. So do yourself a huge favor, if you get that 6.0, get an extended warranty on the engine especially. Don't get me wrong, it's a good engine, it just has some issues. When they're running right they are rockets and will run circles around a stock 7.3. But my 99 7.3 beat out stock 6.0's all the time when I had my chip on it. If you chip a 6.0, you're increasing the risk of the problems everyone else has had happening to you. Chip a 7.3 and be worry free....
 
#3 ·
Before you buy that 03 6.0 get an oasis report. You can get it from the dealer. You need the VIN. This will tell you everything the truck was to the dealer for. Keith
 
#5 ·
Having owned a 2003 F-250 Centnnial with the 6.0 (post injector problem production) I had no complaints or trips to the dealership. Now owning a 2006 F-350 DRW with 4.10's strickly for pulling a 39' fifth wheel, I miss my 03. It seems to me that with all the prior problems and proramming changes to the 6.0 engine they (Ford) have taken a really powerful power plant and toned it down way to much. If you are looking at an 03 try make sure that is a vehicle produced after May of 03. Also try and get a true answer from the owner if it has been reprogramed by a dealership. Hope I am not too late in getting this out to you.
 
#6 ·
i, personally, think the sick-0 is one of the sweetest driving diesels ever built when they are running right. that said, many of them have problem after problem. get me the vin of the truck, ill tell you if it has a long warranty history. personally, i love the power of the 6.0, but would buy a 7.3 if i was buying a diesel due to the fact that they are so reliable.
 
#10 ·
Lmbhngr said:
I've got my '03 for sale...I hope I'm not unhappy when my new '06 gets here. My '03 6.0L is and has been an awesome powerplant. Please tell me the '06 will be just as badazz.
i dont think the 06's have quite the off the line get up and go unloaded......stock anyways, but i drove one the other day with a large trailer, and i think the pulling power is quite a bit better.....guess you have to give and take. they still run awsome unloaded, but i do think the newer programing reduces the unloaded power slightly.
 
#11 ·
Welcome Lmbhngr! If you're '06 is anything like my '05 you'll be VERY happy with it trust me. :)
 
#12 ·
Oh yeah and road pig it looks like you were our 1000th member! :woot
TELL HIM WHAT HE'S WON JOHNNY! :p
 
#13 ·
Lmbhngr said:
I've got my '03 for sale...I hope I'm not unhappy when my new '06 gets here. My '03 6.0L is and has been an awesome powerplant. Please tell me the '06 will be just as badazz.
You'll like it just for the front suspension changes alone!! and that Dana 60 35 spline front axle doesn't hurt either ;)
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the welcome fellas. I'm glad to have found this forum. I knew there was an informative and entertaining place like this for us Ford lovers, somewhere. :thumb:

I've been holding off on buying a new truck...waiting for the body change I keep hearing about...the engine change too. Guess I can't wait any longer. I can't wait to see the new beast!!

I know this isn't the thread/place but, my '03 is a Cadilac if anyone is looking for one. I'll post it in the "for sale" section.

Thanks again,
Lmbhngr
 
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