BulletProof Diesel defines a 6.0L Power Stroke as “bulletproofed” when at least four of the five major problem areas have been solved. Oil cooler, EGR cooler, head studs, fuel injection control module (FICM), and water pump are the five sections.
How much does it cost to bulletproof a diesel engine?
Finally, in an attempt to burn water, cylinder head pressures rise. The cylinder heads float, destroying the head gasket.
Why the “Bulletproofing 6.0” confusion
Forums on the internet provided “Bulletproof” has taken on a life of its own. Intelligence asserts the internet forum intelligencia “There are several “bulletproof” definitions, but they are all different. (We avoid using the terms “bulletproof” or “bulletproofed” in our marketing because of the confusion.)
Bulletproof To qualify as a Bulletproofed 6.0, Diesel’s newest criteria is to replace four out of five of the following…
We recommend the Bulletproof Diesel Stage 1 new Ford oil cooler and Bulletproof EGR cooler.
However, that definition of Bulletproofed, in our judgment, feels more like marketing than sound counsel. (So we can choose a $300 water pump over $3500 head studs and it’ll still be “Bulletproofed?”)
Almost 1000 6.0 Ford diesels have been owned and sold by us. Here’s our recommendation based on our years of experience: Get the Bulletproof EGR cooler and Ford oil cooler. This is why.
Bulletproof Oil Cooler is a ton of money.
Bulletproof Diesel is adamant about their oil cooler. They claim it decreases temperatures and prevents the EGR cooler and injectors from failing prematurely. And they are correct. However, such advantages cost roughly $3000-$3500 to install!
Is Bulletproofing a 6.0 Necessary?
More information can be found here. Again, unless four of the five pattern failures are corrected with authentic Bullet Proof Diesel parts, a 6.0L is not a “Bullet Proof Diesel” engine. This includes the FICM module, EGR cooler, and water pump, as well as the problematic OEM oil cooler.
What does it mean to bullet proof a truck?
Bulletproof to us means adding parts and components that allow you to abuse your truck day in and day out without causing any harm. It’s not always about putting out more force and twist; sometimes it’s about surviving. The following are the essential components for converting your Ford, Chevy, or Dodge into a daily workhorse that can take on any task (or any other vehicle on the road) and survive indefinitely.
How much is a bulletproof 6.0 worth?
The following are a few of the changes that many consider to be part of bulletproofing the 6.0L Power Stroke:
These are a handful of the 6.0L turbodiesel engine’s most problematic components. These are considered the key “bulletproof” things by some. Some people feel you should do all of the above, while others believe you should simply do a few of them. On the Ford 6.0 diesel, upgrading all five of the above elements might be quite pricey. Is it worthwhile to tackle them all? What enhancements should you forego?
Throughout the article, we’ll go through each of these upgrades and give our opinion on whether or not they’re good upgrades. We also mention a few more minor upgrades towards the end of the article for those who are interested. Let’s get started.
Ford 6.0 Oil Cooler “Bulletproof Upgrade
The oil cooler on the 6.0 Power Stroke engine has the potential to trigger a series of breakdowns. The stock Ford oil cooler’s coolant tubes may become clogged. This depletes the EGR cooler’s oxygen supply, potentially causing it to overheat and fail. When the EGR cooler fails, coolant may leak into the intake, causing high pressures and lifting of the head. The point is that the Ford 6.0L diesel oil cooler is a major source of failure.
BulletProof Diesel oil cooler systems cost between $2,000 and $2,500. It is not a low-cost update. Regardless of the oil cooler issues, the EGR cooler is a troublesome region. As a result, even if you’re upgrading the 6.0 oil cooler, it’s still a good idea to do the EGR cooler.
Is the Ford 6.0 Oil Cooler Upgrade Worth It?
Unless you plan on keeping the Ford 6.0L for a long time, we recommend skipping the oil cooler addition. The installation can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000, so the improvement could end up costing more than $3,000 in total. For approximately $300, you can get a factory Ford 6.0 Power Stroke oil cooler. When you consider in labor, you’ll need to replace the factory oil cooler around three times before the indestructible 6.0L oil cooler upgrade is worthwhile. Factory coolers typically last between 60,000 and 100,000 kilometers.
It’s still a fantastic update for added security. Those who intend to maintain their Ford for a long time should think about improving the oil cooler. Otherwise, just use OEM Ford parts to replace it.
L Power Stroke EGR Cooler Mod
The EGR cooler, as mentioned in the previous section, is prone to failure. Some Ford 6.0 diesel owners opt for an EGR deletion kit instead. You can get 6.0 EGR deletion kits for for $100, so it’s a good deal. However, there are various legal reasons why the EGR cooler should not be removed. With an EGR delete, you’ll almost certainly fail an emissions inspection. It will also cause a check engine light to illuminate, which must be removed by a tuner.
The Bulletproof 6.0 Power Stroke EGR cooler is here to help. This EGR modification should last the life of the 6.0 Power Stroke and save you the trouble of dealing with possible emission issues.
Is the 6.0L EGR Cooler Worth It?
Yes, we believe the Bulletproof Diesel EGR cooler modification is well worth the money. If your EGR fails and you require a replacement, we strongly advise you to upgrade. If emissions aren’t an issue, an EGR delete kit is also a viable choice.
PowerStroke 6.0 Water Pump Upgrade
Another typical issue with the Ford 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engine is water pumps. The water pump in the OEM Ford 6.0L has a plastic impeller that is prone to failure. When the coolant pump malfunctions, you’ll likely notice a pool under the truck. If coolant flow is interrupted, the 6.0 will immediately overheat.
