Hello,
I tried out a 2012 F350 with a 6.2L gas engine. I am getting a travel trailer, but I don't know what kind yet. Probably not a 5th wheel. I love the way the truck drives and handles, however it seems pretty slow on pickup. Is this the 3.73 rear end gearing or just this engine? I am looking at this one because of price mostly. It has 22k miles on it as well. Thanks

 

You're' going to hear a chorus of cheerleaders for the 4.30. That's fine if you're pulling all the time. The 3.73 is fine for daily driving and occasional towing.
I think that acceleration is probably a subjective thing. What you might see as slow, someone else might deem adequate.

 

slow is because of the fly by wire.. a reprogrammer can change that. fly is programmed to open slowly in lower gears.

3:73 is a good gear.. till 10,000 pounds. then a 4:30... super Rare to find stock

my 2012 6.2L with 3.73.. has 150,000 miles..

I carry 1,500 in the bed and pull a travel trailer of 9,000 pounds plus...

current trip I am on... 1,800 miles . total weight is 16,880 pounds.(Cat Scale) . does fine..

the 6.2L want to SPIN. its overhead camshaft... so let it spin.. lock out 6th gear for hills...

 

It's the drive by wire that causes some hesitation. I've driven both the 4.30 and 3.73 geared trucks. I don't see any difference in acceleration. I've towed over 10k with the 3.73's with no problems. If was towing 14 or 15k I would have chosen the 4.30's.

 

I am one of those I guess singing in the chorus for the 4.30's. My 2016 was my first Super Duty and I did a lot of research on here which led me to opt for the 4.30's. Yes, I had to order my truck to get it configured that way.
Would I have been happy with the 3.73's? I am sure I would have had I not done a lot of research here. I did test drive the same truck as I ordered that had the 3.73's and I can tell you, at least for me, there was definitely a difference in the performance/acceleration between the two trucks.
I have a little over 8000 miles on my truck now and my LTD mileage is 12.6. It was sitting at 12.8 but winter fuel kicked in and it has dropped some I have noticed since late last fall. I have gotten as high as just under 15 mpg and as low at 10.75 mpg when towing and had a headwind. I use fuelly.com with every fill up so I know what kind of mileage I am getting. I know I would get a little better with the 3.73's but not that much to make it question whether the 4.30's are worth it. That is my two cents but again, the 3.73's will do that job just fine. With the way the dealers order their trucks stock with the 3.73's, unless you specifically search one out or order one that way, you would probably never know the difference.

 

A friend of mine has the 3.73 gears and his truck will beat mine in a race. Towing over say 10k I gotta think the 4.30's will give you an edge. It's not the gears. It's the way these trucks are designed. A good tuner will help.

 

I'm thinking there's something wrong with your truck.

 

I've said it a bunch and it's true. The 6.2 that is matched to the 6r140 and the 6r100 will definitely perform better with 4.30 vs 3.73. There are no turbos to help out the 6.2, gears are everything. I've had 3.73 and now 4.30. It's is a night and day improvement across the board. It's not the engine. Find a 4.30 truck and drive it.

 

Nothing wrong with my truck.

 

drag racing...

its gears AND Driver.... 4:30 will win. with a good driver... Period..

5,000 pounds OR 12,000 pounds.
using the same type and size of engine..

 

You need the optimal gear to win a drag race. Not the deepest.

 

I drag raced for years.

Just Not Worth iT...

and I am a poor teacher.

 

OFF OF POINT,

I see a person can order an F 350 diesel Dually... with 4:30 gears..

I think that puppy could climb a tree...

4:11 are a good street car gear... I ran one for years...

so 4:30 gears are NOT DEEP for a gas engine with 385 hp.....



a US Mail Truck TRYING to climb a tree

 

If you like the truck and the price is right, go for it. It can be a drag finding the right truck in good condition for the right price. There's enough pros on both sides of the rear end discussion that it is really a personal decision. After you tow awhile you can make your own decision. You can always swap gears or upgrade to a newer truck down the road. I don't feel you will be disappointed with the Super Duty.

 

I use to own a mustang. It had 2.73's and I switched to 3.55's. It made a huge improvement in throttle response and in acceleration. In these trucks going from 3.73 to 4.30 doesn't seem to be a night and day improvement I would have hoped for. I get 8.5 seconds to 60. The guy in that video is about 6 seconds with 3.73's. Maybe his tune helps some.