which f150 to buy
09-28-2016, 10:55 AM
#11
Senior Member
Yeah, some guys buy the most power they can get. Some guys buy for low maintenance and the hope of no issues for the entirety of ownership. In most cases, you can't have both.
I went with the 5.0 because the overhead cam V8 has been around forever and I know what I was buying. The 3.5TT felt *slightly* stronger, but had noticeable throttle response lag and a laundry list of TSBs and recalls. I don't want to work on my trucks...I want to drive them.
I went with the 5.0 because the overhead cam V8 has been around forever and I know what I was buying. The 3.5TT felt *slightly* stronger, but had noticeable throttle response lag and a laundry list of TSBs and recalls. I don't want to work on my trucks...I want to drive them.
The following users liked this post:
Bravo3eco (09-29-2016)
09-29-2016, 01:25 AM
#12
Senior Member
As others stated, it depends upon your use, personal tastes, and lifestyle. But, buy more truck than you think you will need if there is any possibility that later you may want to tow/haul/drive differently than you do now.
In short:
If you want a V-8 rumble, capable all-around truck; with none to moderate size towing; 5.0.
If you want economy for highway commuting miles and hauling light cargo with no to moderate towing, 2.7. with the 2.7 payload package
If you want to maximize capability for maximum towing and cargo with great horsepower and torque, 3.5 EcoBoost with Heavy Duty Payload Package. It far exceeds other manufacturers in payload and also exceeds payload of many 3/4 ton diesels (due to the excess weight of the diesel drivetrains).
Also realize that the more goodies you put on the truck, the less capable it is of towing and hauling. XL and XLT and lower-optioned Lariats will have the highest capabilities. King Ranch, Platinum , and Limited have more luxuries but do so with substantially lower tow and haul capabilities.
In short:
If you want a V-8 rumble, capable all-around truck; with none to moderate size towing; 5.0.
If you want economy for highway commuting miles and hauling light cargo with no to moderate towing, 2.7. with the 2.7 payload package
If you want to maximize capability for maximum towing and cargo with great horsepower and torque, 3.5 EcoBoost with Heavy Duty Payload Package. It far exceeds other manufacturers in payload and also exceeds payload of many 3/4 ton diesels (due to the excess weight of the diesel drivetrains).
Also realize that the more goodies you put on the truck, the less capable it is of towing and hauling. XL and XLT and lower-optioned Lariats will have the highest capabilities. King Ranch, Platinum , and Limited have more luxuries but do so with substantially lower tow and haul capabilities.
09-29-2016, 02:57 AM
#13
I purchased a XLT with the 2.7 and I do really like it. I had a explorer sport with the 3.5 before my truck and I truly believe that the truck has a bit more "pep". Now to be honest I did want the 3.5 or 5.0 in a Lariat but the rebates last month on the XLT's with the 2.7 fell into my budget better. Do I have regrets, ehhh sometimes. I am a first time truck owner and love it. My recommendation, drive all three. Pick the one that works for you. Good luck and enjoy.
09-29-2016, 10:44 AM
#14
My parents have a 3.5 ecoboost and they are happy with it.. I have driven it a couple times and it was a nice ride. A buddy of mine has a 3.5 ecoboost FX4 and he wishes he would have gotten the 5.0. I think it all comes down to preference, as either motor will be able to handle your needs in a 1/2 truck.
I'm still rocking the ol' 5.4 and it works for me.
I'm still rocking the ol' 5.4 and it works for me.
09-29-2016, 12:45 PM
#15
As the last poster mentioned, those are some of the issues with the 3.5. Now whether or not the 2.7 will suffer the same fate is yet TBD.
As an owner of several EB powered vehicles, I can say I have never had an issue with any of them where I needed a repair. Yes, my current truck did have a single incident of CAC gag, but I kept my foot down and powered through it and it never happened since. A catch can installed is a huge plus to prevent absorption issues in the intake, one which I plan to add soon as I can afford one.
If you short trip the EB you will get gas in the oil more than long trips, but in either case you get fuel dilution. Can't speak on the cam issue, never had it happen to any of them.
Now if you are going to tow, I can tell you up front the EB will out pull the 5.0, but it does have a little issue when doing so, it will overheat if you push it too hard, at least with the gearing mine has, 3.19. I pulled past quite a few F150 5.0 and those "other" brand trucks towing my 6300# trailer up the mountains of CO, but it was running hot the entire pull. It is a strong engine, but gets 7 MPG doing so.
In daily driving, 126 miles a day, I am averaging about 20 MPG, which I am completely happy with. I plan to change the rear gears to 3.55 for better towing ability, which hopefully will reduce the overheating issues too.
From what I read the 3.5 in the 2017 is a new engine, unrelated except for displacement of the current 3.5, so can't say how that one will do until they are out. They claim 50 more lb/ft and 10 more HP, along with better economy.
Side by side testing of my truck with a 2016 5.0 of the same configuration I felt the 5.0 was a slug off the line, but when you got it up into its peak RPM it pulled like a madman. I drove that truck for a week on the same roads, getting fuel from the same station, so it was as close to orange to orange as a test could get. It got 3 less MPG, but it was a 4x4 vs my RWD, so it did have extra drag on the driveline, but considering it is aluminum it was actually slightly lighter than my truck.
