[PowerstrokeJonny6.0]

Hey guys,

I have an 03 6.0 that I just picked up with 130k on it. It's my first diesel and I'm in love with the truck. I wasn't in the market for a diesel because they are way out of my price range but I picked this truck up ridiculously cheap at $4500. It's a lariat crew cab on 37's with a 6" lift. I had to get the injectors replaced and that's why I got it so cheap. The truck is real pretty and in great shape cosmetically. The guy I bought it from (my girlfriends former stepdad) admits he didn't take good care of the maintenance. The first thing I did was oil change, blue spring kit, fuel filters, injectors, coolant filter, Edge tuner and I just finished back flushing the oil cooler to get my deltas in order. It was running EOT at 225-235 on a hot day at 75mph and I was worried so I babied it until I could improve my deltas. I finished it last night and just returned from a long hard drive and I took it budding a little and really pushed it. I had it running at 80mph with the A/C on high for about 10 minutes to see how high I could get my EOT and Every pleased to see it maxed out at just 208 degrees briefly before dropping back down to a steady 204 on the freeway and 200 cruising with my ECT staying at 190 per the thermostat I just installed. Now I'm looking to my next step for making this truck reliable and I think that will be head studs and a 5" straight pipe from the turbo back.
Should I do an EGR delete and upgrade my oil cooler to a newer design? What would be the best improvement for me to make to insure I get the most out of her from here on out? It's currently got 134k on the mileage and runs really smooth. Thanks for reading and I have seen a stock 2003 6.0 with no major work done rolling with 500k on the clock. That's what I'm looking for in my California Rig.

 

[Racer71]

Mine had well over 500k on it. Ditch the egr keep up on fuel filters and oil changes. Keep those oil temps low, use archoil when the ambient temps get cold like below 40 seasonally (depends on where you live) and you’ll be fine. I’m assuming it’s not studded ? Mine was studded at 80k I did also do a cam at same time which supposedly helps prevent lifter failures. I think though if stay on maintenance schedule you’ll be fine. Biggest problem with many diesel trucks in general are lack of care and overall abuse.

 

[Spirit]

Hey guys,
View attachment 771955 I have an 03 6.0 that I just picked up with 130k on it. It's my first diesel and I'm in love with the truck. I wasn't in the market for a diesel because they are way out of my price range but I picked this truck up ridiculously cheap at $4500. It's a lariat crew cab on 37's with a 6" lift. I had to get the injectors replaced and that's why I got it so cheap. The truck is real pretty and in great shape cosmetically. The guy I bought it from (my girlfriends former stepdad) admits he didn't take good care of the maintenance. The first thing I did was oil change, blue spring kit, fuel filters, injectors, coolant filter, Edge tuner and I just finished back flushing the oil cooler to get my deltas in order. It was running EOT at 225-235 on a hot day at 75mph and I was worried so I babied it until I could improve my deltas. I finished it last night and just returned from a long hard drive and I took it budding a little and really pushed it. I had it running at 80mph with the A/C on high for about 10 minutes to see how high I could get my EOT and Every pleased to see it maxed out at just 208 degrees briefly before dropping back down to a steady 204 on the freeway and 200 cruising with my ECT staying at 190 per the thermostat I just installed. Now I'm looking to my next step for making this truck reliable and I think that will be head studs and a 5" straight pipe from the turbo back.
Should I do an EGR delete and upgrade my oil cooler to a newer design? What would be the best improvement for me to make to insure I get the most out of her from here on out? It's currently got 134k on the mileage and runs really smooth. Thanks for reading and I have seen a stock 2003 6.0 with no major work done rolling with 500k on the clock. That's what I'm looking for in my California Rig.

I suggest you spend some time reading-up on the more notorious 6.0 problems that this forum provides free of charge. Devote a few hours to doing this and the whole (sick?...lol) story of the 6.0 will unfold for you. For example, a quick search on this site for the "Edge tuner" mentioned in your post might change your thinking on this particular tuner for this particular application (which should not be confused with the Edge monitor). Your EGR, oil cooler, head studs, etc. questions are all explained in detail along with suggestions on how to go about curing the problems and more importantly, how to avoid having the problems in the first place.

Spend a little time browsing this forum's 6.0 posting history, you will be very happy you did!

 

[ChrisSki]

I agree with what @spitit said. Enjoy the truck now. Take your time to learn how it works, and them what it really needs. The EGR has been on that truck for 13 years. A few more weeks won't hurt it.

There's a whole lot of while you're in there stuff that if you don't plan, you may redo a days worth of work to install a $200 part that was one step past that EGR. You can also go broke doing everything people say to make these trucks last.

 

[SuperCrutyPS]

Check out this thread: New Member
Might want to contact him - he made it happen.