Looking at '03 F250, school me on 6.0 PS

[Jimbo]

So while we are on the subject, who do you go to for powerstroke work? I have an obs 7.3 that I am thinking about getting some upgrades on.

[kingjason]

You obviously have never drivin a good running 6.0. I have had my 7.3 forever and I still like it. I have a built trans a bigger turbo all the good stuff. Runs good but hook up a big load I can tow anywhere, then hook up a big load to a correctly running 6.0 and it will out perform yhe 7.3. I still haven't sold mine but if it got stolen or wrecked I wouldnt buy another they are just outdated.

I have driven one or two of them in my life. I also work with several guys that have the 6.7. To me reliability is way more important than how fast I can get to 70 from a stop. Now if I was doing hot shots for a living and pulling over mountains all the time I may think different. I didn't buy this truck for speed I bought it for towing and reliability. I had a 95 CC, 4x4, F350 long bed that was super reliable even at 200k. I only sold it to pay off my wife car at that time. That's the reason I bought my 2002 F250 with 140k.

[FATHERFORD]

that MTW guy seems like a knucklehead... I don't care to be high and dry for weeks/months if there's a warranty issue.

That's part of my attraction to the 6.4's. They're friggin' hot rods on 100% factory parts. So if I need a part for either of my trucks, they're WIDELY available anywhere

He is a knuckle head, but I know a few guys with his stage one turbo and it really wakes up a simple bolt on truck.

It's basically a power max with a 13blade exhaust wheel for half the cost.

I'm slowing building my 03 to be a reliable tow pig with some good power. Beyond a ported intake manifold, 155 injectors(which I just bought from warren diesel), and a turbo I'm done with this truck. Unless the gaskets finally blow then put in some studs. Should put me around the same power as stock 6.7's towing, and around 500hp with my SRL tune.

[FATHERFORD]

I just bought an 04 F250 KR 4x4 with 190k for $6500. Has had the studs done and the egr deleted. Just had the water start boiling out of the degas reservoir, so I'm going to be doing an oil cooler next weekend along with flushing the cooling system. Love my truck and wouldn't trade it for a 7.3.

bad cap or bad head gaskets...

[green1995gt]

Wow all the hating on the 7.3. You could not give me a 6.0. Holy shit you guys act like your buying a race car. My 7.3 turbo will pull anything I want, reliably, and run 65-70 while doing it. Plus it will probably still be running when the 6.0,6.4, and 6.7's have all bit the dust. So many 250 to 300k trucks out there still running great. I have even heard of a few hitting 750k plus. I would much rather rebuild a tranny for 3k then a engine for 6k plus. At this point they even have the transmissions figured out so one good rebuild and you are set. Damn sure no injector issues that are holing out the engines. OP find you a good under 200k 95-03 7.3 and never look back. There are still plenty of them out there and in good shape. Who the hell wants to be guessing when their diesel is going to shit the bed. These bitches are not cheap to fix regardless of engine.

You obviously have never drivin a good running 6.0. I have had my 7.3 forever and I still like it. I have a built trans a bigger turbo all the good stuff. Runs good but hook up a big load I can tow anywhere, then hook up a big load to a correctly running 6.0 and it will out perform yhe 7.3. I still haven't sold mine but if it got stolen or wrecked I wouldnt buy another they are just outdated.

[eric 2v gt]

as far as diesels goes the earlier versions were the most reilable , there all a hit or miss just as any car out there is, there are things you can do to prevent potetinal problems and thats all you can hope for , and maintance is very very important , good luck

[kingjason]

Wow all the hating on the 7.3. You could not give me a 6.0. Holy shit you guys act like your buying a race car. My 7.3 turbo will pull anything I want, reliably, and run 65-70 while doing it. Plus it will probably still be running when the 6.0,6.4, and 6.7's have all bit the dust. So many 250 to 300k trucks out there still running great. I have even heard of a few hitting 750k plus. I would much rather rebuild a tranny for 3k then a engine for 6k plus. At this point they even have the transmissions figured out so one good rebuild and you are set. Damn sure no injector issues that are holing out the engines. OP find you a good under 200k 95-03 7.3 and never look back. There are still plenty of them out there and in good shape. Who the hell wants to be guessing when their diesel is going to shit the bed. These bitches are not cheap to fix regardless of engine.

[whitetrash]

LOL, you did the essay for me!

I've done these specific things for friends, as well as a business. They are incredible engines, as long as you know what to do with them. Don't wait either, because they shit their pants all too often without "bullet-proofing" them.

As far as mods go, get the looney tune setup, and maybe a mild FICM tune. Basically, the FICM will improve the throttle response, and tune will help overall. You can reach 450rwhp with tune/exhaust.

When you think an injector is going out, or all of them are, make sure you have synthetic 5w40 in there, and test the FICM (super easy!).


