Update:
At 400+ miles we're now on our 2nd tank of gas. The mpg on the 1st tank was 12.6 mpg. That was MT driving up to 55 mph in some level and some mountainous terrain. Users tell me this should improve over time.
The 7.3 gasser with the 10R140 ten speed is definitely a game changer.
The difference with the 7.3 (445 cu. in) and smaller V-8's of any stripe is this:
It has enough power to make the mpg difference in an MT vs. Loaded truck less with the 7.3 gasser.
The smaller gas V-8's mpg drops like a rock when loaded up heavy, especially the Dodge RAM Hemi V-8.
This info was gleaned from a lot of new 7.3 gasser owners on Ford's enthusiast website.
Many have owned the Ford 6.2L gasser as well,
and Ford diesels in the past.
A mountain of people with Ford's newer 6.7 diesel offering are bailing as soon as the warranty period is up. Why is that?
The current diesel fuel emissions systems. And what are they having woes with, pray tell?
OCC
DPF
Limp Mode
HPFP
SCR
DEF pump and tank clearance under the truck
Bosch CP4.2
EGR
WIF
Extra water/fuel separator
Additives
Regen, active and passive
There was a guy on there that I recognized from my time on RV.net's truck camper section. He has exactly the same truck and camper and has done his due diligence with the amount of riser you need to clear the twin antennas on the cab roof. So on his recommendation I have the 4 inch blue foam block ready to go.
Because of the 6-3/4 foot bed of the Ford is longer than the 6-1/2 foot short bed, he cautioned to place a 3-4 inch block against the bulkhead lest you jam your camper's taillights during installation. He had a lot of little tips and myriad photos of his wooden brackets and keepers.
I've installed the rear tie downs already and can see some altering for a narrow camper on the horizon. The turnbuckles, both HappiJac and Torklift are on hand.
Pass side view of the Super Cab profile with the now fixed approach angle. You can see the rear Torklift tie down receivers installed. So far it looks like they are not in the way of side or departure angle clearance. If i install 35's, I'll lose at least 1-2 mpg. We'll see.
UPDATE: The Torklift front tie downs (F2022) have arrived and will be installed next week.
I've removed entirely the front air dam and bed-liner-sprayed some of the exposed lower parts. Two square shovel looking metal brackets behind the air dam secured to the frame were a puzzle until the truck camper section of Ford's enthusiast website came up with the answer. They were to protect small and low slung autos from slinking under the front of the truck in case of a front end collision. In the vernacular: Prius Catchers. They are gone for the sake of our approach angle.
All in all the truck is a blast to drive, but you always know it's a heavy duty truck built to haul and pull.
And remember this is part-B of my 2-truck/1 camper setup. The Ford gasser lashup will be the civilized travel mode whereas the built Dodge Cummins HO will remain as the rock crawling ugly mud hen.
When I get the camper on the truck, I'll make a report.
jefe
