2023 F350 thoughts?

JBM3M · 10-21-2023, 04:12 AM

Going to look at a '23 F350 with the 32 valve Powerstroke. I would like to hear from Ford people how their experience has been with this engine in the 1 ton. I do have a friend with a 2015 and he is the reason we are considering this setup.

We currently haul with a 2000 F350 and are pleased with it. But it doesn't have modern conveniences (tho we did put in a media center that allows Android). Our biggest concern with the current truck is if we need any electronic control brains, as they are very hard to find, even used. We had to replace the main brain about 8 years ago due to windshield leaking water on it and it really was hell to get one then, I cannot imagine now.

Anyhow, no brand bashing please, we all have our favorites, I just want to hear about experiences in real life with this engine hauling up to 20K.
Thanks

RJS3791RD · 10-21-2023, 05:42 AM

In 2023 there are two different versions of the power stroke. The standard engine is a direct carryover from 2022 while the “high output” is a new addition. I have the 2022 model which is the same as the 2023 standard diesel. I have it in. F350 DRW crew cab. Bottom line- I love it. It will pull my 40’ 5er at 16k pounds as fast as you want to go and do it very comfortably. Its power is phenomenal from a stop. The 10 speed transmission is a game changer that they went to in 2020. Fully loaded and running at 70 mph down the high way it will still get 9+ mpg. I’ve had Ford super duty trucks back through 1998. The only engine I liked better was the 2000 diesel (7.3l diesel) but I added a turbo to it. The transmission was nothing nearly as good as todays.

Badbart56 · 10-21-2023, 06:35 AM

Can't speak for the new engine, but I went from a 97 F-350 with the 7.3 Turbo Diesel and auto transmission to the Super Duty in my signature. Worlds of difference between the two! I kept both trucks for a year or so before a guy that worked for me talked me into selling him the 97. SOOO much quieter than the old Powerstroke too!

I had used the 97 for hauling tractors and farm equipment on a 48 foot gooseneck as well as fifth wheel RV's, and to me the biggest difference maker was going from the od 4 speed transmission to the 6 speed. I actually blew the seals out of the torque converter on a hot summer day in the old truck while towing about 14K pounds on the flatbed. And when I first pulled the Fuzion up into the driveway I knew I was going to have more transmission problems even though I had gone to a billet convertor and a huge transmission cooler. First gear in that four speed was too tall for that heavy a load on steep hills.
There is a vast increase in horsepower and torque with the 6.7 engine. It tows the Fuzion quite effortlessly even when maxed out (around 18K pounds). 70-75 mph is nothing with the 2011 Powerstroke dually with the 3:73 gears though the fuel mileage was only around 7-8 mpg at those speeds. It can get better than 9 mpg if I keep it under 65 mph. I do have a Banks programmer that helps with the fuel mileage in the towing and economy settings and I had run an Edge programmer in the old 7.3 for the same purpose.

You won't be disappointed in moving up to the Ford diesel. They've always waged war with the Ram and Chevy diesel powered 1 tons and stayed on top of the horsepower and torque numbers. Any of these newer trucks will handily outperform what you are towing with now so really it's just a brand preference. My last gas powered truck was an 89 Chevy 2500 and my last Chevy was a 98 2500 with the 6.5 turbo diesel. The 98 still sees farm duty on my brother's farm. It was MUCH better than the gas truck but that 7.3 Powerstroke in the 97 was the best in class back then, especially for reliability.

Other than the extremely high price of trucks today, I would love to have a new F-350 diesel, but my 2011 has been so reliable and still feels as tight as it did when I first got it. So I just don't feel the need to part with the money at this point.

JBM3M · 10-21-2023, 07:13 AM

Yes I understand there is a "High Output" engine but few are available. Of diesels out, it constitutes only 3% of those built. My current 7.3 is a turbo but it is struggling with my 5er over passes such as the one East of Pendleton Oregon.

The one we are going to look at is within $2K of my requested price and sounds like it has everything we want. Except the High Output 6.7. But I have heard much good about the 6.7 in the 2020's and newer.

notanlines · 10-21-2023, 07:47 AM

We’ve got 80k on our 6.7. We tow 22,000 with the Suites and the motorcycle trailer. 4:30 gears and 10 mpg on a good day, 9.5 usually. We just did 7,000 miles in Canada with no trailer and averaged 18.3 at about 55-60 mph.
I cannot stress enough how nice the turning radius is on a F450. Well worth a few extra bucks.
By the way, you will like any of the big three.

