Did the 08 - 10 come with the exhaust / trans brake option?

I know I have been posting all over the place but I am trying to talk myself out of spending the $ on a NEW truck. Never bought one and swore to myself I would only buy used, but those new ones are soooo tempting...

 

Mine didnt. Its the one thing I like about the work truck (c*mm*ns) works awesome.

 

Ford uses a Tow/Haul mode strategy. The trans will provide some braking and then will also downshift with the help of you braking to call for it.

That may not be the true explanation but you get the idea. It works fairly well.

New Trucks are using the same tech as far as I know. So it is not a true exhaust brake by definition.

Banks I know makes an aftermarket one that is plug and play. It is on my list If I ever get my kids braces paid for.

 

Scott is right - I carry a 3000 lb Lance slide-in Camper and use Ford's Tow/Haul mode regularly. It works great - say you're getting off the highway on an off ramp, the truck automatically downshifts as soon as you lightly touch the brake pedal. As you slow down lightly using the brake, it'll downshift again. It takes a lot of work away from the brakes and as a bonus, it also works when you're accelerating. It recognizes your load and downshifts, say going up a small incline or getting ready to pass a slower vehicle on the highway. It's awesome, IMO!

 

these trucks do a great job towing/hauling just the way they are...no exhaust brake needed. don't let that be your deciding factor in which truck to buy. I'd look more closely at fuel mileage if anything.

 

Hi Jim,

Either engine will serve you well, but I'm going to clarify a few of the difference. First...

It's not the same...

From 2011 Ford Super Duty Truck | A Hard-Working Pickup Built Ford Tough | Ford.com, scroll through the features on the bottom and you'll see the details about the 6.7L exhaust brake.

Honestly it's not as impressive as you'd think from looking at the ads. But it is a bit more effective than what the 6.4L/6.0L uses.

The power difference is noticeable, but not nearly as much of a difference comparing, say, a 7.3L and a 6.0L. The 6.4L will provide more than adequate power for anything you can tow that's anywhere close to the max towing weight.

The two big reasons I'd suggest the new truck are the increased fuel economy as well as the better initial reliability.

I've seen as high as 23MPGs on a highway trip trip, and over 19 MPGs hand-calculated on a tank of fuel. Average for me is in the 18s for my type of driving.

Doing the same thing my 6.4L would average around 15 MPG, and occasionally see as high as 16 or 17 MPG on light rural highway driving. One tank I saw 18.2 MPGs, but that was the only one in 15,000 miles that was above 16, and I think it was because of a tail wind the entire trip.

Reliability appears to have been significantly improved over the 6.4L thus far in it's lifespan. Fuel system problems that plague some 6.4L trucks are all but nonexistant for the new 6.7L trucks. The only issue we've been seeing is the CEL coming on for those in very cold climates. This is related to the SCR emissions system and Ford is working on a fix. Simply a calibration error, and does not affect the lifespan of the engine.

This is just my perspective, as I've owned both. I was very happy with my 6.4L, but I am happier with my 6.7L. Either engine will serve you well.

 

Thanks for the clarification. Not a deciding factor as much as information. I only want to buy once and not regret it. Got at least 2 months to research so expect more questions...

 

I have a buddy who has a 2010 Dodge HD, and he says in 10,000 miles he has not gone into regen once. I don't know how that can be, but I am jealous. And, the new cummins comes stock with 800lb ft of torque!

 

What's to be jealous of?

It only makes 800 ft-lbs under certain conditions, meaning when towing heavy you're not likely to see it often. Furthermore every single competitive test rates the Dodge/Cummins dead last in efficiency, behind both Chevy and Ford.

And it STILL makes less power than the new 6.7L PSDs.

So again I ask: What's to be jealous of?

 

I'm jealous of no regens. In talking to him he runs uphill long distances far more than I do, and our best guess is that his higher EGTs help clear his DPF better than mine. I drive slow and often without a trailer.

I honestly never tested the efficiency of the new Cummins motor, just saw it had 800lb ft of torque.

 

yep, Crazy is right, it only makes peak power under certain "undisclosed" conditions, and there's absolutely no way he went 10,000 miles without regen. Sorry it's just not possible.

 

Well who's gullible?...

 

we all came here to learn, that's what this site is all about. No one person here knows everything, but collectively, the people here have solved many an issue. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!LOL

 

Last April I went from a 2007 6.7 Cummins dually manual transmission to a 2010 6.4 F250. Loved the Cummins for towing. The low end grunt was great and the exhaust brake would really slow the truck down. I could come almost to a complete stop without using the brakes, just downshifting the manual. The truck would regen, but there was never any message or any noticeable change in engine noise, so I was never aware it was going on, other than the sudden mysterious drop in MPG on the lie-o-meter. We were afraid to keep the Dodge past warranty because of the numerous recalls, paint starting to peel already, sheet metal so thin you could almost put your finger through it, strange noises coming from the front end, and blown speakers.

The F250 Lariat seems to be a much more solidly built truck. The 6.4 with automatic is a beast pulling the horse trailer up the many hills in Southwest Virginia. The 5 speed auto does a great job pulling in tow/haul mode, and although I miss the ability to select the gear I want with the manual, the automatic usually gets it right. The 6.4 does seem to use the variable geometry turbo to generate exhaust back pressure when braking in tow-haul mode, because I can hear a jet engine-like whine from the turbo when braking in tow/haul, but not when not in tow/haul. The exhaust breaking is subtle however, compared to the exhaust brake on the Cummins. Still, I think tow/haul mode works great at controlling speed going downhill while towing, and overall towing is confident and effortless, especially with the integrated trailer brake system. The integrated brake controller is leaps and bounds above an add-on inertial brake controller, and the smooth seamless braking in my opinion more than makes up for the difference in exhaust braking between the 6.4 Powerstroke and the 6.7 Cummins.

As far as the new 6.7 Powerstroke is concerned, I would love to have the 6 speed transmission and the better fuel economy, but I decided it wasn't worth paying almost $15k more for the newer model. $15k will buy a lot of Fuel.