Anybody come from a Cummins to the 7.3L?

[Shiftman]

New here. I've read a good bit on here and like that there doesn't seem to as much needless bashing and arguing as other forums.
Seriously considering a F250 Tremor 7.3L. Current ride is a 2018 Ram 2500 diesel. I actually really like the truck. And LOVE the engine (have had 4 Cummins). But if I'm being honest, I really don't need a diesel, as my needs have changed. I don't tow heavy very often--maybe 2-3 times a year, 12K-14K lb-- but would still like the capability to do so. Mostly just tow my Kawasaki KRX 1000 sxs on a 12' utility trailer. Even in daily driving, I love the torque curve of a Cummins. I obviously know the 7.3 isn't in the same league, what with 475 ft-lb vs 800, but I feel like for what I do it would work fine. I test drove one and it was pretty peppy empty. Wish I could test tow with one, lol.
Anybody switched from a similar truck to a 7.3L gasser?
Thanks

 

[Cococounty]

I’ve got both love my Cummins to

 

[Shiftman]

I’ve got both love my Cummins to

Haha, unfortunately I can only afford one truck at a time. I'd just hate to dump the Cummins and regret it

 

[Tremorlaw]

Haha, unfortunately I can only afford one truck at a time. I'd just hate to dump the Cummins and regret it

I don't have either yet, but I've driven both extensively. The Cummins to me feels like a boat, but a fast boat. The 7.3 felt so much lighter on its feet, and had that same diesel low RPM torque bomb. I don't think you'd regret lowering your load. lol.

 

[Cococounty]

Haha, unfortunately I can only afford one truck at a time. I'd just hate to dump the Cummins and regret it

Man you have a tough decision it would be hard for me to get rid of my Cummins

 

[thevol]

I came from a 5.9 Cummins to a 7.3 gas and dont really miss it. For the load you are talking about the 7.3 is plenty capable, just be aware a 10 speed gas is going to shift and rev more than your diesel, nothing crazy as it has a good torque curve as well. Dealer let me test the truck overnight and I hooked my 8k camper up to make sure it would work, maybe you can find one that will do the same.

 

[Raspy]

I've had three Cummins and currently a '14 3500 SRW HO with the Aisin Tranny.

I've ordered a 7.3 Tremor.

The simplicity of the 7.3 is really great compared to the complicated emissions on all new diesels. The Cummins pulls like a locomotive, and runs at low RPM, which I really like, but the overall package is becoming tiresome.
The Ram does not have front hubs, and it has an open diff. This means you cannot disconnect it completely in the event of a failure up there (been there, done that), and it means the Ujoints wear out even if you don't use 4WD. The Tremor has hubs and a Torsen diff.

My DEF system and my turbo actuator went out on the Ram. The Aisin cannot be programmed, so if you change the engine tuning, you start making the engine less compatible with the trans. Even a small tune just to delete, affects this. The trans is bomb proof, but it is controlled by the computer and not the actual torque coming in. No internal governor, as with all modern transmissions.

The 3500 Ram SRW is brutally stiff. Off road it is way heavy and rough riding.

The Cummins power is delightful, but other issues are adding up. It is a towing engine and very good at it, but it is not an off road engine. I've towed a lot of miles with mine and carried heavy loads in it, and it does very well, but it's time to move on.

These days, a bad load of fuel, or going into limp mode with an emissions problem would be a big problem. And the extreme difficulty of working on Ford's 6.7 turned me off. Simpler is better. The 7.3 has lots of power, is tuned for low end pulling, is designed for longevity, is much lighter, much easier to work on, and is nearly $10,000. cheaper than the 6.7. It's a no brainer.

The tremor rear locker and the Warn winch are very nice.

I will miss the engine brake very much! That is a wonderful feature for towing and it doubles the life of the brakes.

And finally, my Ram is a standard cab and I've decided a four door would work better for us. So, Tremor it is!

 

[PapaRaptor]

I have had many cumins trucks, love them but everything seems go to hell except the engine. trannys, brakes, front end,the body rust........ otherwise there great.

 

[Shiftman]

I've had three Cummins and currently a '14 3500 SRW HO with the Aisin Tranny.

I've ordered a 7.3 Tremor.

The simplicity of the 7.3 is really great compared to the complicated emissions on all new diesels. The Cummins pulls like a locomotive, and runs at low RPM, which I really like, but the overall package is becoming tiresome.
The Ram does not have front hubs, and it has an open diff. This means you cannot disconnect it completely in the event of a failure up there (been there, done that), and it means the Ujoints wear out even if you don't use 4WD. The Tremor has hubs and a Torsen diff.

My DEF system and my turbo actuator went out on the Ram. The Aisin cannot be programmed, so if you change the engine tuning, you start making the engine less compatible with the trans. Even a small tune just to delete, affects this. The trans is bomb proof, but it is controlled by the computer and not the actual torque coming in. No internal governor, as with all modern transmissions.

