Does anyone on here have any experience with the Ford 7.3 gas engine that is available in the Ford Super Duty trucks? I have several friends who have been sold solid with the diesel HD pickups in the past. They have both changed to the new Ford 7.3 gas engine this time around trading trucks. Both of them say they will never go back to the diesel with what they have experienced so far. Far quieter, no diesel fuel stink, or fuel mess. Both of them say the new gas engine has plenty of pulling power for them not to be doing everyday pulling. Better MPG, less cost fuel/gas, and far much less $$$ to purchase! It appears this gas 7.3 engine is designed to be durable, and built to last long miles.
Super Duty Ford with 7.3 gasser?
- Thread starter old abe
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Tim in Indiana
Active member
I have a friend running the gasser in his newest F350 service truck. He says its great and he'll never go back to diesel. With the extra upfront cost for the diesel engine plus the premium per gallon he says the ROI simply isn't there for service e trucks. His longest trip may be 50 miles each way. Its hard for him to justify the increase in mpg.
He only has 26K on the truck so far but it looks good.
Tim
The lack of diesel mess is also nice.
He only has 26K on the truck so far but it looks good.
Tim
The lack of diesel mess is also nice.
My friends both say they are getting better MPG's, on their new gas engine truck. This as compared to their previous diesels MPG? Plus gas has a cheaper per gallon cost, and no Urea/Exhaust additive needed.
I know of absoulty NO one getting better MPG on a 3/4-1 ton gas truck over a diesel<br> NOT a signle one, I call BS On that 100%<br> <br> and I also would love to know what diesel "MESS" ,Tom from Indiana,<br> is talking about, many of my friends that own and run businesses that use both gas and diesels 3/4-1 ton trucks and vans(450-550 class trucks and vans as well too), none have any diesel mess< and get better mpg's on all the diesel one's?? the bigger disadvantage of the diesel trucks are when warranty's are up,on the fords the more so, as cabs have to come off for most things and the costs ain;t cheap to do that! the gas motor trucks getting better mpg's are the half tons MAYBE, but the new half ton diesels are out there now too and odds are they win that war too! in MPG war's! and there is NO diesel mess, own mine now many yrs and zero mess! folks that think there is don't know what there talking about!<br>advantages of the gasser will be cheaper price tags!, tires maybe last longer, and basic PM's will be a little cheaper and well gas per gallon will be less, if you tow a lot the diesel is the way to go, if you NOT towing a lot,. the gasser will be just fine!<br><font color="#284a7e"><span style="font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226);"><br> <br> </span></font>
xsledder
Active member
<br>
<br>Genuine curious, what do they get for mileage. (This is not a setup question by any means.)
I would like to know HONEST mileage as well. My 6.4 in my Ram is tolerable in warmer weather, but gets horrible MPG in the winter especially in sub zero temps like now. I added up my fuel expense for 2020 the other day and it was a bit over $2300 , still not worth it going to diesel for me.
I will check with my friends and see what they say. I'll ask to about the cold weather effect if any. One of them had said that everyday driving was a little better mpg than his previous diesel. He drives truck, and knows how to drive in order to get good mpg on whatever it is. I think his is a 350 SD.
well I have owned a ram gas 3/4 ton before my current same truck minus the diesel in it now, I averaged about 10 mpg on the gas and I average 17 in the diesel driving exact same places
towing in the gas I used to get 8-9 mpg, and in the diesel I get 13-14 pending what I am towing, I tow the same trailers I did with the gas, but also tow larger now!
the MPG difference for em has been huge, and totally off set fuel costs, not to mention the added power and never having things down shift like mad, like the gasser did on all the hills here
I have NEVER got over 15 mpg on any of my 7 different gas 3/4 ton trucks and drive them across the usa trying from PA to WY and other places of like distances in my diesel on a GOOD day NO BS, I can get an honest 20-21 on a flat hi way on summer blend fuel once motor got broke in,before 18-19 was MAX, so did get a tad better with time and miles!
on winter blend fuel like right now, I will average around town lots of stop and go and many short trips, an honest 16 mpg and ad in any amount of hi way running's be them 10 miles or longer, I will get better!
if DODGE ever steps up and gets better transmission in there truck I think things can get better on BOTH gas and diesel motored vehicles!
they have proven it works in the half tons , and ford and chevy/gmc have done so in there HD trucks now too
but by nature of the beast disels are mreo fuel efficient motors period, what you do to gas teh same rewards will go to the diesel!