Pull Toy · 10-21-2023, 08:41 AM

Sixty years of driving has taught me one thing. I would never buy the
'new and improved" model of any vehicle I've owned. I let the manufacturers find their mistakes on someone else's heartache, and maybe buy the following years model. Staying with the tried and true has stood me well over the years.

Right now, between the UAW strike, and major manufacturing, and supply line issues, I would really think about holding off. The limited supply of new trucks means you'll pay top dollar, and it may sit waiting for a ten dollar part.

Good luck,

vampress_me · 10-21-2023, 02:43 PM

We currently have a 2019 F-350 diesel with the 6.7L in it. Our first F-350 was a 2009, next a 2016, and now the 2019 DRW. I loved our 2009 SRW diesel. Liked the 2016 (what can I say, I had to get used to the whole DEF thing

), and absolutely love our 2019. Both the 2016 and now the 2019 have been out west in the mountains and on the flats. The 2016 pulled our Cougar XLite (GVWR of 10,000 lbs), the 2019 pulls our Paradigm (which has a GVWR of 16,500 lbs. We have been from Indiana with it to spending a couple weeks each summer out in the Big Horn mountains and Yellowstone with it, plus around western Montana. I have not had a single issue of ever wishing I had more power while towing in the mountains.

JBM3M · 10-21-2023, 03:35 PM

Appreciate all the responses. We ended up buying one for a MSRP price. Some options I wasn't looking for but it had others to make up. The 6.7 engine impresses me. Much quieter. Turning radius on crew cab is better than the 2000 was. Safety features galore, so we think we did the right thing.

Thanks for the input folks.

TXiceman · 10-21-2023, 05:10 PM

had a 2012 F350 DRW 6.7L and had 116,000 miles when we sold it last year. It is a strong and reliable engine, but the earlier ones, like all the manufacturers, have issues with the DEF system and emissions system.

You will want to keep up with the oil and fuel filter changes. The newer diesels are much more sensitive to clean oil and filters than the old 7.3L Powerstrokes. I ran between 5000 and 6000 miles between oil and filter changes and fuel filters every other oil change.

Ken

Ken

**JRTJH** · 10-21-2023, 06:40 PM

Congratulations on your new truck. I have no doubt that you'll see marked improvements over the power and towing ability compared to your 2000 SuperDuty. I think back to my 1999 SuperDuty 7.3L diesel and that thing, as impressive as it was "back then" is a "Flintstone's rock wagon" compared to my 2015. Your 2023 will be "head and shoulders" improved over my 2015.

Like mentioned above, keep a close eye on maintenance. I change my oil and filter every 5000 miles and change the fuel filters every spring, to get rid of any "winter crud" that might have accumulated.

The DEF system can be a PITA if you only drive minimal miles a year. Why? There's no way to change out the DEF, it does go "stale with time" and once it starts to break down, it plays HAVOC with the exhaust system sensors... The "fix for that problem" is to drive it, drive it, drive it !!!!! Don't give the DEF time to break down and it will keep running forever....

Oh, and don't forget the breakin period for the drive line. No towing for the first 1000 miles and then vary towing speeds and conditions for the next 1000 miles. Essentially, don't put 1002 miles on it and hitch a 16K trailer and head to Colorado at 80MPH.... LOL

Enjoy your new truck, I think you'll find it much more than you expected, even without the HO diesel option.....

TXiceman · 10-21-2023, 07:08 PM

I have been told on the 6.7L, does not like loafing and city driving. Once you break in the drive line, drive like you stole it. Getting on the freeway, hammer it.

If you baby it, the EGR cooler will soot and it is not a cheap repair.

We lived in Texas and after it was out of warranty, the DEF system went haywire and Ford wanted big $$$$ to fix it. It had two previous repairs and recalls on the emmissins system under warranty.
Although illegal federally, I deleted the truck and straight piped and tow tuned. Fuel economy got better and it ran like a stripped monkey.

It is a great truck and all of the Big 3 are subject to DEF issues.

Ken

JBM3M · 10-22-2023, 02:27 AM

Thanks for the info regarding DEF and sitting. Not sure how I am going to get around that. In 23 years we put 116K on last truck, that works out to around 5K a year. That isn't much. It will be almost all highway driving. After warranty the DEF system will come out me thinks.

Fish-a-Palooza · 10-22-2023, 05:10 AM

I wouldn't jump on the high output for a couple of years to see what problems crop up.

Badbart56 · 10-22-2023, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBM3M

Thanks for the info regarding DEF and sitting. Not sure how I am going to get around that. In 23 years we put 116K on last truck, that works out to around 5K a year. That isn't much. It will be almost all highway driving. After warranty the DEF system will come out me thinks.

