Ford 6.2 vs Chevy 6.2 Torque

[Bill-2020]

My brother is planning on picking up a new trailer (probably a TT) in the coming months, currently window shopping the inventory in the home state. He knows he'll need to upgrade his 2006 F150 to an F250 or Chevy 2500.

One question that neither of us a can answer ourselves is; We realize more torque is obviously better, but does 430 to 460 ft/lbs of torque make enough of a difference that one would seriously lean toward the 460? The 2500 has more torque, but he is a Ford man and would rather stay with a gasoline engine. The truck will be a semi-daily driver as well. (Dodge Ram is not an option in this)

(Correction on Header - 6.2 vs 6.6)

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Bill-2020

My brother is planning on picking up a new trailer (probably a TT) in the coming months, currently window shopping the inventory in the home state. He knows he'll need to upgrade his 2006 F150 to an F250 or Chevy 2500.

One question that neither of us a can answer ourselves is; We realize more torque is obviously better, but does 430 to 460 ft/lbs of torque make enough of a difference that one would seriously lean toward the 460? The 2500 has more torque, but he is a Ford man and would rather stay with a gasoline engine. The truck will be a semi-daily driver as well. (Dodge Ram is not an option in this)

Whaaat? Ram is not an option when looking for the best towing platform out there? Say it ain't so!! Guess we all have to settle for something.... Just kidding - we all love what we love.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Whaaat? Ram is not an option when looking for the best towing platform out there? Say it ain't so!! Guess we all have to settle for something.... Just kidding - we all love what we love.

Thought you might chime in.

Two issues were; previous (poor) quality early on with a Chrysler product and Ram shows a premium gasoline requirement in the specs. And since this would be his daily driver (both personal and business), that's just not something he want's to deal with. OTOH - my son-in-law did buy a 2020 Ram last December with the diesel engine to tow their Forest River Hemisphere (39'). Towed it home from the dealer with a Ram 1500 - bought the diesel 3 days before leaving for Helen, GA on a week-long trip with us. Whew!

[Brantlyj]

My dad had a 2005 Chevy 2500hd with the 6.0 gas. I have a 2016 Ford F-250 with the 6.2 gas.

Both engines are bullet proof, both are thirsty. I’ve towed upwards of 12,000lbs over distance and grain wagons full of corn weighing in at 25,000 lbs for short distances in both. I also regularly have 4000 lbs in the bed of both.

Both performed well powerwise. Your not going to see a difference with either.

I’m a Ford guy as well so I won’t skew your thoughts about fit and finish and such, but I wouldn’t worry about the power train in either.

[Frank G]

Originally Posted by Brantlyj

My dad had a 2005 Chevy 2500hd with the 6.0 gas. I have a 2016 Ford F-250 with the 6.2 gas.

Both engines are bullet proof, both are thirsty. I’ve towed upwards of 12,000lbs over distance and grain wagons full of corn weighing in at 25,000 lbs for short distances in both. I also regularly have 4000 lbs in the bed of both.

Both performed well powerwise. Your not going to see a difference with either.

I’m a Ford guy as well so I won’t skew your thoughts about fit and finish and such, but I wouldn’t worry about the power train in either.

Did you really disclose what life on the farm is like for your F250? City folk have no idea. We'll see what they have to say when the sun comes up.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by Frank G

Did you really disclose what life on the farm is like for your F250? City folk have no idea. We'll see what they have to say when the sun comes up.

Thanks. He hasn’t even looked at one on a dealer lot yet, homework first (specs), test drive later.

[NH_Bulldog]

The specs are close enough that there is not likely to be a noticeable difference between the two in the real world. As you noted, specs are a starting point but will not and cannot tell the whole story. He will need to touch, feel, drive and experience both models in an apples to apples comparison. Then personal preference kicks in; looks, ride comfort, standard features, tech, lack of tech, long-term reliability and cost of insurance to name a few. Either motor is competent and reliable so a hands-on is needed to narrow his choices.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Frank G

Did you really disclose what life on the farm is like for your F250? City folk have no idea. We'll see what they have to say when the sun comes up.

I never knew that physics changed according to geography! You shouldn't make generalizations on people because of where they live. That knife cuts on both sides.

[JRTJH]

Where is the "torque band" rating achieved in comparison to the HP band rating? If both are close, or if they "cross at a usable RPM" then there might be a "relative performance perception"... On the other hand, if the 460 ftlb of torque is achieved at 5500 RPM and the truck transmission can't get the engine speed that high when towing a 5K trailer without running in 3rd gear, but the 430 ftlb of torque is achieved at 3500 RPM, right in the "towing sweet spot" for highway travel, then is there a real advantage to the increased torque ???

I don't think there's a "hill of beans" difference in the "end performance capability" of either truck. I base that on all the "other things that make towing capacity all come together"...

We've seen truck transmissions go from a 2 speed "slush box" to a 10 speed "electronically controlled transmission". Rear ends have been refined, transfer cases (in 4x4's) improved, and many other "significant and seemingly insignificant improvements"... Even things like changing from petroleum to synthetic lubricants can all add "a bit more capacity" in a towing situation... The "torque advantage in one truck may well be "negated" by using petroleum based lubricants which "load the drive train" reducing that torque advantage to zero over the more efficient drive line in the lower rated engine.....

So, IMHO (for what it's worth) when it comes to deciding on a truck manufacturer based on a 30 pound "maximum torque difference in engine ratings" without also considering the rest of the truck's capacity as well as the dealership "comfort level" and even the lumbar support in the driver's seat......

If he's a "died in the wool Ford guy" I'd suspect he'll never be "really happy with a different brand" whether there's a minimal torque increase or not....

