7.3 or 6.8 and other things to consider in buying
 

Hey All,
New member here. I currently have an 02 f150 with the 5.4. Love the truck....towed a small boat. Now getting ready to upgrade to an F250 Gas in this coming year.
I plan to tow a Travel Trailer of about 7000 lbs loaded. We will drive cross country to visit family. Just a couple of questions as I begin this search:

A) Is the 6.8 worth considering ( although I think this may be only available on XL...and I am looking at an XLT) or just stick with the 7.3 ( most interested in longevity)
and
B) Any options that you think are well worth it (or not).

I am not one for too many bells and whistles... I love that my 02 is so simple... friends tell me to get into the 21st century...

Thanks for any thoughts,
Danny

I have a 22 f250 CCSB 4x4 7.3 xlt. FX4 I added a rear sliding window, running boards, mud flaps, I also ordered with the 40-20-40 seat so I had the ability to haul 6 passengers.
because I have a slide in camper I did the camper certification which gives it a one up stiffer front spring and an extra rear overload spring along with a rear sway bar. I also did carpet delete and got the floor mat instead. Otherwise it has what a xlt comes with.
and I ordered the electronic locking rear differential

Sounds great! If I am pulling a trailer (as opposed to a slide in the bed camper)... would it make any benefit for me to upgrade to the camper certification?

the certification does add the rear overload and sway bar I would think both would be beneficial for you

I ordered an XLT early May and took delivery in mid July. Basic but with options I cared about (cameras, tailgate step, buckets with console, power fold mirrors, locking rear diff). I want to say the 7.3L was standard with the XLT and I'm happy with it. The fuel economy is about the same as my old 6.2L F150 with 3.73 gears but my new truck has 4.30 gears. I probably would have been just as happy with the 6.8L gas engine to be honest. I don't drag race, don't brag, and I'm generally happy if it starts and runs.

I wish Ford has a reasonable LED headlight option without forcing you to a high dollar package.

Yes I did the power folding mirrors too. Also for my specific reasons I ordered the 3.55 which is no longer available. Now it's 3.73 or 4.30

I would step up to the 7.3 just to get the HD transmission

I would agree with adding the camper package (spring upgrade and rear sway bar) ....... The tongue weight on a bumper pull trailer can add a 1000+ pounds to the rear of the truck at the hitch. The upgraded rear spring pkg helps with the additional weight, The rear sway bar is a bonus.

Yes LED lights would be great if you could just add them...I would only want anXLT so I guess I may be out of luck with that.

I also wonder if I could opt for the Larger gas tank if I only have the 6.75 foot bed.... would like to have the extra fuel.

d

I would gladly still own my 08 6.8 V10. It was just too rusty to keep. If I had the choice between that powertrain and the new one 7.3 which I have now I’d opt for the old version. But I figured if I was picking new I’d go for the 7.3. I have a 6.2 in my work van and it’s great but I want a fun factor in my truck so I opted for the biggest. That has backfired on me in the past with other machines. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t here.

The 6.8 works well for my rig. It is XL trim with limited options which is perfect for me. I think the 4.30 with the 6.8 and 10r100 is a good match. Plenty of motor and tranny for 9200# 30ft 5wheel.

As far as options. The 6.8 puts a truck in basic territory. It is a work truck and gets the job done.

even so, since starting in 23 the XL comes standard with power windows, locks, etc, so it is far from bare.

I have a V-10 in a 1997 E-350 and as far as longevity goes ,mine has rolled over 310,000 miles and still runs great. It is a fabulous engine and if you can hook it up it will pull it ! I suspect I will simply rebuild that boy and keep on rolling. Take care of it and it will last a long time. By the way it has the E40D tranny and has had fluid changed once at about 260,000 miles in pan and torque converter ,never touched otherwise ! I don't drag race with it and every time I drive it I say thank you to it !
WP

An E40D with 1 fluid change in 260k miles is scary. Those trannys are hard on fluid and 260k miles is about the time they die from lack of care. Especially towing with it. I changed my ZF5 fluid every 30-40k miles cause I towed a lot and it's too easy to pull the plug and refill with ATF through the top. IF I had an E40D It would be fluid and filter every 50k at most if you want it to last as long as the engine.

Wrong 6.8L. These 6.8 are brand new for 2023 and are 8 cylinders.