Two engines power the 2027 Ford Super Duty lineup, and choosing between them is the most consequential decision Nassau County buyers will make. Get it right and the truck serves your work needs for years. Get it wrong and you are either leaving capability on the table or paying for power you never use.
The 7.3L gas V8 and the 6.7L High Output Power Stroke diesel are both serious engines, but they serve different uses in different ways. Here is a clear breakdown for Long Island buyers - contractors, towers, commuters, and weekend haulers alike.
Bottom Line: Choose gas for lighter work and lower upfront cost; choose diesel for maximum towing and long-haul use.
- 7.3L gas V8: 420 hp, 445 lb-ft, naturally aspirated, no turbo complexity
- 6.7L High Output diesel: 500 hp, 1,200 lb-ft, built for maximum towing and heavy payloads
- Diesel costs more upfront and requires diesel fuel infrastructure
- Gas is simpler to maintain and sufficient for most Nassau County use cases
The 7.3L Gas V8: Strong Enough for Most Nassau County Work
The 7.3L gas V8 is a naturally aspirated, port-fuel-injected engine producing 420 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. There is no turbocharger. For most Nassau County contractors, landscapers, and haulers, this engine is entirely sufficient - and it offers maintenance simplicity the diesel cannot match.
For the complete Super Duty story across all trims, see our Ford Super Duty buyer’s guide for Nassau County.
What Naturally Aspirated Means in Practice
Without a turbocharger, the 7.3L engine has fewer pressurized components to service or repair. There is no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to manage, no diesel particulate filter to regenerate, and no high-pressure common-rail fuel system. For Nassau County buyers who use their Super Duty as a primary work vehicle and need predictable, low-maintenance operation in Levittown traffic and stop-and-go conditions, this matters.
The 7.3L also uses gasoline - easier to find on Long Island and cheaper per fill than diesel. For trucks that spend most of their lives close to home, the fuel cost differential is less dramatic than it would be on a long highway drive.
CNG and Propane Prep Standard
A less-discussed advantage of the 7.3L gas engine: it comes with a standard CNG/propane gaseous engine prep package. For Nassau County businesses operating fleets on compressed natural gas or propane - including municipal and utility fleets - this allows conversion without additional hardware modifications.
The 6.7L High Output Power Stroke Diesel: Built for Maximum Load
The 6.7L High Output Power Stroke is the only diesel available on the 2027 Super Duty. At 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque, it represents the top tier of what Ford offers. The diesel’s advantage is sustained pulling power under continuous heavy load - a characteristic that matters most on Long Island when towing heavy equipment trailers from East Meadow to Montauk or hauling maximum payload through the Long Island Expressway grades.
Torque is where the diesel wins convincingly. The 1,200 lb-ft figure arrives at low RPM (1,600 rpm), meaning the engine does not need to rev to pull. For towing heavy fifth wheels, gooseneck trailers, or loaded dump trailers, the diesel’s low-end torque reduces strain on the drivetrain during the initial pull.
Diesel Infrastructure Considerations for Long Island
The 6.7L diesel requires diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) refills. Both are available at most Long Island truck stops and fuel stations, but not at every corner gas station. Buyers who refuel in residential Nassau County neighborhoods should confirm a convenient nearby diesel pump before committing.
The diesel also benefits from Ford’s Operator Commanded Regeneration feature - a process that cleans the diesel particulate filter. For trucks that primarily run short trips, DPF regeneration cycles should be managed with periodic highway drives.
F-250 High Capacity Axle Upgrade
With the 6.7L High Output diesel, the F-250 High Capacity Axle Upgrade becomes available. This package adds an 11.6-inch axle and raises the gross vehicle weight rating up to 11,400 lb. For Nassau County buyers operating at maximum load limits - aggregate haulers, heavy equipment operators, and similar trades - this upgrade is worth evaluating.
"The answer to gas vs. diesel comes down to how much you actually tow and how far. For most Nassau County tradespeople running under 15,000 pounds and staying on Long Island, the 7.3L gas is the right call. For big towing, the High Output diesel is worth the investment."
General Manager, Levittown Ford
Side-by-Side: 7.3L Gas vs 6.7L High Output Diesel
| Comparison | 7.3L Gas V8 | 6.7L H.O. Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 420 hp | ✓ 500 hp |
| Torque | 445 lb-ft | ✓ 1,200 lb-ft |
| Induction | ✓ Naturally Aspirated | Turbodiesel |
| Fuel Type | ✓ Regular gasoline | Diesel + DEF |
| Best for | Daily work, moderate towing | ✓ Maximum towing, long haul |
| Upfront cost | ✓ Lower | Higher option cost |
| DEF required | ✓ No | Yes |
Mid-Article CTA
Trying to decide between gas and diesel for your Nassau County work needs? Levittown Ford can walk you through towing requirements, use cases, and configuration options to match the right engine to your situation.
Browse Super Duty inventory - Schedule a consultation at Levittown Ford
Who Should Choose the Gas Engine
Choose the 7.3L gas if: you tow occasionally rather than daily, your loads stay in the moderate range, your work keeps you close to Levittown and East Meadow without regular long-haul trips, and you value simplified maintenance. The gas engine is the right fit for plumbing, HVAC, landscaping, and delivery trucks that do not regularly max out payload.
The 7.3L is also worth considering if you plan to use the CNG/propane prep for fleet fuel savings. It is the only Super Duty engine that offers this.
For buyers who want NHTSA safety data before purchasing, the NHTSA vehicle-ratings database is the place to start.
Who Should Choose the Diesel
Choose the 6.7L High Output diesel if: you pull heavy fifth wheels or gooseneck trailers regularly, your work requires maximum towing ratings, you make frequent long-haul drives across New York or to work sites upstate, or you are operating at or near GVWR frequently.
The diesel is also worth considering for the F-250 High Capacity Axle Upgrade, which requires it and raises the GVWR to 11,400 lb on the F-250.
FAQ
Is there a fuel economy difference between the gas and diesel Super Duty? Super Duty GVWRs exceed 8,500 lb, so the EPA does not publish fuel economy ratings for these vehicles. Real-world diesel efficiency generally advantages the diesel on highway driving and sustained towing, but EPA mpg comparisons do not exist for this class.
Can I add the Tremor Off-Road Package with either engine? Yes. The Tremor package is available with both gas and diesel engines on the 2027 Super Duty.
Does the diesel require any specific operating practices on Long Island? Regular highway driving cycles help maintain the diesel particulate filter. Very short-trip city driving in Nassau County neighborhoods without occasional longer highway runs can shorten DPF regeneration intervals.
Is the 7.3L gas engine available on F-450? The 6.7L High Output diesel is standard on the F-450. The 7.3L gas is not available on F-450.
Does the gas engine come with a CNG prep kit standard? Yes. The CNG/propane gaseous engine prep package is standard on every 2027 Super Duty with the 7.3L gas engine.
Closing CTA
The right Super Duty engine for your Nassau County needs depends on how you actually use the truck. For most Long Island contractors and haulers, the 7.3L gas V8 handles the job with fewer variables. For serious long-haul towing and maximum payload work, the 6.7L High Output diesel earns its premium.
Levittown Ford stocks both configurations and can spec your Super Duty to match your specific work requirements. We serve buyers from Levittown, East Meadow, Wantagh, Seaford, and across Nassau County’s South Shore.
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