Need a new tow rig/DD

[Dannyboy]

Well, I will know the fate of my '06 F250 today as they are doing a compression check on the engine, but I've got a bad feeling there is a bad rod or bearing deep in the engine. The damn thing only has 94,000 on it, partially my fault for some of the mishaps, but a lot to blame on Ford, more important, their dealers, for the amount of poor service I have received on this truck for the past 6 years. They put a bad taste in my mouth.

It's a fun truck, everything I want, but there are plenty of things I want to change without engine problems- interior parts getting loose, rear suspension needs new shocks, something new for axle wrap & ride on the bucking freeways out here. The 8" lift and 38s of course are not the most practical thing to have, but I am ready to make a change.

Since 2010 I have only put about 12,000 miles on the truck but I'm driving it daily, there are 3 trips across the country on that as well, towing each way, so it sure is nice to have the power of the diesel, but the total cost of ownership with oil changes, fuel filters, 2 batteries, repairing the FICM, etc all start to add up before even any "bulletproofing" mods to the truck.

My problem, sure the 6.0 is notorious for issues, BUT if I get it rebuilt and bulletproofed, that is solved, but I would want to do something different to the suspension anyway. Newer diesels have all kinds of smog gear on them to keep them "green" and even Bulletproof Diesel said "We have fixes out there for the 6.4 & 6.7" meaning that everything out there needs to be tweaked to be reliable.

Trying to decide on some options

1) Keep the '06- build a heavy 6.0 that solves all the problems, then do something wild with the suspension. Would make it functional to run fast & hard a little more offroad (chasing for desert race & expedition minded) but still tow 10,000.

2) Get a gas engine, suffer when towing (about 1/2 of my overall miles) but have lower maintenance, probably drop down to a "stock" truck of some sort. Thinking 1/2 ton & GM products are in the lead for what I like.

3) Look at an older 7.3 or 5.9 (Dodge) and have a rickety old truck that is more reliable.


I cringe at looking at option 3. I want "newer" but don't want to be stuck with another lemon. There is something nice about being under a factory warranty though.


Thoughts?

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

I vote option 1...looks too sexy to see go away...
You don't want a Government Made anything...
A older truck wouldn't be any better

 

[FROADER]

#2 get's my vote. Get the same truck with the V-10. Those things last forever, plenty of power and towing doesn't affect your mileage. My van had no idea I had ~7,000lbs. behind it when going to Truckhaven and back.

 

[kert0307]

I know this will eventually happen to my truck as well since I put about 20k on my 6.0 a year and its at 230k right now. I'm hoping it will keep going to 300k. I have the egr cooler gone with stock head-bolts and on the 2nd turbo.

I plan on building up a 6.0 or swapping a 5.9 Cummins with a P pump and a ZF manual trans if mine ever shucks out. I do like that the 6.0 can rev higher than the 5.9 with usable torque. I also wouldn't want a newer diesel. I may consider a 6.4 and do all the deletes on it. I don't want anything common rail though because they are a lot more sensitive to fuel and harder to work on.


Have you thought about an ecoboost f-150?


Edit: What were the symptoms of the truck?

 

[Dannyboy]

If you read up on the international VT365, you will find it works flawless. Same engine as 6.0 without emmisions requirements. I thought a 5.9 swap would be the way to go but too big of a project. My truck has 94,000 miles, I estimate 30% of my mileage will be from towing, cross country trips contribute to that. I probably should have a dually & a commuter car, but I like the style I have with the lifted crew cab. Think I have a bent rod or bad bearing in my 6.0.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4DeCjeXF6Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[kert0307]

The VT365 also wasn't pushed as hard, I think it was rated 50 hp less than the Ford 6.0. Was the truck chirping before it started making that noise? Ever hear of needle bearing failure in the rocker arms?

Are you sure it's not just a dead injector?

 

[Dannyboy]

It took me a whilebut I came to terms with selling the super duty as is. Im a financial thinker and emotionally I was just "over" this truck. It left me stranded toomany times. This was the first one on my dime out of warranty and it was going to hurt the wallet to fix it how a 6.0 should be set up.

Found one of my usual deals and got a good price on a 2007 Escalade. That should do the trick for a bit and I can always sell it if it doesnt. I like living back in a state where there is no tax on private party sales!

 

[kert0307]

Glad you got something you like. I'm sure it's a bit nicer to drive that every day!