How reliable is the 7.3 really?

[Sccritterkiller]

Any thoughts on the 3.5 vs the Powerboost? I don't really want the powerboost I don't think.

Powerboost has different tranny, well not different but extra parts...sounds expensive to me if it has any issues. It does hall ass, had one when the replaced my back glass motor and glass under warranty as well.
With all the warranty claims I have had on my truck I have gotten to drive all flavors of F150...3.5 is nice, too many moving parts for me..5.0 with the tow package was my favorite.


To answer the OPs question...Hell no, unless you can verify the transmission has been replaced.
My '21 has 98k on the motor and 38k on the replaced transmission.

 

[S2kstephen]

Thanks @Sccritterkiller, that's why I was leaning away from them. And I see more 2021-2023 powerboost for sale around thd 50-75k mark so was curious if there might be a common reason.

 

[DFS]

Thanks @Sccritterkiller, that's why I was leaning away from them. And I see more 2021-2023 powerboost for sale around thd 50-75k mark so was curious if there might be a common reason.

I've heard of several reliability issues with the Powerboost. I'd steer clear personally.
I had a 2022 F-150 Platinum with that was nice and smooth, but didn't keep it long enough to make a judgement on reliability/dependability.

 

[Modman]

17+ F250 7.3

Note, the 7.3 wasn't available until 2020.

I came from a long line of crew cab F150s. The EB engines were nice for performance and fuel economy. I had several 3.5s and 2.7s. I actually think I liked the overall driveability of the 2.7L the best. I wasn't towing much with those, however. Great vehicles for road tripping - the family loved them!

No regrets with our 7.3 Tremor but it wouldn't be my first choice if I didn't need it to tow and I was planning on lots of highway miles.

 

[S2kstephen]

I forgot about the 2.7 with the F150 - for hardly towing and mostly racking up highway miles that could be a good option too!

 

[John889]

I've had multiple 3.5's, standard and High output, and a 2.7 in a work truck.

Multiple Raptors to almost 100k miles without issues. The 2.7k we put about 30-35k a year work wise and knock on wood no issues. think when it's mainly highway it gets 23 MPG and it's the 4x4 variant.

I'm not a fan of the newest 5.0's with the cylinder deactivation.

If not towing, I would opt for the 3.5L engine from Ford. Can be nice and smooth or wake up in sport mode.

 

[Texrex11]

My brother in law has a ‘24 PB Fx4 w/ 44k miles on it. No issues yet. He drives all over San Antone and treats it like a mule at his ranch in South Texas.

FWIW

 

[Itsthelaw]

Had a 2016 3.5 EcoBoost Expedition (head gasket gone at 121k after rear diff at 60k) and had a 2021 3.5 EcoBoost Expedition (transmission issues and complete AC failure at 73k). Sold the 2021 after fixing it. I was hoping to keep the 2016 until it died and maintained it like it was special, but was hoping for more than 121K. I have a 2002 F250 5.4 Triton with 160k that doesn't get driven much and zero problems. All that has led me to my 2026 7.3 and this forum. Glad to be here with y'all.

 

[Phillbo]

This is super helpful - thank you! Anything to look for with either 3.5 or 5.0 F150 between 40-60k miles pre-owned other than consistent maintenance?

New plugs at that age with the eco boost. They eat them.

 

[Blade420Play🔪🏆]

Internet forums have been the best and also worst thing to happen for vehicles. Issues get overblown by 10,000% because the only people complaining are the ones who have issues. There are hundreds of thousands of 7.3's rolling around, and if they had a serious issue it would be well known (aka the heat treatment issues from the first batch of lifters).

9/10 times on here when there is a post of an engine issue, it is a 2022 or earlier truck, or a commercial truck which are detuned for fuel economy, which leads to less oil pressure at idle and also lifter problems. Both problems have been fixed since 2023. Other than that the 7.3 so far appears to be pretty bulletproof.

I mean, I did have a crank seal leak at 23k miles and a weird clunk tap noise after towing a few times early on (can't remember if I heard it since the seal fix ) but I haven't heard it since and I towed for 6-8 hours one way twice this summer. So, all in all at 48k, so far so good

2024 MY

 

[Blade420Play🔪🏆]

Note, the 7.3 wasn't available until 2020.

I came from a long line of crew cab F150s. The EB engines were nice for performance and fuel economy. I had several 3.5s and 2.7s. I actually think I liked the overall driveability of the 2.7L the best. I wasn't towing much with those, however. Great vehicles for road tripping - the family loved them!

No regrets with our 7.3 Tremor but it wouldn't be my first choice if I didn't need it to tow and I was planning on lots of highway miles.

Yeah, for mileage I would definitely take my 2008 4.6 F150. For towing, I would never take my 08. That thing was not very good, for my stress levels

 

[wessermgm]

I have had a 5.0L, 3.5L and Powerboost F150. I've run the gambit on Ford 1/2 tons. I am in a 7.3L for a reason. It is just way better to drive a Super Duty. Do I need it? Occasionally, but I could get by without it. You are on this site because you like driving a Super Duty too. To me that is what the 7.3L is for, those of us who could probably get by without a HD truck, but just freaking want one. I was in a Powerboost and it is a fine vehicle, but it did not make me smile like the sound of my Borla S-Type equipped Godzilla when I hit it going about 75.

If you are set on a 1/2 ton (and I suspect you are not), then just get the 3.5L. After 15 years, it has been worked out and kink free. Damn good engine. I was always a little squirrely with that PB (many gremlins, most are worked through by now though).

 

[BarryGedman]

@HBTFD you suggest the 5.0 over the 3.5 of any gen? I previously had a 13 KR with the 5.0 and it was great. But looking to keep the same creature comforts of the 15+.

We are going from TX to SoCal ($5.50 to $8 for diesel) and traveling between TX/SoCal frequently.

Oh buddy.. 8 bucks is being conservative in SOCal right now. Hell it’s 8 bucks where im at and I live in a place where fuel runs cheaper than almost anywhere in the state.

 

[S2kstephen]

Then it's even more than I thought!