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This is my first post but I have watching this forum for a while and it has sure been helpful, so thank you. I am getting ready to place and order on a new super duty and I am really struggling with what gears to get in the 6.2. I know this topic has been beat to death, and I have read every comment I can find, but I am looking for some specific feedback as to what your experience is at 80 MPH with each gear set.
In Montana our Interstate speed limit is 80MPH and while I would prefer the 4.3 rear end for towing, mountain and town driving, I am concerned the mileage drop could be significant at 80. The vehicle will be used as a daily driver, will tow with it probably 10 times a year (max weight of 10,000), and will also be used as the family rig. For our empty trips on the interstate at 80 mph will the 4.3's reduce our mileage by much from the 3.73's? I'm not worried about a galloon difference but I don't want to be running at 10 miles a gallon on unloaded trips across our big state with the family. Really struggling between the 3.73 and 4.3 decision.
Oh and I am looking at a 250 so I can get the G transmission, which people seem to be liking better in the 6.2. Thanks in advance for your help. I really wish more dealers would carry a 4.3 on the lot so they could be compared!
I have had my SD 250 6.2 3.73 for just over 1 week and +/- 350 miles. It turns right at 2K RPM at 80 MPH. I really don't have enough miles on the truck to get a good feel for overall MPG but the first tank, mixed driving (in town/highway) was 11.7MPG....I expect/hope it will gain a bit as everything gets broken in. I don't tow a lot but have no issues with the 3.73 gearing so far. I came out of a Tundra with the 5.7 & 4.10 gears and while the 250 is not as quick....to be expected with a bigger, heavier truck, it is in no way under-powered.
...Really struggling between the 3.73 and 4.3 decision....
Tire size will also affect engine rpm. What size(s) and type (A/S or A/T) are you considering from the factory, and/or are you considering "upgrading" to larger wheels/tires after your purchase?
Thank you both for your replies. I will be ordering a crew cab, long box, FX4 package, and will stay with the stock tire and wheel size of 275 65 18's. I will most likely run the factory tires until they're shot and will then throw Toyo M-55's on it as long as they are still making them.
2k at 80 MPH is actually lower than I expected - good to know. Thanks.
This is my first post but I have watching this forum for a while and it has sure been helpful, so thank you. I am getting ready to place and order on a new super duty and I am really struggling with what gears to get in the 6.2. I know this topic has been beat to death, and I have read every comment I can find, but I am looking for some specific feedback as to what your experience is at 80 MPH with each gear set.
In Montana our Interstate speed limit is 80MPH and while I would prefer the 4.3 rear end for towing, mountain and town driving, I am concerned the mileage drop could be significant at 80. The vehicle will be used as a daily driver, will tow with it probably 10 times a year (max weight of 10,000), and will also be used as the family rig. For our empty trips on the interstate at 80 mph will the 4.3's reduce our mileage by much from the 3.73's? I'm not worried about a galloon difference but I don't want to be running at 10 miles a gallon on unloaded trips across our big state with the family. Really struggling between the 3.73 and 4.3 decision.
Oh and I am looking at a 250 so I can get the G transmission, which people seem to be liking better in the 6.2. Thanks in advance for your help. I really wish more dealers would carry a 4.3 on the lot so they could be compared!
How you use the skinny pedal will probably have a larger effect on fuel mileage than what gearing you choose. These rigs will NOT give good fuel economy at 80 MPH, and will be even worse when pulling up and down the hills, and bucking those light Montana breezes!!
Myself, I would not consider the 6.2 with anything other than the 4.30 gears!!!
Yup, I had a 6.2 with the 3.73's and while it *would* pull anything I asked it to, it was not an ideal set-up. And if you are anywhere from Billings west, you have some pretty good hills there to consider.
Good luck!! Hope this helps!!
The load and throttle pedal are going to make the mileage they make, atleast the 4.30s will be in the powerband if you plan to drive that fast. I agree, hills, towing, loads, you will want the 4.30s with the 6.2. remember the G and regular transmissions are double overdrive, 5th and 6th are overdrive gears. Once your in them, you are much more likely to be going pretty fast.
