Test drove a 2004 F-350 Lariat, Crew Cab Dually today with only 145k. Drove and road like a Cadillac compared to my '94.5 PSD Dually. Rev'd out just over 2k RPM at 70mph so obviously geared for highway compared to my current truck. Price seems fair and trade talks on my '94.5 are sounding promising. I've been reading about the 6.0's for over an hour now (as well as several times in the past) and not quite sure how to search for all this, so here goes:

*Truck has had the turbo replaced in 2007.

*Cat and muffler have been deleted.

*The exhaust sounded great. There was no noticeable smoke...no blue, white or black. Heavy on the boost then it has some black smoke.

*The exhaust smelled like nothing other than diesel exhaust...no coolant or fuel.

*Underside was relatively clean...didn't much if any signs of oil leakage.

*No raw diesel odor around the engine or in the cabin through the HVAC...so no fuel leaks.

*Interior is bone stock...thus no aftermarket gauges.

*Exterior and interior is about 8 out of 10 condition.

*Started up and ran smooth. Got out on the interstate and it had a noticeable hesitation in the motor (not tranny) while accelerating. Once at speed and cruise set, it ran smooth.

*Drove for about 15 minutes, and at the end getting back to the used car lot I hit it again and the hesitation seemed to be less noticeable, but didn't get to go through all the gears that time. Probably should have kept driving to determine if it was still there or not after warm-up

I'll need to go back and look over several things and drive it again based on some reading. Didn't look for head bolt or stud...will need to do that if I go back.

No interest in any mods for power, just possible mods that are preventative to all the potential 6.0 issues.

Hoping to hear some general thoughts on this truck. This would be for a casual use truck (1-2k a yr), not daily use. Although the way this thing drives and rides I could see driving it a bit more than my current truck. Also if anyone has any good quality pics of a bone stock 6.0 engine bay I'd love to see them for reference.

Thanks

 

Everybody here will recommend gauges of some sort to check how healthy the motor is. A lot of us run the Scangauge 2 and program in FICM main, EOT, IPR, ICP, MAP, EBP, Boost, and the list goes on.

 

I have seen that recommendation several times. Man if there is anyone in the Indy area with a ScanGuage and is willing to look at this truck with me and read all those acronyms...I'd welcome the help as it's just a TAD over my head

 

^--Justin's right on there. If you have a smartphone addiction there are apps and blue tooth dongles for the OBDII port also. Important to check items he mentioned as well. ICP and IPR will tell you the health of the high pressure oil system. The coolant temp vs the oil temp will tell you the condition of the oil cooler and alittle insight into the health of the cooling system. FICM is fuel injection control module. A common issue but can be addressed for $500 or less. If a OBDII scanner is out due to time, be sure to look around the coolant resivour cap (and surrounding areas) for white splatters which could indicate venting. Replacing both coolers can run $2500, headgaskets $3500+. It's worth the investment to check it out with a monitor. A $150 Scangauge can save you buying a truck you don't want to mess with or give you bargaining power if you know the issues going in.

The stumbling/missing issue could have many causes. Worst case if everything mentioned already is ok would be HFCM (horizontal fuel conditioning module ) about $280, or an injector or two at $240. The cause is a guess at this point obviously, it could simply be injector "stiction" and could be addressed (temporarily) with oil addatives.

No trying to throw you off with these $numbers just trying to give you a heads up. I love my 6.0 and would happily buy another. One last note- an oasis report is a record of warranty repairs by vin and can be gotten at the Ford Dealer. Some dealerships have gotten a little picky about giving you one before you "own" the truck but they are available. You might try posting the vin# here, we have a member or two who might give you some info on the truck. If you can get your hand on that info you would be looking for a truck that wasn't a "problem child" for it's previous owners.
Good luck in your search!

 

Hey great idea! If anyone has access to a history report that would be fantastic. VIN# 1FTWW33P44EA05469

Here is a link to the online listing
2004 Ford F-350 SD - Used Truck Martinsville IN | Approval Auto Credit

Guys has been in this location for a LONG time dealing in mostly trucks...gotta believe he's reputable or he would have been gone a long time ago.

There is only one picture of the engine bay and it looks pretty stock. The pipe I was referring to earlier I believe is the coolant pipe to/from the intake manifold? Perhaps it is stock. If the turbo is stock, the extreme whine I was hearing under throttle is a little worriesome...just doesn't sound normal?

 

A 6.0 is going to have a pretty loud turbo with the muffler delete. Check a couple of YouTube videos for comparison. With the muffler AND the cat removed it sounds like a turbine engine aircraft spooling up

The large pipe across the passenger side is the CAC tube (charge air cooler). It carries heated compressed air from the turbo to the intake side of the intercooler (CAC). The one on the driver side is the cool(er) air going back into the intake.

