How'd I do for my first diesel? '07 F250, 50k original miles, bulletproofed. Talked him down to $24k



Not bad. If the interior is in good shape, I’d say you got a decent deal. Make sure you put a monitor on it to keep an eye on critical metrics, like coolant and oil temps.

Some recommended upgrades if they’re not already done:

  • Coolant filter
  • Metal cold-side intercooler pipe (RiffRaff Diesel makes a good one)
  • High-output alternator (the OEM ones can be underpowered for these trucks)
  • EGT and fuel pressure monitoring (Edge CTS3 is a great option)
  • Use only Motorcraft filters and high-quality synthetic oil, like Schaefer’s.

Enjoy the truck!

@Kai
Thanks! The interior is fantastic. It was owned by a college and used to haul equipment. It came with an SCT Livewire tuner, so I’m off to a good start.

Zion said:
@Kai
Thanks! The interior is fantastic. It was owned by a college and used to haul equipment. It came with an SCT Livewire tuner, so I’m off to a good start.

The college bulletproofed it?!

@Sky
Apparently, they had a demonstration for engineering students where a rep came out to teach about different mechanical components, and this truck was used for those demos. They even had all the paperwork for the parts and work done.

@Zion
That actually sounds more legit than most ‘bulletproofed’ claims. Nice truck!

Zion said:
@Kai
Thanks! The interior is fantastic. It was owned by a college and used to haul equipment. It came with an SCT Livewire tuner, so I’m off to a good start.

That’s awesome. 6.0s can be great trucks when taken care of. Sounds like you got a good one.

I’m usually cautious with spending $20k+ on a 6.0, but it looks like you found one in great condition. Best of luck with it! When maintained and running well, 6.0s are nice trucks.

Uma said:
I’m usually cautious with spending $20k+ on a 6.0, but it looks like you found one in great condition. Best of luck with it! When maintained and running well, 6.0s are nice trucks.

I’ve got an ’03 Excursion with a 6.0 running 600/1100 HP/TQ. No major issues yet.

@Kiran
Nice! Excursions are great vehicles, and the 6.0 is the best-performing engine option for them.

Odometer fraud is something to watch out for on these older trucks. Swapping in low-mileage clusters is pretty easy without special programming.

Winter said:
Odometer fraud is something to watch out for on these older trucks. Swapping in low-mileage clusters is pretty easy without special programming.

Legit low-mileage trucks do exist. I bought my ’03 with 42k miles and a full set of maintenance records.

Winter said:
Odometer fraud is something to watch out for on these older trucks. Swapping in low-mileage clusters is pretty easy without special programming.

My ’06 F350 has under 70k miles. I plan to keep it until it hits 200k—probably in 30 years.

Excuse my ignorance, but what does ‘bulletproofed’ mean?

Vic said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what does ‘bulletproofed’ mean?

Great question! Bulletproofing usually refers to addressing the known failure points in the 6.0 Powerstroke. This can include:

  • ARP head studs
  • Upgraded oil cooler (sometimes relocated)
  • EGR delete or upgraded EGR cooler
  • Coolant filtration system
  • Updated STC fitting

Basically, it’s a series of fixes that address the engine’s design flaws to make it more reliable.

Vic said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what does ‘bulletproofed’ mean?

Adding to what IBQ said, bulletproofing can also include upgrades like the blue spring fuel pressure regulator, upgraded alternators, and regulated fuel return systems. Just keep in mind that ‘bulletproofed’ means different things to different people, so always verify what’s actually been done.

No offense taken! I’m new to diesels but had a baseline knowledge from the fire engines at work. In my price range, it was either this or a gas truck with 100k+ miles. This one is spotless inside, and the frame is rust-free, which is rare for Michigan. The seller provided detailed records, and all the critical work—head studs, EGR delete, upgraded oil cooler—has been done.

@Zion
You’ve got a solid truck, especially with that maintenance history. Stick to OEM parts and regular intervals, and you should be golden.

Just be prepared for age-related issues like seals and plastic components failing. It’s still a 15-year-old truck, no matter how well maintained.

Phoenix said:
Just be prepared for age-related issues like seals and plastic components failing. It’s still a 15-year-old truck, no matter how well maintained.

Fair point, but with good service records and low miles, it sounds like this one is in great shape. Prices are crazy for all trucks right now, so sometimes you have to pay to play.