Looking to upgrade...

ranchodeluxe · Feb 5, 2017

Hope this is the right place for this... Love the community here.

Looking to upgrade from living in a 2012 Honda Odyssey to a minibus. Found this one on CTT.
http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/listing/2004-Ford-E350--120526860
Anyone have any history with a 6.0L Powerstroke? This would be my first diesel engine.

Theadyn · Feb 5, 2017

I know nothing about motors, but wanted to say Hi and Welcome!!

Optimistic Paranoid · Feb 5, 2017

There have been a number of threads here on diesel vs gas, diesel engines, etc. Consensus seems to be that Ford diesels in general, and the 6.0 in particular, were badly designed and built, and very expensive to maintain or repair.

Every Road Leads Home · Feb 5, 2017

I'd avoid the Ford 6.0 Diesel. It was a badly designed engine as Optimistic Paranoid has stated.

You can have them "bullet proofed, which basically includes a series of of upgrades to make the engine reliable. Most of the 6.0 failures are a result of shortcomings in the oil cooling system, thus the bullet proofing consists of redesigning the way it's cooled. There is a growing popularity for these engines from people with mechanical skills as you can get them for short money on the used market compared to other diesel engines. However, if you pay someone to do it, with parts and labor you can expect to pay between 6 and 10k to get the work done depending on exactly what your particular truck needs. I've even seen some people spend as high as 13k on the different forums.

In a nutshell, I think it just makes sense to stay away.

DuneElliot · Feb 5, 2017

I'd avoid anything with the 6.0L Ford diesel. The 7.3L was one of the best however

Someone in my home town was selling an older one (1984) for $1000 with 59,000 original miles.

closeanuf · Feb 5, 2017

6.0 Ford diesel is the worst choice you could EVER make. I wouldn't take it if they gave it to me!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ford made a BIG mistake when they built that engine. One with over 100,000 miles is unheard of. Now if you got a big pile of money you want to spend go for it.