Truck Nuts

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

On 7/10/2018 at 9:42 AM, PvilleStang said:

I hate seeing people haul their bikes on a tow hitch mounted rack while the bed is empty.  Why the hell did you buy the truck then?

Don't want to scratch the lip of the bed accidentally Bro

[gasman 114]

8 hours ago, mbtex said:

Had the same in green. Was my favorite truck until some ahole ran into me and totaled it. Where did you find it?

Fort Worth. I'm finally getting the last of the fluids changed (never trust the previous owner). Got some upholstery tears fixed. Replacing and fixing bits and pieces here and there. Corrected the paint as much as I can. The goal was to have a truck to teach my teenage son how to do drive a MT and learn basic repairs and maintenance. It's been pretty solid so far.

 

[tequila 319]

Tell me about the 6.0 liter Powerstroke (2005)....

Bought an Excursion back in December to haul kids/gear around last November. I’ve put about 8k miles on it since, mostly road trips. I’m looking to bulletproof it as I can’t take my eyes off the EOT/ECT temps whenever I’m on a road trip and want to be confident that it won’t break down 500 miles from home with my family having to miss out on a vacation. Right now it’s my daily driver, but I have a 2014 F250 in the garage as a back up, so putting the Excursion in the shop for a few weeks isn’t an issue.

Has anyone done work on their 6L? If so, what are the most important components to beef up? I plan on keeping the rig for a long rime and don’t mind putting money into it so I don’t have to worry about blowing an oil cooler at an inopportune time.

Thanks in advance.


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[Anton Chigurh 3323]

If you bulletproof it with the upgraded oil and EGR coolers it should be pretty reliable, but I don’t have direct experience.

[PvilleStang 2926]

Might I recommend another forum for that technical of a question: https://www.powerstroke.org/forum/.

I know the studs need to be replaced, EGR modifications, exhaust, etc.  And a programmer.  But I'd invest some time in research, as well as getting a damn good mechanic with experience around the 6.0.  I looked around for a long time before modding my 6.4L, and am definitely thankful I did.  I don't drive it like a bat out of hell, so I didn't need to go all out, but straight pipe, tune, and she runs like a top at this point.  Emphasis on the tune, because you can make or break an engine with the right tune.

[tequila 319]

Thanks for the replies.


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[Lat22 4053]

10 hours ago, tequila said:

Tell me about the 6.0 liter Powerstroke (2005)....

Bought an Excursion back in December to haul kids/gear around last November. I’ve put about 8k miles on it since, mostly road trips. I’m looking to bulletproof it as I can’t take my eyes off the EOT/ECT temps whenever I’m on a road trip and want to be confident that it won’t break down 500 miles from home with my family having to miss out on a vacation. Right now it’s my daily driver, but I have a 2014 F250 in the garage as a back up, so putting the Excursion in the shop for a few weeks isn’t an issue.

Has anyone done work on their 6L? If so, what are the most important components to beef up? I plan on keeping the rig for a long rime and don’t mind putting money into it so I don’t have to worry about blowing an oil cooler at an inopportune time.

Thanks in advance.


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If you're in Houston (acutally, they just moved to Cypress), look up Powerstroke Magic.  They're a shop that only works on Powerstrokes (duh).  They bulletproofed my 05.  At a minimum, I think you need an EGR delete.  The way they do it, it looks like it's still there in case you get some uppity inspection guy.  ARP headstuds are also a must if you run any kind of a tuner/chip. I had three oil cooler failures before I decided to spend the money and delete it. 

[tequila 319]

If you're in Houston (acutally, they just moved to Cypress), look up Powerstroke Magic.  They're a shop that only works on Powerstrokes (duh).  They bulletproofed my 05.  At a minimum, I think you need an EGR delete.  The way they do it, it looks like it's still there in case you get some uppity inspection guy.  ARP headstuds are also a must if you run any kind of a tuner/chip. I had three oil cooler failures before I decided to spend the money and delete it. 

Thanks for the response. Are head studs necessary if it’s not going to be chipped?


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[Anton Chigurh 3323]

If you replace the coolers with the redesigned units they won’t fail in the way that all the stock ones do.

I won’t advocate for deleting emissions equipment but people do have success with it.

[Lat22 4053]

I'm no expert by any means, but I don't think so. It's the oil cooler that's going to strand you.  If the previous owner didn't use a tuner, the head bolts and gasket should be OK.  I also put a coolant filter system on mine.  Simple install.  I sold the truck about five years ago so I haven't thought about any of this in a while.  Let me see if I can dig up some old records.

 

I'm reading back through some old forums and I'm getting PTSD remembering everything I did to my truck!