The 3500 Ram SRW is brutally stiff. Off road it is way heavy and rough riding.

The Cummins power is delightful, but other issues are adding up. It is a towing engine and very good at it, but it is not an off road engine. I've towed a lot of miles with mine and carried heavy loads in it, and it does very well, but it's time to move on.

These days, a bad load of fuel, or going into limp mode with an emissions problem would be a big problem. And the extreme difficulty of working on Ford's 6.7 turned me off. Simpler is better. The 7.3 has lots of power, is tuned for low end pulling, is designed for longevity, is much lighter, much easier to work on, and is nearly $10,000. cheaper than the 6.7. It's a no brainer.

The tremor rear locker and the Warn winch are very nice.

I will miss the engine brake very much! That is a wonderful feature for towing and it doubles the life of the brakes.

And finally, my Ram is a standard cab and I've decided a four door would work better for us. So, Tremor it is!

Very well said, thanks for the reply! Mines just standard output 6.7 with the 68RFE trans. No plans to tune/delete, but not wild about all the emissions junk. Also not interested in the 6.7 Ford--even though it's a hot rod, I wouldn't want to work on anything on the engine, as it's stuffed in there tight.
I, too, think I'll miss my exhaust brake the most. I turn it on every time I drive and love it even when empty.
I come from years of four wheeling and appreciate the simplicity of the Ford front end and the 7.3 engine. I'm on the lookout for the right combination of features/options in an F250.

 

[Raspy]

Very well said, thanks for the reply! Mines just standard output 6.7 with the 68RFE trans. No plans to tune/delete, but not wild about all the emissions junk. Also not interested in the 6.7 Ford--even though it's a hot rod, I wouldn't want to work on anything on the engine, as it's stuffed in there tight.
I, too, think I'll miss my exhaust brake the most. I turn it on every time I drive and love it even when empty.
I come from years of four wheeling and appreciate the simplicity of the Ford front end and the 7.3 engine. I'm on the lookout for the right combination of features/options in an F250.

I've done a lot of wheeling over the years too. The Tremor, except for its extreme length, should be very nice for that. Here's a picture of me at Moab with my HQ19 starting up the stair steps at Seven Mile Rim.

 

[orions dad]

If you ever feel you need more torque you can add a supercharger or an aftermarket tune to a 7.3L gas motor

 

[Boarder1995]

I've done a lot of wheeling over the years too. The Tremor, except for its extreme length, should be very nice for that. Here's a picture of me at Moab with my HQ19 starting up the stair steps at Seven Mile Rim.

You're one of the trucks in the Black Series camper videos! You're famous! Awesome trails with that rig.
Good feedback on experiences with Rams and what you're considering with the Ford.

 

[Tremorlaw]

I've had three Cummins and currently a '14 3500 SRW HO with the Aisin Tranny.

I've ordered a 7.3 Tremor.

The simplicity of the 7.3 is really great compared to the complicated emissions on all new diesels. The Cummins pulls like a locomotive, and runs at low RPM, which I really like, but the overall package is becoming tiresome.
The Ram does not have front hubs, and it has an open diff. This means you cannot disconnect it completely in the event of a failure up there (been there, done that), and it means the Ujoints wear out even if you don't use 4WD. The Tremor has hubs and a Torsen diff.

My DEF system and my turbo actuator went out on the Ram. The Aisin cannot be programmed, so if you change the engine tuning, you start making the engine less compatible with the trans. Even a small tune just to delete, affects this. The trans is bomb proof, but it is controlled by the computer and not the actual torque coming in. No internal governor, as with all modern transmissions.

The 3500 Ram SRW is brutally stiff. Off road it is way heavy and rough riding.

The Cummins power is delightful, but other issues are adding up. It is a towing engine and very good at it, but it is not an off road engine. I've towed a lot of miles with mine and carried heavy loads in it, and it does very well, but it's time to move on.

These days, a bad load of fuel, or going into limp mode with an emissions problem would be a big problem. And the extreme difficulty of working on Ford's 6.7 turned me off. Simpler is better. The 7.3 has lots of power, is tuned for low end pulling, is designed for longevity, is much lighter, much easier to work on, and is nearly $10,000. cheaper than the 6.7. It's a no brainer.

The tremor rear locker and the Warn winch are very nice.

I will miss the engine brake very much! That is a wonderful feature for towing and it doubles the life of the brakes.

And finally, my Ram is a standard cab and I've decided a four door would work better for us. So, Tremor it is!

