I am leaning towards ordering the 373 gears and 18 inch tires. According to one poster who did the math that because of the smaller diameter tire compared to larger tires the tuck thinks/operates like it has 3.89 gears.
It was calculated that guys who have 4.33 and put on larger tires effectively reduce their ratio to 4.10.

 

You might be very disappointed with 18” TIRES.

I think my lawn tractor has those...

 

Funny bill!!!✌️✌️✌️

 

well I failed to mention that I am a farmer and a volunteer fire fighter. I’m always in my truck so I wanted to get the super duty for all the room, comfort and power...

 

yes, shorter gears are higher numerically. Longer gears are lower numerically. this is in reference to how gears that are higher numerically like the 4.30's move through rpms quicker or shorter than gears that are lower numerically like 3.73's which take longer to move through rpms relative to the same gear ratio in the transmission.

 

Higher gears = lower numerically (3.31, 3.55, etc...)
Lower gears = higher numerically (4.10, 4.30, etc...)

Understand that the manufacturers (Ford in this case) all program their automatic transmissions to shift early and keep the engine at the lowest possible RPM for emissions and mileage ratings. Lower gears will help put more power down in every gear before needing to downshift.

One benefit of the 10-spd trans, is that 10th gear is geared higher than the old 6-spd's 6th gear. Meaning identical trucks...tire size, axle gears, etc....the 10-spd truck will turn lower RPM's than the 6-spd truck. I say this is a benefit, because you can choose 4.30 gears, and have better highway mileage, with all the other benefits of the lower gears everywhere else.

In my 6-spd/4.30's, I'm turning ~2200rpm at 72-74mph. The 10-spd will probably be around 2000rpm at the same speed.

 

Great information guys, thank you so much. What kind of a difference do you think the 6-2 versus 7-3 motor would there be in miles per gallon? Really appreciate your wisdom and hope you're all doing well...

 

Guys I work with are reporting similar fuel economy numbers, but the 7.3 guys seem happier with the power.

 

Thanks I appreciate the information...

 

Are the 6.2 and 7.3 running the same gear ratio and the 10 speed tranny?

 

I believe they are pretty close. I get 12-12.5mpg around town (hilly), and that's with locking out 6th gear 100% of the time, and sometimes 5th. I don't engage 6th gear until I'm over 45mph. I hardly do any highway driving, but I'm around 14.5-15mpg with the cruise set at 70-72mph here in the Appalachian mountains. (I have 34" tires, so when my speedo says 70, my GPS says 74)

Could I get another 1/2mpg with the 3.55/3.73? Maybe. But I'd much rather have the power of 4.30's available to me.

Dad, a mechanic for 50 years, always said "Get the biggest engine and lowest gears available, and you will never wonder 'what-if?'" Diesel was not an option for me, so I got the biggest (only) gas engine available at the time I ordered my truck.

If you live in the flatter states, it becomes less of an "issue", if you can call it that.
And again, the 10-spd should get a touch better mileage yet...

 

no, all of the 6.2's had 6 speeds and 3.73's. 2 of the 7.3's are 3.73 and 1 is 4.30. from what I have heard there is only about 1mpg difference between the 2 gear sets with the 7.3.

 

6.2 and 7.3 are available with same ten speed tranny and rear end options.

 

If you're looking at F350s. If it's a F250 with the 6.2 then you get the 6 speed.

From the 2020 brochure.

 

Well I went 3.55
It has 10 gears!
If it needs more rpm, let It downshift.
When empty doing interstate speeds it’s not screaming.

New thinking has to be made with 10 gears vs 6.