Would like to hear from Ford 6.2 Owners...

OK Learjet, I concede. There may be times and places where being locked into 4th is a good idea. And maybe even 3rd, for all I know. When I said it isn't necessary, I was careless. I should have said, I've yet to experience a situation where I was so inclined.

slarsen wrote:
I've never deliberately driven with the transmission locked into 4th as the highest gear. It isn't necessary.

Its not necessary of course, but IMHO using it when appropriate does decrease wear on the transmission from shifting back and forth...and gives a smoother ride. Why else would Ford give you that option on the 6R140 ?

I've never deliberately driven with the transmission locked into 4th as the highest gear. It isn't necessary.

nice chart!

With my 3.73 gears: It does shift to forth up a brige..ie over a river. Normal interstate overpass usually will stay in 5th. I have tried the transmission in "M" manual mode and selected 5th. With the cruise on it will loose 2-3 mph over an overpass but stays nicely in 5th. useful into a headwind.

The truck does shift nicely/smoothly to 4th with no sense of over reving. 4th is a good companion to 5th with the 3.73 gears.

slarsen wrote:


One thing I neglected to mention when towing my roughly 11K gross weight 5th wheel using my 3.73: I 'lock out' the 6th gear. With the newer Fords with the 6.2 engine, you can determine the highest gear by just pushing a button. It just wants to shift too much between 5th and 6th gears if I don't lock out 6th.

...

but what I know is: it works just fine for me.

That's key right there. If your 11k gross is working fine with your choice of diff ratio then that really helps me out. I'm sure whatever truck I end up with as far as diff ratios I think I'll be fine too.

Of course I had to go calculate this out. I used an online calculator for rpms @ speed and just used nominal tire diameters but this ought to be good to compare relative differences. I also threw in a comparison to the 4r100 in my truck with the 16" tire size I have. Hope my math is right!

Interesting to see ... 6th with the 4.30 and 5th with the 3.73 are pretty darn close. 6th in the 3.73 is actually turning lower rpm at speed than 4th in my 4r100 and 3.73. Considering that is at a lower % of the peak hp than in my diesel, that 6.2 must really be loafing along at highway speeds with the 3.73 and 6th gear. I can see why you'd want to lock out 6th. 5th with the 3.73 looks just dandy for towing.



Ever drop into 4th?

Hmm. The more I read, the more I am thinking this is my last diesel, too.

slarsen wrote:
I would imagine the cost to change gears from 3.73 to 4.3 would be substantial, and through the roof if it is a 4 X 4.

One thing I neglected to mention when towing my roughly 11K gross weight 5th wheel using my 3.73: I 'lock out' the 6th gear. With the newer Fords with the 6.2 engine, you can determine the highest gear by just pushing a button. It just wants to shift too much between 5th and 6th gears if I don't lock out 6th.

And by doing so, I would imagine I am running similar engine RPM's as if I had a 4.3 and stayed in 6th. If I wasn't so lazy I could look up the ratio numbers and determine the accuracy of that statement, but what I know is: it works just fine for me.

Ditto, even with my 6000 lb Travel trailer I lock out 6th most of the time, 5th is still an overdrive ratio and 5th is the same RPM as 6th gear with a 4.30 rear. To me it's the same thing 5th at 65 mph is @ 2300 rpm with 3.73 and 6th is @ 2300 rpm with 4.30 rear. Yes a 4.30 might be better off the line or at max tow capacity, but for most of us 3.73 is plenty low enough with a 6 speed transmisson. 1st gear is still pretty low with the 3.73...IMHO

I would imagine the cost to change gears from 3.73 to 4.3 would be substantial, and through the roof if it is a 4 X 4.

One thing I neglected to mention when towing my roughly 11K gross weight 5th wheel using my 3.73: I 'lock out' the 6th gear. With the newer Fords with the 6.2 engine, you can determine the highest gear by just pushing a button. It just wants to shift too much between 5th and 6th gears if I don't lock out 6th.

And by doing so, I would imagine I am running similar engine RPM's as if I had a 4.3 and stayed in 6th. If I wasn't so lazy I could look up the ratio numbers and determine the accuracy of that statement, but what I know is: it works just fine for me.

slarsen wrote:
I have a 2012 F250 King Ranch, gas, 3.73 4X4 with about 12,000 miles on it. From southern Indiana, I've pulled a 10,000 lb empty 5th wheel to the east coast twice, and to Florida once. Plus numerous other trips. So several trips over the eastern mountains.

...

Traded in a 2006 diesel, and I have zero regrets. I'm not trying to start an argument either; I just never warmed up to diesel. I was told I 'needed' a diesel and I would get better mileage. Well, the mileage claim is probably true, but not that important to me. Run the numbers: miles driven in a year, taking into consideration the higher diesel price and higher mileage that often offset each other, then consider the higher cost of a diesel, and you'll see my point.

...

I wish someone had told me some of these things a few years ago so I could have made an informed decision. All I heard was: better mileage, more torque.

Super information to know. Given that we have a 10k 5er now that really helps to know that you're satisfied with the 6.2 and the same weight (and with the 3.73).

I went with my 7.3 because I always wanted to try out the diesel option. I found a good deal used and have had it for about 8 years. I still enjoy the truck, have enjoyed learning about diesels and the fun of watching that turbo boost jump up and the grunt pulling us up the mountain. But, I'll admit I'm sometimes jealous of my friend's '03 v10. He has pulled 19k GCWR with it over some serious mountains (cross country trip). Relatively simple engine, no clatter, cheaper to maintain, etc ...

I don't know what I would have done if I could do it all over. I'm thankful I got a solid engine to play diesel with. But thinking about how little we drive the truck now, doing the math, seeing that our needs are covered by the gasser ... it's somewhat compelling, at least to me. Again, I don't want to start a flame war with the diesel fans - I'm definitely a fan for lots of reasons - but for my needs this 6.2 sure looks like it fits the bill.

What I can't figure out is why don't dealers stock any? Best I can tell is that the diesels are the cash cows and what they are wanting people to buy. I would figure the 6.7 has had some serious R&D dollars and they need to make that back.

campingken wrote:
Unless you are towing a LOT of weight it doesn't make sense to spend an extra $10,000 on a diesel. Especially since the "worry about contaminated fuel causing expensive engine damage" is included with all newer trucks.

Contaminated fuel - yup this has definitely been in the back of my mind.

Dave H M wrote:
I just switched for a 7.3 psd to a 2012 F25o with 4.30. On the winter run got worst 8.6 and best 8.7 mpg.

It pulls a heck of a lot better than the 7.3 on those long mountain grades. But the technology of the 7.3 was 13 years old. :h

My fifth wheel weighs in at 11.5 K. I switched to gas and will never go back. :B

Ahh the comparison I was looking for. What are your typical tow routes and do you have the 4.30?

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! Now I wish I could find one to drive (that isn't an XL work truck)...

Edit: Sorry Dave I missed that you have the 4.30. Should have read further. Now I'm wondering if I happen on a 3.73 truck what the $ is to make the switch.

Taco

My F 250 with 430 runs 2000 R's at 65.

It runs fine in 6th with the cruise on pulling the 11.5K fifth wheel.

Course on those big over passes and grades it will want to get back in 5th. I usually just take the cruise off and let the speed drop to 60 on the short hills to save all the ruckus under the hood and stay in 6th.