Is it bone stock? If so, it will be a great truck. Studs are for the same people who put security systems on their house. Sure, it's a nice addition but at the end of the day, it won't prevent someone or something determined enough. Heat is a killer. If you want it to survive, monitor the oil and coolant temps with a dedicated monitor, Edge or scanguage are good for that. We will be here for any help you require, although I doubt you will need much. Have you driven the truck? Does the owner have a monitor of some sort? If not, I would recommend buying one and taking it when you test drive it. There is a write up on here on all the things to look out for when buying a used 6.0, so let me find it for you. But the negative hype for 6.0s is due to people not keeping up with maintenance and not listening to the truck. Doing the work on a 6.0 is also relatively easy, just a little tight at times.

 

Awesome reply!! That makes me feel much better. I believe it’s stock, I actually just found it online today at a dealership near me and I’m going to look at it this weekend, I’m only 19 and dont have a whole lot of money and no credit, so tbh I don’t even know if I’ll be able to get it, but if I can, I want to make sure it’s going to last me, even if I let it roar, everyone loves the sound of a 6.0.

 

Things to consider about owning a 6.0L

Here is the deal with the 6.0. Any good tuner (person writing your tunes) is not going to give you a tune that is going to tear up your truck. There are trucks all over the place running 400-420 rwhp with 750-800 rwtq all day long without problems. Yes the 6.0 is known to blow head gaskets...

www.powerstroke.org

This one is a pretty good write-up on what to know. If you are still interested after reading this, I or any of the other members would be happy to give you a rundown on pretty much everything you're going to want to look for this weekend. Are you in a hurry to get a truck? Because if not, be patient. Younger guys like us like to jump on the first thing that moves 😅

 

Lol, this will be my second truck, I have a 84 c10 as well, but this will be my first diesel, I am very excited, but I am definitely going to think it out, seeing as getting ancy is the reason I need a new vehicle as the speed 6 Mazda I “had” to have broke down, lol, thanks for the help! I’ll update when/if I even end up buying!

 

Dom, my question to you is are you able to do any of the work on it yourself, and are you willing to learn and aquire the tools needed to repair the truck. If the answer is no, then no to the 6.0.

Just the routine maintenance is involved and expensive. 4 gallons of oil and a filter is easily over 100 bucks. 2 fuel filters, draining the water separator another $50. 2 batteries at $100 a piece. It's probably due for a coolant flush and probably an oil cooler replacement. Just examples of stuff that HAS to be done,, or it will die on you.

For example, a 03 gmc 5.7 with 300k miles on the dexcool, no problem right, 03 ford 6.0 150k miles on ford gold....and....well that could be VERY costly.

I love mine and will never sell it, I've done all the work myself and it started at about 150k miles. I'm a plumber by trade, but my 6.0 turned me into a backyard diesel mechanic. I've saved 10s of 1000s of dollars doing my own work, including the peace of mind knowing it was done right.

If you are up to the challenge I say go for it. If not, that's understandable. It is a rewarding experience. They are great trucks.

 

Equip yourself to monitor engine parameters you can't see on the dash gauges.

It will help you to avoid catastrophic failures.

One such failure:

Coolant passages in oil cooler become obstructed.

Obstructed oil cooler flow starves EGR cooler for coolant.

EGR cooler ruptures, sending coolant into the intake.

Coolant in intake increases combustion chamber pressure enough to blow head gaskets.

This is what I suspect happened to my truck before I bought it. When I bought it, EGR had been deleted, but engine operating parameters indicated a plugged oil cooler and head gasket leak.

$5K later, I have a new oil cooler, head gaskets, and ARP studs.

Your mileage may vary.

 

I’ll take that C10 off your hands if you ever want to let it go… In all seriousness, we have an early 03 6.0 in our family and the late 04 I drive. Both were purchased used and we’ve had nothing but great service. Both trucks have had new oil coolers, coolant filtration kits, blue spring kits, some injectors, 7.3 fan clutch conversion, Edge CTS2 monitors, CAC boots here and there, and common sense maintenance. They both pull 10-13k pounds eagerly. Both have original head gaskets and TTY bolts from the factory.

