Buying a 6.4

Amstaff · Nov 2, 2015

I'm looking at buying a 6.4 and I'm wondering how bad the 08s are, especially job 1s. I will be taking all the usual crap off if it hasn't already been done. Just wondering about dependability on one with around the 130k mark.

djr4x4 · Nov 2, 2015

My opinion.. If you can swing it. Look for a 6.7

diesel2121 · Nov 2, 2015

If it hasn't been ******d by now I would say it is a ticking time bomb at 130000. There is a video on YouTube by Bill Hewitt from powerstroke. Com explaining the 6.0 6.4 and the 6.7. It may be Orth your time to watch what he explains on all three on dependability!

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FourEyed · Nov 2, 2015

My 08 was "fixed" at 140k, and I'm at 180k now with no issues. I did headstuds at 165k just because I wanted it reliable with the hotter tunes, but I didn't need to. I maintain it religiously and hope to get 300k out of it. That being said, if I had to do it over again I'd spend the extra 5-6k and get a used 6.7. Or save and get a 6.0. My 6.4 will run circles around everything else though.. so to me the hassle is worth it.

drunk on diesel · Nov 2, 2015

bought my Job 1 6.4 from the original owner with 135k on it. it's been flawless

NY_Mott · Nov 2, 2015

Got my job 1 at 94k was tuned and studded, cracked a pistion at 117k.
I treated it nicely to say the least, **** I was so nervous I did not even roast the old tires off before getting new ones..

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Lipka101 · Nov 2, 2015

Got my job 2 at 97k all stock. "Fixed" it and still going strong at 130k

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drunk on diesel · Nov 3, 2015

This is why I only buy stock 6.4's that have never been tuned.

NY_Mott said:
Got my job 1 at 94k was tuned and studded, cracked a pistion at 117k.
I treated it nicely to say the least, **** I was so nervous I did not even roast the old tires off before getting new ones..

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NY_Mott · Nov 3, 2015

I don't blame it on the seller, it had little to no blow by and seemed in great shape. And as we all know these days the 6.4 pistons are a crap shoot so I guess it is what it is; not sure a stock truck would have been any better in my case with my luck lol.
A friend of mine always joke around about sometimes forced upgrades are the best haha, I need to tell him except with a diesel cause then it's upgrades my the thousands.

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drunk on diesel · Nov 3, 2015

I hear ya, it is luck of the draw to some extent. But there's pretty much no need to stud a 6.4 unless a guy is planning on beating on it pretty hard.

That would scare me even further.

I've never had a problem with the 6.4's I bought bone stock.

I apply full power frequently, but not repeatedly.

I've seen plenty of torn up tune-only 6.4's and they have one common denominator... novice performance diesel owners. The ones owned by guys who have been driving 500+hp diesels for a long time and have been keeping them alive seem to have no problem with the 6.4's. The guys who have never done anything more than install a tuner and exhaust tend to tear them up quickly

Just what I've noticed

Amstaff · Nov 3, 2015

Thanks guys, I've had a 6.4 before but it was a 2010 with 50k miles, so I knew there was less of a chance of problems and I ******d it almost immediately. I sold it to buy a bigger house and now I have a 6.0 but want that power back. The 6.7 is out of my price range and just won't meet my desire for power. My 6.0 would be great if I had the cash to make it fast. I have it but just can't justify spending it on that. Now I dont abuse my trucks but I do drive them hard, it will be romped on daily but that doesn't always mean full throttle or to 100mph+. I always change the oil every 5k and fuel filters very 10k. And I like to fix things as soon as it comes up to avoid being a bigger problem.

gman1 · Nov 3, 2015

My 08 is a job 1. When I bought it it had 288,000 miles on it. It ran flawlessly and never had the cab off!

Dirtclod · Nov 3, 2015

What is the key to making these engines last and use occasionally to pull 14klbs

DEEZUZ · Nov 3, 2015

Run a good thick oil, change it every 4k, no idle, and when you do idle kick it into high idle to keep the oil pressure up, away with emissions, good clean fuel..

Powerstroke Man 6.4 · Nov 3, 2015

CTC DEEZUL said:
Run a good thick oil, change it every 4k, no idle, and when you do idle kick it into high idle to keep the oil pressure up, away with emissions, good clean fuel..

Thick oil you say?

DEEZUZ · Nov 3, 2015

Yea as in just a conventional 15W40. I do not like the use of the synthetic 5W40 in these things. With the added crankcase pressure it makes seals and gaskets leak even more. The lifters would also benefit from a thicker oil.

Powerstroke Man 6.4 · Nov 3, 2015

drunk on diesel said:
I hear ya, it is luck of the draw to some extent. But there's pretty much no need to stud a 6.4 unless a guy is planning on beating on it pretty hard.

That would scare me even further.

I've never had a problem with the 6.4's I bought bone stock.

I apply full power frequently, but not repeatedly.

I've seen plenty of torn up tune-only 6.4's and they have one common denominator... novice performance diesel owners. The ones owned by guys who have been driving 500+hp diesels for a long time and have been keeping them alive seem to have no problem with the 6.4's. The guys who have never done anything more than install a tuner and exhaust tend to tear them up quickly

Just what I've noticed

This right here ^^ I thought I replied to this last night but I guess it didn't go through sums it it up right here.

Powerstroke Man 6.4 · Nov 3, 2015

CTC DEEZUL said:
Yea as in just a conventional 15W40. I do not like the use of the synthetic 5W40 in these things. With the added crankcase pressure it makes seals and gaskets leak even more. The lifters would also benefit from a thicker oil.

10-4 thought you meant run a thicker oil than 15W40.

Dirtclod · Nov 3, 2015

Does anyone use a oil filter bypass on these trucks? I guess I'll look up some questions on aftermarket 6.4's. This truck is at a Dodge dealership and I'm going to stop by and give it a look at. It's a 350 srw sc/sb 6 speed man with 410 gears. 4x4. Factory wheels and tires 130k miles. Black with tan int xlt. Asking 16400$. It will periodically pull a 12k pull behind. What should I look for?