Ford Diesel

[Riverman]

I know NOTHING about a Ford diesel, but apparently lots of you guys are happy with the Powerstroke engine.

Please school me on the best Ford diesel engine... along with the good and bad points. What year models are the best and worse, if any.

I just might want one...

Thanks

[ASTMedic]

Originally Posted by Riverman

I know NOTHING about a Ford diesel, but apparently lots of you guys are happy with the Powerstroke engine.



Please school me on the best Ford diesel engine... along with the good and bad points. What year models are the best and worse, if any.



I just might want one...



Thanks

In what year truck? Or just an all around question

[Magnolia Tom]

I’m guessing you’re not asking about the new diesel in the F150.

Here’s a brief summary:

99-03 had the 7.3. More or less bulletproof but lacks power and is loud, stinky

03-07 had the 6.0. Bad reputation for head gasket leaks and oil cooler problems. These can be good with bulletproofing. 05-07 were better than earlier models

08-10 had 6.4. Lots of problems. I’d stay away from this at all costs.

11-current has 6.7. Excellent motor but 11-12 models had turbo issues. Get a 13 up and you should be good. 15-16 got more hp and tq. (440/880)
New body 17 up got even more hp and tq (445/925)

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

I’m guessing you’re not asking about the new diesel in the F150.

Here’s a brief summary:

99-03 had the 7.3. More or less bulletproof but lacks power and is loud, stinky

03-07 had the 6.0. Bad reputation for head gasket leaks and oil cooler problems. These can be good with bulletproofing. 05-07 were better than earlier models

08-10 had 6.4. Lots of problems. I’d stay away from this at all costs.

11-current has 6.7. Excellent motor but 11-12 models had turbo issues. Get a 13 up and you should be good. 15-16 got more hp and tq. (440/880)
New body 17 up got even more hp and tq (445/925)

This is a very good summary. I've worked on hundreds of them over the years and I'd put my order of preference as follows.

1) 2003 and older 7.3L No powerhouse but will run forever with proper maintenance.

2) 2013+ 6.7L. Excellent engine. Great power and efficiency. Extremely complex however for those who like to do their own maintenance.

3) 05-07 6.0L. Do lots of reading on the bulletproofing concept. Can be really good engines with a few modifications and if taken care of.

4) 6.4L. I can't recommend. Unless you can score one dirt cheap, they simply are more trouble than they are worth.

[norty1]

I have owned a 97 , 7.3psd. Great first diesel. Traded due to transmission problems and underpowered.
Currently have a 06, 6.0 psd. Great truck once I had the oil cooler replaced under warranty and then had the EGR bypass kit installed. Still doing the job at 138k.
I would not hesitate to look at all of the big 3 brands. They will all do the job.

[Riverman]

A 3/4-ton crew cab to tow my travel trailer. Nothing smaller.

I'd say around a 6 to 10 year old truck.

[jbrnigan]

Diesel history already cited. I bought a 2018 F-250 6.7L PSD because they were the "biggest and baddest" tow machines available. Seriously, this is my first diesel, researched extensively, and after driving GM and Fiat/Chrysler (Dodge), the Ford was a hands down winner. Complex? I guess so. Powerful? Yep! (smiley face) I use my PSD exclusively for towing my 29RKS - 11,000 absolutely trouble free miles - a pleasure to drive. It is definitely more truck than required for my TT, but I would never, ever go back to less powerful gas. After the fact, there is just no substitute for lots of HP and torque. Lots of debate re: gas v diesel and costs of everything diesel v gas, so, my take, if ya gotta worry about what it costs, you can't afford it. But, once you've had one, pulled long distance, pulled heavy, and over the continental divide (and Monteagle), man, it would be tough to go back.

[Riverman]

With all the problems listed above..... sounds like I better look for a 5.9 Cummins.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Riverman

With all the problems listed above..... sounds like I better look for a 5.9 Cummins.

Now I wouldn't go that far. Ford has some great trucks out there. You just need to know what you are getting in to.

Now since you brought up 5.9L Cummins. I still have one and holding on to it for as long as I can. Yes, they are that good.

[Riverman]

Thanks for the detailed info.