Ford 7.3 engine users?
Looking to start a discussion with Ford 7.3 gas owners and how they like the truck. My next truck will be pulling a 14-15K 5th wheel and will be a long bed crew cab. The 7.3 looks to be a really coo...
Forum Discussion
My opinion—yours may vary; no experience, just thoughts:
Rear ratio: Generally, my answer is get the 3.73 and let the transmission shift. However reasons to get the 4.30 are towing more than 50% of the time or towing in the higher end of capacity (IMHO 14-15K is “higher”). Fuel mileage change will not be significant if towing a lot, but the engine will, theoretically wear out 15% faster with the 4.30.
Engine braking: well covered.
Fuel tank: Ford long bed trucks get a 48 gallon fuel tank regardless of fuel type per Order Guide.
Cylinder Displacement: Back around 1975 to 1978 Ford was working on direct injection and cylinder deactivation as a reaction to high fuel prices coming out of the original OPEC oil crisis. They scrapped it because the cost of production greatly exceeded the value of fuel saved. The technology was projected to be in the 1978 trucks, but the only thing that made it was a new 4 speed manual with an OD gear.
Rear ratio: Generally, my answer is get the 3.73 and let the transmission shift. However reasons to get the 4.30 are towing more than 50% of the time or towing in the higher end of capacity (IMHO 14-15K is “higher”). Fuel mileage change will not be significant if towing a lot, but the engine will, theoretically wear out 15% faster with the 4.30.
Engine braking: well covered.
Fuel tank: Ford long bed trucks get a 48 gallon fuel tank regardless of fuel type per Order Guide.
Cylinder Displacement: Back around 1975 to 1978 Ford was working on direct injection and cylinder deactivation as a reaction to high fuel prices coming out of the original OPEC oil crisis. They scrapped it because the cost of production greatly exceeded the value of fuel saved. The technology was projected to be in the 1978 trucks, but the only thing that made it was a new 4 speed manual with an OD gear.
