2003 F350 diesel

Mike Savelle · 08-03-2015, 06:37 PM

Anyone have experience , good or bad with this vehicle for towing, had a camper on it for its life ?

magnumv8 · 08-03-2015, 07:43 PM

That was the first year the 6.0 powerstroke was available....if that is what is in it, avoid it, it will only bring heartache.......

D L Rambo....Stk 1300

Mike Savelle · 08-04-2015, 07:39 AM

what is the problem with this engine, is it one thing or is it everything ?

FED 387 · 08-04-2015, 08:41 AM

HEAD GASKETS---have to pull the cab off the truck to get them off cuz of the head studs engine sits too far back under the cowl--- very expensive repair thousands of dollars-- google them Ford recalled tons of them ended up BUYING BACK thousands of them too---very bad engine!!!! Do your homework on this before you make a very costly mistake--- FED 387

nickh · 08-04-2015, 11:01 AM

I just bought a 2007 F350 4x4 with 6.0. FED is correct, the 07 models seem to have less issues than the early 6.0's. Got 4:30 gears in mine, so I need to go to a taller tire to kill the gear. Motor is taching 2000 rpm at 73 mph.

Bought mine with much of the work already done (110,000 miles)
1. Cold Air intake
2. EGR Delete
3. Tuner
4. Straight exhaust

Had to replace the FICM last month. I have pulled a overloaded (40,000#) gooseneck trailer did not strain it at all. I get 24 mpg on the flat with no high winds, towing 12 to 14 avg.

It does have the heated tailgate option so your hands won't get cold when you push it out of an intersection...

Chris1529 · 08-06-2015, 09:19 AM

If I got 24 mpg, then I'd say the 4.30 gears are about right at least if you live where there are hills and mountains.

2000 rpm at 73 mph is nothing to worry about.

Robert Swartz · 08-16-2015, 08:46 PM

These early power strokes take a lot grief. Yes there were more than a few bad ones. I found one at a dealership by accident. Was looking at a new truck. The wife found this one on the back of the lot. It was an 03. Had a buddy that finds all the flaws in the best of cars and trucks. He looked it over and couldn't find anything objectionable.

This one had 116k on it. I was able to find out who the previous owner was. Also I was able to see both the service and warranty history of the vehicle. The only issue I've had was an alternator went out.

Not unhappy with my truck.

C and W Racing · 09-23-2015, 01:54 PM

I bought an 03 brand new in December of 02. It has the 6.0 in it and even though I have heard of people having issues with the 6.0, knock on wood, I have never had any issues except for replacing the batteries and the alternator.
Chuck

08-03-2015, 06:37 PM	#1
Mike Savelle Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 361 Likes: 110 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	2003 F350 diesel Anyone have experience , good or bad with this vehicle for towing, had a camper on it for its life ?

08-03-2015, 07:43 PM	#2
magnumv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coraopolis, Pa. Posts: 172 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel That was the first year the 6.0 powerstroke was available....if that is what is in it, avoid it, it will only bring heartache....... D L Rambo....Stk 1300

08-04-2015, 07:39 AM	#3
Mike Savelle Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 361 Likes: 110 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel what is the problem with this engine, is it one thing or is it everything ?

08-04-2015, 08:41 AM	#4
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,358 Likes: 346 Liked 282 Times in 152 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel HEAD GASKETS---have to pull the cab off the truck to get them off cuz of the head studs engine sits too far back under the cowl--- very expensive repair thousands of dollars-- google them Ford recalled tons of them ended up BUYING BACK thousands of them too---very bad engine!!!! Do your homework on this before you make a very costly mistake--- FED 387

08-04-2015, 11:01 AM	#5
nickh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 677 Likes: 1,929 Liked 251 Times in 103 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel I just bought a 2007 F350 4x4 with 6.0. FED is correct, the 07 models seem to have less issues than the early 6.0's. Got 4:30 gears in mine, so I need to go to a taller tire to kill the gear. Motor is taching 2000 rpm at 73 mph. Bought mine with much of the work already done (110,000 miles) 1. Cold Air intake 2. EGR Delete 3. Tuner 4. Straight exhaust Had to replace the FICM last month. I have pulled a overloaded (40,000#) gooseneck trailer did not strain it at all. I get 24 mpg on the flat with no high winds, towing 12 to 14 avg. It does have the heated tailgate option so your hands won't get cold when you push it out of an intersection...

08-06-2015, 09:19 AM	#6
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,367 Likes: 6 Liked 57 Times in 27 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel If I got 24 mpg, then I'd say the 4.30 gears are about right at least if you live where there are hills and mountains. 2000 rpm at 73 mph is nothing to worry about. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

08-16-2015, 08:46 PM	#7
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: 2003 F350 diesel These early power strokes take a lot grief. Yes there were more than a few bad ones. I found one at a dealership by accident. Was looking at a new truck. The wife found this one on the back of the lot. It was an 03. Had a buddy that finds all the flaws in the best of cars and trucks. He looked it over and couldn't find anything objectionable. This one had 116k on it. I was able to find out who the previous owner was. Also I was able to see both the service and warranty history of the vehicle. The only issue I've had was an alternator went out. Not unhappy with my truck. __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock

09-23-2015, 01:54 PM	#8
C and W Racing Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 554 Likes: 5 Liked 10 Times in 1 Post	Re: 2003 F350 diesel I bought an 03 brand new in December of 02. It has the 6.0 in it and even though I have heard of people having issues with the 6.0, knock on wood, I have never had any issues except for replacing the batteries and the alternator. Chuck