I said the same thing about deleting my emissions, but the only issue I've had in 200K miles is the DEF reductant heater went bad a few years ago. And there was a special warranty coverage on that, so I still have all the emissions equipment intact. I just don't fill the DEF tank all the way so as to keep it fresher. And still making amazing power legally with the Banks Power! We live in a rural area so we get up to highway speeds every time we drive. I think that's the key to emissions equipment health on all these diesels. It doesn't hurt them to sit for months at a time. (mine used to sit for 6-8 weeks at a time when I was OTR) But when you do drive them, put a few highway miles on them so they get a chance to regen.

You will enjoy towing with the new truck. My 2011 was (is) so much more stable and solid than the old 97, really like night and day. I always thought the 97 was a great tow platform but Ford really impressed me with the upgrades they made. Towing the same fifth wheel RV with both trucks really showed me the difference. Have fun and safe travels!

Stircrazy · 10-22-2023, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBM3M

Going to look at a '23 F350 with the 32 valve Powerstroke. I would like to hear from Ford people how their experience has been with this engine in the 1 ton. I do have a friend with a 2015 and he is the reason we are considering this setup.

We currently haul with a 2000 F350 and are pleased with it. But it doesn't have modern conveniences (tho we did put in a media center that allows Android). Our biggest concern with the current truck is if we need any electronic control brains, as they are very hard to find, even used. We had to replace the main brain about 8 years ago due to windshield leaking water on it and it really was hell to get one then, I cannot imagine now.

Anyhow, no brand bashing please, we all have our favorites, I just want to hear about experiences in real life with this engine hauling up to 20K.
Thanks

it will be night and day from your 2000. I went from a 1999 to my 2014 f350 and I couldn't believe how much better the 6.7 was over he 7.3

TXiceman · 10-22-2023, 06:34 PM

We went from a 1997 F35 DRW to a 2002 F350 DRW and to a 2012 F350 DRW and the 2002 and the 2012 were each quantum leaps is power and comfort. Then I rode in my son-in-laws 2021 F350 SRW and it was amazing at the power and comfort.

They are continually improving the sound deadening and ride. But now all of the computer-controlled functions on the dash and touch screen will drive you crazy.

We now have a 2022 F150 Lariat and my wife still has limited us of all the controls.

Ken

rhagfo · 10-22-2023, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stircrazy

it will be night and day from your 2000. I went from a 1999 to my 2014 f350 and I couldn't believe how much better the 6.7 was over he 7.3

We went from a 2001 Ram 2500 CTD with a 5 speed manual, to a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW both Laramie trim, 6.7 CTD, Aisin auto and 3.73's. The 2001 had a chip and larger injectors, but still night and day!

RickV · 10-23-2023, 02:19 AM

We have a 2021 F350 Dually pulling a 16k+- 5ver last year when we were out west going over the same passes we'd gone over with our previous setup a 2003 3500 Dually pulling a 13K+- 5ver there was no comparison. The F350 maintained around 60mph never downshifting while the 3500 I would have to slow down to around 30 or it would start to overheat. There are all kind of bells and whistles that are cool but at the end of the day we are getting these trucks to pull our rigs and I am very satisfied with my F350.

Stircrazy · 10-24-2023, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhagfo

We went from a 2001 Ram 2500 CTD with a 5 speed manual, to a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW both Laramie trim, 6.7 CTD, Aisin auto and 3.73's. The 2001 had a chip and larger injectors, but still night and day!

ya I had my 7.3 done up, injectors, tuning, turbo and so on.. in a all out race the 7.3 would have wone over my 6.7, but when towing the ford 6.7's mid range was a beast. I now have my 6.7 tuned (emission on tunes) but I'm looking more towards fuel economy when towing. with a 35hp towing tune I increased my milage by 2mpg.

jfk69 · 10-25-2023, 08:36 PM

My signature truck has been wonderful. Solid and reliable. Yes, maintenance is higher than a gasser. I bought it in the early days of Covid before prices got stupid. I never planned for, or wanted, a diesel. Three years later I’d never want to pull with anything but.

I’m religious with oil changes (5-6k miles) and fuel filter changes (every 3rd oil change). I also use a fuel additive (your choice on which) at each fill up. They are great motors, and a ‘23 would be two generations updated with more HP and torque. Their Achilles heel is the Bosch CP4 fuel pump. It’s the reason for the fuel filter changes and the fuel additives. You can Google it. With that said,I absolutely love mine and it will give you great performance.

With all that said, and with full disclosure that I like Ford and Ram trucks, make sure to look at the Ram with a Cummins and Chevy/GM with a Duramax. All of the Big 3 make fantastic heavy duty trucks.

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