like it or not, its honest and how things work!
are they enough to make it worth you money to BUY a diesel?? that again IMO comes down to simply what you plan to use the vehicle for
or if its a WANT situation
the power in a modem hd pickup truck diesel motor will spoil you from ever wanting to go back to a gas motor in a truck again!
no down shifting , no surges in running, and get up and go power at will be a hill or level ground, its there
most modern diesels in HD trucks have twice the torque of a gas motor in same vehicle,
and thats not a LITTLE difference and why they tow SO much better, and again you get that power with BETTER MPG"S
its NICE to have
but unless you tow often, its NOT really needed
IMO most folks that own diesels and use as mostly daily drivers, are folks that WANT THEM< more than need them, this is me being honest as can be here!
I know I can get by with a gas one, but I wanted the diesel for the advantages, and accept the added costs for fuel and oil
fuel filter changes, there not that bad, and the gains are worth it to ME?
being honest I will say the difference in cost for me from going from same truck in gas to diesel (minus cost to buy, just up keep costs per yr0
the diesel cost me about 800 bucks a yr more, IF that, thats oil changes fuel filters, fuel costs and DEF fluids, rest of PM's on trucks are the same, air filters and so on!
so I am not staying its cheaper to drive one
but on a 10-30 hour trip, never coning off set speed on cruise control and just towing so much nicer
its well worth it to me, to others its again a personal call!
towing in the gas I used to get 8-9 mpg, and in the diesel I get 13-14 pending what I am towing, I tow the same trailers I did with the gas, but also tow larger now!
the MPG difference for em has been huge, and totally off set fuel costs, not to mention the added power and never having things down shift like mad, like the gasser did on all the hills here
I have NEVER got over 15 mpg on any of my 7 different gas 3/4 ton trucks and drive them across the usa trying from PA to WY and other places of like distances in my diesel on a GOOD day NO BS, I can get an honest 20-21 on a flat hi way on summer blend fuel once motor got broke in,before 18-19 was MAX, so did get a tad better with time and miles!
on winter blend fuel like right now, I will average around town lots of stop and go and many short trips, an honest 16 mpg and ad in any amount of hi way running's be them 10 miles or longer, I will get better!
if DODGE ever steps up and gets better transmission in there truck I think things can get better on BOTH gas and diesel motored vehicles!
they have proven it works in the half tons , and ford and chevy/gmc have done so in there HD trucks now too
but by nature of the beast disels are mreo fuel efficient motors period, what you do to gas teh same rewards will go to the diesel!
like it or not, its honest and how things work!
are they enough to make it worth you money to BUY a diesel?? that again IMO comes down to simply what you plan to use the vehicle for
or if its a WANT situation
the power in a modem hd pickup truck diesel motor will spoil you from ever wanting to go back to a gas motor in a truck again!
no down shifting , no surges in running, and get up and go power at will be a hill or level ground, its there
most modern diesels in HD trucks have twice the torque of a gas motor in same vehicle,
and thats not a LITTLE difference and why they tow SO much better, and again you get that power with BETTER MPG"S
its NICE to have
but unless you tow often, its NOT really needed
IMO most folks that own diesels and use as mostly daily drivers, are folks that WANT THEM< more than need them, this is me being honest as can be here!
I know I can get by with a gas one, but I wanted the diesel for the advantages, and accept the added costs for fuel and oil
fuel filter changes, there not that bad, and the gains are worth it to ME?
being honest I will say the difference in cost for me from going from same truck in gas to diesel (minus cost to buy, just up keep costs per yr0
the diesel cost me about 800 bucks a yr more, IF that, thats oil changes fuel filters, fuel costs and DEF fluids, rest of PM's on trucks are the same, air filters and so on!
so I am not staying its cheaper to drive one
but on a 10-30 hour trip, never coning off set speed on cruise control and just towing so much nicer
its well worth it to me, to others its again a personal call!
I should add that the 6.7 Power Stroke diesel is $ 9K more than the 7.3 gas engine in the same spec Ford truck. That's a lot of "cabbage", eh! I'm not a diesel downer by any means. I've been in trucking, and farming all of my life. My father had a farm machinery business, as well as being a farmer. I can remember him telling my mother, she being his business partner, that he would be selling all of our farm "gas" tractors, and would be replacing them with new "diesel" tractors as they would more than pay for themselves very quickly at 4 cent farm diesel fuel, and 12 cent farm gas. Times change, and in many ways, eh. Our farms today are powered by all diesel equipment, including the lawn mowers. Just saying also, we use ISO certified/rated Bio Blend Diesel, year around.
