LB7 duramax vs 6.0 powertroke?

[Hans Schmid]

Good luck. IMO modern diesels are some of the worst vehicles out there. Be ready to empty those pockets at some point on expensive repairs(Injectors, injection pumps, turbos, head gaskets, transmissions ect.).

I've been there before. We all need to learn some how.

I agree and disagree. Under warranty they are perfect, off warranty is where it get sketchy...

My good old 94 12v Cummins with mechanical trans is pretty much bulletproof...

[c0ncEpT]

I agree and disagree. Under warranty they are perfect, off warranty is where it get sketchy...

My good old 94 12v Cummins with mechanical trans is pretty much bulletproof...

Nothing modern about a 12V Cummins lol. The last of the "Good" diesels.

[BlueHeart]

I absolutely love my 06 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.0 liter. Much better than my 7.3 liter.

I'd recommend doing some reading in the tech folders at FTE or Powerstroke.org. Both have incredibly knowledgeable members willing to bend over backwards and show you the ropes to successful 6.0 ownership. Monitoring is the key to longevity first and foremost. Many people don't know that issues are developing until it's too late and damage is already occurring.

Check this out below. Total investment of $30. Most of these are not necessary, but it's pretty amazing what a $5 app will provide.

[KillerK]

It seems as if I hit a 100,000+ maintenance mark:(

Nothing big, but last week fuel pressure regulator o-ring went hard and started to seep. I did the blue spring upgrade which was easy to do.

Now my turn signal multi switch is malfunctioning.

[nissan_twinturbo]

Is that with just one of those Bluetooth things you plug into your obd2? Just bled my power steering and tightened that up, gonna get a coolant filter and get that gold stuff out, really wanna get some monitoring stuff

[BlueHeart]

Is that with just one of those Bluetooth things you plug into your obd2? Just bled my power steering and tightened that up, gonna get a coolant filter and get that gold stuff out, really wanna get some monitoring stuff

Yep.I paid $23 for it off Amazon 4 years ago. Elm 327. You can customize your display with different sensors, colors, you name it. Edited September 3, 2016 by BlueHeart

[billygildark5007]

kind of looking for a somewhat unbiased opinion so i dont really wanna post on a truck forum, i need a new truck! it is my daily driver and dirt bike hauler and occasionally will tow a trailer with dirt bikes and eventually my race car, in my price range i can get a few early duramaxs or a few 6.0 powertrokes for under 9k, wanted to see what you guys prefer. mpg isnt a huge factor, as its about 6's. more concerned on reliablilty and what to look or ask for with each one. i realize the 6.0's had alot more issues to start. just curious what yall have and love, open to other options as well, but the market is weird out here, a 2001 f150 will go for the same as 6.0. either way ill probably end up doing intake exhaust and a chip. right now im driving an 88 idi that is enormous. i want something smooth, that i can roll the windows up and enjoy the ac and just not worry about breaking or passing a saftey inspection that looks nice and i enjoy riding in. when winter hits a co worker and i will be taking my truck twice a month to dirt bike down south around 3 hours one way. what do yall think?? for a little cheaper theres alot of 7.3 that im also thinking about, figure anything will be better then my na idi rolling on 39's lol

Just my opinion (I'm a ford guy, older cummingsand duramax great too) but I love my 7.3s. The 6.0s are good motors after they've been bulletproofed. Around 2-3grand for a shop to do. And their much faster (if that matters to you). But reliability in towing and longevity goes to the 7.3.

My 99 f450 work trucks at 384,000 (mostly hauling trailers) with no major motor issues. And a 2000 f250 with 113k and still no issues. Their simple to work on and don't have all the smog and green air BS. (Neither do the others) buddies got a Cummings 12 valve w 400k no major issues. But my 2000 250 doesn't even have a cat. I pass smog with it in California with straight pipes!!!

Edited September 3, 2016 by billygildark5007

[yzdude250f]

The issue with any used diesel is if the previous owner was a cheap ass on upkeep you'll be the one paying for it.

As far as a 6.0 buy one stock and go through it and bullet proof it yourself and install the updates (stc fittings fuel spring etc) use oem head gaskets and an oem oil cooler,add an aftermarket coolant filtration system and a mild tune and you'll be in the clear. The term "bullet proof is often misunderstood it doesn't make it indestructible but takes care of a majority of the common 6.0 headaches.

You couldn't pay me to take a 6.0 someone's already bullet proofed unless the paper work showed oem parts and legitimate break down on matching work etc a lot of shade tree stuff goes down and you'll have to do it allover again.

