7.3 vs 6.7 Beating a dead horse

[VTski4x4]

Hey guys - getting ready to order my new Tremor and I am really quite torn on engine choice. I've beaten this subject to death in the past when buying trucks, but there is something about the 6.7 that makes me come back and question my choices. Currently in a 1500 Silverado that works for what I do, but I want a 3/4 ton and love the Tremor. I live in NE and really don't commute much for work (thanks Covid). Even when I do commute, it's 20-30mins each way of mostly highway. I don't tow much (if at all). I put my boat in the water once a year, and take it out at the end of the year (it's about 10k loaded). I have a cabin up in the Maine mountains and occasionally tow 2 sleds, but not often. I really LOVE the 6.7L, but I feel like with my short trips around town (I could use my sedan for these), the 7.3 makes the most sense. Even if I go back to commuting, I will do it most of the time in the sedan except when the weather is really shitty. Horsepower is addicting which is why I love the 6.7L but I get the feeling I will do more harm than good with my driving habits. I am a 12-15k/year driver. My long trips are to the mountains and that's about it. The rest of the time is short stuff - 10mins to 1.5hrs. I know resale will be better on the 6.7, but with how long I keep trucks (6-8yrs) I just don't think the fuel mileage and resale is going to be worth it. I have read through all the other threads on here, but figured I would start my own. My 1/2 ton on 33s with the 5.3 gets 20mpg highway (on a good day) and 12-14mpg commuting (10mpg around town short trips). What say you? TIA

 

[Vrybusy]

This is really a personal choice that only you can make. You know your needs and limitations better than anyone. That being said, I don't know your personality....do you suffer from buyers remorse? Do you have the means to purchase the more expensive diesel? Do you like to have the biggest and baddest, etc.....? One thing you mentioned is that horsepower is addicting, and with that, the 6.7 is clearly an experience that is addicting. I dont know what you mean by doing more harm with your driving habits, however, the 6.7 is a beast (and I'm sure the 7.3 is as well) and will do whatever you need, whenever you need it done. Good Luck!

 

[JC_Tremor]

Sounds like you've already sorta made up your mind...I wonder if you'd like the truck as much if you got the 7.3 gasser. I think you've already convinced yourself you want the diesel, just do that. Don't compromise as it sounds like it is a more emotional choice for you. I wanted the cheaper of the two, plus I don't want any of the hassle with diesel. With the little if any towing I do, the choice was clear.

Maybe test drive both if you're unsure.

 

[Driftwood]

I had no doubts about the 7.3L. Who wouldn't want a 445 cubic inch big block V-8?!

 

[VTski4x4]

Sounds like you've already sorta made up your mind...I wonder if you'd like the truck as much if you got the 7.3 gasser. I think you've already convinced yourself you want the diesel, just do that. Don't compromise as it sounds like it is a more emotional choice for you. I wanted the cheaper of the two, plus I don't want any of the hassle with diesel. With the little if any towing I do, the choice was clear.

Maybe test drive both if you're unsure.

I've driven the 6.7PS and the 6.7 Cummins (not part of the discussion) many times. I love the diesel, but I think with all the emissions equipment, my short trips and lack of towing will make for a much less reliable engine in the long run. Besides, for 7 grand I can put a blower on the 7.3 and whoop the 6.7. I do have the means to purchase the 6.7, but it's definitely a want, not a need. My anemic 5.3 is plenty of power in my half ton, so I doubt I would be disappointed either way. I would be much more pissed off at a blow CP4 a month out of warranty, or needing a new EGR cooler out of warranty than I would be missing a little power.

 

[Whyte Rhyno]

This horse is glue by now. i vote 6.7 but that's just because i'm compensating. my truck nuts are helping too

 

[JC_Tremor]

I've driven the 6.7PS and the 6.7 Cummins (not part of the discussion) many times. I love the diesel, but I think with all the emissions equipment, my short trips and lack of towing will make for a much less reliable engine in the long run. Besides, for 7 grand I can put a blower on the 7.3 and whoop the 6.7. I do have the means to purchase the 6.7, but it's definitely a want, not a need. My anemic 5.3 is plenty of power in my half ton, so I doubt I would be disappointed either way. I would be much more pissed off at a blow CP4 a month out of warranty, or needing a new EGR cooler out of warranty than I would be missing a little power.

Certainly a tough decision for you then, or maybe not so much. Try the Tremor 7.3!

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

I had no doubts about the 7.3L. Who wouldn't want a 445 cubic inch big block V-8?!

SAME!!

The diesel wasnt even EVER a consideration...

Unless you are towing 15,000 + regularly you are buying a diesel to feed your ego.

Just my thoughts..

 

[VTski4x4]

SAME!!

The diesel wasnt even EVER a consideration...

Unless you are towing 15,000 + regularly you are buying a diesel to feed your ego.

Just my thoughts..

That's probably why I haven't purchased one in the last 10 years. I want one, but I keep going gas. Thanks for the input everyone. Just making sure I'm not making a huge mistake going 7.3 with 4.30s

 

[JC_Tremor]

That's probably why I haven't purchased one in the last 10 years. I want one, but I keep going gas. Thanks for the input everyone. Just making sure I'm not making a huge mistake going 7.3 with 4.30s

Test drive if possible, a Tremor 7.3. Like you've stated, mileage will not be the best with mixed driving or city. Last tank though I had a lot of highway and was around 14.5 mpg (unloaded). Normal for me is between 12.5 - 13.5mpg unloaded

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

That's probably why I haven't purchased one in the last 10 years. I want one, but I keep going gas. Thanks for the input everyone. Just making sure I'm not making a huge mistake going 7.3 with 4.30s

I cant lie,

With the amount of remote starting I do now that it is cold out my fuel economy is laughable! ( 24L/100km)

Its kinda silly I remote start for 15 mins to drive 4 mins to work and shut it off though. Even on highway best I saw was 20L/100km.