You can’t sneak up on anyone in either of our trucks but they make plenty of power in “stock” form and do so reliably. Don’t get discouraged if you have to make some corrections right off the bat. We had to but, were ok with it since new trucks are $60-$80k. Recently spent $1100 for repairs on mine. That’s one month of payments on a new one. New ones don’t sound as good IMO.

 

If you can't afford fixing it, which it sounds like you are slightly worried about already, then pass on it. Diesel ownership in general is expensive.

 

Very true. Although, he does have another vehicle and I'm assuming he's doing his own work, so it can sit as long as he needs it to (a lot of assumptions here)

 

With the OP's age of 19 and having a love of motors and stuff I believe the 6.0 is great for him to cut his teeth on. But if at any point your first thought is worried about the finances of owning said vehicle you need to punt. Having a diesel to be cool is great.. if it doesn't break you.

 

The cost comes with ignorance.... The truth is, the cost of a 6.0 really isn't worth mentioning IF you are willing to educate yourself and turn a wrench. If you try to make power on a budget, cut corners, or pay for a shop to diag and fix every little thing......... She will murder your wallet. The key here really is, know what you are getting and be prepared to fix someone else's problem. A 10+ yr old truck is going to have issues, the previous owner will have neglected something. Typically if you buy a 6.0 that isn't studded or deleted, be prepared to do so. You will learn some lessons, there will be surprises, but if the motor itself isn't worn out the info is out there to turn the ol girl into whatever you want. A little self control and patients goes a long way in the diesel game. Being a first time buyer, find a reputable diesel shop near you and have a pre purchase inspection done before buying... Building a good relationship with a shop is a must, there will always be something you need help with. Don't expect Ford to get you back on the road...

Owning a diesel IS more expensive, but its not like you are buying a 6.4..................... Thats a vehicle that will wreck your savings and motivate your wife to look for ways to collect life insurance early.

 

If you try to make power on a budget, cut corners, or pay for a shop to diag and fix every little thing......... She will murder your wallet.

Incredibly accurate and beautifully-worded statement. Better to pay once, cry once. “She will murder your wallet” AND STEAL YOUR SOUL.

 

Get something to monitor before you buy, so you know what to look for when you check them out. Read this:

What to look for when buying a used 6.0L

My personal preference is to go for a 2006 or 2007 year model (but really ANY year model low-mileage 6.0L might be worth looking at). I think that buying a used 6.0L can turn out to be a good deal - if you are wise about the pre-purchase inspection! If you find a good price AND you have...

www.powerstroke.org

-jokester

 

The OP doesn't mention any towing needs but he does reference a lack of available money. This tells us he currently has no need for diesel power and would likely be financially strapped in repairing and maintaining the 6.0 diesel engine as well as the rest of the almost 20 year old truck.

I suggest waiting on buying a diesel until there is a need for one and a way to afford the higher cost of ownership. These changes can happen fast for a 19 year old! Good luck.

 

The OP doesn't mention any towing needs but he does reference a lack of available money. This tells us he currently has no need for diesel power and would likely be financially strapped in repairing and maintaining the 6.0 diesel engine as well as the rest of the almost 20 year old truck.

I suggest waiting on buying a diesel until there is a need for one and a way to afford the higher cost of ownership. These changes can happen fast for a 19 year old! Good luck.

True.

Honestly, OP, unless you're going to do a side hustle and need it for that, I'd go with a gas vehicle. I love my 6.4, I'd recommend a 6.0 to anyone that needs it from what I've read on the forums, but they're expensive daily drivers.

Example. Right now my 6.4 is down. I'm a one man shop electric company, so my family vehicle was purchased to be able to tow a tool trailer if need be. But even the 6.4 is a little much for the tool trailer and/or a daily drive. As such, I've been looking at 250 gassers or old 7.3s in decent condition, just to save on fuel and maintenance.

But if OP is going to invest in a company and start doing handyman, towing, or anything like that for side work, it can pay for itself. But even a good gasser can get your foot in on a lot of that until you build up more cash