04 6.0 as daily driver

[mx730md]

hi,
i want to know what your opinions are for a 04 6.0 f250 as a daily driver i have a 30min drive/15 miles to work each day. and on the week ends i usually drive around 150-200 mile for motocross races. i dont think i should have any problem with a 6.0 since i wont really be towing a lot maybe 3000 at the most, im sure alot will say get a gas but the diesel makes be grin ear to ear.what is the typical mpg around 15? i drive like a old lady through town and also do these have a block heater? it's starting to cool down at night.
thanks and i hope i can stick around here

 

[atk]

i don`t think you should have a problem. i use mine for just that, a daily driver. i use mine for work and hauling the family around, but i usually put on about 60 miles a day. also, i plan on doing more towing in the future, like i use too....it doesn`t make very good economical sense to drive one of these trucks daily, but i do. i feel safer in a larger vehicle....i get anywhere from 15mpg to 23mpg(Cdn gallon and hand calculated) depending on what i am doing....

couple things you should know....1-no extended idle time
2-drive it you stole it(once a week)
both these will help the varible vanes in the turbo frome sticking....


yes these do have a block heater.....try looking for the cord by the right driving light in the front bumper. it may be hidden, but should be there..


hope this helps and welcome to SDD....

 

[ponyexpress94]

IMO, the trucks that seem to have more problems are the trucks that are toys that aren't driven as much. Diesels need to be run and even a 30 minute drive will be good for it, even better is that you will get some good long distance time on the weekends running at highway speeds. I would seriously consider a reputable Cetane Boost additive for your truck. You will be driving under conditions where the EGR system will working more so use an additive along with fuel from a reputable station, to prevent buildup in the more sensitive EGR system parts. Like ATK said, do not idle the truck if you don't need to, it's a wasteful habit in pickup trucks that needs to stop and will do wonders for your overall fuel economy. Idling gets you nowhere!!! Literally and figuratively.

 

[mx730md]

what would your suggest as a additive? also you guys say not to idle i would think it would be better for about 5min to get the engine and trans warmed up and let it cool of for a min or two when you turn it of?

 

[95_stroker]

5 minutes is plenty long for a warm up period. Cooling down for shut down is a good practice, if you have a pyrometer just let the turbo get to 300°-350° and you are good to go. If you dont have a pyro then two minutes should get you cooled down.

Stanadyne and DieselKleen are two reputable additives for your fuel.

 

[powerstrokeguy]

The 6.0's need to be ran hard. otherwise they build crap up in the engine. It needs to tow 10+ thousand pounds here and there. Or just be dogged on a bit.

 

[snicklas]

Somewhat stupid question?

What is considered "extended idle time"? I make sure to use Diesel Kleen and drive it like I stole it every once in a while, plus tow a 5k trailer. I do let it idle at times sometime for 10 or 15 minutes. If the family sits in the truck and I run into a store...etc. I will generally "get after it" when I take off after idleing. What would be a good rule of thumb?

 

[powerstrokeguy]

No longer than 5 min is the rule.

 

[shhorn68]

I use an additive from Lucas that seems to work well. I also put a louvered tailgate on the truck which has helped in the mileage. I usually run up and down the road, at the speed limits, and get ~16.5 mpg. I towed cattle all this last weekend and got ~11.4 mpg towing 6000-7000 lbs plus the trailer. That is the best mileage I have ever gotten towing.

Good luck with your truck! Also, you have picked the right spot for advice. I joined the site a couple of months ago and the guys here are great!

 

[Ironmerganser]

Mine is a daily driver and I only drive 15 min (6miles) to work and then home again.

I love my truck. Never had any huge issues or problems and it runs great!!