I am also curious as well and is that driving? what happens when you put 6000 lbs behind it, Diesel varies only by a gallon or 2 to my experience, where gassers would cut in half. I agree if you aren't hauling loads, diesel not worth the money, I don't understand how these young kids can afford these trucks and then boost them up so they can "roll coal" . Alot of good being said about the 7.3 gas but what do they consider being a work truck? hauling tool boxes, driving to work sites? hauling a load of fire wood now and then? My truck lives 95% of its life with either a trailer behind it, a 28' fiberglass boat, 27' steel enclosed trailer or plowing snow so diesel? yes...worth the investment. I would be curious of the 7.3 gas mileage, driving and actually "working" as the difference between those has always been very drastic on gas aspirated engines.
I understand, and agree with all that you post Euphoric1. I too am curious, as trucks come natural to me! However, the last few years I have become to know of many friends, in all different kinds of businesses, going away from diesel/light duty trucks of all brands, GM, Dodge, and Ford. Mainly due to "emission control issues", and the high price of the diesel engine option when replacing the vehicle. From what can be seen, it appears Ford came with this engine designed as a HD work LD truck engine. Variants are capable of very high hp. Simple, long lasting design, reasonable cost, and uncomplicated repair when necessary. All good! Perhaps they had seen this coming? A big improvement all around from the V-10's. All interesting, eh? Perhaps as they say, "You can get the "trucker" out of the truck, but you can't get the "truck" out of the trucker! Just as in "farming"!
Can't believe school buses haven't been mentioned yet, so let me do so...
Our District is buying gas motors now, instead of diesel. IH buses. Gas motors are giving enough power but are MUCH cheaper to run and maintain compared to the emissions-laden diesels according to the mechanic. When emissions were not breaking the diesels on a regular basis, there was zero thought of switching to gas motors.
All that said..
Guys I've spoken with on the 7.3 gas have said typical mileage in the low teens unloaded and mid-singles when towing. No lack for power.
My 2014 6.2 gas F350 can get mid teens downhill in neutral, but otherwise get's an 'attaboy when its around 12 unloaded.
Both of my 6.7 powerstrokes run/ran 18 unloaded all year. Less depending on what is hooked behind it and where the cruise is set.
I could never justify the diesel up-front cost only on the numbers. Did not matter how you played it, with diesel costing more per gallon, it was always more expensive to operate. While I've not towed with a 7.3, do have to say there is nothing that phases the diesels when towing and that lack of stress certainly has a value.
I've had 2 duramax and 2 power strokes, all 2012 and newer so emissions galore. The 2019 has not yet had issues, the other three had something fail with emissions.
PS - we are supposed to be electric now, so I fail to see why we are even discussing these dinosaur burners.
Our District is buying gas motors now, instead of diesel. IH buses. Gas motors are giving enough power but are MUCH cheaper to run and maintain compared to the emissions-laden diesels according to the mechanic. When emissions were not breaking the diesels on a regular basis, there was zero thought of switching to gas motors.
All that said..
Guys I've spoken with on the 7.3 gas have said typical mileage in the low teens unloaded and mid-singles when towing. No lack for power.
My 2014 6.2 gas F350 can get mid teens downhill in neutral, but otherwise get's an 'attaboy when its around 12 unloaded.
Both of my 6.7 powerstrokes run/ran 18 unloaded all year. Less depending on what is hooked behind it and where the cruise is set.
I could never justify the diesel up-front cost only on the numbers. Did not matter how you played it, with diesel costing more per gallon, it was always more expensive to operate. While I've not towed with a 7.3, do have to say there is nothing that phases the diesels when towing and that lack of stress certainly has a value.
I've had 2 duramax and 2 power strokes, all 2012 and newer so emissions galore. The 2019 has not yet had issues, the other three had something fail with emissions.
PS - we are supposed to be electric now, so I fail to see why we are even discussing these dinosaur burners.