It's crazy how jam packed the engine bay is on the diesel. That's why my entire argument has been, if you don't need the 1k lb ft of torque to tow whatever you pull, then odds are it's not needed. "Oh your turbo that consistently fails needs a look at, let's take the entire truck off because we can't see it"

 

[Shiftman]

It's crazy how jam packed the engine bay is on the diesel. That's why my entire argument has been, if you don't need the 1k lb ft of torque to tow whatever you pull, then odds are it's not needed. "Oh your turbo that consistently fails needs a look at, let's take the entire truck off because we can't see it"

I've already convinced myself that the 7.3 would work for me. I'm not knocking the 6.7, as I've never owned one, but looks like a nightmare if you did have to work on it. I've had really good service out my Cummins, and with the exception of cylinders 5 and 6, most stuff isn't too bad to access.
I'm more concerned about the "whoa" than the "go". Even with good trailer brakes, I've read some concerns about the OEM brakes on the 7.3 being inadequate. Not far from home, there's a pretty steep decline that tees into another road. If you keep going you drive into a store. I love the feeling of my truck downshifting aggressively while the exhaust brake does its thing. I think I'd miss the EB the most.

 

[Marley]

Very well said, thanks for the reply! Mines just standard output 6.7 with the 68RFE trans. No plans to tune/delete, but not wild about all the emissions junk. Also not interested in the 6.7 Ford--even though it's a hot rod, I wouldn't want to work on anything on the engine, as it's stuffed in there tight.
I, too, think I'll miss my exhaust brake the most. I turn it on every time I drive and love it even when empty.
I come from years of four wheeling and appreciate the simplicity of the Ford front end and the 7.3 engine. I'm on the lookout for the right combination of features/options in an F250.

Not sure you will miss that exhaust brake as much as you think.
The 10spd tranny allows you to lockout gears on the fly so the big 7.3 engine holds the speed you desire going down hill.
I tow in the steep mountains in VA/WV and don't have to ride brakes.

 

[Raspy]

Funny how so many of us have gotten used to the advantages of diesels, and love them, but are now re-thinking that, because of the big disadvantages that are part of diesels today.

My view is that anyone buying one these days is taking a huge leap of faith, has no idea about the complexities, or not planning to keep it for very long.

I seriously miss my 2004 5.9 Cummins, but I don't miss the primitive tranny, the weak steering linkage, the broken heater controls, the wind noise, or the lack of a disconnect in the front axle. My 2014 Ram Cummins runs OK, and pulls like a locomotive, but the tuning is very annoying. The DEF system and the EGR cooler take the fun out of it. And the trans can't be tuned to match the engine correctly. Changing the Cummins water pump, or serpentine belt on earlier trucks was comically simple, but on this one, it is a nightmare. And the new turbocharger has a computer mounted on it to control it, which fails. Sheesh.

Then look under the hood of the Ford and imagine pulling the cab off to fix it! There is no way I'm going down that road. Bring on the 7.3!

How many times have I been reminded "but it has 1,050 ft lbs of torque! It's perfect. It's a hot rod! They just improved it! From what, I always wonder. Again, a leap of faith, and one I won't take.

 

[INeedMud]

Had a 2012 Cummins 6.7 HO before Def. Put 160k miles over 8 Yrs. never had a problem. Best truck have owned till now. Had a H&S tuner, full delete across the board. Could spin AT tires in 3rd gear. Was an amazing machine that I got stuck every yr during deer season and after selling my offshore boat it was time to think ahead. The 7.3 Tremor has everything I need and then some. The payload is 1k higher than my Ram was and haven’t stuck it yet. Haven’t even pulled out the winch.

 

[NYtremor]

It's crazy how jam packed the engine bay is on the diesel. That's why my entire argument has been, if you don't need the 1k lb ft of torque to tow whatever you pull, then odds are it's not needed. "Oh your turbo that consistently fails needs a look at, let's take the entire truck off because we can't see it"

Not an I glad I ordered a 7.3 now

 

[Jcamper]

I have moved from a modified for towing ‘98 quad cab 12 valve. Had it on a dyno and it was at the 400 horsepower, 1k of torque levels at 1200 egts, 35psi. Would essentially do this all day long. Modified trans, heavy duty T style steering from factory, always 2 fingers on the wheel steady. Ultra, ultra reliable. 277k miles on it now and never had to work on the engine, trans, heck even still on original water pump, never a single breakdown.
My new 7.3 will outpull it handily. Plus just handles so easy with 3300 pound camper in it. Engine braking on it is very impressive, trans and engine work super well together. My one gripe is the 34 gallon tank. The diesels have a 7 gallon def tank, really ridiculous that Ford didn’t at least give us 41 gallons since we don’t have the def.
As you can tell I like my trucks reliable. Keeping the 12 valve (my son is now driving it).

 

[Shiftman]

I was actually considering selling my current truck and trying to find a P-pump 12 valve. But most of the clean ones are 2wd. The 4wd ones are usually ragged out, plagued with awful offset wheels and untasteful modifications.
Thanks for your input, as this further cements my decision that the 7.3 will work for me.