My brother used to do hauling and towing with a 1984 Chevrolet C20 with the big-block. The average load was about half to three quarters of a ton in the bed and a two-ton car on a half-ton trailer behind. It would get ~7 mpg under those conditions. For heavy loads and towing, before 2011 I'd have said diesel, but with gas you don't have to worry about DEF, DPF regeneration & eventual replacement, ultra-low-sulfur and water-laden fuel and all the other baggage that goes with newer diesels. Considering that you guys' newer trucks are much bigger and heavier in every dimension than that old truck, I'd say you're doing quite well.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I understand that diesels aren’t for everyone and that’s ok but don’t knock a diesel. When you go to sell you truck I can guarantee you that a diesel will have a significantly higher resale value.

With 180,000 miles, the two biggest wastes of money in terms of resale value on my truck are the diesel and 4wd. I will never get back what they cost if I sell my truck. I had to get the diesel because there wasn’t a gas option available at the time to tow what I tow.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
I always worry about the transmission more than the engine, what is the difference in transmissions between the gas engine and the diesel?

For a number years, the transmission was the same in all the Super Duty pickups. That’s changed in the last 5 years or so. There were years where the F250 and F350 7.3 gas and diesels had the same transmission. I believe maybe last year and currently only the F350 7.3 gas has the same transmission as the diesel F250/350s.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:
Curious, did you do the math with actual miles & fuel to confirm the MPG numbers?

I did a couple of times, but mostly I reset the trip meter at the beginning of each trip.

It appears to me that the end of the shifter is only to manual shift through the transmission.
I know nothing about changing modes. But would seem like there would be. I don't see anything on the 4wd knob to switch driving modes other than 2hi, 4hi, 4low etc? Would be nice to have an actual owners manual to hold onto and research the functions available on a new vehicle purchase

I did not choose a diesel, but could have. and might have some regret on not doing so. Would not really of cost much over the 7.3 Godzilla. Just all the extra junk they put on the diesels now made it a no go plus the very significant additional maintenance costs.
I agree the resell will be higher potentially.

It looks like there are four buttons around the drive mode knob clockwise: 2H, 4H, 4L, and locking the rear differential. You turn the knob for drive modes which show up in the instrument display.

Does the shifter still have a rocker switch that lets you select the gear? That’s how mine shift manually, but I only have 6 gears.

I have the manual for mine on my phone and tablet, but the it came with the part one in the glove box. If you download yours, don’t forget the supplements if any. The diesel motor had a supplement.

I have a ‘16 F250 6.7 short bed. I currently tow a 32’ to hauler that rolls at around 12k loaded. We go out to WY every year and are looking at moving to a F350 dually and a forth wheel. I really want the 7.3 but I am not sure about the torque and then there is getting a 35-40’ trailer trough gas pumps and dealing with assholes in cars. I typically get around 6.5 -7.5 towing out west. I really wouldn’t miss the maint of a diesel. Probably going to look at a used dally next week.

The only thing I hate about my truck is the absolutely minuscule 24gal tank, what a joke. That’s like 150 miles per tank. What was Ford thinking?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Valpo Fz,

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
It looks like there are four buttons around the drive mode knob clockwise: 2H, 4H, 4L, and locking the rear differential. You turn the knob for drive modes which show up in the instrument display.

Does the shifter still have a rocker switch that lets you select the gear? That’s how mine shift manually, but I only have 6 gears.

<snip>

Yes, an "M" button in the end of the knob which I assume puts the transmission in manual mode and plus/minus buttons on the face of the knob for up and down shifts.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:

…..The only thing I hate about my truck is the absolutely minuscule 24gal tank, what a joke. That’s like 150 miles per tank. What was Ford thinking?

That’s one of the main reasons I have a long bed. I have a 48 gallon tank. Also the longer wheelbase makes towing much easier.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
It looks like there are four buttons around the drive mode knob clockwise: 2H, 4H, 4L, and locking the rear differential. You turn the knob for drive modes which show up in the instrument display.

Does the shifter still have a rocker switch that lets you select the gear? That’s how mine shift manually, but I only have 6 gears.

<snip>

Yes, an "M" button in the end of the knob which I assume puts the transmission in manual mode and plus/minus buttons on the face of the knob for up and down shifts.

Whatever your truck has for it, I believe they all say, “drive mode” on the selector. Whether it be on the shifter, beside the cup holders , near the 4WD knob, or elsewhere on the dash.

295/70R18

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT

100% factory suspension in the front. Air bags in the rear but they don’t matter for clearance anyway. Fills the wheel well by another 1/2” which is good, plus a much more aggressive look over the Kevlar Goodyears that were OEM.

Before



After

For those with small fuel tanks, there is a cottage industry making larger ones.

https://titanfueltanks.com/?ga...MEAAYAiAAEgLHPvD_BwE

That really looks good, Otto!

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
For those with small fuel tanks, there is a cottage industry making larger ones.

https://titanfueltanks.com/?ga...MEAAYAiAAEgLHPvD_BwE

Initially I thought it might be worth it. Then found out they are only for diesel.