2024 7.3 Standard Bed Lariat 3.73 Regular Bed FX4 3 Month Review
After lurking on this forum for months while shopping, I thought it was time to share my experience. My 2020 F150 was having recurring transmission issues, and since I tow fairly frequently, I decided to upgrade to either an F250 (gas) or Sierra 2500 diesel. I consulted two mechanic friends and a hot-shot driver for advice. This review will be detailed, but I hope it helps someone out there.
Use Case:
- Commute: Approximately 35-mile round trip, plus an additional 20 miles a day for various driving.
- Towing: Monthly 250-mile round trips to camp with a trailer, towing about once a week. Trailer weights range from 8k to 15k lbs, with a primary trailer being a 30' total tilt deck and over 1k tongue weight.
Must-Haves:
- 4x4
- Air-conditioned seats (I’m a big guy who runs hot and live in SWFL; I’ve earned my AC seats.)
- Minimum 2k cargo capacity
Considerations:
- Quality: All three brands (Ford, GMC, and Ram) have their issues according to forums and mechanics. Each brand has different problems, but problems nonetheless.
- Cost: Due to the necessity of premium trim for AC seats, prices were higher than expected. My target was $70k or under. Originally looking for used models, I found that the price difference between similarly equipped diesel and 7.3s was minimal, making new models more attractive for me given the 11k cost of upgrading to diesel on the front end.
- Fuel Economy: Fuelly estimates 11.5 MPG for gas and 16 MPG for diesel. Although gas is cheaper (especially from Costco), the gas engine would cost about $710 more per year in fuel.
- Maintenance: Diesel engines have higher maintenance costs: more frequent oil changes, fuel filters, two batteries, DEF, etc. Maintenance for a diesel would be significantly higher, with oil changes alone adding over $250 per year.
- Mechanic Opinions: Both my mobile and shop mechanics advised against diesel due to my driving habits, citing issues with emissions, fuel rail problems, and more. They preferred the Ford 7.3 gas engine.
- Previous Issues: My F150 had expensive aluminum body repairs, recurring transmission issues, and occasional infotainment glitches (though these seemed improved in the 2022 models).
My Experience with the F250:
In general, I love this truck. It’s super comfortable, well-equipped without being excessive, and priced right. The load capacity is excellent, and the power is more than adequate. I recently towed a 13k trailer for 260 miles round trip, and it performed flawlessly. Without a trailer, it accelerates impressively.
The infotainment system has been reliable, and the seats are incredibly comfortable. I’ve added Rough Country power steps and a retractable bed cover, which offer great value for the money. The interior is pristine, and I love the blue jean panels and overall aesthetic. Besides the suspension upgrade I also plan to upgrade tires to 35s at some point, and possibly switch to the 2wd chin spoiler.
However, there are a few downsides:
- Fuel Mileage: Averaging 11.4 MPG over 2500 miles, which, although expected, is still frustrating given the 32-gallon tank. A 48-gallon option for short beds would be ideal.
- Ride Quality: The ride is stiff, which is expected, but my brother-in-law’s Silverado 2500 and GMC 3500 both ride more smoothly, possibly due to the extra diesel weight. It also squats a bit more under load than I expected. I'll be looking into suspension upgrades.
- Aluminum Body: I’m still not fond of the aluminum body, but it seems to be the standard now.
- Shifting Issues: I’ve noticed some shifting quirks, including lurching when putting it in gear and rough downshifts. I plan to get this checked out next week.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the F250 despite these minor issues. I hope this detailed review helps anyone considering a similar upgrade!
