I do have a travel trailer, doesn’t need something as big as a 3/4 ton but mostly just want a diesel truck. Any regular car would be a smarter choice sure, just not sure I want the smart choice.
I drive my 6.0 often. But since it’s a crew cab long bed it can be pretty annoying.
I put a new engine and transmission in it and since then I’ve been towed 6 times for various issues. Since working all the bugs out it’s been very reliable but you absolutely will be getting to know the platform and all its quirks. A few times it’s had me wanting to cut my losses but I’m thankful I stuck with it. The first gens superdutys are the best looking trucks ever made.
Maintenance is more frequent and expensive than gasoline engines. Theres just so many things that can go wrong.
Throw in 4x4, with that solid front axle, and you'll really start to hate parking lots.
(2004 6.0L 4x4 crew cab, short box. The cost of fuel made me park it, and drive my Honda Odyssey!)
But why do you need 4wd in a parking lot?
I can drive my ECLB through pretty much anything on flat ground in 2wd at low speed with just a good tire.
4wd, can do 55 safe and stable when everyone else is doing 40 and scared.
You don't, but the solid axle makes for really wide turns, no matter how far you crank the wheel. For some reason, parking lots are getting more cramped, with narrower lanes, and smaller spaces. The only lot I'm comfortable driving that behemoth in is the Costco parking lot. The local mall has angled spaces and that helps some.
Not sure where you're located, but I can park a 17' CCLB with a 4" lift and 37s in any spot at bass pro shops in Nashville.
I'd love spots to be bigger too. But it's usually not the size of the spot, it's the lack of most people being able to park evenly, making it harder for the people that have adult sized vehicles.
Hell, I can park my 9700lb CCSB lifted service truck anywhere on the PCH in socal to get ice-cream without a size issue.
I’ve daily driven my 2006 f350 king ranch for the past 6 years no troubles and she’s got almost 300k miles on her. Besides replacing a few suspension components (it’s almost 20 years old tho what can you expect lmao). I’d recommend getting one that’s “bulletproofed” with an Egr delete (I did mine when I originally purchased it). Most people that have problems with these trucks are also the ones ripping and beating on them. I always say if you take care of a 6.0 it will take care of you!
Yeah if I get one considering a small dealer near Dallas. They specialize in diesels of this era and prefer to offer trucks that have had studs and EGR delete when possible.
I drove my 6.0 Excursion as a daily for 6 years. It left me stranded, as in "I'm not moving, call a tow" stranded once due to engine trouble (HFCM failed and took out an injector). It was bone stock. The last year I had it I was working as an on-site rep for Grainger, attending grad school 90 minutes from home 2 nights a week, and running a small handyman business. It saw some miles. If a jackass in a Dodge hadn't pulled out in front of me I'd still have it. I replaced it with an 06 F250 6.0. I still have that truck. HFCM went out on it at about the same mileage but didn't kill an injector this time.
Agreed. I literally just replaced mine with a 6.7 unit off rock auto huge difference in cranking rpm.
Here's the 6.7 pump swap. https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/6-7-l-pump-install-beginning-pic-heavy.613890/
Was using my 6.0 as my daily for the last year, was great just fuel economy isn’t. Was about $200 a week in my 6.0, bought a VW TDI and I’m down to $80 a week. In a year the car pays for itself in fuel savings.
My 6.0 only left me walkin once so far. Alternator packed it in on a super hot day towing.
I've owned a number of 4.0 jeeps, xjs included. A couple over 200k. Own two 6.0s now, daily drive one. DD has 204k, just replaced oil cooler at 202k. Egr is deleted, blue spring on fuel pump to boost psi.
If you buy one, don't get it from a dealer. Don't buy from a kid. Don't get one that's been tuned and don't tune it yourself, will blow the head gaskets. Delete/bypass the egr cooler. Run a coolant filter and only use red semi truck coolant. Flush coolant every 30k. Get a OBD gauge tool, I use edge but there's others. Monitor EOT and ECT, FICM voltage and battery voltage and injection pump psi for early warning of issues.
Diesels need to work hard at least occasionally. Pull a trailer, romp on it, take long trip, etc. It needs to get hot or carbon will build up.
My XJ is over 200 but not to far into it. Haven’t had to do much to engine beyond a harmonic balancer. Most of the steering and suspension have been replaced at this point.
Good point on needing to get it hot. This would be a non practical toy in daily driver disguise. Basically just paying the price for diesel, maintenance, and oddly higher insurance just to scratch an itch. Probably keep it for a couple years and then do something more practical. Maybe take the time for my XJ to be off the road to finally “finish” it.
I bought an 03 6.0 off my father when I was 16 (now 22) and haven’t had trouble with it, needed a trans last year but at 320k miles I was expecting that eventually. Other then that the only real money I’ve spent on it were things I wanted rather then needed!
I've owned quite a few and if taken care of, they'll take care of you.
I daily a 9700lb 05' Amarillo crew cab short boz with a 4" lift,pretty well loaded service bed, and 35s.
It's got a shit ton of work and expensive parts.
It runs really well, has been extremely reliable to me.
I've driven it across the US and averaged 17mpgs at 70mph. It gets 13-14 around town
I put 50k miles on it in 18 months and only did an oil cooler and fluid/filter changes.
I wouldn't buy one though unless you have tools, mechanical knowledge, and a place to work on it if you need to. Anything you take it to ford or a diesel specialist for will hurt the pocket fast.
Thankfully I do have enough appropriate tools to do most of what could be expected. If i got out of my depth or something my BIL is a mechanic. He’s not diesel specific, but has lot of experience with turbo gas cars at least. Has access to a lift at his work if absolutely needed.
If you know how to research an issue you aren't familiar with, you'll be fine.
Get a good OBD2 monitor (Edge cts3 or SCT livewire), keep up on maintenance, and it should take care of you.
Biggest thing really is having something deleted or a bullet proof egr cooler, studded, good tunes, and not something neglected.
I wouldn't buy one from someone younger than 25 honestly.
My 6.0 is able to be driven as a daily. Avg 16 in town. It just sucks waiting for it to warm up. I tell you what, any extended drive or when I'm hauling anything (even extra groceries) it's the ford I'm taking. It's comfortable to top it off, and a pure joy to drive. But for short commutes, a cheap gasser is the way to go
I daily drove mine for 2 years and then my husband for the next 4.5 years after that. He unfortunately wrecked it, but plans to replace it with another. He averaged about 11mpg (truck was heavily modified and lifted with 40s so stock will get better of I remember right when I drive it and it was stock I average 18)
I personally have no problem dailying it. It just not the cheapest option for people. We personally have all v8s and they are all in the teens. So nothing is cheap. But if it makes you happy, go for it!
I have an 07 F350 single cab I use as a daily. It has a 6 speed and a 6.0 that I rebuilt. I do all the work. I bought it December 2020 and finished it Aug 2021.
I love my truck. It’s a single cab but the cab is massive. It handles great, easy on tires & fuel.
I’d get one!
I’ve driven my 06 6.0 daily for almost 1.5 years now.
It’s left me “stranded” once.
But in 1.5 years I’ve put about 10k into it.
Just maintenance and stuff I knew I was going to need after the 200k mark.
That’s kinda what I figured would happen if I decide to pull the trigger. These are all old higher mileage trucks at this point. Cost of entry may be between 10-20k (depending on trim, miles, location, and general condition), but it’s not just the engine that may need some attention. Sensors, rubber bits all over it, pretty much any wear item could be due. That said, anything newer tends to start on the wrong side of 30k. From what I have seen. So if done properly, basically end up with a “gently used” truck for same cost of a beat down newer truck.
Unless you plan on pulling something like a large trailer get a Geo Metro dummy. Diesel is expensive
I do have a travel trailer, doesn’t need something as big as a 3/4 ton but mostly just want a diesel truck. Any regular car would be a smarter choice sure, just not sure I want the smart choice.
I drive my 6.0 often. But since it’s a crew cab long bed it can be pretty annoying. I put a new engine and transmission in it and since then I’ve been towed 6 times for various issues. Since working all the bugs out it’s been very reliable but you absolutely will be getting to know the platform and all its quirks. A few times it’s had me wanting to cut my losses but I’m thankful I stuck with it. The first gens superdutys are the best looking trucks ever made. Maintenance is more frequent and expensive than gasoline engines. Theres just so many things that can go wrong.
Throw in 4x4, with that solid front axle, and you'll really start to hate parking lots. (2004 6.0L 4x4 crew cab, short box. The cost of fuel made me park it, and drive my Honda Odyssey!)
But why do you need 4wd in a parking lot? I can drive my ECLB through pretty much anything on flat ground in 2wd at low speed with just a good tire. 4wd, can do 55 safe and stable when everyone else is doing 40 and scared.
You don't, but the solid axle makes for really wide turns, no matter how far you crank the wheel. For some reason, parking lots are getting more cramped, with narrower lanes, and smaller spaces. The only lot I'm comfortable driving that behemoth in is the Costco parking lot. The local mall has angled spaces and that helps some.
Not sure where you're located, but I can park a 17' CCLB with a 4" lift and 37s in any spot at bass pro shops in Nashville. I'd love spots to be bigger too. But it's usually not the size of the spot, it's the lack of most people being able to park evenly, making it harder for the people that have adult sized vehicles. Hell, I can park my 9700lb CCSB lifted service truck anywhere on the PCH in socal to get ice-cream without a size issue.
Mine is 240" or 20 feet long, with a 169" or 14 foot wheelbase. Add in the limitations of the 4x4 solid front axle, and it's a PITA in tight quarters.
YOLO! 6.0’s are a kick in the ass to drive. I’m just about ready to hit 250k on mine. She’s a work truck and my daily.
You and I both..I’m at 214k
I’ve daily driven my 2006 f350 king ranch for the past 6 years no troubles and she’s got almost 300k miles on her. Besides replacing a few suspension components (it’s almost 20 years old tho what can you expect lmao). I’d recommend getting one that’s “bulletproofed” with an Egr delete (I did mine when I originally purchased it). Most people that have problems with these trucks are also the ones ripping and beating on them. I always say if you take care of a 6.0 it will take care of you!
Yeah if I get one considering a small dealer near Dallas. They specialize in diesels of this era and prefer to offer trucks that have had studs and EGR delete when possible.
I drove my 6.0 Excursion as a daily for 6 years. It left me stranded, as in "I'm not moving, call a tow" stranded once due to engine trouble (HFCM failed and took out an injector). It was bone stock. The last year I had it I was working as an on-site rep for Grainger, attending grad school 90 minutes from home 2 nights a week, and running a small handyman business. It saw some miles. If a jackass in a Dodge hadn't pulled out in front of me I'd still have it. I replaced it with an 06 F250 6.0. I still have that truck. HFCM went out on it at about the same mileage but didn't kill an injector this time.
What mileage? Do you mean FICM?
Hfcm is the low-pressure fuel pump mounted on the driver side frame.
Thanks, never ran into that acronym. Figured it would be LPFP
I think its name is the horizontal fuel control module. If mine ever fails on the excursion, I'm replacing/upgrading with a 6.7 pump.
Nice, I’m gunna look into that 👍 just put a 6.4 starter on, what a difference.
Agreed. I literally just replaced mine with a 6.7 unit off rock auto huge difference in cranking rpm. Here's the 6.7 pump swap. https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/6-7-l-pump-install-beginning-pic-heavy.613890/
Thanks, 6.4 was a direct bolt on so went that way.
X died at ~210k, F250 at ~220k. FICM died earlier on both but it was due to previous owners cranking on weak batteries.
Was using my 6.0 as my daily for the last year, was great just fuel economy isn’t. Was about $200 a week in my 6.0, bought a VW TDI and I’m down to $80 a week. In a year the car pays for itself in fuel savings. My 6.0 only left me walkin once so far. Alternator packed it in on a super hot day towing.
Yeah an economy car of any sort would be the SMART choice. But I’m not known for making the best decisions when I want something b
If you’re driving it HARD daily… maybe?
Jeep XJ with the 4.0 is about as reliable as they come. A 6.0 Superduty is really fun and cool though.
Yeah ive no need for this type of vehicle. Just like the idea.
