Anyone have experience with the 6.4 Powerstroke?
 

Found one for sale locally that is the right price, and the correct spec I am looking for.

My question is - how reliable are they? It would be replacing my 06 Duramax, which hasn't given me much headache since buying it. The Powerstroke does have a nicer interior, as well as a few other goodies I want!


When all is said and done, I'll only be out of pocket ~5k for the upgrade, which isn't too bad.


(or am I better off buying another Duramax or a 6.7 Cummins?)

why do you consider this an upgrade? First question id ask is what about the full size truck that you know is gained by the full size truck that you don't know?

My opinion is that the year range chevy you have has one of the best designed cabin spaces of any full size truck ive ever driven. Were it me, id keep my existing toy hauler and spend that 5k on something else

opinion
 

Justin.

Send me the $5K and I will give you my opinion. :D

Diesel pickups have become a potentially expensive crap shoot. I was talking to a diesel mechanic the other day about my wife's 2000 F350 with the 7.3 Powerstroke. He said I should absolutely, positively hold on to that truck. It is much more reliable than any of the American diesel pickups made since then. He knows a guy who is trying to sell his 2010 F350 (which I believe has the 6.4, but check me on that). The problem is that he can't keep it running long enough to unload it. I generally favor environmental regulations, but it appears as if the diesel manufacturers just can't keep up with the EPA these days. The engines are too loaded up with sensors and other electronics.

I would not buy a post-2000 diesel pickup without checking with someone who is knowledgeable about the specific model I was looking to buy. Some of the Fords since 2000 have been highly unreliable. They have a high probability of living up to their nickname - Found On Road Dead.

Chevy trucks are the nicest driving pickups, IMHO. My wife's truck is 2WD, which is the best format for pulling on the highway, but her friend's 2005 4WD Chevy is almost as nice. The 4WD Chevy is much nicer to drive than any 4WD Ford or Dodge that I have seen.

FWIW.

http://www.eisenhartdiesel.com/wp/wp...y-003-1000.jpg

Great trucks!

I guess that the suspension lift wasn't enough...

the last year of the 7.3 was mid 2003. mid 2003 started the 6.0. that gave for a terrible reputation.

easiest way to do glow plugs or anything really on these trucks.

Honus if offering good advice. The 6.4 with its twin turbo's is not noted for fuel economy- you may as well just buy the V10. Even the new 6.7 Ford has its issues in the 450-550 application with valve failures. It also has two water pumps- one of which requires disassembly of the front of the engine to change. I've enclosed a few pictures of a 6.7 from the Truck Nationals at Carlisle several weeks ago. Note the 4 pushrods per cylinder.

If you want the real deal, save up for a '14 Ram 3500 SRW with its 850 ft./lbs of torque, its available Aisin transmission, and its rear air suspension. The 6.7 Cummins that is now using DEF is a stellar performer and is offering fuel economy that was only dreamed about several years ago.

The guys I know that run those motors in Fords have nothing but problems with them.

Ford diesel = run for the hills.

I'd buy the V10 and pay for gas.

I think AKLIM has one.

They are awesome powerhouses.. DPF delete, intake and a tuner.. easy 600hp.. but reliability is something to be worked on....

i believe he has a 7.3 in his excursion.and it's a 2000 i think which i believe is about the last good year of the 7.3,the later ones used different connecting rods and a few other cheaper parts.

Later 7.3's used powdered metal connecting rods. Perfectly fine with stock power levels. Not so good if you're going for max power.

I was a regular on a Ford diesel forum when the 6.0 came out. Avoid, avoid, avoid. 6.4 and later I haven't been following, so I'm not so sure about them.