The reason you saw 7.3's with very high milage on them and they continue to run is they are pretty cheap to fix and keep on the road. Short of buying injectors, most of what goes wrong is relatively cheap stuff. Even injectors can run about 200,000 but may need a simple $10 O ring kit every hundred thousand. Beyond that, the turbo is only $600 and can be replaced by about any skilled mechanic for a couple hundred labor.

I don't think the future for 6.0's is good at all. For one thing, they are way too expensive to work on. When you start talking about a $2000 job to change an EGR cooler hose you've went way past what people are going to be willing to spend on these trucks paticularly when they can't seem to keep them on the road under warranty. I believe you'll have the odd ball high milage truck, but whoever owns it will have spent a fortune getting it there. Things like water pumps wouldn't be a cheap project. They have those things crammed in that truck to the point you have to take off too much other stuff just to get to it. I took my alternator off my old 7.3 truck once in the driveway of a guy that rebuilds them. No big deal about a 10 minute job to take it off and put it back on. The 6 liter alternator looks like a 3 or 4 hour project.

Right now around here you can expect to pay about $30,000 for a used 7.3 between 2000 and 2002. A 6 liter won't bring $22,000. People aren't wanting to turn loose of the 7.3's because of their far superior dependability, cheaper maintenance, and better performance. I'm not interested in selling my 1995 but I'd sell my 6.0 to the first person to show up with $25,000. That's $4,000 under it's NADA book.

Skipper

 

Things like water pumps wouldn't be a cheap project. They have those things crammed in that truck to the point you have to take off too much other stuff just to get to it.

I agree with this completely

I took my alternator off my old 7.3 truck once in the driveway of a guy that rebuilds them. No big deal about a 10 minute job to take it off and put it back on. The 6 liter alternator looks like a 3 or 4 hour project.

Wrong, you can get an alternator off a 6.0 and back on in one hour and stop to have a beer, two cigerates and one phone call. It's righ on top?

A 6 liter won't bring $22,000.

Again, i disagree. There are lots of 6.0s selling in Oklahoma...with under 80 k miles, for $30k...these are 03-04 model lariates.

People aren't wanting to turn loose of the 7.3's because of their far superior dependability, cheaper maintenance, and better performance.

Actually, people are buying the 6.0s for there IMPROVED and superior performance...performance here meaning better HP and TQ...better fuel milage and throttle response. My truck is stock and I can spin the rear duals out from under me. Can a 7.3 do that? I get 22 mpg highway, can a 7.3 do that? There poor reputation of the 6.0 is slowely deminishing with the newer models. Cheaper maintenance is hardly a comparible. a couple less quarts of oil, parts are STILL sky high and the fuel for both cost the same. If people can afford a $25k or $35k dollar truck, they arent' going to care about a 50-80 dollar oil change.
I personally want to pawn off my 03 6.0 model for a different truck because of the injectors, HPOP and turbo issues that I fear will catch up with me. I can't afford an 05 or 06 so i may have to back up to the 03 7.3 in order to get away from the unreliable reputation that started this whole dilema with the early build 6.0 models.

 

So far.

The most on a 6.0 ive seen is about 300,000. It was running good. Local construction company has 3 with close to 200,000 and never had a problem. Wanna know why? Oil changes at 3000 miles.

 

So far.

The most on a 6.0 ive seen is about 300,000. It was running good. Local construction company has 3 with close to 200,000 and never had a problem. Wanna know why? Oil changes at 3000 miles.

I have gotten 400,000 out of my 2006 6.0l engine before doing a complete rebuild. And currently have 86,000 on the rebuild. Always keep up with service and USE THE " PROLONG OIL ADDITIVE" and use it in all my engines. And it has saved my but several times from ruining my engines both in my motor vehicles and in my aircraft engines.

 

Thank you StrokeTechie,
I appreciate that. 300,000 is pretty good already!!.... 200,000 Miles, without any problems is also about as good of a report as anyone can get on anything...

And you KYSkipper, your response still holds the record for the worst opinion on the 6.0 of ANY Forum, ANY Aftermarket Parts Supplier, and ANYWHERE!!!

