Test Drove a 2022 F-350 SRW 7.3 gas today

[nwjones18]

Dad's been thinking about getting a bigger truck and I've been pondering it as well since I got my camper. I have very little experience with HD trucks beyond knowing several folks that have them. No need for the unlimited cosmic power of the diesel and I like the simplicity of the gas engine. It looked like 2002 under the hood of this F-350 and I liked it. I'll be comparing the driving experience to my 2016 Ram 1500.

I was honestly most curious about ride quality of a F-350 and while it doesn't ride as nice as my coil sprung 1500 I found the ride quality very good. Much better than the 350's of 20 + years ago. I wouldn't want it to be my DD but it could be. This one was a long bed crew cab lariat. 7.3 Gas had plenty of power and was just as good as I thought it would be. The 10spd felt a little clunky to me and it would kick you in the seat downshifting into 2nd and 1st coming to a stop. The 8spd in my Ram is much nicer IMO, but maybe the 10 spd would get better as it "learned" my driving style. Overall very nice truck. My dad is a Ford guy so there would be no talking him into a Ram, but I'd definitely want to drive one with the 6.4. Feel like it would be hard to beat the 7.3 though. Here's a link for the truck:

https://www.fivestarfordga.com/inve...-4wd-4-door-crew-cab-truck-1ft8w3bn8ned28899/

Believe my dad is just going to order a new one when he gets ready, hard to even find a 7.3 to test drive that isn't a work truck though..

 

[ctechbob]

One minor nit.

Transmissions don't learn your driving style.

At almost 50k it is due for a fluid change, regardless of what Ford says. That will likely go a long way to taking some of the clunkiness out of the trans. 10R valve bodies (Of any flavor) tend to be easily thrown out of whack with miles and contaminants. Regardless of what engine they're behind you'll do well to keep it maintained.

 

[ctechbob]

Lol, I just realized what dealer that was.

Funny story, back in 2020 when I was shopping for my Ranger, that dealer in WR had the one I was looking for, down to the color. I went back and forth a little via text and asked if I had to come down there to do the paperwork or could I do it at the dealer in Stone Mountain, IE 30 min drive verses 3 hour drive.

Nope, had to go down to WR to complete the deal.

So I called the Stone Mountain dealer and asked if they could get the truck, and explained that I was talking to WR about it. 'Sure no problem'.

Drive down to Stone Mountain, start the paperwork and I get a text from the guy in Warner Robins asking if I was ready to go forward....

(Yes, I have kept this message for 5+ years because it amuses me)

I showed it to my salesguy, who called the manager over. Manager gets super red faced and walks across the showroom, picks up a phone and just lets the Warner Robins dealership have what-for. Walks back over to me.

"Mr. Hill your truck will be here in 4 hours" (They'd already sent a couple guys after it).

Just a funny car dealer story. 5 Star Stone Mountain was wonderful about the whole thing, and I chuckle thinking about the reaming that dude took all because he wouldn't work with me to get the paperwork done.

 

[Jakebrake]

I own a similar F350. It’s a 2022 Tremor Lariat Ultimate with the 7.3. Love the truck. Plenty of power and you can drop the air pressure in those tires when unloaded to help the ride. That is a nicely equipped truck. I doesn’t have LED headlights though and I would not want to be without that option.

 

[relentless044]

I have a 24 f250 with the 7.3 and so far (5k miles) have been pleasantly surprised coming from the 6.7 psd, no, it doesn't tow as good and it doesn't get the mpg of the diesel, but it comes with a lot less headaches, doesn't do bad on fuel for the size of truck it is (I averaged 16 going to and from colorado with it a few weeks ago) and fuel for it is much cheaper. Gear ratio makes a big difference, my truck has 3.73's

 

[Zee09]

I always get the best deals on F350s for some reason. My 10 spds have been very slick. Loved the diesel but passed on them on my last 3 trucks.
And missed the crazy diesel prices not long ago


I'm going to try the 6.8 L Next.
Had a bad apple 7.3 so why not?

 

[PontiacHO]

One minor nit.

Transmissions don't learn your driving style.

At almost 50k it is due for a fluid change, regardless of what Ford says. That will likely go a long way to taking some of the clunkiness out of the trans. 10R valve bodies (Of any flavor) tend to be easily thrown out of whack with miles and contaminants. Regardless of what engine they're behind you'll do well to keep it maintained.