[offrd beatr]

Just my opinion (I'm a ford guy, older cummingsand duramax great too) but I love my 7.3s. The 6.0s are good motors after they've been bulletproofed. Around 2-3grand for a shop to do. And their much faster (if that matters to you). But reliability in towing and longevity goes to the 7.3.

My 99 f450 work trucks at 384,000 (mostly hauling trailers) with no major motor issues. And a 2000 f250 with 113k and still no issues. Their simple to work on and don't have all the smog and green air BS. (Neither do the others) buddies got a Cummings 12 valve w 400k no major issues. But my 2000 250 doesn't even have a cat. I pass smog with it in California with straight pipes!!!

There isn't a G in Cummins.

[8675309]

I would purchase a D-max again. Even though mine sits in the driveway in need of injectors ($4,500)

[Hans Schmid]

Said I would never buy another 6.0l again, dammed if I was lying. Bought a minty 06 Lariat...

[FaintReality]

I wouldn't touch a 6.0 with a 10ft pole. There is a reason you can get them cheaper than the 99-mid 03's with the 7.3. I have a 02 7.3 with 260k miles and the truck runs and pulls my toy hauler with no issues. My dad had a 99 7.3 that also runs flawless with no issues. My dad use to deliver furniture cross country for his buddy and crossed 1 million miles in his buddies 7.3 which is amazing in my opinion.

I have two buddies with the 6.0. One has had nothing but issues and the other has no issues, but put over $15k in the motor making it bullet proof.

[busted bones]

kind of looking for a somewhat unbiased opinion so i dont really wanna post on a truck forum, i need a new truck! it is my daily driver and dirt bike hauler and occasionally will tow a trailer with dirt bikes and eventually my race car, in my price range i can get a few early duramaxs or a few 6.0 powertrokes for under 9k, wanted to see what you guys prefer. mpg isnt a huge factor, as its about 6's. more concerned on reliablilty and what to look or ask for with each one. i realize the 6.0's had alot more issues to start. just curious what yall have and love, open to other options as well, but the market is weird out here, a 2001 f150 will go for the same as 6.0. either way ill probably end up doing intake exhaust and a chip. right now im driving an 88 idi that is enormous. i want something smooth, that i can roll the windows up and enjoy the ac and just not worry about breaking or passing a saftey inspection that looks nice and i enjoy riding in. when winter hits a co worker and i will be taking my truck twice a month to dirt bike down south around 3 hours one way. what do yall think?? for a little cheaper theres alot of 7.3 that im also thinking about, figure anything will be better then my na idi rolling on 39's lol

So the early 6.0s were the ones with the most problems. 06 and 07 seemed to be more reliable. The reason you're finding F150s for the same price is the 5.4 was famous for spitting spark plugs out of the engine and the only fix was to either replace the whole head or helicoil the head. Pre 06 Fords were hunks of shit on almost every level.

[busted bones]

There isn't a G in Cummins.

Freudian slip?

[kxlubber]

Don't tune that truck, they are already turned up by 90hp over what they were designed for by International.

[kxlubber]

Said I would never buy another 6.0l again, dammed if I was lying. Bought a minty 06 Lariat...

Evans coolant claims that late in 06, International started using better headbolts and gaskets.

[Hans Schmid]

Evans coolant claims that late in 06, International started using better headbolts and gaskets.

My diesel guy would say other wise...

[kxlubber]

You guys and your 6.0 trucks could have it worse

I have to move the power steering reservoir and the wiring harness just to get at one of my fuel filters.

[KillerK]

Don't tune that truck, they are already turned up by 90hp over what they were designed for by International.

Don't race it like a teenage boy.

Head gasket/stud replacement isn't very common at our local dealer. A lot of them didn't need to be done according to my diesel tech. I have been running a programmer from day 1. Along with my dad and many others locally. I don't know of anyone personally who has had head gasket problems. 90% of the trucks have programmers.

Only issue I have had is my erratic cruise control while towing. At times it takes to long to downshift then when it does it revs and boosts high. One time it blew the upper turbo boot off.

[nissan_twinturbo]

I thought 05 was when they made the switch, did it with the the front suspension swap and front end update.. idk I just got back from a dirt biking trip in my buddies duramax, 2 hour drive and lemme tell ya, next time we are taking my truck! Interior on the 6.0 is miles better then the chevy, sure I guess he did like 1-2 mpg better then my truck, but not worth it, even the ride which everyone says is way better in the chevy really wasnt, I felt the road way more in his truck.. except for when we're on a cement freeway, my truck likes to bounce way to much on those and his didnt