TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

Is the 6.0 really as pronlamatic as everyone says?? If left in stock form would the truck last a decent amount of time?

Ive heard that the 05 and 06s are better than previous years but I still dont trust them. Even in stock form I would stay away. tons of stock trucks have had trouble. Drive by your local ford dealer and see how many 6.0s are sitting on the used lot:doah:

They have got a pretty bad rap on alot of the sights but I have yet to see it first hand. Just someones Uncles Brothers Friend had something wrong. I am not saying that they haven't had any problems just everyone I know hasn't had any. That being said you won't see me trading in my 7.3 for one anytime soon. They seem to have about the same bad rep as the GM 6.5 which which I wouldn't touch with 10' pole but quite a few around here seem to like just fine.

there okay, but overly complicated. the EGR system is problamatic, and the truck is prone to MANY oil leaks that are usually misdiagnosed. the variable turbo has only had minor failures from what i have seen when used in stock form(making your truck boost 40lbs at low RPM by messing with this is a BAD idea.)
head gaskets are prone to leaking, usuallyu cause by someone ****ing with the turbo making it overboost.
but sometimes they also just leak.....

Its a new engine design and it will take some time wor work all the bugs out.
My brother swears by the 7.3 and wont have anything but that in his Super Duty said he may go Dodge next time around.

I got my 6.0 F250 4x4 in July of '03. It currently has 66K on the odometer. Understand that this a ranch truck which has no day off, and easy days are the ones when it isn't pulling a trailer, but has a ton of feed in the bed. I have had NO problems whatsoever with the engine, but the trannny needed a new set (all six) shift servos at 18K. Other than that, it has been a trouble free powertrain. I can't stand the door chime and interior light staying on for 30 minutes after you get out, but I refuse to have the dealer reset the sensor every 10K. Because of these sensors/computers, I have decided that I will not buy an other new truck. I have an 86 K30 which will get a 12 valve 5.9, and will get rebuilt as often as needed. In short, I have had NO complaints with this engine, but I have two friends who had to force Ford to buy their trucks back under 10K because of problems with the 6.0 (both were '03 models).:stir:
Jimbo

"86 K30 with a 12 Valve".............. Hell Yeah!

The boss decided that we'd be going with ford on the new truck so we'll see how it works out. I'm a little worried but I'm not out a truck when it breaks so it's their risk. You'll hear from me if we have any problems. It will be pulling 15k once going.

Will the K series handel the 5.9 swap all that well?

Will the K series handel the 5.9 swap all that well?There are more people that have swapped B series cummins into K series and C series Chevies than members of this site. It handles it just fine. There are even directions on how to do it at www.ck5.com

Original Poster,

I am always sceptical of very problematic engines, trans, etc. I know two guys with 2003 6.0's (the bad ones supposedly) and neither have had problems at all with anything.
My neighbor has a 2004 Harley Edition 6.0 truck and it flat rocks. No problems in 50K and he has a 80HP Predator chip and pulls a 12K RV trailer. They are pretty darned fast trucks too.

If I was looking for an used Ford, I wouldn't even hardly consider a 7.3 after personally seeing the 6.0's power and reliability. I had the same experience with my th700R4 trans in an 80's Chevy. They have a terrible rep and I had great luck with mine.

Anyway, take bad reps. with caution, most of the time it's blown out of proportion.

THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAD A 2003 THAT FORD BOUGHT BACK GOT 2005 AND WITH 600 MILES I WATCHED IT GET TOWED AWAY I SOLD THE JUNK 2005 FOR 36000 AFTER PAYING 49000 WITH 900 MILES I HATE THE 6.0

ok iam done ranting a raveing now i wised up after 4 powerstrokes and got a ford F350 with a 24V cummins

New poster here, but long time poster on the Vette forums. Like was mentioned above, I've learned to take many of the negative posts about whatever with a fairly large grain of salt. They end up being very statistically biased ways of viewing things. Who posts about their car/truck? Normally the guys with problems, so that is all you read about, and it skews your opinions.

Anyone know what the real reliability numbers are? JD Powers rankings? I'll admit that I don't, but I'll do some searching to satisfy my curiousity.

