2017 F350 6.2 Gasser, 4.30 gears??

[Dutch_Oven_Man]

Been ahwile since I have posted anything, so hopefully I will get the same useful advice as in the past!

I currently have a 2002 F350 SRW Lariet V10 with the 4.30 gears. It's a low mileage truck, just turned 100K miles and is in great shape, but wife wants an upgrade...so of course I'm all in!

We have a 37' Wildcat Fiver, about 11,300 fully loaded, about 2,600 pin weight, and my current rig handles the trailer really well. After we fill everything up with the three of us in the truck, we are well within the payload of my current rig.

We are looking at a 2017 F350 SRW with the newer 6.2, 4.30 gears. Diesel is out of the question because this truck sits for long periods of time and is used primarily for towing, less than 4,000 miles a year. I have experience with the great 6.7 diesel, but sitting around for weeks on end is really hard them and I don't recommend it.

My question: the F350 6.2 4.30 gears is really hard to find east of the Mississippi, so I have not even driven one. I will probably have to order one, so can anyone speak to how it will compare to my current set-up? If I end up with the 3.73, I would probably have to downsize our fiver- a deal killer for the wife!

A bonus question: The 6.7 that I have access to (my dads) is a towing beast, especially DOWN HILL. I was shocked how it managed the downhill grades compared to my old 4 speed that has no grade shifting. How does the new G-Shift for the gasser handle downhills (obviously not the same as the diesel with the turbo helping as well), but hopefully is an improvement over my 2002.

Thanks!

[transamz9]

Dutch Oven Man wrote:
BarneyS- sorry about that. I thought I was in the tow forum, thanks for moving.

On your 7.3, I had heard (not sure if true or not), that they old workhorse 7.3 diesel could sit for long periods, but they new ones can't due to the emission junk they have on the truck. I was leaning toward a diesel until I had two different diesel mechanics tell me to not go diesel since it will sit. A fellow camper has had all kinds of problems with his 6.7 because it sits for weeks/months on end, so I just decided against it.

Thanks!

Idling is what is not good on the new diesels, not sitting. Sitting is not going to do anymore to a diesel that it will a gas. Get what you want. Will make no difference either way.

[Denny___Jami]

I'm pulling a 16K 5th wheel with a 6.2 4.30 gears DRW without any problems, it's also spent a lot of time in the high mountains. I used to pull with a 2000 V10 with 4.30 gears and the 6 speed transmission makes it makes better it a better pulling setup over the 2V V10.

Denny

[Samsonsworld]

Wish I had tighter ratios with the 4.3 but it wouldn't be a deal breaker with a 6-speed tranny.

[time2roll]

Mostly towing I would definitely get the 4.30

[theoldwizard1]

According to this article, they must have made some internal changes to the 6.2L for 2017, because the torque has increased from 405 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm to 430 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm

In the past, the rumor was the 6.2L was not offer in Super Duty because of potential overheating issues. They must have fixed that.

Actually, the big win of newer Super Duty pickups over older ones in the 6R140 transmission. SOLID !


The other interesting rumor is that Ford is working on a 8/9/10 speed transmission for Super Duty and Medium Duty (as motor home) trucks. Probably more than a year away.

[Chuck_thehammer]

6.2L Gas, 4.30 gears.. on a lot "NO"... order one.. or ask dealer to Find one.

you might find a few in Texas... they like them there.

I have a 2012 6.2L. with 3.73... carry 1,500 pounds in bed of truck and pull type trailer over 9,000 pounds ... with 155,000 miles ....

just did a trip of 1,800 miles.. no issues, nor used any fluids.

[spud1957]

You will have a better towing experience with the 6.2 with 4.30 gears, 6 speed transmission over your current V10 with the 4 speed.

Wouldn't hesitate to hook up that 5th wheel and go.

Great engine and sounds a lot better than the V10 😉

[Dutch_Oven_Man]

BarneyS- sorry about that. I thought I was in the tow forum, thanks for moving.

On your 7.3, I had heard (not sure if true or not), that they old workhorse 7.3 diesel could sit for long periods, but they new ones can't due to the emission junk they have on the truck. I was leaning toward a diesel until I had two different diesel mechanics tell me to not go diesel since it will sit. A fellow camper has had all kinds of problems with his 6.7 because it sits for weeks/months on end, so I just decided against it.

Thanks!

[Dave_H_M]

I don't think setting around is hard on a diesel.

However I do tow with a 6.2 F250 with the 6.2 and 4.30 gears. 10K fifth wheel.

If you are going to go with the 6.2, i would suggest you get what you want with 4.30's. With your towing schedule what would it hurt to wait 8 weeks and get exactly your desires.

Another thought is with your very small amount of annual towing, maybe the 3.73 would work out if you would be comfortable with never using 6th. :h

[Learjet]

I had the 6.2 with 3.73 gears and towed 12,000 lbs. Wildcat. You should order one with 4.30 gears for that weight. You'll will be much happier if you do it right the first time. I see you are in Tennessee...so I would definitely recommend the 4.30 gears in the hills.

great info here if you look around https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum206/

[BarneyS]

I think you will have better response to your question in the Tow Vehicle forum rather than here. I will move it there for you. Good luck.

By the way, I, just last year, traded my 2002 F250, 7.3 turbo diesel with over 300,000 miles for the truck in my signature. I love my current truck but the Ford used to sit for very long periods (up to three or four months) without being used and it suffered no ills. I always filled the tank and put DieselKleen in it before storing it.
Barney