Which Super Duty powertrain best suits your unique heavy-duty needs? While Ford’s Power Stroke turbo diesel engine is known for the incredible job it does transforming fuel into work, you shouldn’t overlook the Super Duty’s hefty gas-powered V8 options. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why these engines may be a better fit for your needs. Let’s take a look.
Key Takeaways
- While upgrading to the diesel Power Stroke can cost upwards of $9,995, the Super Duty’s most powerful gas-powered V8 is only an extra $1,705!
- To tow max loads with your Super Duty, you need one of its turbo diesel engines. However, to haul max payloads, you need one of its gas-powered V8s!
- Diesel powertrains are known for their longevity, but they also require more expensive maintenance.
- As of this writing, a gas-powered Super Duty is much easier to come by! There’s a longer wait time for delivery on a turbo diesel Super Duty.
Starting Price
Shopping for the best price on a heavy-duty truck? Lower Super Duty trim models come standard with the 6.8-liter V8 engine, producing a strong performance (405 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque) at no extra cost. Upgrading to the 7.3-liter V8 (430 hp and 485 lb-ft of torque) increases both your towing and hauling potential, for a very reasonable fee of $1,705. (Please note that upgrading to the 7.3-liter V8 engine may require additional upgrades, depending on your Super Duty model and trim level.)
On the other hand, the cost of adding one of Ford’s Power Stroke V8 engines to your Super Duty is much more significant. If you need the the 6.7-liter turbo diesel V8 engine’s extra towing capacity, you’ll also need to pay $9,995! Like you’d expect, the high-output version of this engine is even more expensive, with an upgrade fee of $12,495.
Which powertrain does better with heavy-duty work engine or diesel?
No matter which Super Duty truck you select — the F-250, F-350, or F-450 — you can maximize your model’s towing capabilities with one of the Power Stroke turbo diesel V8 engines. But you probably already knew that! The mere mention of the word “diesel” conjures up images of max towing capabilities in most people’s minds. But did you also know that the Super Duty’s gas-powered engines are extremely capable of a very heavy-duty performance?
Properly equipped, Ford’s 2024 Super Duty trucks can tow and haul best-in-class loads. For example, with the high-output version of the turbodiesel V8 engine, a Super Duty truck can tow up to 40,000 pounds! But gas-powered Super Duty trucks are fully capable of delivering a notably heavy-duty performance. Depending on weight rating, body style, and equipment, a gas-powered Ford Super Duty truck can tow max loads of 18,900 pounds.
If your Super Duty will be towing heavy farming machinery or a supersized camper, you’ll need the extra heft of the turbodiesel engine. However, the Super Duty’s gas-powered towing capabilities are more than enough for many heavy-duty drivers!
Here’s something else you might not know: the Super Duty needs one of its gas-powered V8 engines to haul max payloads. For example, with its base V8, the Super Duty F-350 can help you haul payloads weighing up to 8,000 pounds. When it comes to hauling heavy equipment, the turbodiesel engines aren’t as capable. Even with the high-output version of the Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, max payloads only reach up to 6,950 pounds.
What are the maintenance & fuel costs of a diesel engine?
Diesel engines are known for their longevity and minimal maintenance. However, the maintenance that is required — including diesel oil changes — tends to cost more than it would with a gas-powered V8.
And while diesel fuel is a few cents cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline, the added cost of now-mandatory diesel exhaust fluid may cancel out any at-the-pump savings. With either of the Ford Super Duty’s gas-powered V8 engines, on the other hand, you can simply fill your tank with 87 octane and go!
Availability
In addition to helping you save money on upfront costs, you can expect a quicker delivery with a gas-powered 2024 Ford Super Duty! Right now, wait times on diesel-powered Super Duty orders are substantially longer than for their gas-powered counterparts.
Your Ford Super Duty Powertrain
For drivers who don’t need to tow 40,000 pounds, a gas-powered 2024 Ford Super Duty comes with a lot of benefits. You’ll save money on the cost of a new heavy-duty truck, regular maintenance, and potential repairs. Plus, you can equip a gas-powered model to haul max payloads! Better still, when you build and order a gas-powered Super Duty, you won’t have to wait as long as you would for a diesel truck.