Semantics… transmission shift control modules do “learn” and react to a driver’s driving style.

 

[ctechbob]

Semantics… transmission shift control modules do “learn” and react to a driver’s driving style.

They do not. Common misconception about the 'adaptive' part. The only thing they are there for is to measure and adapt to clutch fill times and the like. (As clutches wear and valves start to bypass more fluid.) Nothing to do with how a particular person drives. It is so the transmission shifts the same/similar at mile 100,000 as it did at mile 1.

There were a few cars ages ago that did attempt to learn the driver (Mercedes, maybe Lexus? I think) but they've long since done away with that.

 

[nwjones18]

They do not. Common misconception about the 'adaptive' part. The only thing they are there for is to measure and adapt to clutch fill times and the like. (As clutches wear and valves start to bypass more fluid.) Nothing to do with how a particular person drives. It is so the transmission shifts the same/similar at mile 100,000 as it did at mile 1.

There were a few cars ages ago that did attempt to learn the driver (Mercedes, maybe Lexus? I think) but they've long since done away with that.

I know if the battery is disconnected on my Ram for any length of time the truck doesn't shift right for a while afterwards. Don't know if its learning or what, but it smooths out over time. Someone had been playing dealer games with the truck as it had a different set of 18in wheels (20in wheels from pictures were gone) and when I popped the hood everything was clean except the two batteries which looked ancient and filthy. I suspect someone had swapped them as well.

Also I had a couple bad experiences with this dealer 10ish years ago and they wouldn't be my first choice, however they were nice enough for this and weren't pushy. My Dad told them he'd just been wanting to drive one like this and they let us go on a 20 min test drive by ourselves and didn't hassle him when we got back.

 

[Doc8404]

Now I have to watch this thread, just for the Transmissions do or do not learn how you drive.
I guess the whole “keep alive memory” in regards to the Transmission is a fallacy?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I like the 7.3/6.8 and how it's a return to a physically smaller pushrod engine instead of the physically large OHC engines. The lifter situation kinda sucks. And the 6.8 has a lighter transmission.

 

[Zee09]

I like the 7.3/6.8 and how it's a return to a physically smaller pushrod engine instead of the physically large OHC engines. The lifter situation kinda sucks. And the 6.8 has a lighter transmission.

The lighter duty 6.8L trans seems smoother and better programmed

 

[SwampSurvivor]

It'll be another 20 years before I can afford one anyway

My towing needs wouldn't be anywhere near the limit of the lighter transmission and engine.

 

[I<3oil]

I like the 7.3/6.8 and how it's a return to a physically smaller pushrod engine instead of the physically large OHC engines. The lifter situation kinda sucks. And the 6.8 has a lighter transmission.

Looks like some newer 7.3l's can get the 10R100 as well - the Tremor seems to be the only exception

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1780944-10r100-applications.html

 

[nwjones18]

The lighter duty 6.8L trans seems smoother and better programmed

Are any of them as smooth as the 8spd in the Ram?

 

[Zee09]

Are any of them as smooth as the 8spd in the Ram?

I haven't owned a Dodge since 1978
Wouldn't know

 

[ctechbob]

Are any of them as smooth as the 8spd in the Ram?

Ehhhhh......

My 25 10R80 comes pretty close, but that ZF8 is a really hard one to beat. Dunno about the 10r100's and 140's. I suspect they might be programmed with a little firmer shifts just because they're dragging more weight around and you don't want to be slipping clutches all the time in the name of 'smooth'.

 

[ctechbob]

I know if the battery is disconnected on my Ram for any length of time the truck doesn't shift right for a while afterwards. Don't know if its learning or what, but it smooths out over time. Someone had been playing dealer games with the truck as it had a different set of 18in wheels (20in wheels from pictures were gone) and when I popped the hood everything was clean except the two batteries which looked ancient and filthy. I suspect someone had swapped them as well.

Also I had a couple bad experiences with this dealer 10ish years ago and they wouldn't be my first choice, however they were nice enough for this and weren't pushy. My Dad told them he'd just been wanting to drive one like this and they let us go on a 20 min test drive by ourselves and didn't hassle him when we got back.

