Posted 2005-09-20 10:45 AM (#30667 - in reply to #30613) Subject: RE: 2003 ford 6.0
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Oregon Coast
We had a 2003 6.0 F-350 SRW 6 spd for 18 months and put 48,000 miles on with the only problem being a new power steering pump at about 10,000 miles. That 6.0 is really nice compared to our older PSD lots of power and fun to drive. We got rid of that pick-up in favor of the 05 only because we got a larger horse trailer and decided to get the duals after towing with the SRW a couple of times.
Posted 2005-09-20 12:18 PM (#30668 - in reply to #30613) Subject: RE: 2003 ford 6.0
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
Well gus, last time I did this I upset someone because of resale value. The 6.0L had great promise when I towed trailers up and down 7% grades in Arizona in 2002. It was an improvement from the 7.3L, but to save money, Ford took out some of the computer controls that made the International VT-365 in medium duty trucks work for a year before coming out in the Power Stroke. There were quality issues with crankshaft seals, problems on the new G2 injectors etc. Ford started out by handling problems and ended up by the end of 2003, ignoring customers. Then Ford fired most of the talented engineers and managers associated with the 6.0L. Which bites them because some of those engineers went to GM, improving the Duramax Diesel now.
Basically the 6.0L PS for most of 2004-05 now is a good engine. Hopefully Ford learned something from this, but when you go to horse events that were once dominated by Fords and now aren't, you can see the damage the 2003 6.0L problems caused Ford sales. Ford makes a good truck, which led truck sales for decades, outsold Dodge and GM diesels combined. Still the largest crew cab, longest shortbed, only part-time 4x4 available, only one with Dana axles that made Dodge famous, so Ford can climb to the top again. But back to your question, it's generally not good to buy the first year of a major change, Ford proved this true while Dodge proved it wrong with a all new truck from the frame up in 2003 with little problems.
Posted 2005-09-20 1:31 PM (#30681 - in reply to #30613) Subject: RE: 2003 ford 6.0
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
I guess I am one of the lucky ones that was able to get a new complete engine out of Ford. My 03 6.0L went out at 14,000 miles. It took over a month to get the replacement approved by Ford and to get the engine sent to the dealer and installed. Supposedly the engine that was replaced had been manufactured in 04. I have had no problems with the new engine which now has a little over 20k miles. The tranny on the other hand is a whole different topic. I would avoid the 03's at all cost. The engines are stout, but driving a rental vehicle for months at a time is not what I would ever want to have to deal with again.
Posted 2005-09-20 3:07 PM (#30685 - in reply to #30613) Subject: RE: 2003 ford 6.0
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I bought one of the first 2003 6.0L. It was manufactured on Dec 4,2002. General production of that engine began of Nov 28th.
With in 30 days of buying the truck my tranny failed. Ford shipped in a new tranny and replaced it. The new tranny was returned to Ford (unopened) for a post mortem exam. It took them 5 days to diagnose and replace the tranny. Most of that time was waiting for the new tranny to be shipped from Ford. (new product nobody had one in stock) Ford gave me a loaner truck to drive for those 5 days.
My 6.0L had most of the problems that all early models had. ICP, VGT, EGT, EGB. I have gotten ALL of the computer reflashes as they came out.
Bottom line. My truck has had some quirks, but has never left me stranded. (even when the transmission failed, I drove it into the dealer). All work was covered under warranty. So other than the inconviences of leaving the truck at the dealer for a day, which I usually did in conjunction with an oil change, transmission service, it has not cost me anything.
I had a 97 and 2000 truck previous. The stock 2003 6.0L out tows either of the earlier trucks I owned, which both had chips installed. It is more powerful, quieter, gets as good or better fuel mileage. The new Torque shift tranny has reduced the brake wear. My previous trucks needed brake service every 36,000 miles, My 03 truck has yet to need brake service (currently at 66,000 miles) and I'm pulling bigger trailers.
The 6.0L does have a certain amount of Turbo Lag. meaning that when I have a trailer hooked up and stop on hill, IT feels really anemic trying to get rolling until the RPM's get up 1500-1600rpm. I understand that the new 2007 6.4L is supposed to address that lack of starting power.
If you are looking at a used 2003 6.0L that has had a good track record, I wouldn't be afraid of buying it. I wouldn't worry about the ICP, EGT, VGT etc, Dealers have replaced most of those parts as the trucks came through for normal service and warranty issues. I'm still driving mine and will until the 2008's come out.
I would worry if the truck has had recurring injector problems. Have somebody at a dealership or online enter the S/N and pull a report of what service has been done on the vehicle.
The good news is the resale of the 2003 is down. So you might get a great buy.
2003 ford 6.0
