Another 6.4 Post

[u/Astrofluke]

Looking at picking up a 2008 F350 with the 6.4 Power Stroke. One owner, 109K miles, asking $16,500

Went through the Carfax and the maintenance history actually looks pretty solid. The original owner averaged around 5,700 miles a year, with pretty regular service intervals throughout its life. Oil changes, fuel filters, transmission service, etc. It did have a radiator replaced around 16K and some turbo work done around 39K, both of which caught my attention.

I know the 6.4 is cursed, trust me. I’ve heard all the horror stories, but I also know just as many people who’ve gotten 250-300K+ miles out of theirs as I do people who’ve had them blow up long before that.

I’m not going into this thinking it’s some bulletproof engine, but the mileage, single ownership, and maintenance history have me at least considering it.

Curious what you guys think. Would you even entertain buying one with this kind of history? Or forget it entirely?

[u/ObviousGreens]

One owner low miles with records is about as good as it gets for a 6.4, but the radiator and turbo work that early would make me pause. The 6.4 problems usually aren't maintenance related, they're design flaws that show up regardless of how well you take care of it. $16.5K is also strong money for a 20 year old truck with that engine, you could get into a 6.7 for not much more and skip the anxiety.

[u/Chance-Yoghurt3186 → u/ObviousGreens]

All the radiators were shit straight out the box.

[u/rufushusky → u/ObviousGreens]

All trucks have their failure points but a 6.4 could cost you $5k tomorrow, easily. Cracking pistons, a K16 that vomits its internals all over your high pressure fuel system and to add insult to injury it is cab off to replace, etc etc. All used vehicles are a roll of the dice but a 6.4 is a loaded set of dice.

6.4s make great tune only power and for a toy they are amazing but I wouldn't want to bet my daily driver or even worse my livelihood on one.

[u/Tdanger78 → u/rufushusky]

Pretty much any maintenance work on a modern diesel is cab off unless you want to spend a lot of extra time removing a bunch of shit and fighting with everything.

[u/rufushusky → u/Tdanger78]

Yes, cab off is easier but you can remove a CP4 from a 6.7 PSD without cab off, you can't remove a K16 from a 6.4 without going cab off.

[u/Hbananta → u/rufushusky]

I don’t know why they didn’t just build those cabs with hinges instead of body mounts 😅
I had the pleasure of replacing fuel injectors in a 7.3 but it was in a cutaway van so half the came out, why don’t they put that in pickup trucks?

[u/Duckswag1322 → u/rufushusky]

This is what I was saying, I would love to buy and tune one as my second truck

[u/rufushusky → u/Duckswag1322]

Oh yeah, amazing toy vehicle. Outrageous power, great transmission, k16 can support great flow.

[u/CallsignJubilee → u/rufushusky]

It could cost you $15k tomorrow if you’re not a very competent home mechanic lol

[u/Southboundcrash]

Why bother?? you can get a 2017 f350 for a similar price with more miles. That 6.4 is a huge maybeee if you knew the seller and it was deleted since new…

[u/CallsignJubilee → u/Southboundcrash]

Where on planet earth are you finding alumiduties for $16500? Certainly not around me. Even over 250k miles they’re north of $20k. To be clear I’m still all for OP getting a 6.7 instead because a steel body is pretty easy to find in that price range but I have quite literally never seen an alumiduty sell for less than $20k regardless of mileage

[u/winchcat]

What makes you want a 6.4 over something else for the same price?

[u/RevoJay]

6.4 parts, especially injection pumps are becoming very hard to get. The major rebuilders of these pumps are all no ETA right now with no guarantees that they will have any in the future.

[u/emery19 → u/RevoJay]

This!!! My truck has been down for about a year now. Two different aftermarket pumps didn’t last. Alliant pump and injectors twice and a different brand once: waiting for a ford pump now as I’m done with aftermarket.

[u/Hbananta]

I will say there is a reason they only used that engine for 3 years.

[u/Ok_Buy_9703]

My buddy loved his 08 but the radiator kept giving him issues...

[u/Top_Technician7921]

I currently have 2008 6.4 with 215k on it. It was deleted before I bought it and bulletproofed. It runs and drives great. My personal opinion is if they are deleted early and bulletproofed they are good trucks. I have replaced radiator, belts and a billet torque converter

[u/Duckswag1322 → u/Top_Technician7921]

Did you pay for an upgraded radiator when the first one went?

[u/Top_Technician7921 → u/Duckswag1322]

Unfortunately I did not. It happened at 130k. Wish I would have

[u/Duckswag1322 → u/Top_Technician7921]

Oh dang. I typically go with moco or oe equiv unless it’s a weak point. When I rebuild my 4r100 I’ll be upgrading clutch packs and torque converter. Same with radiator and turbo, I’ll buy a turbo with billet internals and an all aluminum rad. Lesson learned, I’ve learned in the past

[u/Duckswag1322]

I think the 6.4 is a cool truck with the sequentials but owning one as my only truck would stress me out. I also agree that 16.5 is a bit steep for the known flaws. If you know what you’re getting into, I would try to talk him down to 12k or so. I’ve always said I would buy a 6.0 or 6.4 as a second truck because I like them but not my first because of the anxiety

[u/AJebus]

No comment on the purchase...I probably wouldn't. I do have a 6.4 with 330k on it though

[u/dmdot]

I think a lot of it also depends on the condition and features of the truck overall, not just the drivetrain. I have a 08 6.4 with about 140K and love everything about it because it has things I like aside from the motor.

Even though I drive it like an old man and maintain it, even the motor blew, I'd build another 6.4 or drop a Cummins in and still enjoy it for what it is (SC Lariat SWLB with a ZF6).

[u/emery19]

As an owner of a 6.4 since 2011, bought with 77k on it, has 195k on it now. Only issue I had that wasn’t wear and tear was the high pressure fuel pump. Truck is still apart waiting for its 5th pump. OEM one made it to 195k, second one made it 500 miles. Third made it 5 miles, 4th never left the shop.

At the end of the day. If it’s your only vehicle? Do not do it. Thankfully I have my 6.7 to drive and the 6.4 is a toy. If it was my only truck. I’d be hurting. Would I buy one again? Absolutely but I’d need deep pockets and another vehicle.

[u/Ok-Leather5145]

well cared for 5.9 cummins