ford f350 6.0

[chrisdvorak]

looking for some opinions here, I am looking for a good used truck and would like to buy ford, I found a nice f350 standard cab 4x4 with a 6.0 liter diesel in it with 80,000 miles on it (2003) and my question is, I spoke to a mechanic and he said that the 5.3, 6.0 ect. diesel engines had design flaws and were not reliable and broke down often, his advice was to buy a 7.3 liter or don't buy a diesel, what do you guys think?

-thanks chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

looking for some opinions here, I am looking for a good used truck and would like to buy ford, I found a nice f350 standard cab 4x4 with a 6.0 liter diesel in it with 80,000 miles on it (2003) and my question is, I spoke to a mechanic and he said that the 5.3, 6.0 ect. diesel engines had design flaws and were not reliable and broke down often, his advice was to buy a 7.3 liter or don't buy a diesel, what do you guys think?

-thanks chris

Tough to go wrong with a 7.3. That said I have 2 6.0's and not a single issue out of either. One is 04 and another is a 06. I would not touch a 03 or early 04 6.0 They made changes in late 04 but to be sure the 05, 06, and 07's were overall good motors but carried the bad rep the early motors gave them. The 6.0's were built from mid 03 to 07.

My advise is get a 7.3 or a 05 or later Ford diesel. Skip the 03 and 04's, this is coming from a Ford guy.



Chris

 

[General Lee]

Yes, Ford's 6.0L motor is known to have a lot of issues and a lot of the issues that go wrong require a cab removal to fix. Its well known among Ford fans that the 6.0L is Ford's worst diesel and the 7.3L is their best. You take a gamble with a 6.0L, some have no issues and some have many.

 

[chrisdvorak]

the 7.3 would be too expensive for me and they are also very hard to find in my area, did the 5.3 's have the same problems as well?

 

[Diamondpilot]

the 7.3 would be too expensive for me and they are also very hard to find in my area, did the 5.3 's have the same problems as well?

7.3's are pre 2003 I had a 99 and it was a good one but got totaled. So why would it be too expensive? Its older.

Not sure what a 5.3 is???? Only 5.3 I have seen is a GM gas motor used in full size SUV's and 1/2 ton pickups.

Chris

 

[Rustyiron]

Run Forrest Run (away)

 

[chrisdvorak]

I guess i'll start looking for older 7.3's in my price range then.

 

[Haoleguy]

I guess i'll start looking for older 7.3's in my price range then.

Chris - You probably know that in our CT/RI and SE MA trucks should see less weather wear and tear than in areas north and west of us. Also you probably know that good examples are hard to find in the northeast. You might range out south and west to find more quality truck choices.......Gary

 

[Wolfy]

Many won't buy a 2wd, but if that doesn't bother you...there should be a few decent 2wd, 7.3Ls around. The crew cabs seem to like that drivetrain the most.

 

[groundcover]

'03 was the first year for the 6.ohno! They did have their troubles, I would keep an eye out for a 7.3. If you know a good diesel guy he can overcome the problems, all it takes is money :laughing: