Would this be a good truck to tow with?

[comfun1]

I found a 2003 F150 extended cab 4wd with a 6.0 turbo diesel for $15,000. It has 73,000 miles and carfax is good. I am wanting to pull something like the xlr 27 hfs. I would appreciate your comments, thanks.

[Frank-VA]

A 2003 F150 extended cab 4wd with a 6.0 turbo diesel???

[pwrstroke2012]

Has to be F250 or F350. I have heard bad things about 6.0 ford diesels. Check the Ford or Powerstroke forums for more info.

[abjb]

02 and 03 6.0’s are the years to avoid.
International DID NOT clean all the sand out of the blocks which clogged the EGR cooler.
Our 05 6.0 was flawless (the hydro boost (brakes) failed early), exceptional puller.
I would not buy the 03, anything newer should be fine, if you DO NOT put a chip in it.

ab&jb

EDIT: If the 03 has a add on coolant filter, head bolts replaced with studs and an upgraded or deleted EGR then I would take a serious look at it!

[RickV]

Originally Posted by pwrstroke2012

Has to be F250 or F350. I have heard bad things about 6.0 ford diesels. Check the Ford or Powerstroke forums for more info.

I agree about the 6.0 and that price seems a little high IMHO. I bought a 2003 F250 CrewCab with the real diesel engine 7.3L about 2 years ago for $10000. It had higher mileage 189,000 but hasn't skipped a beat and I have put about 12,000 miles on it.

[comfun1]

Sorry, I meant to say F250. I have an f150 now.

[jevanb]

offer them 12k and you got a steal after you fix the issues with the EGR, best low budget truck/eng combo out their, cant beat it after you bullet proof the engine

[Cajun Po-Boy]

I'd try to buy it for $12...then as others stated, spend an additional $3-5K on bulletproofing it and you'll have a great tow vehicle.

[Frank-VA]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

I'd try to buy it for $12...then as others stated, spend an additional $3-5K on bulletproofing it and you'll have a great tow vehicle.

In my 04 noticed a small amount of oil in the Degas bottle. Did some checking and found that the Oil cooler had just started leaking caused by the EGR Cooler plugged up. Changed the Oil Cooler (OEM) and replaced the EGR Cooler with a Bullet Proof EGR Cooler.
BulletProofDiesel - Darn-Near Bullet Proof Diesel Products for your 6.0 and 6.4

[davel1971]

after working 18 years as a Ford dealer tech, I can attest to what everyone else is saying. If you bullet proof it first, you will be ok. Take note as to what I'm towing with though.

[davel1971]

or step back to the years of the 7.3. Not quite as much power, but reliability WAY better, and any needed repairs lots cheaper as being easier to work on.

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by abjb

02 and 03 6.0’s are the years to avoid.
International DID NOT clean all the sand out of the blocks which clogged the EGR cooler.
Our 05 6.0 was flawless (the hydro boost (brakes) failed early), exceptional puller.
I would not buy the 03, anything newer should be fine, if you DO NOT put a chip in it.

ab&jb

EDIT: If the 03 has a add on coolant filter, head bolts replaced with studs and an upgraded or deleted EGR then I would take a serious look at it!

Ford did not make the 6.0 in 2002

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by abjb

International DID NOT clean all the sand out of the blocks which clogged the EGR cooler.

False, it is the
silica coolant that is the problem .
Refill it with a silicate free Cat EC-1 rated ELC coolant and the 6.0 was not offered in 2002

[Mtelkman]

A coolant filter is a good add on for any diesel that doesn't have one. Cheap too!

[MagnoliaTom]

I own two vehicles with the 6.0. Both are great for towing...and not bad on mileage either. The 6.0 is not a bad engine if you know what you're getting into....Get a scan gauge from autozone to diagnose the truck during your test drive. Check the difference on the Oil Temp and coolant temp. after the truck is fully warmed up (at least 185 or so). Go for a long drive on the highway and keep it at 65mph. After 15-20 minutes, if the difference between the oil temp and coolant temp is less than 15 degrees, you've got a potential keeper. If it is more than that, you're going to need to replace the oil cooler. The bigger the difference, the more pressing the need to replace it. Check to make sure the FICM never drops below 47 Volts (using the scan gauge). Keep only OEM filters on it and do maintenance on schedule.

[Frank-VA]

Originally Posted by MagnoliaTom

I own two vehicles with the 6.0. Both are great for towing...and not bad on mileage either. The 6.0 is not a bad engine if you know what you're getting into....Get a scan gauge from autozone to diagnose the truck during your test drive. Check the difference on the Oil Temp and coolant temp. after the truck is fully warmed up (at least 185 or so). Go for a long drive on the highway and keep it at 65mph. After 15-20 minutes, if the difference between the oil temp and coolant temp is less than 15 degrees, you've got a potential keeper. If it is more than that, you're going to need to replace the oil cooler. The bigger the difference, the more pressing the need to replace it. Check to make sure the FICM never drops below 47 Volts (using the scan gauge). Keep only OEM filters on it and do maintenance on schedule.

2X the above Quote.

I have the Scan gauge and it works great. If you buy it through Bullet Proof it already preprogram for the 6.0.

ScanGauge II Digital Data Monitor

[BigBaron]

Originally Posted by jevanb

False, it is the
silica coolant that is the problem .
Refill it with a silicate free Cat EC-1 rated ELC coolant and the 6.0 was not offered in 2002

This is the issue that I have seen everywhere too.
I'd wouldn't even look at it for more than $10K and then I'd take it to a shop and put studs, gaskets, EGR delete.... Around $5K in total. Then it'll be bullet proof.
Just because it's good now doesn't mean it isn't going to fail.

[RKR]

Or you can find a Duramax or a Cumalong and just drive it.

[BigBaron]

True. True. LOL

[Joe_GA]

Originally Posted by davel1971

after working 18 years as a Ford dealer tech, I can attest to what everyone else is saying. If you bullet proof it first, you will be ok. Take note as to what I'm towing with though.

Hmmm...not a good endorsement for Ford.