I can tell you that you are not in the 95% majority in your opinion, but if that is your opinion I would SELL THAT LEMON and move on...

I still have a 2003 7.3, and they are gritty and unrefined like the smooth performance of my 6.0. And since I need an Automatic, the 6.0 Auto is FAR SUPERIOR than the 7.3. Now look, no offence to you, but if we are going to talk like we are living in the past, give me a new 1989 Ford Crew Cab F-350 Dually, or a 1969... But we can't buy them new any more. And I don't like either of the older transmissions, have gone to some great depth with the E40D and studied the 4R100, this transmission if FABULOUS.. I did not like some of the things on my 1993 7.3 either, the vacuum pump was a tempermental mess that died occassionally, the TPS Throttle Postion sensor was a plastic piece of s***, and so on.

But with your lemon experience, maybe you should sell it and move on. I have had three Effies of late model, 1993 F-350, 2003 F-250, and now this new King Ranch, and it is the tops!! You might just have a streak of bad luck on your hands... Or need to talk to the Big Fellow upstairs once in a while ray:

I hope your luck changes...

 

I laugh.

When people call the 6.0 junk. All that says to me is Ignorance! Great motor. Has a few issues but still a great motor. Not a 7.3 but still a great motor. There are just a lot of people driving them that shouldnt be.

 

When people call the 6.0 junk. All that says to me is Ignorance! Great motor. Has a few issues but still a great motor. Not a 7.3 but still a great motor. There are just a lot of people driving them that shouldnt be.

Thank you StrokeTechie, you obviously work on them, you should know... What is your opinion on the comment you made above about how some people drive them? Marc seems to think that most of the problems like Turbo clearances and EGR valves in the 03-05 models was from people not driving them ENOUGH, or HARD enough.....

On our end in Australia the comment was (like driving in rain and wet weather and then parking it up for two weeks) contributed to the turbo problems with too tight of clearances and corrosion.. What Marc says seems to make sense, do you agree as a Ford Motor Techie?

Best Regards, Ranger doing research...

 

100%

Ford actually states they are not to be babied. Clean oil every 3000 miles, clean fuel filters every 12,000 miles and run em like a red headed step child.

 

Ford actually states they are not to be babied. Clean oil every 3000 miles, clean fuel filters every 12,000 miles and run em like a red headed step child.

:roll1: :funnypost: Now that is funny!! I wish you were closer, I would have to buy you a beer or sixteen....:beer2:

 

Here comes the owners manual again.

I wish you guys could hear our engineers talk about the idiots that write the owners manuals. I like these guys that run 10 to 12,000 miles on an oil change with there 7.3's and get them towed in cuz they run like crap or don't run at all. Then I put 5 or 6 qts of oil in them and start them right up like brand new. Then they run 10 to 12,000 miles again and here comes the roll back again. 6.0's need clean oil more than clean fuel. The big problem with the 6.0 is everyone got spoiled with the 7.3. They could abuse the 7.3. Guess what! You cant abuse a 6.0. You have to actually take care of it.

 

Agree Agree Agree

I agree. My 7.3 spins the wheels and gets 22 mpg but thats with a chip. 7.3's arent going nearly as high as you stated and 6.0s are going way over what you stated. How ever Clay what is that about less oil?

 

How ever Clay what is that about less oil?

i thought the 7.3 held a quart or two less oil. If thats not correct then you further made my point about maintenance cost being the same.

 

15 and 15 buddy.

Yeah. Just a few of the older original PStrokes took 14.

 

Yeah. Just a few of the older original PStrokes took 14.

okay, i didn't know that. There ya go!

 

Learn something everyday!

I know I do.

 

You can't prove by my truck that it is superior in any way. Mine has less power than my 95, it has less torque (considerably less), and it's fuel milage is 3 mpg less than my 95 7.3. Judging by the one I have the most experience with, that's the way it is, and until Ford proves me otherwise by either fixing mine or replacing it with one that will run, I don't see my opinion changing.

You talk about spinning tires. Mine won't. Oh, if you put it on sopy wet leaves it would probably spin the tires a little. On dry pavement it won't even bark the tires. It will hardly pull out from a stop empty much less loaded.

