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K3WE's avatar
K3WE
Explorer
Mar 19, 2021

Ford 7.3L & 10 speed...

Hey, looking for discussion from folks who have this combo...

What are your likes, what are your dislikes?

What kind of mileage do you get when you are not towing? (This will spend most of it's time as a grocery hauler, but I have joined the 3/4 ton police given that 1/2 ton trucks seem sooo short on weight capacity these days. Camper is 30 ft, 7000 lb gross)

FWIW- I have not liked GM's 6 speed transmissions. When the went from 5 to 6 speeds, It seems like they added a much lower gear and much higher gear, and "the elusive ideal towing gear" is still missing. We spend LOTS AND LOTS of time in 4th gear with the engine wound up...3rd for any hill climbing, and occasionally second. 5th gear is rare (I'm ok that it never sees 6th).

I know that's not bad, but conversely, it seems like it has always been missing a slightly higher gear for towing.

And, any rumors on reliability?

I'm considering an F-250 SRW truck with this combo.

Thanks.

14 Replies

  • I own a 2021 F250 7.3 and have been extremely pleased.

    We tow a 30' 7600 lb trailer but have only pulled twice so perhaps, minimal contribution.

    I'm seeing 17 mpg highway empty and 10.3 towing twice.
    The truck has given me 1800 miles of trouble free service.....grin.
  • “given that 1/2 ton trucks seem sooo short on weight capacity these days.”

    Half tons are not declining in max tow or payload. The numbers go up every year. However, 30 feet is my max for towing with a half ton.
  • Two problems I have read about.
    Noise coming from transmission. Not a big deal by any means, wont leave you stranded and Ford is replacing affected tranny's w/new.
    Spark plug wires failing. Again, not disastrous other than there are sometimes shortages of parts and you may have to wait some time to get your truck back on the road. Ford replacing them under warranty. Some people carry a spare if they can find one (they're cheap).

    To me, these issues are diddly compared to most new designs.