New to diesel
 

First off if there is thread for this let me know. (Couldn't find one)
I just bought a
Year of truck: 2004 Ford f350 (lariat) 159k miles
Motor: 6.0l
Cab/bed configuration: Short Bed, 4dr, 4x4
Mods: 4" exhaust to 6" tip, AFE intake
How is the truck primarily used: Hauled boats and everyday truck

Just wondering what the first mods I should do to the engine/truck. I can't tell if the EGR has been bullet proofed or not. If there is an easy way to determine if the EGR is bullet proofed I would be greatly appreciated the information.
I understand that a SCT probably will be first mod, if that is true what model would you recommend and tunes?

Thanks Everyone,
PHXDiesel

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Forgot to mention it's a turbo back exhaust.

You should get coolant filter, handle egr whether you bulletproof or delete, head studs and gaskets, and clean turbo, intake and everything else you pull to do studs. Most here will recommend you upgrade your fuel system with the ford blue spring and debate rages on about 6.4 banjo bolts. I did them, easy from ford. They are bigger inside and double cross drilled. If you do not do studs, be gentle and make sure your custom tune is made for your trucks parameters.I live near innovative so I will be going there soon with my ride. There are a lot of guys here on this site that will help you as you go and read previous posts to get educated on what worked and didn't along the way.

If your going after power then head studs are a MUST. You will end up doing them regardless so do them right away and get it over with.
If your going the longevity route . Coolant filter ,EGR delete ,blue spring, STC update also I put a remote oil cooler on when I had my 6.0L and I would highly recommend one I loved that thing. You do the EGR delete and remote oil cooler the coolant can actually do it's job and keep the motor cool not everything else as well.

What kit did you use for oil cooler Canadian country boy? Where did you connect plumbing? I was looking at bulletproof setup but it's a lotta moola. It is sweet tho, you can change to better filter too.

It was by bullet prof diesel products. I live in canada so I went with the cold weather package and the kit that allows the cooler to be mounted one the ac condenser.

But you look at the cost of a couple new oil cooler's and the frustration of draining and cleaning both systems when the factory oem style blow up its worth the peace of the mind.
So many of us sped thousands putting head studs programmers deleting this and fixing that and leave the oem style cooler in place. The last weak link in the system.

That was what I was thinking, nice to see feedback that you are happy. Ty!

"Bullet Proofed" is a term that most people use to talk about fixing the most common problems with the 6.0L. 85% of the problems come from your EGR Cooler. If you delete that, you will avoid most of the other ones. There is a company in Phoenix called Bullet Proof Diesel that you can buy an EGR Delete kit from but there are many other kits which you can usually get cheaper.

Bulletproof also makes a stainless replacement for folks who cannot delete. ( they really frown on deleting) They also make a real nice oil filter and cooler setup to eliminate another factory weak point and not mix coolant with oil to cool.