I have an early 2003 F350 with the 6.0 and have been very happy with mine. I use it mostly for towing my Vette around and have 48k miles on the clock now, almost all totally trouble free. The only problem I had was at about 25k, I had an EGR valve replaced under warranty. Problem was identified and repaired in an afternoon and wasn't an inconvenience to me.

I have to agree somewhat, I also notice that a lot of the probs happen to people that have "tuners/chips" installed.

International only tunes the vt365 6.0 powerstroke to about 250hp and 620tq. Ford tunes them to 325hp and 560tq or so. Ford basically is tuning these thing for max output when they leave the assembly line, so everything the owner adds to help performance, ie tuners and chips, its basically wayyyy overkill. ford ships them already reached to thier limits.

I agree. I've been more than satisfied with my 6.0L's performance. I recently moved across the country to the Puget Sound and towed by Vette with all my racegear. I weight the truck/trailer/vette/gear at 15,600 lbs of GVW. At that weight, the truck averaged 14 mpg across the country with the cruise control set at 72-75 MPH almost the entire way, even over the Rockies. waytogo

I have to agree somewhat, I also notice that a lot of the probs happen to people that have "tuners/chips" installed.

International only tunes the vt365 6.0 powerstroke to about 250hp and 620tq. Ford tunes them to 325hp and 560tq or so. Ford basically is tuning these thing for max output when they leave the assembly line, so everything the owner adds to help performance, ie tuners and chips, its basically wayyyy overkill. ford ships them already reached to thier limits.
gotta remember, that pickup truck HP is different form medium duty HP.
a medium duty/heavy duty/tractor HP numbers are rrated HP numebrs that that engine can sustaion all day long.
car/pickup numbers are max HP numbers......

good point......International rates thier numbers as peak too. Also IH governs the 6.0 rpm's at 2800 and ford at 3700. So basically the IH version of the 6.0 cant make that much hp the way its tuned.waytogo

my girlfriends father has a 04 6.0 and has been trouble free for the most part. I think the rubber boot from the turbo to the intercooler has come off a couple times, but besides that they are happy.

I've owned 2 6.0's, a 2003 and now a 2005. Both of which are F-350 Crew Cab Long Beds. However my 2005 is a dually. I havent had any issues with either truck that would constitute changing brands. When I'm loaded up with my toys I'm grossing 23,000+ lbs. Tows like a Jet Plane(lots of power to spare) The only Issue I've personally had was with a 24valve Cummins (JUNK) 98 1/2 Dodge 2500 4x4. Always overheated and no local dealer could figure it out. Plus the brakes were like what you'd find on a bicycle.
Stick with Ford If you must do enhancments to the motor do light mods. Ex. Cold Air Intake, Exhaust, Muffler Upgrade and leave it at that!!

most new motors have bugs to work out even the mighty 7.3 in 94 when they first changed to the power stroke had temp problems. u could not have A\C and an Auto trans in the same trunk at frist till ford worked out the cooling issues. and even then if u dont run the right coolent additive it pron to Etreme block pitting(Can cause cyl. wall holes)

If the 6.0 was a good motor they would have kept it. Say bye bye, here comes the even more complicated 6.4 TT. If it had been a good motor, Ford could have made it pass next years emissions, but its not worth it.

If the 6.0 was a good motor they would have kept it. Say bye bye, here comes the even more complicated 6.4 TT. If it had been a good motor, Ford could have made it pass next years emissions, but its not worth it.

I couldnt agree more with ya!!!!waytogo

BAD rotfl

Hate to tell you all this but the 6.4 TT MIGHT be pushed back another year they are having so many problems with it ford wont even approve it yet and you basically have to pull the cab to do any work on one, I personally being a 6.0 L mechanic LOVE THEM (except in a e-series) I was raised on 6L at my job and couldnt be happier they are easy to work on and easy to diagnose, I dont see a problem running a chip on one, I have see quite a few come in with them and they seem to be great, Head Gaskets YES problematic Turbos YES problematic, EGR PITA but when they run good and are driven RIGHT they are beast. Now with that said i Own a 99 F-250 with a hypertech programmer and a 4" dynomax turbo back and love it. I wouldnt give up my 7.3 for anything BUT the Power numbers that i have seen on the 6.4l look VERY VERY promising.