Ford's engineer told me the same thing when I went down to the dealership to meet with him and drive this pig of a truck to show him what it wouldn't do. I dropped the clutch and floored it coming out of the dealership and it took a minimum of 600 feet for it to accelerate to 20 mph. We drove back to the shop and he told me, "The 6.0 has more power and more torque than your 7.3." Well, if I'd pulled that heel to the steel stunt out of the parking lot in that 7.3 truck it would have slung the rear axle out from under it.

To me, the proof isn't on paper, it's what happens in real life.

Skipper

 

You definately have soething wrong with your truck. Sorry to hear such bad performance from a PSD of any vintage. Mine honestly will bark the rear duals when it hits 2ng gear. It runs like a scalded ape after getting the new injectors in it. Before that it didn't run quit as strong nor was the fuel milage as good.

 

Sounds like you've got a big dealership problem in Kentucky, my dad and I own three 6.0s as company trucks all three are awesome trucks, we did buy an early 6.0 that was a pig, but the dealership we bought it from busted thier butt to get it right, everyone from manager to the techs, truck was one of first 6.0s and just had to many problems, then, when we traded it we got $26k it was cc dually 56k miles and it was rough for model and miles (my dads hard on trucks) even had slight hail damage. That being said, with all the problems you've had I"d get a lawer, and get the other people you know with problems to go in with you (class action) that"ll wake um up.

 

I am not sure abut the maintenance but I did see a 2004 powerstroke with 450,000 miles on it for sale here locally in Southern Illinois. It was cheep but I did not think it would sell. It only sat a week before someone bought it.

 

mines got 116000 miles

 

I've had an 05 and a 06 and have had NO problems with either. I mod my trucks and either of my 6.0's would kill my 01 7.3 truck with the same mods. My 01 F250 Xcab would get 17mpg on it's best day, and my 05 and 06 CC have both gotten 18-19mpg. I'm impressed with the 6.0 motor so far and have not had to have any warranty work whatsoever!!

 

Mine is under warranty. I'd give Ford their $100 if they'd fix the darn thing, but they wont. It's really pissing me off that I'm evidently going to have to bring a court summons to the dealership and 3 lawyers to get my truck fixed. It just isn't right.

Skip

 

Have you gone to a differeent dealer??? in a different town?
Try that.

 

We have 3. The one mine is at, the one that put 3 motors in my buddy's truck and couldn't keep it running, and a thrid one that refuses to work on a truck they didn't sell. I would be more than agreeable for Ford to tell me where to take it to or come get it and take it where ever they think can fix it, but I'm not going dealer shopping to beg someone to work on my warranty repairs. That's Ford's job not mine.

Skip

 

You need to get in touch with your regional representative from Ford and explain the situation to them...and if no luck there, pursue with the better business bureau, and then if that fails, an attorney and the better business bureau. I had a chevy with 6 transmissions installed by the dealer in less than one year. All six warranty. Less than 12,000 miles. Truck never modded. Turned out a defective component in the rebuilt factory transmissions of that model that were made that year. But they blamed it on me, had to get regional man installed, and last time it was done by a different dealer that regional manager had me go to, never had a problem after that. But then I traded it for my PSD, lol!

 

Look in all fairness to you KY Skipper, I think a lot of this sounds like bad Dealers in a Hick area, and bad fuel in your State... From all the info I can gather these engines thrive with hard work, clean fuel, and clean oil, and regular service. You complain about bad fuel, low speed work, poor service in your area... It might all be contributing factors to the worst opinion on the 6.0ever.. The overall concensus has been clean fuel, oil, and run 'em hard... It makes sense and keeps all of the sensors clean...

In all fairness, there were major problems in the 03 and 04 to almost 05, that have been rectified in the later years. The reports I get from suppliers and service Guys seem to point in this direction...

NO ONE HAS YET COMMENTED ON THE COMPONENT STRENTH... ROD SLINGER? Sounds like you could bust anything.. Ha!:lol: Just kidding, you are my water injection Guru... Some one must have torn them down to look at rods, cams, cranks, are they still a strong lower end and strong pistons and such?

My overall feel is the 6.4 is going to be further choked up with emission controls, so the .4 is only there to conteract the added emission controls.. ??

Good luck to us all, Ranger... FORD IS STILL THE KING...!

 

I kind of resent that "Hick Area" comment. No, I don't live in New York City, but how many people in New York City have a use for a diesel pickup? Eastern Kentucky is coal mining and timber country. We also farm a little own big boats and have campers to take to Bristol to the races. If Ford's trucks won't handle what we do with them here, then they ought to publish that in their sales brochure.

Skipper

 

Before

we jump to conclusions we need to remember where Lone Ranger is. A lot of times we have different meanings for words. Hick to him might be like Tennis club to us? Who knows? I'm sure he didn't mean any harm. Hell, I'm in an area infested with em!:bluewink:

 

we jump to conclusions we need to remember where Lone Ranger is. A lot of times we have different meanings for words. Hick to him might be like Tennis club to us? Who knows? I'm sure he didn't mean any harm. Hell, I'm in an area infested with em!:bluewink:

Thank you StrokeTech, and no I did not mean any harm... I mean by "Hick" area, no disrespect, but... maybe a bit of a unsophisticated rural setting, where misinformation might be spread by exageration. Like maybe someone told you KYSkipper, that the alternator was a 4 hour job like you said in your complaint section? I just had a look at mine and it is right on top of the engine!! Like loosen the Idler wheel on the serpentine belt, a couple of bolts and plug, and it looks more like a 10-15 minute job to me... No disrespect intended, but maybe the bad service record of your truck is just because of that: BAD SERVICE... Or bad advice.. That is what I mean by "Hick" area. :boxing: I was not "having a go" at you, I was indicating that not getting a proper fix might be partially to blame on the local service guys not being up to the task at hand....

Example: We have Outback places here where I would not let them TOUCH my truck. The local "Bush Mechanics" might be good at jury rigging up a broken accelerator cable with a coat hanger bent around their big toe to run the rig, :roll1: (really, the old tie it up with wire routine) but I would not let them try and FIX my King Ranch Effie... Ha! Or pay a whole lot of attention to what they thought was wrong with it, when they did not understand the sophistication of the electronics... OK?

Ranger in Oz...

 

Skipper
I am not sure how close you are to Lexington but Paul Miller Ford has some excellent techs. Normally have about a 3 week wait to get in but the one time they worked on mine they were super. For the most part I have to agree with you. Mine is an early build '05 and nothing but trouble at 109,000 I bought a new motor out of a wreck and replaced it. Ford would do nothing for me along the way other than want their 100 bucks every couple of weeks it went in the shop. I maintain it oil changes of no more than 5000 miles, fuel filter every 10,000, air filter every 15,000 and tranny every 30,000. I work the crap out of this truck 10 - 20,000 lbs behind it all the time. Never had any issues with my 7.3 doing this.

 

Heck, these hillbillies in Kentucky are building these trucks.

If Ford wants to build something that needs a super mechanic to work on and can't be fixed by their average dealership, then they need to be on top of that situation and have a system in place to take problem children trucks to a central repair facility to be fixed by "Experts". Remember, my truck has been worked on or looked at twice by a Ford Engineer. Even if the dealership mechanic can't handle it, you'd think Ford would have sent an engineer that could? From what I can see around here, it'd be a full time job for that guy. Shoot, when these things go out of warranty, that guy could make a mint opening a shop specializing in them here.

Skipper

 

You might get Mark or another powerstroke guru to chime in, but it sounds like the vains in your turbo are siezed. Not that hard to repair. As far as the Kentucky truck plant goes, I've got a Louisville thats beepbeepbeepbeep near bullet proof.

 

sounds like the vains in your turbo are siezed.

:ditto: :ditto: :agree: :agree:

 

I've got a 95 that's bullet proof evidently. I've give it the dickens chasing elk in Eastern Kentucky and it just keeps on trucking. It's a Canadian truck though.

Skipper

 

1999 F250

Still have 52K on my F250 Lariat 7.3 from Kentuky plant......all I have done to it was put a KN Cold Air Filiter and a Flowmaster muffler on it sure runs sweet!

Low Sulfur and Ultra Low Sufur Fuel has hit the Fairbanks, Alaska area!