I'm placing an order on Monday and am going with a F250 6.2 CCLB and had planned on ordering the 4.3 rear end. Unfortunately I have only been able to drive the 3.73 because nobody in MT seems to have a truck with 4.3's on the lot. My salesman told me that he drove a 250 with 4.3's and he felt it was less responsive than a truck with the 3.73's. That makes no sense to me and I'm hoping for some last minute input from any of you guys that have a 2017 F250 with the 4.3's. Are you guys happy with them? The only thing I could think of is that maybe the transmission was designed more for the 3.73's but I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all. I appreciate any feedback provided. Oh and my truck will be used as a family hauler and will probably only tow 15% of its life and nothing more than 10,000 lbs. I thoughts the 4.3's would be a benefit with all the hills we have in minute. I'm coming from a 99 7.3 so I'm hoping the transition back to gas isn't too disappointing. And no I'm not at all interested in an F150 so no need to mention that as an option for me. Thanks again.

 

I have a F250 6.2 3:73 and have no complaints. I don't tow a lot so saw no real need for the 4:30's.....that being said, you will get plenty of folks on here that will tell you to go with the 4:30 gears. Car salesmen are car salesmen. I've yet to meet one that knows more about the vehicles they are selling than my 12 YO son......go with your gut.

 

If you are ordering I suggest going with 4.30s. Small price for added umph.

I have 3.73s and tow only 8k all east of the Mississippi; no real hills to speak of over here.

 

I have the same set up and love it! My dad has the same truck but 3.73, mine is more responsive even with my 35s vs his stock 31s. I love the way the truck holds 6th running up hills while I accelerate. It's only about 2-300 rpms difference between the 2 gear sets.
So far he gets better mileage but I also have a heavier foot. And I really haven't had a chance to run it down the highway more than a short 160 mile trip, which I got 14.5 mpgs @ 72mph with only 500 miles on the truck. Hes getting 15.5-16 and even 18 on a run to Nebraska empty last week(with my stock 33s), he's got about 5k on his so I'd welcome a slight increase if it gets better after a few miles. I also recalibrated the speedos with forscan so mileage is accurate.

 

Montana is a big state with a lot of variation in terrain.
Just where in Montana are you, if it in the east side rolling hills, 3.73's will be fine; if you are in the big hill out west, I think you might want to go with the 4.30's. But, after having had a 6.2 with 3.73 gearing, I *personally* would opt for the 4.30's (mine was a 2011...different animal). And I think your salesman is full of it, and wants to move the stock of '17's off his lot!!

 

I read somewhere on here a while back someone was claiming that the 3.73 recorded a faster 0-60 time than the 4.30 on the new F250 with the Torque Shift G trans. I thought it was odd myself but I suppose it's possible if the trans. was designed for the 3.73's.

 

Thank you all for your responses. I live in Western MT and I think I'm going to stick with my original plan of going with the 4.3's. I just couldn't understand how what the salesman was saying could be true but it got me questioning my decision. I'll be honest, I'm going to be glad once the order has been placed so I can stop worrying about what options I want.

 

I just placed an order yesterday.
F350 CCLB
11500 gvwr
6.2L w/ 4.30
XLT Value package
Camper package
FX4 off-road
5th wheel prep
Heavy duty alternator
LED box lighting
Clearance lamps
Power sliding rear window
Center console
Electric shift on the fly
Ultimate trailer tow system
Upfitter switches

Everyone on this forum recommends the 4.30, so that why I chose it. Dealers around me never stock the 4.30, so I didn't have a chance to test drive one. Have you thought about stepping up to a f350? Good luck with you order.

 

Its odd that the 4.3 is so hard to find on the dealer lots. I only drove the 3.73 for about 15 miles, but my perception is the 4.3 is more responsive. I love driving it. The only downside I see with the 4.3 is a little hit to the fuel mileage over the 3.73's. But I can live with that trade-off. Its not like the 3.73's give you Prius-like economy anyway. Either setup should get the job done - the tweaked 6.2 with the Torqshift G is a great combination, but I think you'll be happy with your choice of the 4.3's

 

If I had to do it over again, I probably would have ordered 4:30's over 3:73 but I'm not unhappy at all. I came out of a 5.7 Tundra with 4:10 gears and mileage was 12-13 city and 15-16 hwy and I was concerned that 4:30 gears in a F250 might put me in single-digit FE around town.....I'm getting the same 12-13 in the F250, 3:73 so will admit that my concerns regarding the 4:30 gears and FE were most likely unjustified.

 

i've got a thread in the 6.2 engine forum that talks about my impressions with the 6.2/4.30 combo with torqueshift-g trans. also have a link to my youtube channel there so you can check out some videos of loaded versus unloaded, 0-60, and hauling 7000lbs at elevation with decent grades.

Good luck on your new purchase!
GF

 

So, I've been watching these discussions on 3.73 vs 4.30. Same here, only 3 trucks locally available with 4.30. I drove a 3.73, felt doggish. Then by accident drove one with the 4.30 gears and thought, boy this is spirited. I actually have 2 dealerships who stopped talking to me over this topic.

But, has anyone considered negotiating a discount (to move an EOY truck off the lot) and getting the 4.30 installed post purchase if not happy with the 3.73 performance? I understand the whole order what you want process but you may not get the best price if you have the perfect truck, just wrong gear set. Plus you have to wait. I'm not much of a waiting person.

 

The only dealership I know that has 4.30's on the lot is in CDA, Id. All of the 6.2's are 4.30's.

 

Thing is, the only real (subjective) difference if you aren't towing a lot between the two sets is "fine" and "fun".

3.73 is fine for towing. Throttle response is fine. Motor likes to rev, let 'er whirl. Gas mileage at non-highway speeds, but almost all reports, is -worse- than 4.30, but not enough to even think about. It's fine. Towing < 10k, even in elevation, is fine. If you get it, you will have no problems, and after a month you probably won't even think about it ever again.

The 4.30 makes it fun. Need to accelerate on an access ramp from stop light to highway speeds? Never needed more then 1/2 throttle. Hauling a cord of firewood? You'll never notice anything but the softer ride. Need to turn left with no light? 0 concern. Want slightly bigger tires? You've got some headroom to play with without making it a dog.

Of course, the 3.73 will do these things too, and do them just fine, but the 4.30s are simply more fun to drive. I drove both sets in the 250, the new trans is much better at making the 3.73 feel good, but the first 60 mph with the 4.30s is so much more pleasant.

You won't regret either one, but I am so glad I went with fun instead of just fine. There is no scenario where an apples to apples truck with 3.73 "feels" better than the lower ratio, they just want to sell you one they have on the lot right now.

If nothing else, just cruise the 6.2 forum. Tally up the people who love their 4.30s, or are glad they switched. Basically everyone. Now tally up the people who didn't care or regret going to lower gearing. Maybe 1? At the end of the day, it's just a preference thing, and you shouldn't feel bad either way.

 

I ordered my 6.2 back at the beginning of May. I don't have anything to tow at the moment but I'm in the market. My thought was regardless of what I end up with to tow I will have more options with the 4.30. Plus I'm thinking if I add some air bags and throw a 5ver behind me my truck can handle that as well. I just have more options and less limitations with this set up.