Every truck I've encountered on dealers' lots in the Philly, PA. area have the standard 3.73s, not optional 4.30s. It would be nice to find a F-250 or F-350 regular cab 4x4 pickup with the optional 4.30s to test drive.

 

I had the same issue, ordered a 4.3 without a test drive.

 

I have yet to find a truck out here with 4.30's...All 3.73's.I'd really like to test drive one with 4.30's but I can't find ONE!

 

It was the same way with the 5.4l and 6.8l SDs as well. The salesman and managers that do the ordering have it in their head that 3.73s are some gas saving mpg miracle and you will never pass a gas station with a set of 4.30s. Its not their fault really they are too dumb to know better and too lazy to educate themselves. The problem is they pass on their flawed info to the unknowing consumer.

Rant over.

Order the truck and get 4.30 gears. If the dealer won't order one find another dealer.

 

Ford should make the 4.30 standard and the 3.73 optional . Seems dealerships order just standard equipment on gassers. Most 3V V10 trucks had the 4.10 as it was the standard..

 

No kidding, same thing here test drove with 3.73. Thought it needed more umph off the line. I'd definately order one with 4.30 if pulling!

 

This may be a dumb question, but is there a differance in pulling a heavy load vs carrying a heavy one in the bed , and the need for a 4.3? A 4000# load in the bed must translate in to a heavier than 4K trailer .

 

Don't know, but by going to a 4.30 you up ur towing capacity up to 15000lbs vs. 12000 lbs. On fifth wheel towing. Why would someone buy a 3/4 or 1 ton truck rated to pull only 12000 pounds. If I do go back to gas I'm definately gonna have to order one with 4.30 gearing. Drove one today, and at 60 mph with 3.73s it almost seemed like it was lugging the engine, drop down to 5th and the milage was about the same, better going up hills according to the display!

 

Because they aren't towing the majority of the time and want the better mileage.
Because the trailer they do tow is less than 12000#.
Because the dog a$$ 5.4 they had previously was ... well... a dog a$$ 5.4.

 

I've contacted three different dealers today and one of two things. First they don't even have a 6.2 on the lot and second if they do no 4.30's. Heck I called Woodhouse Ford and they had 16 F250's in CCSB 4x4 and no 4.30's. Salesman was like "why do you want those, they'll get bad mileage". Frustration. That's what killed the 8.1 BB in the Chevy's is uneducated salesmen. I'll have to order one now if I decide to get one with the 4.30's I'm afraid. Maybe it's not worth the hassle and I should just get the 3.73's and be done with it. Who out there even has the 4.30's? I'm sure the 3.73's would get better unloaded mileage, but it can't be significant.

 

There are some guys on the board running the 6.2 with 4.30 gears. Check out the towing 11000 pound video. He's running that setup. I haven't asked about milage though.

 

From figures posted up on the forum unloaded mileage seems to be nearly identical between 3.73 and 4.30 trucks. When loaded I wouldn't doubt the 4.30 truck getting better mileage.

 

I feel your guys pain! NO 6.2L with 4.30 around here either...


biz

 

So I can put a nice truck camper in the bed and pull my 10 000 car hauler.
Then I don't have to sleep in a tent!

 

With some input from this forum I ordered my truck with 4.30 gears and I am really happy with them, the new transmission makes a big difference at 65 mph I am only at 1900 rpm. The truck runs great. Do yourself a favor and order the 4.30's I only have 500 miles on the truck and at 65 mph the display shows 15mpg and in town with all stop and go traffic it is showing 12.5 mpg.