Would you buy a Ford 6.0??

[JR2]

Okay guys I have a question for you all. I am in need of a second vechicle for the family and the wife and I have agreed that a Ford Excursion would cover all of our requirements. I convienced her that a diesel would be the best option because they get good fuel mileage and we could still tow with it if we wanted. I have been looking for a late model used one with a the 7. 3 but I just can not find one for a decent price (less than 35K). So just for giggles I emailed the internet sales departments of both local ford dealers to see what they had in there new stock. I just got an email back for one of them and they have a new 03 6. 0 Eddie B Excursion and they want 42K for it (lists for 53K). Now I really don't want to spend that much, but used 7. 3's are selling for 38-39 with 25K miles on them so new truck is an option. So my question is just how bad do you think the 6. 0 motor is from 03?? If the dealer does all the recalls and flashes before it purchased is it going to be reliable??

 

[snowracer69]

Buy it w/ the 6. 0, sell the 6. 0 to some die-hard Furd fan, buy a 24 valve Cummins, do the conversion, have the best of both worlds!

 

[Peter Campbell]

If you were going to get a 6. 0 get one that has had the other people do the testing- the ones who bought 2003 models. I would not touch the first years production with a ten foot pole. Ask them if they are willing/ how much problem it is to change the engine out when it does develop problems, with a updated engine. By this time I am sure that most of the major design issues are worked out for the new production- so order one in; that way it will be built the way you want with an engine later in the product lifecycle and more reliable. It is not just reflashing a PCM and changing or tightening injectors. The list of ills is long- Unpolished cracking cranckshafts, leaking injectors, leaking injector return ports, and the top problem that FORD logo. They are willing to circle thier mistakes.

 

[jarsong]

Originally posted by JR2

Okay guys I have a question for you all. I am in need of a second vechicle for the family and the wife and I have agreed that a Ford Excursion would cover all of our requirements. I convienced her that a diesel would be the best option because they get good fuel mileage and we could still tow with it if we wanted. I have been looking for a late model used one with a the 7. 3 but I just can not find one for a decent price (less than 35K). So just for giggles I emailed the internet sales departments of both local ford dealers to see what they had in there new stock. I just got an email back for one of them and they have a new 03 6. 0 Eddie B Excursion and they want 42K for it (lists for 53K). Now I really don't want to spend that much, but used 7. 3's are selling for 38-39 with 25K miles on them so new truck is an option. So my question is just how bad do you think the 6. 0 motor is from 03?? If the dealer does all the recalls and flashes before it purchased is it going to be reliable??

Not a chance in heck. 10 minutes of reading over at the Ford Forum and you'll see the light. If you don't you should replace the bulb... .

jarsong

 

[JDougherty]

i agree with p. campbell... my cousin is a F#*^ tech and he hates seing those new 6. 0L's come thru because he knows there is trouble. if it were me i would stay away from that and buy an powerstroke with some extra mile on it..... it will be more reliable.

 

[Billy Diesel]

The fact that you can't touch a used 7. 3 for the price that you can get a new 6. 0 says a lot.



If it is a second vehicle, maybe the risk is worth it. Not all of them are problematic.

 

[EBottema]

I def would never get an 03, im sure they improved the 04 truck. If possible wait till 05 and get a used 04. Heres the best thing to do, get a ford with a blown engine and then put a cummins in it





Erik

 

[Pawpaw]

Why, oh why won't Dodge bring back the Ramcharger?



If they had offered that, especially with the Cummins, I would be driving one now.

 

[JR2]

You all have basically stated what I already thought... . thanks for the reality check.



By the way, I am sending an email to Fordcummins.com to see what they do for excursions... . maybe a 2000 model with a cummins.

 

[PHX ATC]

I would buy the 7. 3, but not the 6. 0 for a few more years.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I would rather have a 3/4 GMC Suburban with a Duramax and an alison trans than any powerstroke, 7. 3 or 6. 0.

 

[Sageair]

My son has an 03 6. 0 F350 with the torquesgift transmission. He has had zero problems and it runs great after 20,000 miles. My work truck is an 03 6. 0 with 33,000 miles on it. The only problem I have had is the same one it came with. It has a six manual transmission and won't pull the hat off your head below 1,800 rpm. after 2,000 rpm it has lots of power and gives good mileage. If you get a good one they are good trucks if you get a bad one they suck. No news there. I can't ever see me parting with my 01 H/O because it suits me perfectly but the Ford is not a bad product IF you get a good one.

 

[MABurns]

Here is another idea, take your 01 to Bayer and have them make you a Ramburban. Then buy yourself an 04. 5 for a new truck. The absolute best of both worlds.



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[jarsong]

Originally posted by JR2

You all have basically stated what I already thought... . thanks for the reality check.



By the way, I am sending an email to Fordcummins.com to see what they do for excursions... . maybe a 2000 model with a cummins.

I wouldn't be afraid of the 7. 3L at all. Good proven motors. Problem is with the poor excuse for a diesel Ford is producing today, good luck finding a good used one and if you do it will cost you. .

Sageair, I very glad your son got a good one and heaven forbid it ever start giving him fits. Just tell him to keep AWAY from the Ford dealers so they don't reflash it. Put a pad lock on the connection they connect to to flash...

Jarsong

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Man thats a tough one. I have speculated that it would be easier to get a lemoned vehicle and drop in a cummins. The 04s are pretty good. The the dieselstop had somewhere around 70 buybacks, lemons or replacements. There are a lot of em out there. You could even ask the local lot if they have one. Other than that. I do like the idea of a ramburban though.



The flip side of that is that some of the 03s were great. Are you a gambling man? I personally think their resale is going to be really low.

 

[Pawpaw]

Originally posted by MABurns

Here is another idea, take your 01 to Bayer and have them make you a Ramburban. Then buy yourself an 04. 5 for a new truck. The absolute best of both worlds.

Man, that is SWEET! Oo. Oo. Oo.



Oh well... When I hit the lottery... .

 

[manganos]

Buddy of mine called me two days ago to let me know his 6. 0 is getting pulled out of the truck. He has an 03 6. 0 with 13k miles. He noticed oil dripping and brought it in. Service tech said 1 in 10 6. 0PSD comes in with the same leak and to fix it they have to pull the engine to get to the seal that is leaking. He is not a happy camper and looking at CTD and GM now.

 

[Tomscreek]

If I couldn't have a Cummins I may look at a Duramax but I'd drive a gasser before the 6. 0 Ford.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

www.thedieselstop.com





That will answer it for you... ... ...