I have been truck shopping (online) and it is kind of interesting to find how quickly 7.3s are becoming available. At some dealerships new 7.3s outnumber 6.2s and it is not just in the high-dollar models. If that trend were to continue and increase, I wonder how long Ford will keep the 6.2. Are they fighting for the same buyer? When the waters clear in the economy there are going to be some real bargains in the showrooms (maybe already are). Just wondering.

Steve

 

If the 7.3 mpg can be close which from I'm reading it will be, why not opt for a little more power. I know if I get a 2020 later this year I can't tell you what I would choose quite yet.

 

The price looks to me to be less than a 2 grand bump for the engine and early mileage reports suggest to me with the new 10 speed difference in mileage with the bigger engine is insignificant. Given what these truck cost, the small increase in price is insignificant.

 

I highly doubt it will be replaced anytime soon.

 

Why do you think that? The price bump is too much? Folks just don't care if they have more power?

 

A couple reasons are,
1 the 6.2 is nearly bullet proof
2 the 7.3 has had a problem early with a batch, very small batch mind you, but some with potential problems with the cooling jet bracket. But, y may be right at some point down the road, the 6.2 will go bye bye. For my point, I hope not, I own one and it's an awesome engine.✌

 

I agree, great engine. I often reflect on how many folks own the 6.7 and run empty bed. More power sells. I was just surprised to find how little the bump is between the 6.2 and 7.3. I only have 70,000 miles on my 6.2 and it will probably be the last truck I ever own given the annual mileage and how long the 6.2 lasts.

 

I think the early excitement, especially before production started, was in the name itself. Name recognition is a real thing and Ford used it. The 7.3 diesel is still a coveted engine. That being said if it proves to be as reliable as the 6.2, it will eventually be the sole gas engine of the SD lineup. One gas engine just makes dollars and cents. Less variation on the production line equals more profit.

 

Main reason is you dont chunk a proven engine for a unknown engine. Not to say it wont but I highly doubt it will be anytime soon.

 

hum, 7.3 diesel for 6.0? I think sales rules in corporate America.

 

Look what happened though that killed Ford so much and then the 6.4 wasnt no better they had to revert to building their own engine which honestly proved to be a good move later on with the 6.7. That was also going from another engine manufacturer to in house. Im sure it will happen eventually but I dont think it will be soon. There is still 2020 6.2 being put out. The dealer I bought mine from they still have mostly 6.2 compared to 7.3 on the gas side.

 

the 7.3 was dropped for the 6. 0h no because the 7.3 could not easily pass emissions standards.

 

My point is not to make a case for dropping the 6.2. I think ultimately the market will decide who goes and who stays. It is just hard for me to envision buyers choosing less power when at least on paper you can have more power and about the same mileage for a very small jump in price.

My thought was wondering whether the 7.3 will usurp 6.2 market share or will it increase Ford's overall market share. Right now one local dealership that has the most F-350s on the lot has 8 F350s, 6-6.7s, 2-7.3s, and 0-6.2s. That same dealership has 10-F250s. The only one with a 6.2 is a commercial model fitted with a work bed. There are 2-7.3s and the rest are diesels, all standard models. The pattern I am starting to see across several dealerships is putting the 6.2 in commercial work trucks rather than standard passenger models. I don't know if it will become a trend, but it is interesting.

I know one could argue the 6.2 is way more engine than most buyers even "need", but I don't think "need" defines most truck buyer choices.

Just my two cents

Steve

 

Im sure it will eventually but I dont think it will until all the bugs are worked out after a few years and the engine shows to be as reliable as the 6.2. Thats all Im saying.

 

It also has to do with markup and sales.

My local dealer normally (ok, the few times I've gone and looked in the last 2 years) doesn't have a single gas engine truck on the lot. Not one. They also normally don't have a single dually F-350 on the lot (either engine). Not one.

What they do have are rows of single rear axle platinum and limited diesel trucks. Literally rows of them. When you ask them "why?", they'll flat out tell you that there's more markup and profit in one of the diesel trucks with all the hoo-haw options on them, so that's what they order. I was told on several different occasions that if I wanted a gas engine dually, I would have to special order it, because they'll never order one in for dealer stock. They also make it a point not to order dually trucks, but have had a couple over the years, and they "sit for a long time". Same goes for XL and XLT trucks. If I want one, I'll have to special order it. They want the markup and the profit.

Maybe some of it is "buyer demand", but I think a lot of it is "dealer profit demand".

As far as the 7.3 replacing the 6.2 entirely, I do think that will happen eventually, as a manufacturer it only makes sense that they consolidate product lines and options. Maybe in a model year or 2, but the 7.3 has to earn a good reputation to knock the 6.2 off it's gas pedestal.

Just my 2 cents.