2020 Ford Gasser economy 6.2 vs 7.3

[Radio]

Will very likely trade the 2007 F-150 with 200,000 miles for a F-250 this summer.

Looking at 2 engine/tranny options:

The standard 6.2L with the 6 speed transmission
The optional new 7.3L with the 10 speed transmission for $2000 more. That 10 speed transmission interests me.

Wondering what the hit on fuel economy was. Hard to find data as EPA doesn't require makers to publish that on larger trucks. If it's anywhere near the same I think I'll go with the 7.3L/10 speed.

Any hard data out there?

[Big Sky KLX]

The 7.3's aren't out yet. Press fleets have them but can't release any info until mid january.

Ford has been really stingy with an details of the 2020's.

Wasn't the 6.2 getting a 10 speed this year too?

[Hersbird]

Generally speaking it takes so much gas burn to get so much horsepower. I doubt one naturally aspirated modern 6.2 v8 has any different thermal efficiency than a modern naturally aspirated 7.3 v8 both from Ford. So when the 7.3 is pulling along making 250 hp it will get the same economy as a 6.2 pulling along making 250 hp and it will pull exactly the same. Where the 7.3 will use more fuel is when you use that extra power it has over an above the 6.2. Don't think that the 7.3 will do better because "it doesn't have to work as hard" physics doesn't work that way. To pull something at speed it takes so much horsepower and it doesn't matter if the motor is making 100% of it's power or 20% of it's power, the power is the power. If anything a motor has less thermal efficiency at low throttle as now the engine is also making more vacuum. It has more wasted pumping losses.

Long story short, both motors will get the same economy as long as you don't use the extra available power. But then why get the bigger motor in the first place?

[Radio]

Originally Posted by Big Sky KLX

The 7.3's aren't out yet. Press fleets have them but can't release any info until mid january.

Ford has been really stingy with an details of the 2020's.

Wasn't the 6.2 getting a 10 speed this year too?

Yeah, info is hard to find. Ford dealer didn't even have brochures.

According to the "build your own truck tool" at ford.com the 10 speed tranny is not paired with the 6.2 unless on a F-350 or larger truck. Bummer. If they offered it on a 6.2 F-250 I'd definitely go with that.

But if I get the 7.3, I'll be the first on my block to have one!

[old40ford]

I purchased a 2019 F-250 6.2 in June and although it is a very nice truck, I am not as happy with it as I thought I would be. The power is good, but my 5th wheel is light, under 8,000 lbs loaded with all we need, and my 2013 F-150 5.0 pulled just as good. Of course the larger truck handles much better even if the ride is a little stiff. But, the gas mileage truly sucks. My older, smaller truck would give me between 9 to 10 mpg on the exact same routes that I take every year, while the new truck gives me a generous 7.5 mpg and sometimes less. I would have bought the diesel if I had known it was going to be as bad as that. Also, just using it for daily driving is a whopping 8.5 in town and if I go to the airport in Jersey, I can get 14 on the turnpike, so she stays in the garage. These numbers are calculated by hand not from the truck display. Good luck with whatever you choose to buy.
John

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by old40ford

I purchased a 2019 F-250 6.2 in June and although it is a very nice truck, I am not as happy with it as I thought I would be. The power is good, but my 5th wheel is light, under 8,000 lbs loaded with all we need, and my 2013 F-150 5.0 pulled just as good. Of course the larger truck handles much better even if the ride is a little stiff. But, the gas mileage truly sucks. My older, smaller truck would give me between 9 to 10 mpg on the exact same routes that I take every year, while the new truck gives me a generous 7.5 mpg and sometimes less. I would have bought the diesel if I had known it was going to be as bad as that. Also, just using it for daily driving is a whopping 8.5 in town and if I go to the airport in Jersey, I can get 14 on the turnpike, so she stays in the garage. These numbers are calculated by hand not from the truck display. Good luck with whatever you choose to buy.
John

Those are truly bad mpg numbers . my new 2019 chevy 6.0 gets over 11 to 12.5 city and have seen 16.9 hwy and expect it to get better once broken in . only 1300 miles so far

[shadows4]

Originally Posted by Radio

Yeah, info is hard to find. Ford dealer didn't even have brochures.

According to the "build your own truck tool" at ford.com the 10 speed tranny is not paired with the 6.2 unless on a F-350 or larger truck. Bummer. If they offered it on a 6.2 F-250 I'd definitely go with that.

But if I get the 7.3, I'll be the first on my block to have one!

For a bit more you can step up to an F350 and have that 7.3 with the 10 speed. Not any difference in ride but much better Payload.