[Frank G]

Originally Posted by flybouy

I never knew that physics changed according to geography! You shouldn't make generalizations on people because of where they live. That knife cuts on both sides.

It's a beautiful Sunday morning here in sunny Florida, I wish you the best today and every day, Enjoy and totally sorry if I offend you or anyone else.

[sourdough]

Like others have said, I don't think the 30 lbs. is going to make a difference. So many things have an effect on the end "feel" of where that extra torque went. He might also want to be looking at transmission and axle ratio specs. Those make a huge difference. I have no experience with the GM other than riding in my son's. I've driven my GS's Ford 6.2 but couldn't really tell any difference from the Ram 5.7 - but I did nothing more than drive it in town.

And yes, older generations of Rams (Dodge) left a lot to be desired and why I drove Fords for decades.

[Bill-2020]

John - the Ford needs 3800 RPM and the Chevy needs 4100 RPMs to get to the max torque. Rear end on the Ford is 3.73 as well as the Chevy (BTW - the Chevy is 6.6, not 6.2 that I wrote). I know that he's diligent with fluids and lubrications (like clockwork), but I'm not sure if he moves to synthetic or not. That's one of first things I change, Mobile 1 is a household name in my garage (yes, even the rider mower and generator). Mobil started to package oil in 12 quart boxes, $50 at wally world. Anyway... Yes there is more to it than just powertrain, but considering he'll be towing, it held some importance. Died in the wool? Sort of. He prefers the Ford given that his 2006 F150 is still running like a top at 260K+ (ok, so one window regulator and a wet main seal repair later)

Danny - I didn't see any option on the Chevy for a better rear end ratio, but I think Ford does have an option from the 3.73 to a 4.10.

I appreciate all of the responses here on this short topic. You've all pretty much firmed up my thoughts that it wouldn't make much difference one way or the other. Personally, I also feel he'll lean more toward the Ford. There was mention of the 2500HD mirrors and how someone at GM thought that was a good look? We'll see...

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Frank G

It's a beautiful Sunday morning here in sunny Florida, I wish you the best today and every day, Enjoy and totally sorry if I offend you or anyone else.

Offended? You made one of the least offending offenses I have heard. Don't get an offense but I will say I could never stand to be a farmer as they work too darn hard and are too beholding to the good graces of mother nature! Your innocuous comment?

[Brantlyj]

Originally Posted by Frank G

Did you really disclose what life on the farm is like for your F250? City folk have no idea. We'll see what they have to say when the sun comes up.

Not a farmer but we are the 5th generation owners for a feed store. The truck doesn’t see the same abuse as what a farmer probably does, but when we ask, it does the work.

As far as fluids, my 2016 was synthetic everything right from the factory. Even says in the manual to use synthetic. I’m not sure many vehicles leaving the factory’s are filled with dead dinos anymore, except the budget boxes.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by Brantlyj

Not a farmer but we are the 5th generation owners for a feed store. The truck doesn’t see the same abuse as what a farmer probably does, but when we ask, it does the work.

As far as fluids, my 2016 was synthetic everything right from the factory. Even says in the manual to use synthetic. I’m not sure many vehicles leaving the factory’s are filled with dead dinos anymore, except the budget boxes.

I believe all of Toyota's are filled with standard oil, but it's been years since I was in a dealership looking at buying. Toyota changed the oil weight requirement from 5W-30 to 0W-20 in the Tundra 5.7L and I believe in some other engines in their cars and SUVs. The apparent reasoning behind this is fuel economy. Combined across the fleet, the small fuel savings by using a thinner oil was in their interest to meet EPA regulations. A few years ago, I was advised by a long-time master mechanic, who owns his own business and knows his industry inside and out, to drop the 20 weight oil and go back to the 30. The engine hasn't changed and in this southern heat, 20 is just too thin and will cause damage long term. It used to be 30 weight in that engine anyway.

[ewbldavis]

I test drove a 6.6L GMC Gas - didn't seem much different than the 6.0L.

I haven't looked at build options - I would expect there to be a difference in towing with the 3.73 (mine has a 4.10). I bet that makes a bigger difference off the line then 30ft-lbs.

As far as mirrors - I didn't care for them until driving one - the "new" design I think is to improve visibility - and it does help some. I'm always double-checking because of the blind spot decent mirrors generate.

[Brantlaker]

My reply is this do not get the stock rear (3:55) get a 3:73 that's good for every day driving or a 4:10 ( poor MPG) I personally like the 3:73 it's in my F350 DWD and I tow a 20,000 lb 5th wheel all over the country before that I towed a 13,000 lb with a gas engine out west in the mountains also.

[Bill-2020]

Stock is 3:73. A build option of 4:10 is available,
if you can find it. We have yet to see a 3:55 on Ford’s online inventory available in that area.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Bill-2020

I believe all of Toyota's are filled with standard oil, but it's been years since I was in a dealership looking at buying. Toyota changed the oil weight requirement from 5W-30 to 0W-20 in the Tundra 5.7L and I believe in some other engines in their cars and SUVs. The apparent reasoning behind this is fuel economy. Combined across the fleet, the small fuel savings by using a thinner oil was in their interest to meet EPA regulations. A few years ago, I was advised by a long-time master mechanic, who owns his own business and knows his industry inside and out, to drop the 20 weight oil and go back to the 30. The engine hasn't changed and in this southern heat, 20 is just too thin and will cause damage long term. It used to be 30 weight in that engine anyway.

It's the start-up temp that's critical, assuming the engine cooling system is OK.
Be sure to read chapter 2.

Reading material:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

[Keystoned]

Just skip those little engines and get the 7.3 Godzilla, lol