Have found a '03 F250, 6.0L, 6-spd manual, 3:73 R/E, regular cab, 4x4, less than 50K miles, one owner, clean Carfax, asking price of $17,000.

Just trying to determine if this would be a good investment for me. Some questions, and I'd really appreciate your opinions:

1. With the 6-spd tranny and the 3:73 R/E would I be ok with the 6.0L, or is that engine a problem child regardless of transmission/rearend? (My driving habits are mostly highway speed, about 50mi/day. Very little towing or hauling. No plowing or "stump jumping".)

2. What kind of mileage could I expect on a long trip (~ 7,500 miles, mostly Interstate)?

3. I've driven the truck, and the tranny gives a LOW gear that responds like what grandma-first gear used to be, but the truck seems to lug down if I start out in 2nd. Is this the nature of the beast, or the result of me just being a newbie?

4. What kind of trans/rearend fluids should I use, auto or 90W?

5. You think it would be worth the $17K?

Thanks very much in advance for your opinion.

v/r,
LarryW

 

HI LARRY, The 6.0 had alot of problems from 2003 to 2005, but the 2006 & 2007 were cure as long as you didn't add a tuner. $17,000 is way to much for a truck that going to need the heads studded, and an after-market EGR

 

Excellent gouge! Being a newbie this is the kind of opinion that's especially helpful.

 

I have friends with 2006 6.0 F-250 & they haven't had any problems with blown head-gasket, BUT they're trucks are factory stock

 

Trim package would help determine the proce of the truck. And ont he interstate you can expect to see 15-18 MPG. Low gear on this tranny is only used when towing a heavy load. I usually start out in 1 not L or 2.