[frank4711]

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[old40ford]

Originally Posted by MR.M

Those are truly bad mpg numbers . my new 2019 chevy 6.0 gets over 11 to 12.5 city and have seen 16.9 hwy and expect it to get better once broken in . only 1300 miles so far

I have almost 5,000 miles on mine now and it has not really changed. Wish it drank cool aid lol

[MT Biker]

Originally Posted by old40ford

I purchased a 2019 F-250 6.2 in June and although it is a very nice truck, I am not as happy with it as I thought I would be. The power is good, but my 5th wheel is light, under 8,000 lbs loaded with all we need, and my 2013 F-150 5.0 pulled just as good. Of course the larger truck handles much better even if the ride is a little stiff. But, the gas mileage truly sucks. My older, smaller truck would give me between 9 to 10 mpg on the exact same routes that I take every year, while the new truck gives me a generous 7.5 mpg and sometimes less. I would have bought the diesel if I had known it was going to be as bad as that. Also, just using it for daily driving is a whopping 8.5 in town and if I go to the airport in Jersey, I can get 14 on the turnpike, so she stays in the garage. These numbers are calculated by hand not from the truck display. Good luck with whatever you choose to buy.
John

With a trailer as light as yours try not using tow haul mode, you will probably pick up almost 2-MPG when towing.
You will lose the downhill grade shifting (which actually works pretty well in the newer SD’s) and you will have to press the gas pedal harder if you need a gear change but you will get better mileage and it could make the difference of you needing or not needing a fuel stop to make your destination.

Our trailer is light and I can tow it with ease not using tow haul and I would much rather have more MPG’s than grade shifting.
We went from 7.8-8.5 using tow haul to 9.1-10.5 not using it.
Mileage empty is still horrible, best I can do on combined hand calculated is 12.1-12.55.

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by MT Biker

With a trailer as light as yours try not using tow haul mode, you will probably pick up almost 2-MPG when towing.
You will lose the downhill grade shifting (which actually works pretty well in the newer SD’s) and you will have to press the gas pedal harder if you need a gear change but you will get better mileage and it could make the difference of you needing or not needing a fuel stop to make your destination.

Our trailer is light and I can tow it with ease not using tow haul and I would much rather have more MPG’s than grade shifting.
We went from 7.8-8.5 using tow haul to 9.1-10.5 not using it.
Mileage empty is still horrible, best I can do on combined hand calculated is 12.1-12.55.

Thanks, I will give it a try. At this point I will try anything as I can't afford to trade again so soon.

[ardakota]

I myself have been looking at a gas burner. I do know the chevy 6.0 is bulletproof but sucks gas. The ford engine is good as well but likes gas too. The dodge with the 6.4 interests me more because it has the cylinder cutout which does from what my friends tell me helps alot in economy when not pulling. My gmc 1/2 ton has it and it does get me really good fuel mileage when empty.

[acadianbob]

Whatever you do, get the 4.30 gear set. Much better for towing. Don't let people scare you with horrible mileage or noise claims. You will never hear the extra 300 RPM at 70 mph.

My 3,500 mile fuel average, June-July (unloaded) was 16.0 MPG. I get high 8's to low 9's pulling a 11.5K fifth wheel.

2018 Ford F250 6.2 with 4.30's.

If I were ordering a new truck today, it would be the F250 with 7.3 and 4.30's. Remember that it is a triple overdrive 10 speed with a .63 10th gear.

Also remember that you buy a SD to work; not for the fuel mileage.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

So when the 7.3 is pulling along making 250 hp it will get the same economy as a 6.2 pulling along making 250 hp and it will pull exactly the same. Where the 7.3 will use more fuel is when you use that extra power it has over an above the 6.2.

Long story short, both motors will get the same economy as long as you don't use the extra available power. But then why get the bigger motor in the first place?

Im not sure I Believe that 100% . If for instance the 7.3 requires 1/3 throttle to maintain 70 MPH or make 250 HP and the 6.2 requires 1/2 throttle to achieve the same numbers (all arbitrary numbers of course) how does it equate to the same amount of Fuel? Especially considering you are dealing with 2 different cylinder size, and probably injector size and pump volume as well.. 2 separate engines making 250 HP wouldn't necessarily return the same fuel economy. If one engine makes the same HP lower in the rpm range with less fuel than another engine, it simply can't have the same fuel economy numbers. At least in my head anyway.

[Grey Wolf 26RR]

Interesting reading until the real world numbers show up.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...details-specs/

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/insi...3l-pushrod-v8/

This guy is really hyped about the powertrain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQN3XpEjjv4

[rlocicero]

Originally Posted by Radio

Will very likely trade the 2007 F-150 with 200,000 miles for a F-250 this summer.

Looking at 2 engine/tranny options:

The standard 6.2L with the 6 speed transmission
The optional new 7.3L with the 10 speed transmission for $2000 more. That 10 speed transmission interests me.

Wondering what the hit on fuel economy was. Hard to find data as EPA doesn't require makers to publish that on larger trucks. If it's anywhere near the same I think I'll go with the 7.3L/10 speed.

Any hard data out there?

I have the 10 speed with a 3.5 ecoboost.

[rlocicero]

Originally Posted by rlocicero

I have the 10 speed with a 3.5 ecoboost.

What are you towing?

[boogiejack75]

Originally Posted by shadows4

For a bit more you can step up to an F350 and have that 7.3 with the 10 speed. Not any difference in ride but much better Payload.

+2 on F350, but I'd go 6.7 Powerstroke

[jrk341]

Go on ford.com and build a f250 then an f350 with the same options. You will be surprised how close in price they are especially if you add the ultimate tow package to the f250.

[jrk341]

2020 with 7.3 https://www.lbsmithford.com/inventor...7W2BN5LEC15754