2004 Ford F-250 Super DutyLariat 6.0L Diesel
“The 6.0 got a bad rap. Dale proved them wrong.”
Documented Miles
443,000
on the odometer
Reliability Score
81/100
community rating
Est. Total Maintenance
$54,800
lifetime spend
Est. Savings vs. New
$30,200
vs. buying new
Engine
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel (V8)
5R110 TorqShift Automatic
Drivetrain
4WD
2004 model year
The 6.0 Power Stroke is notorious for problems — EGR failures, head gaskets, FICM issues. Dale addressed every known weakness in the first 50,000 miles of ownership and has since hauled his excavating business across West Texas for 19 years without stopping.
Known Issues
We don't sugarcoat. Here's what to watch for — and what to fix before it becomes a problem.
6.0L EGR Cooler Failure
The stock EGR cooler will fail. It's not if, it's when. When it cracks it dumps coolant into combustion — catastrophic. Replace it proactively with an aftermarket unit before it fails. This is the #1 thing that kills 6.0s.
Head Gasket Failure
Factory head bolts are inadequate for the cylinder pressures. ARP head studs are mandatory, not optional. If the previous owner hasn't done this, budget for it immediately.