Edited August 2, 2018 by Lat22

[Leeroy Jenkins 2431]

39 minutes ago, tequila said:

 

Thanks for the response. Are head studs necessary if it’s not going to be chipped?


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I would do the head studs.  If you plan on keeping that 6.0 for a long time it will be worth it.  It isn't cheap...  Put a mild tune on it and you will get a little boost in power and better fuel mileage.  

[Lat22 4053]

You'll save on some labor charges on the head studs because they'll have to tear into the engine anyway to do the other stuff.  Most of the diesel shops lift the cab for easy access (not sure how this works on an Excursion).

[GringoSalado 1652]

[PvilleStang 2926]

^^^ That shit hits close to home.  Was on vacation last year when we got the call our HP Fuel Pump went out, turbo internals were bent.  They cab-offed it and replaced them, and you're looking at a good 2K for the cab-off at a minimum at stealerships.  I'm still pissed at my service rep since she never sent me pics of it in the air.  

A month later, yanked the DPF and cats, straight pipe, and mild tune.  Defuel only set to 2, so no Dodge-level smoke trails.  I still suspect the clogged DPF caused excessive back pressure, which led to regens about every 200 miles.  The extra diesel found its way into the oil pan, and BOOM, oil overfill, limp mode, and some other bullshit with the HP Fuel Pump.

[GringoSalado 1652]

2 hours ago, PvilleStang said:

The extra diesel found its way into the oil pan, and BOOM, oil overfill, limp mode, and some other bullshit with the HP Fuel Pump.

That's typically (but not always) an injector issue...

 

I remember the 6.0's having turbo problems, they introduced the variable pitch turbo on that motor, as well as injector issues, but that may have only been the 03 models. Last Ford I owned was the original 7.3 powerstroke (had 2 of those actually) and I haven't really trusted them since. In the ohl fill we had all 3 kinds and had emissions issues with all of them, but injector probs w/ Cummins (plus a thrown rod @ 125k) and Ford/Navistar. The 15-16 Duramax trucks we had "only" had emissions related issues.

[RowdyVic 106]

My sled is 05 f350.

Egr delete.
Upgraded oil cooler.
Studs replaced.
4" exhaust.
Blue spring upgrade.
Stand pipe and plugs upgraded.
Oil bypass filter.
Coolant bypass filter.
Injectors rebuilt.

I did everything myself except the exhaust and studs. I am actually replacing the u joints right now. I am no expert but i can tell ya a thing or two about these rides.

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[RowdyVic 106]

glow plugs and aftermarket air intake done as well.

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[Lat22 4053]

27 minutes ago, RowdyVic said:

My sled is 05 f350.

Egr delete.
Upgraded oil cooler.
Studs replaced.
4" exhaust.
Blue spring upgrade.
Stand pipe and plugs upgraded.
Oil bypass filter.
Coolant bypass filter.
Injectors rebuilt.

I did everything myself except the exhaust and studs. I am actually replacing the u joints right now. I am no expert but i can tell ya a thing or two about these rides.

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That list takes me back. I can’t remember exactly what the blue spring upgrade was, but I remember that I did it. 

[RowdyVic 106]

Increases fuel psi. Helps the injectors.

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[tequila 319]

Thanks for all the info.  I really like the Excursion, it's fun to mess with.  That being said, I don't have time to do the work myself, and would just hire it out.  The other option would be to drive the F250 up to OK and get this dude to go to work on it:

 

http://www.customautosbytim.com/index.html

[RowdyVic 106]

So some quick things you can do...and i highly suggest. They might save ya some bux down the road.

Blue spring upgrade
Oil bypass
Coolant bypass

Everything else is pretty much balls deep in the motor.

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[Pato del Muerto 52898]

Car show had these

 

[UnivTex34 1763]

Hnnnnnnnnggggggggg

[Pato del Muerto 52898]

I don’t think you can make out the badge, but it and the valve covers say 502. So it can go. 

[Sandman 3420]

I'm in the market to upgrade trucks. I'm looking at Lariats and the new ones start out at 45k here in Oklahoma. I'd like to get a slightly used one but the prices aren't much lower, plus the 18s have the new 10 speed transmission. I'm not sure the dealers will come down much from 45k, but I'll admit I'm not a master negotiator, either. I do OK but I'm not sure I could get much more from them. Am I naïve to think there's not much meat left on the bone at 45k? TrueCar has 44k or less as "exceptional", for example.

[Bert Orange 1130]

Can you wait a bit?  The Raptor engine is making it into the new F150. At least worth considering. 

NM, looks like it’s only available in the Limited trim. 

