How dependable is a Ford Diesel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

pitbull · RV-Dreams Family Member

How dependable is a Ford Diesel

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

It can be a good one. The 03 had some issues, mostly fixed at about mid-point of the 04 year model. My 2004 has approximately 85000 miles towing very heavy. Our 5er weighs at a scale around 14K lbs. The torqueshift transmission is a winner. Works well as a speed retarder downhill.

Depends if it is from a dealer with some warranty. Would be good to have the maintenance records on it. One caveat, if you get it, always, always cool the turbo for approximately 5 minutes after towing hard. It will save the turbo bearings.

pitbull · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks so much for your help, greatly appreciated!
Pitbull

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

If I were you, I'd run like the wind in the other direction!! We had this same truck/same year and it was a nightmare. The 6.0 is notorious for having major problems. The problems were numerous and very expensive. This truck fried 4 batteries & 3 alternators. We were left stranded too many times to count when this truck wouldn't start & had to be towed. I will never have another 6.0!!!

Cindy T

pitbull · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh my Cindy!!!

Is this a regular problem or do you think you got a lemon?

Pitbull

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

Pitbull,
Unfortunately, the 6.0 was not a good engine & that truck is known for having many serious issues. If you search the web, especially diesel & powerstroke diesel websites, you'll find lots of info about the problems with that engine.
I'm still a Ford fan and still have a powerstroke diesel but not the 6.0. So if you want a Ford, look for something that doesn't have the 6.0 engine.

Cindy T

pitbull · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was looking at that site just now. It says just what you said for 2003, and 2004 but says 2006 had the least issues of all of Ford"s gas and diesel engines.

I don't know yet about the 2005.

What year was yours Cindy?

Pitbull

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ours was 2005.

Cindy T

pitbull · RV-Dreams Family Member

Opps!

macattack · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just got through trading off an F250, 2005, 6.0 with a 5 speed with overdrive and 3.73 rear gears that was in imaculate condition.It had 60,000 miles when I bought it 2 years ago with a good carfax report. Shortly after buying it, 2 injectors failed which Ford warranty covered.Then it left me stranded and had to have it and the rig towed.The high pressure fuel pump failed and that cost me $1,700. While coming back from Texas this winter, I smelled diesel fuel, so checked and sure enough diesel was coming out of the radiator cap.I went ahead and made it home and before I could get it to the Ford dealer, the transmission started leaking.It still had 3 weeks left on the engine warranty and Ford paid for 2 new heads and all the hoses and fluids, but I had to pay for the transmission repair which cost $1,900.It had 75,000 miles on it. Needless to say, it will not pull my rig another inch. I have now traded for a 2008, F450,with a 6.4 liter and 4.88 rear gears with 6,400 miles on it. So far I love it except for the fact that it wont pass to many gas stations, but I expected that with such a low geared rear end. As Cindy said , I would turn and run the other way if it had a 6.0. I'm sure that all of them are not that way but this particular one was...Good luck in your search.....

pitbull · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks to all!!! I am running away as fast as I can!!!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Pitbull,I'm a Dodge guy so you know what I would recommend biggrin

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have almost 100K on our 2006 towing a 17000 pound fiver and have only had a few minor issues. I would buy another Ford 6.0 in a heart beat. BTW, the Fords have the highest tow ratings of the one tons.

azrving · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a 2004 F-250 SRW 2WD 6.0 liter with 23,450 miles on it and I'll make you one heck of a deal on it!

Yes, I would buy another Ford in a heartbeat! I do wish Ford would install a Cummins Diesel (Dodge) with the Allison (Chevy) Transmission. LOL They wouldn't be able to build them fast enough to meet the demand.

Look in any campground or any other gathering where big trailers hang out and you will see 80% or more of the tow vehicles are Ford. Best towing platform on the market IMHO.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Marc,

Like the others, I haven't heard too much good about some of the earlier 6.0L diesels that Ford has in their Superduty trucks. However, let me relate something that may be beneficial for you.

Jo and I have a friend that is into horses. She trains race horses, both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbreds, as well as riding Dressage style and Hunter/Jumper class. A few years ago, she was telling us that if we went to some of the horse shows or competitions, we would see mostly Ford and Dodge pickups being used to pull the heavier horse trailers. As she put it, "The GM's just don't cut the mustard."

I discovered this same thing in my research for a tow vehicle. When I went into a GM dealer and told them what I wanted to pull, they got out their books and poured over them for several minutes. When they got done, they came to me and told me that I would have to go into the bigger 5500/6500 classes of trucks to do what the Ford F450 that we were interested in was capable of pulling.

I went to a Dodge dealer and he was really touting his Dodge 4500 series truck as to how good it was. Until I asked him the same questions and we looked at the Dodge books on towing specifications. If I remember right, the 4500 Dodge was rated several thousand pounds less that the F450 in Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW) rating. When he discovered that information, he started trying to "bad-mouth" the Fords. I told him that when he started having to bad-mouth his competition to be able to sell his product, then his product was already in serious trouble.