Here's a good link for a new 6.0 owner :
Acronyms
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/821641-acronyms.html

 

Just listened on YouTube...yep, that's the whistle! Good to know...perhaps this truck is fairly stock other than that. Curious if anyone here has access to any history. Going to call the ford service dept. tomorrow and see if they want my future business ;-)

 

So things are sounding promising with this truck. The used truck dealer is going to pull a CarFax for me, and they are going to let me take it to my local Ford Dealer for a full inspection. I stopped by that dealer yesterday and they printed the OASIS report for me on the spot. The page wasn't formatted properly so some of the text was cut off:

*At 20k miles the customer reported hard to start and running rough. Checked OASIS and performed SSM...(cut off) PCM, TCM and FICM.

*At 32k miles had recall 06E17 Control Module Calibration performed.

*At 60k miles customer reported self acceleration issues at stops. Checked & Reprogrammed the PCM, Cleaned EGR valve, performed...(cut off)...16 01.T25029 Replaced ICP and Pigtail Connector.

*At 62k miles replaced turbo. (This was in December of 2007 so I assume this would be with the newer design turbo rather than the early problematic version?)

*At 74k miles both sides upper & lower ball joints were replaced.

That's the end of the report. I guess other than the muffler being cut out, this thing appears to be mainly stock and not overly problematic. Will be curious what all the dealer may find, and what they will recommend to fix the hesitation issue that I notice.

Feel free to chime in with any thoughts based on above :-) Could end up making this deal next Saturday.

 

This doesn't sound like a truck with many problems. I would definitely go back with the scangauge2 and go from there.

 

It's an 03 engine in an 04 truck so the turbo whistle will be loud compared to later model trucks. Production date was 7/18/03 so it's an early early production 04, which isn't a bad thing. I would take something to code scan the truck and to check the ECT/EOT delta's BEFORE purchase. I'd also want to be able to verify FICM voltage. That will take longer than a 15 minute drive, but if the owner has a problem with it then I would pass. The hesitation might be from extended periods of sitting.

 

Just bought a ScanGaugeII on eBay...delivery by Thursday. Hoping to pick the truck up on Friday afternoon and spend the evening really looking it over for myself, then take it to the dealer on Saturday for inspection and either go back by 4pm to complete the deal or give it back.

This truck has the 5spd Auto, 5R110W tranny w/4.10 gear. Is that the common tranny for the F-350 Dually, and pretty reliable as long as maintained properly? With 145k miles, should I consider having the tranny flushed and filled if I buy the truck? If so what should I be looking at in cost?

 

I keep a detailed list in my owners manual of all servicing done to my truck, ask him if he has done the same. But as a rule of thumb, it not a bad idea to change all the fluids and filters on a new to you truck.

 

OK, got the CarFax and still seems promising...but a little concerned that the 3rd owner was registered as commercial from 2009 to present. I realize that can mean anything from simply getting a tax exemption for fuel ;-) A reputable dealer took it in on trade in July and started a UCI/Inspection and stopped when they realized the catalytic (I guess it is gone, I thought it was there) and muffler was missing. Thus it went to auction.

First two owners were private and were religious with the dealer for service. Oil changes appear to be ~7k miles and it's had two tranny fluid changes.

Should I be concerned about no cat & muffler from a maintenance standpoint? Not concerned about smog as we don't have inspections here.

Will keep you posted.

 

About the price. To me, that's not a price I would pay. Here is the MOST a 2004 F350 Lariat Dually should fetch and the trade in values etc. Considering 145,000 miles...Keep in mind that tires will run you $1500, first oil change $100, Full Transmission flush with filter $100, New shocks $400, Fuel Filters $75-100, Differential fluid F/R - $100, Coolant Flush (proper)- $100, Batteries $100 each, Air Filter $60 (check filter minder), Brakes $150 (F/R), Serpentine Belt $60... that's all I can think of right now.

Those are all DIY Prices and are a MUST do for proper maintenance. Have your charging system checked and remove both batteries to have them load tested individually. Also, mention to them the CAT and muffler and just tell them that you plan on having those installed which will run you another $1000? You may not need to do smog testing, but if your truck is loud, there's a chance you could still get a ticket right?

Granted, most used car places don't care if all of that stuff needs to be done. So many people will just buy a truck and think it's ok to drive it off the lot. Couldn't be further from the truth. Especially with the 6.0. I'd never pay full retail from nada.com for a truck. Also, don't let them quote you that stupid Kelley Blue Book prices. In my experience, those are over-inflated. Good luck!

 

I don't plan to pay the $17,885 they are asking. I know it needs rear tires (~$700) but the fronts are new. Batteries are new so no issue there. Serp belt looked fine. Thing road great on the highway and rough country road, so not worried about shocks. Your right a used car dealer isn't going to care about the other routine maintenance items, but I will definitely be using the rear tires and lack of a cat. as a bargaining tool. Not worried about the muffler...and no I have never heard of a loud exhaust citation around here. My Saleen is much louder and never been an issue.

We'll see how the vitals checkout on the ScanGuage and then head to the dealer for an inspection, and see where it goes from there.