2020 revealed!
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 515
From: WNY
The 7.3 may not be directly comparable but many of us don’t need an expensive diesel and the negatives. It’s been years since manufacturers attempted a modern gas towing motor. I’m curious what Fords engineers bring us. I remember when Ram bragged about their 600 lb. ft TQ.
But, since the 7.3L will be an option, I wonder what the actual cost difference between it, and the more expensive diesel? I also think it’s very safe to assume the mileage will suck.
Either way, gas will never compare to diesels low end, useable towing power.
For whatever the cost savings, it will reflect in resale.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 464
Likes: 29
I don't see how the 7.3 Gas is going to stack up the the 6.7 Diesel when it comes to hp & torque. I think whatever fuel saving the new 7.3 and 10 speed produces will be a wash when you hit the first hill under a load compared to the 6.7 with the 10 speed.
But this discussion is making me think about waiting till Aug to order my new F550.
However I do like the idea of less emissions and no DEF.
But this discussion is making me think about waiting till Aug to order my new F550.
However I do like the idea of less emissions and no DEF.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
Hauling/towing? I'm impressed. I can get 12-13 mpg highway, unloaded, keeping my foot out of it. Hauling the Mammoth TC (~5,600 pounds fully loaded with family and dogs) and towing the UTV to/from Valdez (through Thompson Pass), we got 8.4 mpg. That was doing 55-60 mph most of the way but a lot of the roads were rough, full of frost heaves, so lots of slowing down and speeding up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 309
I get that.
But, since the 7.3L will be an option, I wonder what the actual cost difference between it, and the more expensive diesel? I also think it’s very safe to assume the mileage will suck.
Either way, gas will never compare to diesels low end, useable towing power.
For whatever the cost savings, it will reflect in resale.
The whole reason this engine was designed and built was for fleets. Fleets are feeling the pain of either 1) maintaining the new diesels or ) poor performance and fuel mileage of the 6.2L. Ford designed this for fleets that need low end torque, but don't necessarily need a diesel, want cheaper and consistent maintenance across their fleet (those that have some gas and some diesel now can move to all gas), and want a vehicle that doesn't need a tanker following it.
My guess is that once this comes out, there are going to be a whole lot of us diesel owners thinking, Hmmmmm. that may be my next rig. Just a hunch.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
i thought current diesel mileage isnt that spectacular to begin with?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
I get that.
But, since the 7.3L will be an option, I wonder what the actual cost difference between it, and the more expensive diesel? I also think it’s very safe to assume the mileage will suck.
Either way, gas will never compare to diesels low end, useable towing power.
For whatever the cost savings, it will reflect in resale.
If that 7.3 and 10 speed were available today, I'd be taking a serious look at it instead of the diesel. As for mileage, when you crunch the numbers and include the fuel price difference, diesel isn't as advantageous as people think, even when pulling heavy loads. From a business perspective, purchasing a diesel will ensure your fixed costs are about 20% higher, whereas your variable costs increase only marginally (if at all).
So unless you're towing something in excess of the limits of the gasser but within the limits of the diesel, the 7.3 may be the better investment. Don't even bring the resale thing into it, depreciation is written off as an expense, and you may recoup the difference you spend, but you will never get more than the $10k difference over a used gasser. Also any business owner "invests" unnecessarily more in their depreciating assets on the hopes of better resale, instead of investing in marketing and growing their business, they are a complete idiot.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 193
Likes: 15
From: Fort Collins
The 7.3 option will go over well for those that work and play above 5,000 ft. elevation. The ~18% larger displacement over the current 6.2 should more than make up for the power loss of 3-4% per 1,000 ft. elevation. One of the main reasons that I went diesel though was to overcome the loss of power for high mountain excursions (not nearly as significant as a gasser). In retrospect, I would have given the 7.3 a good hard look if it was an option at the time of my purchase. Nevertheless, I love this diesel and can't complain about the power or the price for that matter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 11
From: Fairbanks, AK
Ha! Well played (and true). 
Probably right. Agreed on the v10. Such a great engine.
True. A buddy drove up the Alcan last summer hauling the exact model/year TC that I have. He has a 2015 F350 with the 6.7L. They got 11.3 mpg average on the trip up to the point we met up. We get 8.4 - 9.1 mpg with almost the exact same load.
True. A buddy drove up the Alcan last summer hauling the exact model/year TC that I have. He has a 2015 F350 with the 6.7L. They got 11.3 mpg average on the trip up to the point we met up. We get 8.4 - 9.1 mpg with almost the exact same load.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 574
Likes: 39
Ha! Well played (and true).
Probably right. Agreed on the v10. Such a great engine.
True. A buddy drove up the Alcan last summer hauling the exact model/year TC that I have. He has a 2015 F350 with the 6.7L. They got 11.3 mpg average on the trip up to the point we met up. We get 8.4 - 9.1 mpg with almost the exact same load.
Probably right. Agreed on the v10. Such a great engine.
True. A buddy drove up the Alcan last summer hauling the exact model/year TC that I have. He has a 2015 F350 with the 6.7L. They got 11.3 mpg average on the trip up to the point we met up. We get 8.4 - 9.1 mpg with almost the exact same load.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 715
Likes: 11
From: Nevada
I get that.
But, since the 7.3L will be an option, I wonder what the actual cost difference between it, and the more expensive diesel? I also think it’s very safe to assume the mileage will suck.
Either way, gas will never compare to diesels low end, useable towing power.
For whatever the cost savings, it will reflect in resale.