...what would you do?

3.73 or 4.30 rears?

Anyone come from a 7.3L and have experience towing before after? Miss the old engine at all?

The 6.2L gas v8 has really caught my eye for a lot of reasons, wondering with it being 12 years newer engine technology with a 6sp tranny if it will do just as well or better with my 10k 5er behind the truck.

I love my 7.3L but one day the truck is going to be replaced so just thinking about it all...

 

If you have any doubts you'll miss the low end grunt of a diesel, go with the 4.30's. The mpg's between the gear sets seems almost negligible in most cases. With the 6spd and 4.30's, at 70mph, I'm barely over 2000rpm.

There's some videos/posts here in the 6.2 forum of guys pulling >10k 5ers, plus the one of me at the last Ohio meet pulling a 15k trailer up a pretty steep hill. The results of that seemed to surprise some folks, myself included.

Ohio meet
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-videos.html

Results from the meet in the PDF below.

Mike (Fordmdb) took some video pulling his 10k 5er:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...deo-part2.html

 

We had a 99.5 7.3L for about 8 years and pulled for 2 years our current 5ver we still have now. The 7.3L pulled great as does the 6.2L. If you have a choice in gears go with 4.30 but thats not to say a 3.73 truck wont pull a 10k lb load just fine just might be a gear lower than 4.30.

 

I suppose it all depends on how much towing you do??? Plus the location of the towing? Do you tow on flat lands...or do you hit the Rockies?

IMHO...and granted...it is option because my ordered 2012 F250 Lariat 4.30 SuperDuty hasn't yet arrived...but I went 4.30. I drive at high altitude with being 5500ft above sea level...and go up from there. With the limited and thinner air for the truck...I figured the 4.30 could only make a 6.2L better!

Also...that is another reason I had to order. NO...and I mean NO 6.2L with the 4.30 to be found. All seem to be the 3.73 setup...

Good luck...but if you are going to order a 2012...it has to be done in the next week or so. The ordering banks are closing soon.


biz

 

I went with the 3.73 only because I use mine as a DD, but wish I would have gotten the 4.30. From what it looks like there is hardly no difference in MPG between the 2. But I still love the way mine tows, maybe because of the tune I got from 5 Star.

 

Wow Matt, the results from that pull are really interesting... makes me think more about the 6.2L. Kinda shocked to see how close the gas / diesel are. I assume the gasser makes it's power through revs - any idea the NVH difference between the two when being worked?

Mike, with your 5er (and I assume you have 4.30 gears) does the 6.2 have to drop out of 6th that often? I live in SC too, the drive down I-26 to Columbia my 7.3 can hold OD for most of the hills but has to visit 3rd from time to time. Do you find your truck is overall better for "towing comfort" than your 7.3?

When we bought our 7.3 we were a two vehicle family so the truck was a DD and had a decent commute every day. Now we have three (I kept the small family sedan for a DD and wife got a Subie Outback turbo which was bigger + a wagon) - now the truck tows the 5er or hauls stuff or sits - only sees 6k miles a year. So here I am thinking ownership cost and that it might make better sense to get a 6.2L w/ 4.30 gears next time around. I have a runabout for mileage anyway and can make the next truck's mission more focused. Of course if I had a newer truck I bet I'd drive it more

Our towing is from SC to FL or GA (no prob) but also trips from SC up I-77 and through the VA mountains. Not like out west but a good amount of grades and some tight mountain 2 lane roads w/ 20mph curves. That's where my 7.3 could use some help. It gets the job done, but in my next truck I want something stronger and quieter. I'd like to get to the campground less wore out than I do now.

BTW here's our rig last fall going to the FL Panhandle. Airbags in the rear help (kinda high pin weight):



Just thinking out loud, thanks for the input guys...

Mark

 

Good lookin' setup!

The diesel made it look/feel much easier since it makes all its power on the bottom end, so it's quieter. The 6.2, just like the modulars, likes to rev. I had no problems whatsoever pulling the trailer, it was just louder in this particular condition cuz I was sittin' at 6k rpm. There's another Ohio meet next weekend, should be some interesting results based on the variety of trucks that'll be there.

As for the gear hunting, you can drop the truck into manual "M" mode and force the truck to stay in 6th, or whatever gear you like. While in Auto, you can lock gears out as well, lots of flexibility with the new trans.

 

Yes sir our truck has the opt 4.30. Its more comfortable that the 7.3L but most of it is in the chassis, its rides better than the 99 7.3L i had and is quieter. The 6.2L gear wise pulls most of the time in 6th... I26 4th gear drops are normal.
By the way nice rig you have there... camping is one of my favorite pass times with the family.

 

Thanks guys every time I get out in that 5er I feel very blessed and spoiled at the same time. All we do for vacations is camping so nice living quarters is really nice to have. I think this is our 4th camper. I saw the floorplan come out a few years ago and knew it was for us - bunks in the middle on a slide and rear living area. Bigger but no heavier than our last 5er, which made the truck breathe a sigh of relief .

I appreciate all the input - you guys have really made me think about some options for the future.

I'll keep an eye out for that next truck meet ...

 

Take it from someone who went from 7.3 to V10...get the 4.30s. JMHO