Ford F-350 Pulling 9 Tons of Lumber Proves Torque is King

By Marcus Slater - October 26, 2016

A lot of people have been raising their eyebrows and harumphing at the torque numbers available in the next-generation of half-ton diesels like the 2017 F-250. The idea that a person might need, or find use for, 925 lb-ft of twist is hard to comprehend. At least, it is until you understand that people have been doing stuff like this for years.

Now, the Ford F-350 7.3-liter Powerstroke made just about 500 lb-ft of torque which is nothing to sneeze at. It’s one of the most-loved Ford trucks there are and probably ever will be. It’s just that when you’ve got nearly 19,000 lbs. of lumber behind your dually, more torque is ALWAYS better.

He mentions that the transmission is a weak point, and that’s true, especially with the earlier Powerstroke diesels. Taking it easy is smart and is probably how that truck has managed be as reliable as it is.

The new motor makes its max torque at some 1800 rpm and pushes it through the new TorqueShift-G 6-speed. Even though the truck pulling lumber in the video seems relatively untroubled, I bet a torquier motor with revised gearing would make moving hauls like his easier and less stressful. Either way, I dig seeing big trucks like this at work.