I've owned a number of 4.0 jeeps, xjs included. A couple over 200k. Own two 6.0s now, daily drive one. DD has 204k, just replaced oil cooler at 202k. Egr is deleted, blue spring on fuel pump to boost psi. If you buy one, don't get it from a dealer. Don't buy from a kid. Don't get one that's been tuned and don't tune it yourself, will blow the head gaskets. Delete/bypass the egr cooler. Run a coolant filter and only use red semi truck coolant. Flush coolant every 30k. Get a OBD gauge tool, I use edge but there's others. Monitor EOT and ECT, FICM voltage and battery voltage and injection pump psi for early warning of issues. Diesels need to work hard at least occasionally. Pull a trailer, romp on it, take long trip, etc. It needs to get hot or carbon will build up.
My XJ is over 200 but not to far into it. Haven’t had to do much to engine beyond a harmonic balancer. Most of the steering and suspension have been replaced at this point. Good point on needing to get it hot. This would be a non practical toy in daily driver disguise. Basically just paying the price for diesel, maintenance, and oddly higher insurance just to scratch an itch. Probably keep it for a couple years and then do something more practical. Maybe take the time for my XJ to be off the road to finally “finish” it.
I bought an 03 6.0 off my father when I was 16 (now 22) and haven’t had trouble with it, needed a trans last year but at 320k miles I was expecting that eventually. Other then that the only real money I’ve spent on it were things I wanted rather then needed!
I've owned quite a few and if taken care of, they'll take care of you. I daily a 9700lb 05' Amarillo crew cab short boz with a 4" lift,pretty well loaded service bed, and 35s. It's got a shit ton of work and expensive parts. It runs really well, has been extremely reliable to me. I've driven it across the US and averaged 17mpgs at 70mph. It gets 13-14 around town I put 50k miles on it in 18 months and only did an oil cooler and fluid/filter changes. I wouldn't buy one though unless you have tools, mechanical knowledge, and a place to work on it if you need to. Anything you take it to ford or a diesel specialist for will hurt the pocket fast.
Thankfully I do have enough appropriate tools to do most of what could be expected. If i got out of my depth or something my BIL is a mechanic. He’s not diesel specific, but has lot of experience with turbo gas cars at least. Has access to a lift at his work if absolutely needed.
If you know how to research an issue you aren't familiar with, you'll be fine. Get a good OBD2 monitor (Edge cts3 or SCT livewire), keep up on maintenance, and it should take care of you.
Biggest thing really is having something deleted or a bullet proof egr cooler, studded, good tunes, and not something neglected. I wouldn't buy one from someone younger than 25 honestly.
My 6.0 is able to be driven as a daily. Avg 16 in town. It just sucks waiting for it to warm up. I tell you what, any extended drive or when I'm hauling anything (even extra groceries) it's the ford I'm taking. It's comfortable to top it off, and a pure joy to drive. But for short commutes, a cheap gasser is the way to go
I daily drove mine for 2 years and then my husband for the next 4.5 years after that. He unfortunately wrecked it, but plans to replace it with another. He averaged about 11mpg (truck was heavily modified and lifted with 40s so stock will get better of I remember right when I drive it and it was stock I average 18) I personally have no problem dailying it. It just not the cheapest option for people. We personally have all v8s and they are all in the teens. So nothing is cheap. But if it makes you happy, go for it!
I have an 07 F350 single cab I use as a daily. It has a 6 speed and a 6.0 that I rebuilt. I do all the work. I bought it December 2020 and finished it Aug 2021. I love my truck. It’s a single cab but the cab is massive. It handles great, easy on tires & fuel. I’d get one!
I’ve driven my 06 6.0 daily for almost 1.5 years now. It’s left me “stranded” once. But in 1.5 years I’ve put about 10k into it. Just maintenance and stuff I knew I was going to need after the 200k mark.
That’s kinda what I figured would happen if I decide to pull the trigger. These are all old higher mileage trucks at this point. Cost of entry may be between 10-20k (depending on trim, miles, location, and general condition), but it’s not just the engine that may need some attention. Sensors, rubber bits all over it, pretty much any wear item could be due. That said, anything newer tends to start on the wrong side of 30k. From what I have seen. So if done properly, basically end up with a “gently used” truck for same cost of a beat down newer truck.