Edited August 27, 2018 by Bert Orange

[Tommy Nobis 905]

probably be better off waiting a bit....wait til the '19's hit the lots and then buy a '18.

[Sandman 3420]

4 hours ago, Tommy Nobis said:

probably be better off waiting a bit....wait til the '19's hit the lots and then buy a '18.

You're probably right. I think the 19s will be out in October and I'm in no hurry. Thanks.

[UTexasFight 9658]

I am in a hurry...milking the rental car game through insurance (see pics above of my now totaled 2014 Sierra) but the gig is about up and I need some normalcy and not bouncing between rental car (when I have my kids) and my ‘89 Chevy single cab (when I don’t).

 

Think I’ve narrowed it down to a Sierra 1500 SLT or F150 Lariat

Would be open to buying used but not sure I’m going to find exactly what I want.

 

When do the rebates really start happening on the 2018s?

I bought my 2014 right around this exact same time of year 4 years ago as the 2015s were starting to arrive (sept 10 to be exact)...that seemed to be a good time to balance decent selection with decent rebates.

At this point, I need to buy something within the next 7-10 days so I guess my decision is really down to taking current rebates set to expire on Labor Day or wait and see what comes out the day after? (2014 I recall some sort of new NFL season promotion GMC was doing the week between Labor Day and first NFL Sunday)

 

[Sgt Hulk 14094]

just swinging by, saying holler to my fellow truck nuts. 

[4th and 5 4926]

On 8/29/2018 at 12:22 AM, UTexasFight said:

I am in a hurry...milking the rental car game through insurance (see pics above of my now totaled 2014 Sierra) but the gig is about up and I need some normalcy and not bouncing between rental car (when I have my kids) and my ‘89 Chevy single cab (when I don’t).

 

Think I’ve narrowed it down to a Sierra 1500 SLT or F150 Lariat

Would be open to buying used but not sure I’m going to find exactly what I want.

 

When do the rebates really start happening on the 2018s?

I bought my 2014 right around this exact same time of year 4 years ago as the 2015s were starting to arrive (sept 10 to be exact)...that seemed to be a good time to balance decent selection with decent rebates.

At this point, I need to buy something within the next 7-10 days so I guess my decision is really down to taking current rebates set to expire on Labor Day or wait and see what comes out the day after? (2014 I recall some sort of new NFL season promotion GMC was doing the week between Labor Day and first NFL Sunday)

 

If you’re in Centex, my go to is Covert in Bastrop. Recently my buddy got Covert and Chuck Nash in San Marcos playing off each other and he got an SLT down all the way to 39900

[Brew 3049]

‘17 F150 had an oil leak so I dropped it off at the dealership last week. They finally call me back early this week and have determined that the oil pan had warped. That seems strange to me, so I google it and find that it is a fairly commonly known problem at this point because they have gone to a composite oil pan. That just seems like a strange plan for something on the bottom of a hot engine full of hot oil but I didn’t go to engineering school past the first year either.

This is after going through the issue on my ‘15 with the plastic gears in the front axle shearing. What ever happened to good old fashioned metal?

Edited August 31, 2018 by Brew

[Pato del Muerto 52898]

Metal is heavy, and there’s fuel economy standards to hit. 

[Anton Chigurh 3323]

Metal is heavy, and there’s fuel economy standards to hit. 

 

Yep.

 

Composite pans have been around for many years now.

 

[UTexasFight 9658]

Ended up settling on a used one very similar to my 2014 gray Sierra
This one is a 2015.
Part of me was proud I relied on my ‘89 Silverado to get me to the dealership:

[williemackgarza 1826]

Nice looking truck

[Sgt Hulk 14094]

On 9/1/2018 at 7:53 PM, UTexasFight said:

Ended up settling on a used one very similar to my 2014 gray Sierra
This one is a 2015.
Part of me was proud I relied on my ‘89 Silverado to get me to the dealership:

Nice. I traded in my 14 Silverado LT for a 17 LTZ Z-71 4x4 fully loaded with the 8 speed. Love it 

[Sandman 3420]

I test drove a 2019 Ram yesterday, it was nice. I'm really tempted, even though I usually go with a 2 year old used option. I've been waiting to see the sales to "get rid of the 2018s!" but it hasn't happened yet. 

[BearSchlong 8140]

Metal is heavy, and there’s fuel economy standards to hit. 

Which is why I bought my obsolete, fuel guzzling 2018 tundra with the 5.7 because when you have the Prius in your fleet. . .

[Brew 3049]

5 hours ago, BearSchlong said:

On 8/31/2018 at 8:44 AM, Pato del Muerto said:

Metal is heavy, and there’s fuel economy standards to hit. 