We left. Then last October, we bought a used 2008 Ford F450 with the 6.4L Powerstroke and the transmission with Tow/Haul capability and the 4:88 ratio rear differential. GVWR on the truck alone is 14,500 lbs, towing capacity is 24,500 lbs and GCVW rating is 33,000 lbs.

While this is our very first diesel, it ain't our first Ford. Over the years, I have had a lot fewer problems with Ford products in comparison with GM and Chrysler products. In the few times I have pulled our 38 foot Mobile Suites fifth wheel, I have been impressed with the F450's performance. I must admit, I haven't used it on a mountain pass yet, but I'm anxious to put it to the test.

Good luck in your research and searching for your truck.

Terry

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have an '05 F-350 with the 6.0. We bought it 2 yrs. ago for $17,000.00. It had 80,000 mile on it. Last fall when we went to the Dreamers rally in Kerrville the EGR cooler went out. I had it towed to a local Ford dealer. The mileage then was 98,700 miles. It has an aftermarket chip in it but Ford honored the warranty and covered all repairs plus the towing. We have not had any problems since.

If I had a choice I would probably not buy another 6.0 simply because of the bad reputation. You just never know if yours is going to be one of the bad ones or not. That being said I would still go with Ford over either of the two alternatives.
--Rod

Postalpair · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here is our two cents worth.....

We drive a 2003 F-550 6.0 with 75K miles. We tow a very heavy 5th wheel....18,000lb Toyhauler....we carry two full dressed cruisers with us. The only issues we have had is a EGR cooler, which Ford covered and a oil pressure sending unit leak, which our extended warranty covered. All of this with a Full Banks System on it. Our rig runs like a "scalded dog". It has given us no problems.....except for what I just mentioned. My DH is meticulous about our truck....oil changes every 3K miles....we have a tire pressure system and stay on top of routine maintenance.
If we ever have to get another tow vechicle, there would be no question.....It would be a Ford.

mick22 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Ford has one of the better trucks for heavy towing. I know quite few people with fords power stroke diesels and they all like them. They can tow more than other trucks and seem to last longer.

Out of the 3 the only one i would not buy is the chevy i never had any good luck with the chevy trucks.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

It alway amazes me how people try to sneak on forums only to hawk their products. evileye

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

This isn't the first time I've seen a "commercial" link with a posting. At least mick22's comments are relevant to each of the posts. Plus, he had to go back some ways for a couple of those threads. So, it's not like he was taking the first (top) thread in each category.

Now, having said that, I do wish he had taken the time to introduce himself in that category of threads. His user profile is practically blank as well. Other than assuming that his name really is "Mick", there is nothing in the profile to indicate where he is from or anything else.

Not complaining.....

.....just saying.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

You're a kind man Terry.At least you are giving "him" the benefit of the doubt. If I'm wrong I'll be the first to admit it. smile

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ah I love it, another Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge debate. Having been a boater and been on boating forums, this too was an amusing topic, best tow vehicle. Just to throw in my perspective, I'm a Ford guy but I don't bash the others since they do seem to put out some nice products too. Can't we all get along (sarcasm) biggrin

gpdshea · RV-Dreams Community Member

had a 6.0 nothing ut trouble,got rid of it before warrenty ran out. got a 2008 ford 6'4 nice truck but radiator went 3,000 after warenty ran out there not cheap and ford wont help. if you get a ford get extended warrenty. will look for different brand next time.

RickandJanice · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are on our 2nd Ford 6.0 Diesel. First one was a 2003 and nothing but problems. Of course, that was the first year they were out. The 2nd one is a 2006 and been a real dream since we bought it. A word of caution, have read allot about the 6.0 already being at maximum power from the factory and that is is not recommended to put a power chip in them. So we run stock without a chip. The nice thing about the 6.0 is that the transmission will also accept a Ford 7.3 liter which was one of the best diesel engines ever made. This gives another choice of engines if kept long enough to need replaced.

-- Edited by RickandJanice on Saturday 22nd of January 2011 11:17:56 PM

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have the 7.3 ltr. F250....2002 year. Love it! So far so good for towing our 5er....which we don't have loaded to capacity....yet. One thing I love about a Ford Super Duty Crew Cab....the ROOM...lots of it inside...plenty of leg room and passenger room in the rear!

tworootless · RV-Dreams Family Member

Although I do not own the 6.0, our last boss did. It was a nightmare! 5 Turbo's, 2 oil pumps installed among other emission stuff. I watched him curse over his truck many times in the two years I knew him. He had to be towed on two separate occasions.
From experience, I did own the 7.3 at one time. The only issue; I had to replace 1 injector. Other then replacing the radiator and the trans falling apart twice, it was a good truck. :)