Most Manufs have a somewhat set in stone procedure for relearning the adaptives after a reset, be that by scan tool or pulling power. (Why they choose to let them reset when losing power is a whole other story that I haven't figured out. Do they just assume that if the battery is out that something big has been done to the vehicle making a reset necessary? Who knows.).

Anyways, here's an example. This is for 10R units that have been reset.

From: https://gearsmagazine.com/magazine/the-more-you-know-about-the-10r80-the-better-off-you-are/

Perform the adaptive learning drive cycle on a level road surface as follows:

1. Record, and then clear any DTC’s
2. Drive the vehicle until the engine and transmission reach normal operating temperature.
3. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle (15%), ensuring that upshifts 1st through 8th occur at engine speeds between 1300-1600 rpm.
4. Continue to accelerate (may apply slightly more throttle after 7-8 upshift at 32-38 mph (51-61 km/h) until you achieve 55 mph (88 km/h) and the 8-9 and 9-10 shifts complete.
5. Brake very gently to a complete stop and hold the foot brake for five (5) seconds.
6. Shift the transmission to Neutral. Wait 1 second.
7. Shift the transmission to Reverse. Wait 2 seconds.
8. Shift the transmission to Neutral. Wait 1 second.
9. Shift the transmission to Drive. Wait 2 seconds.
10. Repeat Steps 3 through 9 six (6) additional times.

After the final step, place the vehicle in park and cycle the ignition key off. Wait 3-5 minutes before driving.

It is true that they'll relearn all on their own over time, but you really should do the correct procedure for it to happen the fastest and correctly.

I'm sure there is probably something similar for the ZF8, I've just never looked into it.

My main point is, this is not 'learning how you drive', this is a standard procedure so the trans learns what it needs to do to pull off shifts as intended. Not performing the procedure just makes it take longer and it might not be 'right'.

 

[meep]

I mean, the ZF 8 speed may be the current bar to be met by all others from what I’ve read. With the ups and downs of the ford 10 speed 10r80, pedigree alone would point to the ZF, however the 10R100 being a heavier unit may simply not have the weaknesses common to the 10R80. When my ‘r80 had good days, it was Lexus smooth. It also had bad days, and seemed to do best with early fluid changes, a lubeguard additive, and adaptive resets.

I compared a late model f350 to my 24 Tacoma. I hate to say it but the NVH is rather similar. The taco is a little rough but you’d expect it because it’s smaller. The F350 bounces about the same, but is bigger. What steered me clear of anything more than a half ton was the handling in traffic, especially steering. The steering in a half ton has gotten so good that they really can handle well and make long commutes easier. I don’t think I’d be nearly as happy if DDing a 350 of any brand.

What are you pulling?

 

[nwjones18]

I mean, the ZF 8 speed may be the current bar to be met by all others from what I’ve read. With the ups and downs of the ford 10 speed 10r80, pedigree alone would point to the ZF, however the 10R100 being a heavier unit may simply not have the weaknesses common to the 10R80. When my ‘r80 had good days, it was Lexus smooth. It also had bad days, and seemed to do best with early fluid changes, a lubeguard additive, and adaptive resets.

I compared a late model f350 to my 24 Tacoma. I hate to say it but the NVH is rather similar. The taco is a little rough but you’d expect it because it’s smaller. The F350 bounces about the same, but is bigger. What steered me clear of anything more than a half ton was the handling in traffic, especially steering. The steering in a half ton has gotten so good that they really can handle well and make long commutes easier. I don’t think I’d be nearly as happy if DDing a 350 of any brand.

What are you pulling?

I agree that the ZF8 is the standard to be beat. At least in my opinion. 3 of my cars are manuals and the ZF8 is the only auto I've driven so far that I wouldn't trade for a manual given the choice. Its very good.

I don't even like DDing my Ram 1500 even though I think its great. I drive my Mazda or the wife's CRV unless we need the truck.

My dad would be pulling our 14k equipment trailer and is considering getting a fifth wheel camper.

I pull the same equipment trailer (never loaded all the way to 14k) and my 7500lb camper. My truck handles both OK with my air bags and WD hitch for the camper, but I'm definitely into territory where a HD truck would do it better.