It would be cool to see a small v8 twin tubo in the HD trucks. They could get the torque at a much lower rpm than NA. Without the turbo gas engines need higher rpm to make good towing power. Some people do not mind climbing hills with engine screaming near 5k but its a bit irritating to me. Ford did great with the 3.5 eco in half tons why not a V8 version in 3/4.
snoden
Active member
If you want real numbers on the 7.3 gasser go to this web site, ford-trucks.com I think someone said low to mid teens empty and mid to high single towing, that seems to follow what those that have one are saying. My 17 250 diesel 6.7 gets 17 as a daily driver, over 20 on highway runs empty, pulling a inline 4 place with 4 sleds I get 12 with the cruise set at 75.
I asked to verify but I thought he said 15 er 16. Don’t take that as a for sure but all I know is that he said it was way better than his 2017 F250 gasser. I will report back when I hear for sure
I fully agree on the EcoBoost 3.5! Amazing pulling power/torque. I tow 14K with absolutely no effort what so ever! Ford has 7.3 variants running the EcoBoost set up. A friend of mine who is a "camper", first brought my attention to this engine, as he was interested in it, and Ford's possible applications. It was apparently planned, and designed with a wide application window.
Pre 2008 Cummins 6.7 diesel was a perfect power source for many, many different vehicles, with different power levels required. Very dependable, durable and long lasting. RR locomotive using "electric motive" power for all but 80 years, eh? Absolute ultimate efficiency.
My buddy just bought a 7.3 after driving Cummins Dodges since the 90's. He's happy with it. He said it was nice not worrying about fuel gelling going up north. He said they got 9 mpg hauling sleds.
We drove a Duramax a couple weeks ago and only got 10.5 -11.5 towing 3 sleds in an enclosed trailer. It was cold and windy, but that sucks. We also threw codes coming home and it said it was going to derate to 65mph then 55 then 5. It didn't end up doing it, but it was unnerving wondering if we were gonna make it home.
There are a lot of factors to consider in the diesel vs gas debate. In my mind the biggest thing now is all the emissions stuff and all the unreliability with it. DEF heaters and DPF's are expensive to fix. And you can rack up some repair bills when they start throwing codes. Not to mention getting stuck on the road when they go into limp mode. Oil and fuel filters cost more too. I realize the diesel option is 7-10k but that usually pays off in resale value. It will be interesting to see if that continues. There is undeniably more power out of the diesel, the question become whether your loads and terrain need the extra power.
The diesel will require two batteries, which need to be replaced about every 3 years. It may require the cab to be removed to work on it. The gasser doesn't need DEF and anti gel additives. It's easy to find gas stations. It's hard to debate the fuel price, diesel used to always be cheaper, but lately has been higher until just recently (at least here fuel is cheaper right now).
My 2011 6.7 ford is deleted and gets 13 towing (5th wheel camper, skid steer, 40ft featherlight gn) and 16-18 unloaded highway. With that said, I don't have the camper or the gooseneck anymore so I really don't tow big loads that often. I will be looking at the gasser when I purchase next. Especially since it is getting pretty difficult to delete anymore.
We drove a Duramax a couple weeks ago and only got 10.5 -11.5 towing 3 sleds in an enclosed trailer. It was cold and windy, but that sucks. We also threw codes coming home and it said it was going to derate to 65mph then 55 then 5. It didn't end up doing it, but it was unnerving wondering if we were gonna make it home.
There are a lot of factors to consider in the diesel vs gas debate. In my mind the biggest thing now is all the emissions stuff and all the unreliability with it. DEF heaters and DPF's are expensive to fix. And you can rack up some repair bills when they start throwing codes. Not to mention getting stuck on the road when they go into limp mode. Oil and fuel filters cost more too. I realize the diesel option is 7-10k but that usually pays off in resale value. It will be interesting to see if that continues. There is undeniably more power out of the diesel, the question become whether your loads and terrain need the extra power.
The diesel will require two batteries, which need to be replaced about every 3 years. It may require the cab to be removed to work on it. The gasser doesn't need DEF and anti gel additives. It's easy to find gas stations. It's hard to debate the fuel price, diesel used to always be cheaper, but lately has been higher until just recently (at least here fuel is cheaper right now).
My 2011 6.7 ford is deleted and gets 13 towing (5th wheel camper, skid steer, 40ft featherlight gn) and 16-18 unloaded highway. With that said, I don't have the camper or the gooseneck anymore so I really don't tow big loads that often. I will be looking at the gasser when I purchase next. Especially since it is getting pretty difficult to delete anymore.