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I thought to bring you up to date on the Ford F-350, 7.3L gasser saga.
Old timers were whispering in my ear not to buy a 1st year design change truck of any brand.
No amount of factory testing can match the pounding trucks get by thousands of users in that first year.
So it seems with our 2020 Ford F-350.
Two issues have emerged during the past year. One is a safety issue; the other a nagging part fail.The planetary gear cage in the 10R140 transmission has a problem with the sub quality roller bearings. This has only been a problem in a few cases, but Ford is making reparations. The 6.7L diesel has one more spur gear in its planetary than the gasser has, ostensibly to mitigate the 1050 pound feet of torque the diesel puts out, not the measly 475 pound feet of the gasser.
The Dana M-275 rear axle for both the 7.3L gasser and the 6.7L diesel have a design flaw.
The outer axle tubes, which are a new design for this series, contain variable thickness tubing that is too thin and will deform under the stress of the diesel only; and can break the perch welds and spin the pig. Less than a dozen trucks have exhibited this problem. Ford has announced a safety recall for the diesel only, not the gasser version which has no confirmed cases of deformation or weld fail.Remember only a safety issue would trigger a recall. Poor construction and sub par parts will be decided by the future buying patterns of the end user.
So, what is our experience?
We have had no problems regarding the above and have grown to love our F-350.
One nagging woe is the transfer case. When in low range, it will only use 2nd and 3rd gear, no matter what mode you are in. It may go back to the shop for a fix.But with all the fires closing in around us in northern California, I want to keep the camper on in case we need to evacuate Casa Jefe.
We kept a couple a few weeks ago for a couple days who were evacuated from their home in Grass Valley CA.2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Thanks for the info Jefe,
I just had my left leaf spring fail on my 2021 F-350 7.3 SRW. 4.30 XLT super cab reg bed. 4218 payload-camper and plow pkg.
A few weeks ago i lowered the camper on the truck for a trip and noticed a half inch difference in height from left to right side.
Dealer will order new set left and right under warranty.
I would like to ask if you do not mind, should i stay with OEM or forget about them and go after market? If so any recommendations? and where? I am in the the Northern Cal./Nv. area.
I have 2021 Milner on the back, dry 1850 wet 2350 .
I was thinking- try the OEM one more time cause these springs should easily handle this set up. Am I wrong in thinking that?Other then this issue I love the rig so far
ThanksSo sorry Jefe for your issues – I hope they all get resolved easily.
I myself was very tempted by the 7.3 gasser on our 2020 F350, but I “chickened out” and got the (been making them for 9 years) 6.2 gas. Luckily it has been totally powerful enough for our rig. Plenty of power.
I thought to bring you up to date on the Ford F-350, 7.3L gasser saga.
Old timers were whispering in my ear not to buy a 1st year design change truck of any brand.
No amount of factory testing can match the pounding trucks get by thousands of users in that first year.
So it seems with our 2020 Ford F-350.
Two issues have emerged during the past year. One is a safety issue; the other a nagging part fail.
The planetary gear cage in the 10R140 transmission has a problem with the sub quality roller bearings. This has only been a problem in a few cases, but Ford is making reparations. The 6.7L diesel has one more spur gear in its planetary than the gasser has, ostensibly to mitigate the 1050 pound feet of torque the diesel puts out, not the measly 475 pound feet of the gasser.
The Dana M-275 rear axle for both the 7.3L gasser and the 6.7L diesel have a design flaw.
The outer axle tubes, which are a new design for this series, contain variable thickness tubing that is too thin and will deform under the stress of the diesel only; and can break the perch welds and spin the pig. Less than a dozen trucks have exhibited this problem. Ford has announced a safety recall for the diesel only, not the gasser version which has no confirmed cases of deformation or weld fail.
Remember only a safety issue would trigger a recall. Poor construction and sub par parts will be decided by the future buying patterns of the end user.
So, what is our experience?
We have had no problems regarding the above and have grown to love our F-350.
One nagging woe is the transfer case. When in low range, it will only use 2nd and 3rd gear, no matter what mode you are in. It may go back to the shop for a fix.
But with all the fires closing in around us in northern California, I want to keep the camper on in case we need to evacuate Casa Jefe.
We kept a couple a few weeks ago for a couple days who were evacuated from their home in Grass Valley CA.
Walker,
You had a leaf spring failure?
Did a spring snap, or just loose its lift?
That’s unusual for a new truck.
I don’t see any reason to go aftermarket springs if you are only carrying the 2350 pound wet Milner. This is exactly the same wet weight as our Northstar Laredo.
If you do have both springs replaced under warranty, I’d suggest reusing the upper overload leaves stacked/paired and added to the new set. It will be easy for the dealer to do. This is what I would like to do.
I have had a tough time locating those extra leaves as Ford now only sells the entire spring pack as a unit.
I have installed a factory anti sway bar and Sway Stops (which i cannot recommend compared to Torklift’s Stable Loads) and am getting very close to nirvana.
We’re going to the Eastern Sierra Nevada next week in the TC.
Where do you live in No. Cal? We’re in Nevada City.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Thanks Mike / Jefe
The spring on the left side just lost its lift. I had the dealer replace with OEM. They would not give me my old springs “warranty work we have to send them back to Ford.” I will look into the stable loads.
I am in EDH. I am going to try to make it to the rally in Feb.
I just put the camper back on the truck and it snowed up top of mtns. yesterday, lol.
Hopefully get to meet you you all soon.I had the Ford certified Warn 12K hidden winch installed.
Originally offered only for the Tremor model, but the fitment is the same for the F-350 non Tremor.
There was a lot of engineering involved with this application.
Many very sturdy odd shaped brackets.
A large and long motor that would fit behind the factory bumper.
A long and narrow drum with cord not wire cable.
Both wireless and wired controllers.
This only fits a 2020-2022 Ford F-350, SRW, 4WD pickup and must have the 397 amp alternators and dual batteries.2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Jefe,
I have a 2020 F350 tremor 7.3L gasser w/ 4.30 10 speed tranny (pretty much the same as what you have) and just picked up my Northern Lite truck camper. I haven’t gone anywhere challenging yet but have noticed some sway. I opted for the camper package and wanted to see if I needed air bags and now think I do. However I was wondering if maybe the stable loads from tork lift might be better and wanted to ask you for your opinion. My camper is 2832 dry and I carry about 400 lbs of cargo. I do have a pretty sturdy deer guard and warn winch on the front. My GVWR is 11300 (rear 6950, front 4800)
DanDan,
Do you mind sharing which Northern Lite Camper you have on your F350 Tremor? Also, is your Tremor a crew cab with short bed? I am seriously considering placing an order for a new F350 4×4 Crew with the 7.3L gas engine. For the camper, I’m looking at the 8-11EX Sportsman or SE. Any input you can offer on the combo is appreciated.
TKTom,
I have the super duty crew cab short bed F-350 SRWD tremor gasser with a 4:3 tranny. I put a Northern Lite 8-11 EXLE wetbath camper on it. The camper has a dry weight of 2832lbs and the truck can carry 3800+ lbs. I noticed a little sway and minor porpoising on back roads so I’m installing torklift stable loads.
I bought the gasser over the diesel so I can carry the heavier camper. The sportsman is way lighter so that shouldn’t be a problem. I’m brand new to this (but not to overlanding) so I’m sure I will be on a steep learning curve as far as where I can go, but my intention is to find out of the way streams away from population to flyfish.
Dan
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