Decided to keep 2006 F350

[Samsbird]

After alot of thought I have decided to keep my 2006 and not trade for a new powerstroke at this time, so I went through the engine and hopefully corrected the things that usually go bad on the 6.0. Head gaskets, ARP studs, new oil cooler, bulletproof oil cooler, new waterpump, cleaned turbo, installed blue fuel regulator spring, stc fitting, stand pipes, changed over to Cat EC-1 coolant. It truly has been a good truck with no problems but, just trying to head off any future problems.I also installed an edge insight and will probably install an SCT tow tune.

Randall

[Rob & Cathy]

Sounds like you're all set Randall for many more years of good towing.

Rob

[rpfan]

Doing the same to mine right now! 176K miles. I would like to see another 250 out of it.

Rich

[Samsbird]

Rich, sounds like you definetly have a good one there. Are you going to delete the EGR cooler, I decided to go with the egr cooler that bulletproof diesel makes, it is the tube deign and not the fins like the stock coolers.

Randall

[rpfan]

I did the EGR delete a few years ago. I'm doing the oil cooler because I'm already in there. I also replaced all the glow plugs and their harnesses. Valve guides and seals replaced and took .004 off the heads. I will start the reassembly this week. While it is apart, I sent the carpet out to be cleand and the driver seat to have a seam fixed. Can't wait to drive it again.

Rich

[bigbunkhouse]

sounds like you have been busy Rich! looks like your gonna have a good reliable long lasting rig there also. Ive currently got one of our Ficms on its way to Ficm repair.com to be upgraded and have the 40hp power hungry strategy put into it as an experiment. We have a buddy who has had them do 4 trucks and swears 2mpg better and safe towing 18000 lbs. plus superb driveabliity, low egts ...etc...so now having 9 of these we figured it was worth it to see the results first hand. If we like it we may do more of them, almost bullet proof ficms and 2mpg better will help alot with that many trucks. Didja pull the cab? and do ya have any pics?

[rpfan]

Matt, Yup, pulled the cab. easiest way to do it. After more than 35 years in the autobody biz, cab off in 4 hrs! (With a bad knee after surgery to put 6 screws in my thiegh bone) I may think about the FICM.com thing. Keep me informed. I really would like to see another 300K out of this truck.
I do have pics, I'll send them email to you
Rich

[rpfan]

Finished the job today, WHAT a diffrence! Truck runs great! looking forward to 300K miles!

[Rob & Cathy]

So Rich, do you have to give it some break-in time again before your first tow?

Rob

[rpfan]

Rob,
I drove it around town on Tues. and left 1 am Wed with a car trailer to pick up my daughter in NC...700 miles @ 65 to 70. Ran like new! I'll tow her car home (loaded with all her stuff) and see how it runs with some weight on it. We go away for Mem.weekend with the trailer, see how that goes.

Rich

[rpfan]

So I put 2K miles on the truck since the top end rebuild. I really like the way it runs now. Fuel mileage is a lot better now than ever. We leave for Hershey Park on Fri morning for the first heavy tow. I have moved some around the shop and the car trailer to and from NC. If there is anyone that is wondering if this job is worth it... IT IS.

Rich

[Rob & Cathy]

Sounds like you're all set for that heavy tow. Have fun out camping this weekend.

Rob

[Samsbird]

I agree it's really an easy job to remove the cab, it makes getting to everything so easy. Rich, did you change over to the Cat ELC-1 coolant? When I did the restore flush on mine I got quite a bit of the gold coolant gel out of mine,even with the coolant filter that I installed about 40k miles ago. I have pulled 4 times with mine since I did the top engine rebuild and it does wonderful, we're headed to the Grand Tetons in another month and I feel alot better about reliability now.

Randall

[rpfan]

I flush my truck every 2 to 18 months. I use the Ford gold anti freeze. I also just changed the radiator ( my fault, I broke the top tank ) the old one was very clean along with the water pump. The motor all in all was very clean for 78K miles. I also havr a coolant filter. At first, I would change the filter every month. Now, once a year, with now real amount of residue in it. I know that after all the work, I expect to find some debris in the next 2 or 3.

Rich

[rpfan]

1st heavy pull...DISASTER!!! Got 5 miles from home and the truck started to run hot. Looks like the BRAND NEW oil cooler has failed . Nursed it into a parking lot, called towtruck to get it back to my shop. Then went thru all my contacts to borrow a truck for the weekend. I was able to use a friends Chevy single wheel, (now I remember why I have a duallie!) and made it to Hershey about 11pm last night. Thanks to my buddy Dave who lent me his truck no questions asked! Just a "have a great time" Boy do I owe him BIG!!

Rich