BulletProof Diesel’s water pump modifications feature an aluminum impeller. The bearing assembly, seal, and housing are also upgraded. It effectively eliminates all of the locations on the factory 6.0 Power Stroke water pump that are prone to failure.
Should You Upgrade the 6.0 Power Stroke Water Pump?
If your Ford water pump is still working, we recommend skipping this update for the time being. However, if and when the water pump fails, the update is well worth it. $350 gets you the Bulletproof 6.0 Power Stroke water pumps. You should also consider their entire cooling system upgrade, which eliminates all of the 6.0L cooling system’s flaws.
Ford 6.0L FICM Bulletproofing
The Ford 6.0L Power Stroke fuel injectors are controlled by the Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM). The diesel engine will have problems starting or will not start at all if the FICMs are damaged. Rough idle, stuttering, and power loss are also common symptoms.
There are a few different alternatives to choose from. The power supply is frequently the cause of 6.0 FICM failures. Bulletproof and others, on the other hand, provide full upgrades for the FICM. This includes a new Ford OEM logic board and a power supply update.
Is the Ford 6.0L FICM Upgrade Worth It?
The Bulletproof 6.0 FICM option is a toss-up for us. The total cost of the upgrading is roughly $800-1050, so it isn’t cheap. Even the power source costs $500 on its own. The TechSmart FICM power supply with an OEM cover is our recommendation. It’s a much better deal at $230 that won’t break the bank.
Power Stroke “Bulletproof Head Studs
Here we’re returning to the original topic of oil coolers. The 6.0 headlift isn’t caused by a manufacturing flaw in the head, gaskets, or head studs. Rather, the failure of the oil cooler set off a chain reaction. This causes the OEM 6.0L Power Stroke EGR cooler to fail, causing the head to elevate.
In this case, the head and head studs aren’t the issue. Upgrade to the bulletproof EGR cooler or remove it entirely. Head studs should not be an issue if this is done.
Are 6.0 Head Studs Worth It?
On the 6.0L diesel, skip the ARP head studs. The ARP studs cost roughly $500, but they require a lot of work. If you’re going to spend the money on the parts anyhow, it can’t harm to update to the 6.0 head studs. We’ll avoid this improvement if it’s not necessary.
Can you bulletproof a 7.3 Powerstroke?
Many consider the 7.3L Powerstroke to be unbreakable! Even if the 7.3L is indestructible, lack of regular maintenance and foolish blunders can derail this endurance diesel engine platform.
This video will be extremely helpful if you own a 7.3L or are considering purchasing a used 7.3L. This video will show you how to recognize the telltale indicators of a failing 7.3L Powerstroke engine and what the likely reasons of the failure(s) are.
In this video, I begin by troubleshooting and addressing the engine’s obvious issues. Then we disassemble the motor for an inspection, taking care to point out any problematic parts. I show the engine building and then the rebuilt motor fitted in the truck once we have a game plan in place.
What does deleted mean on a diesel?
To put it another way, deleting a diesel implies removing some or all of the emissions control equipment. Catalytic converters are the simplest to remove, as all that is required is the installation of a straight pipe in their stead. The process of removing an EGR system is a little more involved, needing blocking plates on the easy end and new exhaust up-pipes on the tough end. The removal of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is also simple, requiring only the replacement of the exhaust system. Removing the EGR, DPF, or SCR, on the other hand, necessitates retuning the engine computer to fit the deleted equipment.
Are there any good 6.0 Powerstroke?
If you’re a diesel enthusiast like myself, you’re probably aware that most people will avoid purchasing a Ford Superduty Diesel truck from the 2003 to 2007 model years. The 6.0L Powerstroke is notorious for its issues. The majority of these issues stem from manufacturing design. The 6.0’s frequent troubles are largely due to the new EGR emissions technology, which was designed to meet emissions rules at the time. Because head studs provide insufficient gripping force, blown head gaskets are common. HPOP failure, injector stiction, FICM failure, and clogged oil coolers are some of the other 6.0L Powerstroke issues. Fortunately, once these issues are resolved, the trucks become far more dependable. Some of these issues are avoidable. However, if you stick to a tight 6.0L Powerstroke Service Schedule, you can substantially limit the number of issues you have.
How much does it cost to BulletProof?
Bulletproofing costs can range from $14,000 to over $100,000, depending on the level of protection (as measured by stopping power) and the size of the vehicle. There are numerous reasons why someone would want to drive a bulletproof vehicle.
What powerstroke to avoid?
The 6.0L Powerstroke is a well-known engine. Because of the engine’s poor performance, Ford and Powerstroke’s parent company, Navistar, were involved in a lengthy court dispute. Ford said Navistar produced a faulty engine. Ford has ignored unsatisfactory test results for the 6.0L Powerstroke, which could have prevented post-production issues, according to evidence.
As the Powerstroke suffered catastrophic failures, expensive engine replacement warranty claims flooded in. The cab of the vehicle had to be removed for the majority of these repairs. Because to this engine, many owners have lost faith in the brand. A series of recalls affecting this notoriously problematic truck are listed by Consumer Reports.
What is the best year for Powerstroke diesel?
Except for the model 2017, which experienced a few troubles, the greatest Ford Super Duty Trucks to buy are the models 2012 and any model from 2013 or newer. Ford recalled some of their Super Duty trucks in 2012 due to safety concerns, and the trucks were improved in the years that followed.
But what differentiated some models from others in the eyes of consumers? Continue reading to find out more.