I literally only know one person who actually owns a dependable durtrash pickup that doesn't come down with cosmetic and mechanical issues all of the time. They are a nightmare!


The commonrail cummins are hit/miss. Some go forever, others toss a rod out the side after 70k miles. I've enjoyed the ones that I have owned in the past, as well as my current one, but the going rate is way too high. 10k+ for a 5-10yr old truck with 100-200k miles is just ridiculous. There is an artificial value to them due to the reputation of the earlier 12v cummins (at least that's I think).
Also, on the commonrails, the 03 (possibly 04s as well) sometimes have the external lift-pump fail, so a recall was made for an in-tank pump, which not all received. 04.5+ year models with the 5.9l got slightly different rings, which proved to be a little weaker. Cylinder #6 is infamous for busting rings and causing excessive blowby.

I think it's just hit and miss with the duramax. Of the 10 or so people I know only 1 has had issues outside of injectors

[Cooter]

Sounds like a plan to me

[SonicblueGT03]

So, no to the Chevy/GMC option then.....

Thinking I may just take my chances with the '03. If I can get them down another couple of grand, it might make it more palatable when I have to spend some cash on it.

[Sean88gt]

Might as well go for the trifecta......any issues with the Chevies? Later model Duramax and an Allison trans?

I owned one, it burned to the ground while one of my driver's was running to safety.

This was after the block exploded and I spent a young fortune to replace it.

Comfortable interior though.

[crapstang]

Check delta between oil and water temp. If a large difference you have a clogged oil cooler.

Delete EGR. This can be easily done by welding up the ends of the EGR.

If your head gaskets aren't blown don't mess with them. My 03 6.0 has 200,000 miles on them and still on the OEM gaskets and I run a FICM and ECM tune.

Injectors have a problem with sticking(stictation) when cold. Can be patched with a good 5w/40 synthetic and rev-x or archoil. I'm to the point where mine need to just be replaced.

Up-pipe bellows tend to crack after high mileage.

Your fuel pressure spring most likely needs to be replaced with a new ford "blue" spring. Through on some 6.4 banjo bolts while you are at it.

Maintenance is key. These 6.0's don't like dirty oil.

The 03, although the most "problematic" with the help of the aftermarket is starting to become the favorite year.

The transmissions also are notorious for the 3-5 shift flare(4th is rarely ever used, these are 6 speed autos) There is a solenoid you can buy for $100 that fixes it.

You can buy these trucks cheap and as long as you got a few grand cash you can put into it you can have one very reliable, high gas mileage and fun to drive truck.

LOL, you did the essay for me!

I've done these specific things for friends, as well as a business. They are incredible engines, as long as you know what to do with them. Don't wait either, because they shit their pants all too often without "bullet-proofing" them.

As far as mods go, get the looney tune setup, and maybe a mild FICM tune. Basically, the FICM will improve the throttle response, and tune will help overall. You can reach 450rwhp with tune/exhaust.

When you think an injector is going out, or all of them are, make sure you have synthetic 5w40 in there, and test the FICM (super easy!).

You couldn't give me one. You get similarly shitty build quality of the Dodge combined with the engine complexity of the Ford. The Allison is junk at anything over factory power, and you have the POS IFS to contend with also.

Worst of the big three IMO

I literally only know one person who actually owns a dependable durtrash pickup that doesn't come down with cosmetic and mechanical issues all of the time. They are a nightmare!


The commonrail cummins are hit/miss. Some go forever, others toss a rod out the side after 70k miles. I've enjoyed the ones that I have owned in the past, as well as my current one, but the going rate is way too high. 10k+ for a 5-10yr old truck with 100-200k miles is just ridiculous. There is an artificial value to them due to the reputation of the earlier 12v cummins (at least that's I think).
Also, on the commonrails, the 03 (possibly 04s as well) sometimes have the external lift-pump fail, so a recall was made for an in-tank pump, which not all received. 04.5+ year models with the 5.9l got slightly different rings, which proved to be a little weaker. Cylinder #6 is infamous for busting rings and causing excessive blowby.

[turboford]

I just bought an 04 F250 KR 4x4 with 190k for $6500. Has had the studs done and the egr deleted. Just had the water start boiling out of the degas reservoir, so I'm going to be doing an oil cooler next weekend along with flushing the cooling system. Love my truck and wouldn't trade it for a 7.3.

[whitetrash]

Might as well go for the trifecta......any issues with the Chevies? Later model Duramax and an Allison trans?

Early models had injector leak issues.
06-07 need a radiator if you plan to tow often.

[DriveWayBuilt]

I just picked up an 04 King Ranch ranch with 225k on the clock, I love it! But it's also my first truck, lol I figured any long as it last long enough to save up a little coin I'll "Bullet Proof" it but for Now i'm just enjoying it.