If I am not mistaken, all of the Big Three, Ford, Dodge, and Chevy have redesigned thier diesels to meet the new EPA regs. started 01/01/07. Ford went with the 6.4 over the 6.0 due to the fact that the new fuel, Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel will not only be cleaner burning, but, also cause a small percentage of power loss in WHATEVER is burning it. The changes made with the 6.4 design will compenstae for this. Not to mention the DPF addition, (diesel particulate filter). It is said that the air coming out of these engines will be cleaner then the air going IN, at least in California. From what I have read so far, Dodge will have the most horsepower available. Check out www.dieselpowermag.com (http://www.dieselpowermag.com) for a lot of interesting information.

I DROVE A 6.4 L and if dodge can get more power than that damn they are amazing, i will give it to dodge if they can make more power, although its still a ford product engine they are putting in them rotfl

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/customerassistance/faq/answers.cfm?uuid=4C4DC616-FDBD-11D3-984A0004AC33EA57

Wow,

I can't believe we are going down this 'Ford owns Cummins road' again. Strokerkid, do us all a favor and tell your friends.

I now have 20.000 miles on my 6.0 and I am very pleased with it. Just checked everything out and still no oil leaks anywhere under it. It does a good job of pulling my 5th wheel.

I DONT GIVE A **** WHAT U THINK OR WHAT THEY SAY FORD OWNS 52% of cummins, I WORK FOR BOTH, i work at a big truck shop in cincy and we work on CUMMINS and FORD I know this for a fact so why dont u tell ur friends about it:eek: FORD IS A MAJORITY OWNER OF CUMMINS END OF STORY !!!!!

OH BTW, what you said about the 6.0 not being able the pass emissions, dodge has had to pay a fine since 2003 for every truck they produce with a 5.9 WHY?? OH yeah they cant meet emissions with it so cummins is designing a new engine also so what u say is two fold IF THE 5.9 WAS A GOOD ENGINE THEY WOULD HAVE KEPT IT say bye bye to the 5.9, Id put a stock 6.0 up against a stock 5.9 any day and i will see u at the end!!!! THE ONLY 5.9 WORTH HAVING IS A 12 VALVE AND I STILL WOULDNT OWN IT

oooooo!!:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: this should be interesting....rotfl

Listen Kid,

Just because someone calls you out on some b.s. doesn't mean you have to throw a temper tantrum, you're acting like someone pooped in your lunch bucket. If it makes you feel any better you can think anything you want, but this topic has been beaten to death on this forum and countless others. If hearing it straight from the horses mouth isn't good enough for you, then I don't know what to say. Ford couldn't afford a box of crackers right now let alone a huge share in Cummins.

I'm not even gonna get into your second comment.

What dont u get about the whole i work for them thing???What u posted is BS, They can tell consumers what they want but anyone working for them knows the truth, Im sorry for being a ass before but you had a attitude at the end of your last post also so i figured i would get one back, Why not go into my last comment cause im right ill pull a STOCK 5.9 around a building 50 times with a STOCK 6.0 yes 5.9 is a Easier engine to modify not all that better in my opinion, I asked 10 mechanics at my work just to see if i was wrong and i would have apoligized but no they all said 52% owned by ford even a mechanic who builds 5.9's for pulling tractors. What i am saying is i know this for a FACT!!! I WORK ON THEM DO YOU NO I DONT THINK SO. Not being a smart ass anymore just telling the truth

the local Ford dealership tried to sell me an 04 after I told him I ONLY wanter a 99-03 w/7.3, I told him he couldnt pay me to drive that truck. The guy had no clue why I would want a 6.0... I said I want to talk to somebody else

yeh that 03 7.3 was a damn good year for that engine!

Last year of the smoothies

strokerkid you're being an idiot.


Ford currently owns 0% of Cummins stocks. Cummins bought back all stocks from Ford in 1997. Look it up, its public record.


......I'm a HD Mechanic as well.

November 3, 2005

From:
Powermaster
Customer Assistance Center
Cummins, Inc.
Columbus, Indiana, USA
1-800-DIESELS (343-7357)

TO:
FordCummins.com

Thanks for your Email message.

Ford does not own any portion of Cummins Inc.. Currently, the Dodge/Cummins and the Ford/Navistar agreements are set for the next several years, and no announcements have been published that we are aware of, by either company, to change engine suppliers. We would not expect GM to use Cummins diesels in their pickups, since they are affiliated with Detroit Diesel, which is one of Cummins major competitors.

