6.0 or 7.3

[dhaywood77]

I'm looking into purchasing a used Super Duty and I was wondering which engine to go with. I've heard some bad things about the 6.0 but thats usally coming from people who own the 7.3. I've only owned gas trucks up until now but I really want to purchase a diesel. Is it also true that Diesels engines' have a much longer lifespan than gas? The trucks in my price range tend to have about 80k on them and i've been told that 80k is just about getting broke in for a Diesel. Any light you can shed on this subject will be greatly appreciated.

[ModMech]

"Either" was not an option in the poll....

The BIG "problem" with the 6.0L is people idle them and cause the turbocharger vanes to stick. Engine runs ok, no damage or anything truely bad, but has very low power when this happens.

Otherwise they are as good as the 7.3L was and make TONS more power. That is a little problem for fuel consumption, the more power you have to use, the more you tend to use. You cannot make more power w/o burning more fuel.

The 7.3L PSD is about the most reliable diesel ever in a pickup or van, and yes at 80,000 miles they are at about 1/3 of their life if they are not abused (like anything else abuse kills).

It really depends on what you are going to do with it. If you will be towing a LOT, the nthe 6.0L is better mostly because of the trans and higher power. If you just want a diesel because they get better mileage, then the 7.3L would suit your needs better, and more places know how to work on them w/o doing damage.

[dhaywood77]

I'll only be towing a couple of atv's at the most, nothing major. I've always liked F-250s but I don't see the point in getting the 5.4 and with gas being high the v10 is out of the question. Thanks for your input.

[catback23]

Originally Posted by dhaywood77

I'll only be towing a couple of atv's at the most, nothing major. I've always liked F-250s but I don't see the point in getting the 5.4 and with gas being high the v10 is out of the question. Thanks for your input.

Pretty ambitious getting a F-250 Diesel with only forseeing towing a couple of ATV's at MOST. If/when you get one I can only hope you put it through more of a proper use than just hauling a couple of ATV's which most any vehicle can do.

[dhaywood77]

How many people do you know that own diesels that really need all that power?
Truth be told if we drove what we needed as oposed to what we want we'd all be driving around in Toyota Priuses (sp don't really know the plural of prius).

[catback23]

Originally Posted by dhaywood77

How many people do you know that own diesels that really need all that power?
Truth be told if we drove what we needed as oposed to what we want we'd all be driving around in Toyota Priuses (sp don't really know the plural of prius).

Actually quite a few, I usually see more of people driving what they can afford/be comfortable with than what they need. For example I saw an explorer pulling a ~34' travel trailer, the poor explorer's rear was bottomed out and the front was lifted to the point any more lift would have the tires off the ground. But I see your point, you like big powerful trucks, as do most truck owners. Just with the cost of purchase, diesel, and the factoring of mpg it's nice to have an actual purpose for the truck every once in a while (or more often).

[wafrederick]

The 6.0 is a big,big,big POS.I have seen this from a Jasper rep that brought in a piece of paper on this.Jasper does a huge improvements(about 30 on the 2004s and 5 on the 2005s) the 6.0 since they have a very good R&D,an improved injector wiring harness,improved pistons,the manifolds for the vans,injectors,improved egr passages and more.This is true and I have seen this paper and I know this Jasper rep very well.This is the last year of the powerstroke,done with and it will be a Cummins next year

[catback23]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

The 6.0 is a big,big,big POS.I have seen this from a Jasper rep that brought in a piece of paper on this.Jasper does a huge improvements(about 30 on the 2004s and 5 on the 2005s) the 6.0 since they have a very good R&D,an improved injector wiring harness,improved pistons,the manifolds for the vans,injectors,improved egr passages and more.This is true and I have seen this paper and I know this Jasper rep very well.This is the last year of the powerstroke,done with and it will be a Cummins next year

Well this IS the last year for the 6.0L next year (2008 model) ford will have the 6.4L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel. We'll see how good it holds up when it comes out.

[72' Stang 351 H/O]

The 6.0's have a tendency to destroy,turbo chargers, they seize and the engine blows up, go with the 7.3 they have a whole lot more power, my dad's truck can be towing a 22' trailer full of furniture and it will still accelerate as well as it would unloaded.

[dhaywood77]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

The 6.0 is a big,big,big POS.I have seen this from a Jasper rep that brought in a piece of paper on this.Jasper does a huge improvements(about 30 on the 2004s and 5 on the 2005s) the 6.0 since they have a very good R&D,an improved injector wiring harness,improved pistons,the manifolds for the vans,injectors,improved egr passages and more.This is true and I have seen this paper and I know this Jasper rep very well.This is the last year of the powerstroke,done with and it will be a Cummins next year

The demise of the powerstroke has been greatly exaggerated.

[wafrederick]

The powerstroke has the worst mpg.It goes like this in mpg:#1 is the Dodge Cummins,#2 is the Chevy/GMC Duramax and the Powerstroke is last.The 6.0 has injector problems too.Jasper does a a whole redo on the 6.0 including an improved turbocharger

[Millermagic]

I seem to see quite a few 6.0 powerstrokes with A LOT of miles on them on ebay. I don't think they are as bad as everyone says they are. I've also heard of someone driving reasonable on the highway and getting 22 mpg with the 6.0 powerstroke.

If everything goes right, I'm going to own a 6.0 powerstroke in 4 years.

[wafrederick]

The 6.0 is a big,big pos and go to shop that is a Jasper dealer to see that sheet.If a 6.0 powerstroke blows up,go with a jasper.Jasper updates the 6.0 with a nationwide warrenty.Most auto salvage yards will not warrenty an used 7.3 or 6.0 powerstroke.

[catback23]

Originally Posted by Millermagic

I seem to see quite a few 6.0 powerstrokes with A LOT of miles on them on ebay. I don't think they are as bad as everyone says they are. I've also heard of someone driving reasonable on the highway and getting 22 mpg with the 6.0 powerstroke.

If everything goes right, I'm going to own a 6.0 powerstroke in 4 years.

Must be buying used then, 2007 is the last year for the 6.0L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel...2008's will have the new 6.4L powerstroke turbo diesel

[knelleken]

oh god, STAY AWAY FROM 6.0/6.4 ENGINES.
there is a national shortage of ford diesel technicians, because the 6.0 and 6.4 are such a nightmare that people refuse to work on them.

these engines are well known for hard start issues, egr cooler leaks, egr valves consistantly go bad. injector problams, HEAD GASKET problems , belly pans leak(thats the famous oil leak) high pressure oil system problems, the variable vane turbo eats its self up.
these engines are worthless junk, and ford is slaping patches on these pigs just to try and make them last through warranty.
this is not fords fault. they are currently stuck in contract with international (the A-holes that make that crap) ford has been trying to get out of the contract for years, and will finally get out of it in 09. after that you can say good bye to those pieces of junk