[kbmtb9]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum, but I couldn’t find another post similar to this topic. I’m looking at buying a 2005 F-250 6.0 King Ranch. The one I found has a really clean exterior and interior and appears to be in great condition. The engine has also been built and studded, deleted, has a coolant filtration system, 4inch turbo back, and sct tunes. My only gripe is that it had 252,xxx miles. I’ve always heard that a bulletproofed 6.0 shouldn’t have too many issues, but are these miles too high for it to be reliable? From what I’ve read, this isn’t exactly high miles for a diesel, but I am concerned by the fact that it is a 6.0. A 6.0 seems like the right truck for me and my budget based on features and age. What do you think? Are these miles going to cause issues? I’m looking to daily this truck and not tow too heavy, but haul my landscape equipment from time to time. Not looking to tune or upgrade it to make more power either. Just looking to have an awesome, reliable diesel truck. Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MtnTallPaul]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum, but I couldn’t find another post similar to this topic. I’m looking at buying a 2005 F-250 6.0 King Ranch. The one I found has a really clean exterior and interior and appears to be in great condition. The engine has also been built and studded, deleted, has a coolant filtration system, 4inch turbo back, and sct tunes. My only gripe is that it had 252,xxx miles. I’ve always heard that a bulletproofed 6.0 shouldn’t have too many issues, but are these miles too high for it to be reliable? From what I’ve read, this isn’t exactly high miles for a diesel, but I am concerned by the fact that it is a 6.0. A 6.0 seems like the right truck for me and my budget based on features and age. What do you think? Are these miles going to cause issues? I’m looking to daily this truck and not tow too heavy, but haul my landscape equipment from time to time. Not looking to tune or upgrade it to make more power either. Just looking to have an awesome, reliable diesel truck. Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks!

I think you'll be OK, but...

Modern diesels engines appear to be a bit more complex than their gasser counterparts. That is part of how we get the horsepower, torque, and fuel economy that they produce. To be reliable they need a bit more care and maintenance than a gasser.

I just bought a 2005 F250 FX4 Lariat a few months ago. I started reading this forum before buying (starting earlier would have been good).

My truck turned out to be in need of a new oil cooler and probably head gaskets. Fortunately I bought an extended warranty with the truck that is probably going to pay for most of the needed work.

Once the work is done, I will be constantly monitoring vital engine operating parameters, most of which don't appear on the dash gauges. I will do that to get early warning of potential developing issues before they get serious

It sounds like you probably found a good truck. If you haven't bought it yet, I would suggest you get it evaluated by a good mechanic familiar with the 6.0 to make sure.

If you buy it, set yourself up to monitor vital operating parameters that you can't see on the dash gauges.
.

 

[TooManyToys]

Bulletproofed should be wiped out of the vocabulary, the connotation so misleading.

The reliability enhancements are only as good as the mechanical work and labor that was done. The chassis miles are not that important as the quality of the work and maintenance.

If Ford had offered a remanufactured motor with optional studs when I had mine installed at the dealer, I probably would have gotten them being nieve on the subject. It still would have been a crap motor on the inside. Studs nor the term "Bulletproofed" have nothing to do with reliability.

 

[bismic]

Read the thread linked below:

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

 

[Spirit]

First time I gave a triple “like” to a thread…lol. First off, buyers don’t have many options in a market such as this one, there is very little inventory from which to shop. Secondly, budget conscience buyers such as yourself and 6.0 trucks don’t really mix well, chances are this truck and most used diesel trucks will cost some serious dollars along the journey to becoming reliable. As @TooManyToys has said, this truck isn’t close to “bulletproof” in the correct word usage. Visit the Bullet Proof Diesel site and read up on the term “bulletproof”.

As for the mileage on this truck, there will come times where sizable amounts of money are required to repair and maintain the truck and each time you will consider the high(er) mileage as a factor in your decision. Do you make the repair with a bandaid or do you make the repair in the best manner possible? You didn’t mention if you are mechanically inclined and able to do some of your own work. I think this would be a factor in your decision.

If you plan to “not tow too heavy”, expand your search to include the gas models. Maybe between the f250 and 350, in both gas and diesel models, you will find enough inventory to make a rational decision. If you buy right, you can always sell the gasser and go diesel when a better buyer’s market rolls around — and it will. The unfortunate fact is current inventory is severely limited in both gas and diesel markets.

Finally, the diesel models will always be more expensive to maintain and the general consensus for owning one seems to be a) they sound good, or b) they are needed to pull heavier loads. Be sure you fit into the second category before spending your hard earned dollars and possibly sacrificing your mental sanity on the diesel.

Good luck in your search, it’s tough out there right now.

 

[TheLinconlGreen]

Completely depends upon price and money available for future repairs.

 

[ss-Houston]

In general, a well maintained 6.0 can run for a half million miles or more - though you will have some expenses to keep it up. Your task is to determine if it has been well maintained for the first 252k...good luck.