Not sure how some of these guys with the 7.3L are getting such good economy??

I could literally put it in cruise in ECO and its right around 20L/100km

Not that I bought the truck for its economy though.

But the additional cost of the diesel up front will give you a lot of leftover to buy fuel with!

 

[VTski4x4]

Test drive if possible, a Tremor 7.3. Like you've stated, mileage will not be the best with mixed driving or city. Last tank though I had a lot of highway and was around 14.5 mpg (unloaded). Normal for me is between 12.5 - 13.5mpg unloaded

I'm not expecting insane mileage or anything close to the 6.7. I'd be happy with keeping my current around town mileage (11-13.5) and 17-18 unloaded at 70 on the Freeway.

 

[JC_Tremor]

Not sure how some of these guys with the 7.3L are getting such good economy??

Check this thread for some information and/or insights for better mileage: https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/how-to-get-better-gas-mileage-from-the-7-3.667/

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

I have read the above thread.

Im not saying I am worried about the mileage,

Just something to be mindful of.

Im only getting about 400 city driving km per tank and was getting 600km/ tank when road tripping pure highway.

If range is a huge concern that may be one thing the diesel does offer even when not towing heavy.

 

[JC_Tremor]

@VTski4x4 To get 17mpg one has to drive very conservatively, It's difficult for me to do, haven't been above 14.5mpg from a tank.

Some guys with diesels also have those huge tanks that add additional fuel, for a range of 900 miles or somewhere around there.

Good luck.

 

[VTski4x4]

@VTski4x4 To get 17mpg one has to drive very conservatively, It's difficult for me to do, haven't been above 14.5mpg from a tank.

Some guys with diesels also have those huge tanks that add additional fuel, for a range of 900 miles or somewhere around there.

Good luck.

I'm a set the CC and forget it kind of guy. 70-75mph max. The last hour and a half to my cabin is all 2 lane backroads that are 55-60mph. My sedan gets 30mpg and my current truck is no great shakes on fuel. Honestly don't think I will be giving up much. 8 grand extra between the gas and diesel buys a hell of a lot of fuel. I'll just have to drive the sedan more YUCK.

 

[funnyman3000]

Just kidding, both motors are beasts. If you're not towing stick with the gasser. If a few months down the line you're kicking yourself because you need more power, throw a supercharger on there with the $8k you saved.

 

[2020Tremor]

Hey guys - getting ready to order my new Tremor and I am really quite torn on engine choice. I've beaten this subject to death in the past when buying trucks, but there is something about the 6.7 that makes me come back and question my choices. Currently in a 1500 Silverado that works for what I do, but I want a 3/4 ton and love the Tremor. I live in NE and really don't commute much for work (thanks Covid). Even when I do commute, it's 20-30mins each way of mostly highway. I don't tow much (if at all). I put my boat in the water once a year, and take it out at the end of the year (it's about 10k loaded). I have a cabin up in the Maine mountains and occasionally tow 2 sleds, but not often. I really LOVE the 6.7L, but I feel like with my short trips around town (I could use my sedan for these), the 7.3 makes the most sense. Even if I go back to commuting, I will do it most of the time in the sedan except when the weather is really shitty. Horsepower is addicting which is why I love the 6.7L but I get the feeling I will do more harm than good with my driving habits. I am a 12-15k/year driver. My long trips are to the mountains and that's about it. The rest of the time is short stuff - 10mins to 1.5hrs. I know resale will be better on the 6.7, but with how long I keep trucks (6-8yrs) I just don't think the fuel mileage and resale is going to be worth it. I have read through all the other threads on here, but figured I would start my own. My 1/2 ton on 33s with the 5.3 gets 20mpg highway (on a good day) and 12-14mpg commuting (10mpg around town short trips). What say you? TIA

Don’t expect even close to 20 in a 7.3L Tremor on the highway, 13 to 15 is more realistic with 15 being on the high end of the mileage with lower speeds and not a lot of wind and hills. With the 6.7L 20+ highway could be possible depending on driving habits and speeds as well as hills and wind. My buddies 2020 6.7L is closer to 18 at around 80 where I am around 13 on the same run. Around town with a 7.3L would say 10 to 12 is pretty realistic if you don’t lead foot too much. You will have to ask others what is realistic on the 6.7 around town for that since my experience with the 6.7Ls is highway only but would expect similar improvements 4 to 6 mpg better with 6.7L around town. I love my 7.3L but just can’t put down the MPGs the 6.7L can but prefer the lighter front feel back on the trails.

I do enjoy extra power but this is a big heavy truck so not what I would call fast even in diesel form. Disclaimer I am very used to SRT Grand Cherokee so my bar may be set a little high on fast 4x4. According to motor trend the empty performance 0-60 is quite close between the two 0.1 second https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mo...r-duty-platinum-tremor-diesel-first-test/amp/. Good luck with your decision

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

Funnyman Isnt Joking!!

 

[thevol]

I almost got a 6.7 since I came from an older 24V 5.9 Cummins but decided on gas this time. The biggest change for me was the range is substantially less and the gas engine needs to downshift into higher RPMs to maintain highway speeds towing. Overall the power is very similar to my 5.9 but fuel economy is about 33% less, the cost of diesel fuel vs gas typically offsets any of the potential savings though. Out of warranty the diesel would cause me too much heartburn worrying about emissions and fuel system failures. I could probably replace an entire 7.3 engine for half of what a new fuel system would cost in the diesel. If you could legally delete one and keep warranty I might have been tempted, but the EPA is going to insane enforcement mode lately, prob just going to get worse too.