Ford does NOT own any portion of Cummins. In 1994, Ford purchased 10% share of Cummins stock and currently uses Cummins B5.9 and C8.3 engines in their F-series trucks, larger than F550. Ford uses the Navistar Power Stroke engine in their pickups, that are F550 or under.

However, as of January 1, 1997, Cummins purchased back all of the original shares from Ford, therefore Ford no longer has any direct financial connections with Cummins. However, Ford still purchases some Cummins engines and are considered a very good Cummins customer.

For information about Ford, we suggest you see Ford's website:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/

Let's all agree on this...

The Big three are all doing pretty well with their trucks that have diesel motors in them. As always people are going to be more partial to a particular brand. Espically if they are driving that truck, if they didn't then they are not defending their decision to purchase their current truck. Unless a driver has had a personal bad experence with a particular brand then it is just gossup. Truth of the fact is with the price of diesel rising you will probably see more trucks up for sale, no matter what the brand. (NOT MINE) If anyone looks in the classifides they will find used trucks of the current year with little to no mileage on them from all three manufactures. Makes you wonder why doesn't it? The only thing that I can honestly say is that Ford Motor Company outsells Chevrolet and GMC combined as well as Dodge. Look at the Fleets around your town. It doesn't matter if ford has better prices that the others because if the maintence is that great then look at the mess that your tax dollars are paying for. Write your city official and ask them why they choose more Fords that any other? Look at the RV industry on Class C motorhomes what Brand do you see... FORD. When you get to the bigger RV'S then they use the Freight liner Workhorse chassis with a Cummins or Cat motor, where is the D-Max?? Or look up the sales numbers the proof is in the facts. Ok some of you will say that the 6.0 Ford is the worst out there, however when you out sell the other manufactures then you might have some problems due to mass production. The 6.0 might have some problems, but what about Dodges and Chevys Horrible BRAKES Before their current model platforms. Also what about the use of a Gas engine converted by General Motors into a Diesel?? Lets just accept the fact that all three Manufactureswith their diesel engines can move mountains. If you want a real discussion why is it that Toyota, and Honda engines can go practically forever with minimal maintence, I don't get it even if their not diesel powered. This is a great forum that is fun to blog on. I hope that I can see some of you on the roads and wave as we pass each other. Lets have fun with all of our trucks.

waytogo very good post! ill agree with ya.

"If you want a real discussion why is it that Toyota, and Honda engines can go practically forever with minimal maintence, I don't get it even if their not diesel powered."

i hear that man if our companies made cars that run liek that that long i dotn think the big 3 would be laying 10's of thousands off yearly its really a bunch of b.s......ive never ownrd a jap car or truck and as far as i know i wont but i do have to say alot of our usa brand cars are junk period and have been that way for a long time imo. im not really old enough to know how the3y ran back in the 50's 60's and early 70's but alot of the guys i talk to that are in that age range say there is no comparison...ya they have smaller motors making more horsepower and more efficient now but they say the cars just dont last that long and i can say i have seen that myself. also did any of you see the test they did with front impact collisions. they had a bunch of new cars going up against a older escort with a real bumper on it gee guess who came out ahead on that. and the tests that i had seen were around 15 mph and under. and the lil escort was just fine from what i remember and the new cars had minimum of 500 damage on them every tiem....think i got off track of the tread there a lil during my rant sorry

Well, i dont know nearly as much as other people on this site, but i have to say that stroker kid is just ignorant. FORD does not own any portion of CUMMINS, especially not over half of it. Besides, shut up about working at a dealer, every dealer i have been to are a bunch of jackasses who dont know anything about diesels anyway. as far as the 6.0 towing the cummins. good luck with that one. its cool to stick up for what you have and all, but dont think you are some big shot, just because you work at a ford dealership, there are clearly other guys on this site who know a lot more than you do.

has anybody been around a ford 99 and up with a cummins swap?

yup, I sold a '95 cummins to a guy here in town that put it in his F-450 when he blew the 7.3. and I plan on doing my own as soon as I find the right Dually.

I put 126,500 miles on my 03 and now have 12,000 on my 07. I plan to leave it stock and it will get the job done. Best trucks my money can buy...

i think they finally got it right in late 06's and 07's. its a shame they wont pass the emmisions crap!!