Once again, thank you all for your replies. 99150 - I got a kick out of your Montana wind sock. I'm really leaning towards the 4.3's. I do more driving under 70mph than I do over it and I'm coming from a 99 7.3, plus I do live in the Western part of the state, meaning more hills. It's going to be tough going from diesel to gas but maybe the 4.3's will help with that transition some and I guess I'll just live with a drop in mileage when on the interstate at 80.
The load and throttle pedal are going to make the mileage they make, atleast the 4.30s will be in the powerband if you plan to drive that fast. I agree, hills, towing, loads, you will want the 4.30s with the 6.2. remember the G and regular transmissions are double overdrive, 5th and 6th are overdrive gears. Once your in them, you are much more likely to be going pretty fast.
Yes, I am surprised at how easily the truck cruises in the 80 - 85 MPH range.....I was actually hoping the SD would help slow me down..... My guess is that in a heavy towing situation, you will likely top-out in 4th and be turning in the 4K RPM range on the highway......though that is just my theory as I have not yet pulled a load.
My driving is very similar to what you describe, I have the 3.73 in the 2017 f250 with the new G trans. Though I can only speak for the 3.73's I have driven the previous 6.2 without the G trans. and wow what a difference it makes when you mate a motor to a trans. that was actually engineered for it. I believe a lot of the negative feedback comes from those that had driven the old 6.2's with the same trans. that comes with the mighty powerstoke. It simply was not engineered for the 6.2 and it showed.
This new truck absolutely amazes me. It pulls my 7,000lb travel trailer effortlessly through hills of north Georgia. It seems perfect through every gear no matter how I'm driving, empty or loaded.
Now as for the 4.30's I am sure they are even that much better and the reason I don't have them is because I bought my truck from the dealership lot and if you want them you have to order a truck with them. I really wished I could have test drove one before making my decision, and I certainty wasn't going to order one not knowing for myself how it was going to drive. I was very impressed with the 3.73's so I pulled the trigger. The only negative I can think of is how they would do at 80mph. My 3.73's are very comfortable at this speed.
How you use the skinny pedal will probably have a larger effect on fuel mileage than what gearing you choose. These rigs will NOT give good fuel economy at 80 MPH, and will be even worse when pulling up and down the hills, and bucking those light Montana breezes!!
Myself, I would not consider the 6.2 with anything other than the 4.30 gears!!!
Yup, I had a 6.2 with the 3.73's and while it *would* pull anything I asked it to, it was not an ideal set-up. And if you are anywhere from Billings west, you have some pretty good hills there to consider.
Good luck!! Hope this helps!!
I had both a 2016 F250 6.2 with 4.30's and traded it for a 2017 F350 6.2 with 3.73's. Only traded because I have a slide in truck camper and needed more payload.
With the 4.30's my truck would hold 6th gear when my 3.73's would go into 5th, hold 5th when my 3.73's would go into 4th etc. That is what I have noticed. Does it make a big difference to me with what I haul and tow? No, not really.
What I can tell you, because I live in Wyoming, I would rather drive the 3.73 down the highway at 80 than with the 4.30's. I don't really know at the end of the day how much dollar difference it is going to keep in your pocket by getting better mileage with the 3.73's but having had both, I could take either one and be happy.
When I bought my F350 I did not have the luxury of ordering a truck to get the 4.30's like I did when I ordered my F250 so I had to take it with 3.73's. I am happy with it but had it been equipped with 4.30's I would have been happy with it as well.
Not a lot of help here only pointing out that they both perform very well.
I just got my 6.2 with the 4.3 and 275 70 18s my dad got the 6.2 3.73 with 275 65 18 the rpm difference is 200 rpms higher in my truck and I'm sitting about an inch taller. Can't tell ya what the difference in mpgs are as he drives like my 85 yr old grandma and I get where I need to go a little quicker. I don't tow a lot but plan on at least 35s in the future which will still put me within 100 rpms of my dad's. So I say don't fear the gear I love my truck and how it runs. So far it's getting better mileage than my 10 150 5.4 with 35s
Not apples to apples but I just bought a 13 Raptor. Stock tires and 4.10's. It gets into 6th and stays there. 17 SD has better trans but I would personally get the deepest gear possible on a gas (non EB) motor. Especially if any hills. Just personal opinion.
06-21-2017, 01:14 PM
My guess is that in a heavy towing situation, you will likely top-out in 4th and be turning in the 4K RPM range on the highway......though that is just my theory as I have not yet pulled a load.