Which is why I bought my obsolete, fuel guzzling 2018 tundra with the 5.7 because when you have the Prius in your fleet. . .

Almost 30k miles after a year and a lifetime 14.7 MPG. I think Ford wasted their time with plastic stuff. 

[Pescado_Rojo 19454]

5 hours ago, BearSchlong said:

On 8/31/2018 at 8:44 AM, Pato del Muerto said:

Metal is heavy, and there’s fuel economy standards to hit. 

Which is why I bought my obsolete, fuel guzzling 2018 tundra with the 5.7 because when you have the Prius in your fleet. . .

A friend of mine leased a hybrid Camry for his work car a couple years ago. He did the deal in December, and got a ridiculous deal because they had to sell x number of hybrids to meet their economy standards because they had sold so many Tundras. 

[Lat22 4053]

After flirting with the Powerstroke F150 and the Raptor, I went back to what I’ve had in the past (99 and 05). This was the GM’s demo and he already had it upfitted exactly the way I would have done it (leveled with bigger BFG ATs). Really thinking about a bed cover for the first time. Right now leaning towards the Retrax Pro MX.

[4th and 5 4926]

Nice truck

[ChickenSandwich 9856]

On 7/30/2018 at 11:53 PM, ChickenSandwich said:

 

 

 

 

both air bags, totaled cab

props to the fireman who brought me my black longhorn emblem and mudflap

* I was stopped for a good 30 seconds right in front of the red explorer, notice the absence of skid marks, no brakes.  God bless Toyota

 

 

 

40 days and back today. Had the rental 20 days less than the truck total. Lol. Fucking cabs man, and shocker...still have not accepted liability 

[texas08 1599]

After flirting with the Powerstroke F150 and the Raptor, I went back to what I’ve had in the past (99 and 05). This was the GM’s demo and he already had it upfitted exactly the way I would have done it (leveled with bigger BFG ATs). Really thinking about a bed cover for the first time. Right now leaning towards the Retrax Pro MX.

Gawd I love those front ends...those lightssss.

CLEAN AF

[Lat22 4053]

According to the Retrax website, if I buy one of their bed covers I’ll wind up with a hot chick and a jet. It also looks like I’ll lose some weight.

[Spaulding Smails 1568]

Gorgeous truck, @Lat22.  

I finally pulled the trigger on a new truck.  Ordered a 2019 F350 two weeks ago.  Similar color scheme.  Should be here in November or December.  Already looking into the leveling kit and larger BFG-ATs.  I'm torn on the retractable bed cover.  I use the bed of my truck enough for large things that I think it would just get in the way or get damaged.  I haul lumber, steel, stone, feed.  I'm afraid it would be more of a hinderance.  Plus, I went with the 8' bed and I'll probably put a headache rack and tool box on it.  Anyone have any input on yes or no on that front?

I've driven the wheels off my 2004 F150.  Bought it used in 2007 with 35K miles.  I put 30K miles on it between 2007-2013.  I had a company truck, so this was my weekend truck to run to the coast, hunting trips, etc.  Started my own business in 2013, and since then, I've put 165K miles on it.  235K miles total now.  Just rebuilt the transmission and put new shoes on her.  AC freezes up after an hour or so, but otherwise, she runs like a top.  Retiring her to the ranch this winter, and she'll officially become a ranch truck.  

[Brew 3049]

If you’re running that many miles, put a legitimate leveling kit on it instead of the block kit everyone runs around here. I went with a Fox kit and it is night and day different in ride/drive quality. The guy that did it said it was his 2nd/3rd Fox kit versus doing a block kit almost daily.

[Spaulding Smails 1568]

On September 8, 2018 at 8:43 AM, Brew said:

If you’re running that many miles, put a legitimate leveling kit on it instead of the block kit everyone runs around here. I went with a Fox kit and it is night and day different in ride/drive quality. The guy that did it said it was his 2nd/3rd Fox kit versus doing a block kit almost daily.

Thanks for the advice.  A good friend owns a truck accessory shop, so I'll make sure to mention this to him.  Literally taking the truck straight from the dealership there to get a few bells and whistles added.

[bigshark88 388]

After flirting with the Powerstroke F150 and the Raptor, I went back to what I’ve had in the past (99 and 05). This was the GM’s demo and he already had it upfitted exactly the way I would have done it (leveled with bigger BFG ATs). Really thinking about a bed cover for the first time. Right now leaning towards the Retrax Pro MX.

Fn NICE!

Ford guys: what's the trim / package level you have to get to in order to get those C-clamp headlights on the F250?