I am looking into getting a new to me truck. How high would you let the mileage count be on a used 2003 or 2004 f550? Also any other questions I should ask about the 550's? Thanks for your help ~
Posted 2012-04-03 11:33 AM (#142769 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Farmington, IL 61531
I have a 2007 F450 with 120,000 miles. I bought the truck used with 87,000 miles so it was still under warranty. The truck has had over $19,000 in repairs since I bought the truck in September of 2010. About half of the repairs were done under warranty. I would not even consider buying a 2003-2004 model unless you have a deep pocket and they are giving the truck away. The 2005-2007 did have some improvements over the first 6.0 liters but obviously the problems are not solved. The other thing to be aware of is if you only use the truck occasionally the FICM module will fail and that costs about $1,000 to replace.
Posted 2012-04-03 7:07 PM (#142780 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I dont want to appear to be trashing Ford, BUT the reliability of the 6.0 Diesel engine has been VERY POOR. Ford and International had a lawsuit to determine who should pay the warrenty costs on these engines. This should be a indication of poor design. There are some that have given good service, however those that are troublesome are VERY costly to maintain and repair. IMHO
Posted 2012-04-03 8:50 PM (#142783 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Member
Posts: 10
I had a 2000 f550 and currently have a 2002 f550 both had the 7.3 which has a little less power then the 6.0 but the reliability is alot greater and the cost of maintenance when things to go wrong is also lower. If I were you I would look newer or older and stay away from the 6.0 the only people I have talked to that really like them and have had no problems are either mechanics or very mechanically inclined, so I dont fully know what they did the engines for repairs.
Posted 2012-04-04 12:25 AM (#142787 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Veteran
Posts: 155 Location: North Salem, IN
I can speak for the 01-04.5 Duramax LB7 engines. They have had issues with having bad injectors and bad head gaskets. Depending on the price range and age of trucks you are looking at, most will have had these issues dealt with already.
I can say as a GMC owner, I do miss my Cummins engine in a Dodge. The Chevy/GMC has a little more refined interior, and the engines are pretty good and reliable, but there's something to be said for Cummins Power.
You really should check out all options and see what works best for you.
Posted 2012-04-04 12:39 AM (#142788 - in reply to #142787) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: Delta Junction, Alaska
Thanks Zipitude ~ I have never had a dodge so I know nothing about them. My options are pretty limited where I am at up here. I know around my area most people have fords. I need somthing that can haul a 15000 lbs gooseneck, crew cab is also a must. I am pretty open to those with of you who have the knowlege :) please feel free to give any and all advice you are willing.
My dealership is useless they are who I was in contact with first prior to the trailer and said all would be fine with my truck, a little more digging and thus was found incorrect.
Posted 2012-04-04 10:41 AM (#142797 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Member
Posts: 10
My sister has a 2006 Duramax im not honestly a huge fan of the truck mostly cause i think it droves like a car but other then struts brakes oil changes and tires the only done the the truck has been replacing 2 injectors and the truck has 180k on it so the reliabilty atleast on that truck has been axtremely good
Posted 2012-04-04 10:51 PM (#142811 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: East Central Kansas
I can give you first hand experience on the 6.0L. My 2006 ford died last year in July and that was the last straw for me. I was 3 weeks away from the end of my warrenty and the turbo blew up on the truck. 3 months earliar I had he heads replace due to the studs stretching. So I had the Arp studs put in along with new heads. The heads were under warrenty and the ARP studs cost me $800.00. I have had all maintenance done on the truck. Well when the turbo blew I got it fixed and then took it to Dodge and traded he POS for a 3500 longhorn. The dodge trucks are just pulling machines and handles everything we tow.
Posted 2012-04-05 9:20 AM (#142815 - in reply to #142788) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Farmington, IL 61531
I did not comment on my previous truck when I posted my experience with the 2007 F450. Prior to that I bought a new 2001.5 Dodge Cummins with a 6 speed manual. I sold it with 300,000 miles on it to one of my co-workers. The truck is still on the original clutch and the engine has really never had a wrench on it except to set the valve clearance. Still running the original injectors, pump, turbo, exhaust brake, etc.
Posted 2012-04-05 12:25 PM (#142823 - in reply to #142741) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
just another vote for Dodge.I bought my 3500, crew cab, long bed with 168,000 and only thing done since is oil, filters, and tires. You do want to change your fuel/water filter regularly on them, but it is a 5 minute job, and very easy.Love my Cummins power, and love the torque!!
Posted 2012-04-06 10:57 PM (#142866 - in reply to #142831) Subject: RE: f550 questions ~
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2012-04-05 4:29 PM
If you buy a new Dodge 3500 C&C you'll be dealing with DEF
This would make the Dodge the same as both GM and Ford trucks, right? The Dodge Cummins 2500 and 3500s will not have DEF till the 2014 model year. I have mixed feelings about the DEF. Some are reporting quite a jump in fuel economy with DEF. I am resisting just because it is one more thing we have to purchase to drive our trucks down the road.
f550 questions ~