Now if I had to replace mine for any reason( I hope NOT), then I would get either the 5.0 or the 3.5, both are good strong motors and both have their little issues, so it would all come down to its payload capacity equally equipped. When I bought my truck, towing was not something considered, since my trailers at the time I could pull with a Flex, including my horse trailer, which has a light tongue weight, even with two horses in it, however this year I purchased a travel trailer, and after crunching numbers found that my tuck has no where NEAR the towing capacity claimed for the EB. That would be what would drive my desired truck purchase, how much it can handle in payload.
As an owner of several EB powered vehicles, I can say I have never had an issue with any of them where I needed a repair. Yes, my current truck did have a single incident of CAC gag, but I kept my foot down and powered through it and it never happened since. A catch can installed is a huge plus to prevent absorption issues in the intake, one which I plan to add soon as I can afford one.
If you short trip the EB you will get gas in the oil more than long trips, but in either case you get fuel dilution. Can't speak on the cam issue, never had it happen to any of them.
Now if you are going to tow, I can tell you up front the EB will out pull the 5.0, but it does have a little issue when doing so, it will overheat if you push it too hard, at least with the gearing mine has, 3.19. I pulled past quite a few F150 5.0 and those "other" brand trucks towing my 6300# trailer up the mountains of CO, but it was running hot the entire pull. It is a strong engine, but gets 7 MPG doing so.
In daily driving, 126 miles a day, I am averaging about 20 MPG, which I am completely happy with. I plan to change the rear gears to 3.55 for better towing ability, which hopefully will reduce the overheating issues too.
From what I read the 3.5 in the 2017 is a new engine, unrelated except for displacement of the current 3.5, so can't say how that one will do until they are out. They claim 50 more lb/ft and 10 more HP, along with better economy.
Side by side testing of my truck with a 2016 5.0 of the same configuration I felt the 5.0 was a slug off the line, but when you got it up into its peak RPM it pulled like a madman. I drove that truck for a week on the same roads, getting fuel from the same station, so it was as close to orange to orange as a test could get. It got 3 less MPG, but it was a 4x4 vs my RWD, so it did have extra drag on the driveline, but considering it is aluminum it was actually slightly lighter than my truck.
Now if I had to replace mine for any reason( I hope NOT), then I would get either the 5.0 or the 3.5, both are good strong motors and both have their little issues, so it would all come down to its payload capacity equally equipped. When I bought my truck, towing was not something considered, since my trailers at the time I could pull with a Flex, including my horse trailer, which has a light tongue weight, even with two horses in it, however this year I purchased a travel trailer, and after crunching numbers found that my tuck has no where NEAR the towing capacity claimed for the EB. That would be what would drive my desired truck purchase, how much it can handle in payload.
Last edited by acdii; 09-29-2016 at 12:52 PM.
09-29-2016, 06:14 PM
#16
Senior Member
5.0L --- Bought one 1st week of August.... That baby will fly and tow's excellent. You will not be disappointed! Been driving Ford all of my life. Best truck I have ever owned. I was looking at the V6's and so glad I didn't go that route. Also if you plan on any aftermarket exhaust the V6 will disappoint.
But in all seriousness do some research on issues they have been having with some of the Ecoboost. I didn't research and almost pulled the trigger on the 3.5. Knowing what I know now I would be concerned. I don't know if they have cured the problems or if they are still causing concern. On the other hand there are Eco's out that have never had any issue. I hope they get it all worked out because I know the Ford community would like to have the V6 Eco as a reliable option. From experience I can tell you the Eco will probably do you better on fuel economy. In general: the more moving parts, the more electronic/computer controls and the higher the complexity, all simply mean more potential repair issues and higher repair costs over the long term. That will tend to outweigh any initial fuel-economy advantage.
I think it may really come down to this, think about how long you are planning to keep the new truck and what kind of power you need. Just a few years then maybe the non-aspirated Eco will do the trick. Anything over 10 years I would go V8. Preference of performance and longevity of ownership.
Right now I am averaging 15 mpg in town and 17+ mpg on road trips. Could probably do better in town if i didn't play with the throttle so much! First out of the 4 Ford trucks I have owned that I will actually find an excuse to get in and drive. (Not including the wife's KR Expi - that's a swanky machine).
All my opinion but what do I know right?
Good luck man....
But in all seriousness do some research on issues they have been having with some of the Ecoboost. I didn't research and almost pulled the trigger on the 3.5. Knowing what I know now I would be concerned. I don't know if they have cured the problems or if they are still causing concern. On the other hand there are Eco's out that have never had any issue. I hope they get it all worked out because I know the Ford community would like to have the V6 Eco as a reliable option. From experience I can tell you the Eco will probably do you better on fuel economy. In general: the more moving parts, the more electronic/computer controls and the higher the complexity, all simply mean more potential repair issues and higher repair costs over the long term. That will tend to outweigh any initial fuel-economy advantage.
I think it may really come down to this, think about how long you are planning to keep the new truck and what kind of power you need. Just a few years then maybe the non-aspirated Eco will do the trick. Anything over 10 years I would go V8. Preference of performance and longevity of ownership.
Right now I am averaging 15 mpg in town and 17+ mpg on road trips. Could probably do better in town if i didn't play with the throttle so much! First out of the 4 Ford trucks I have owned that I will actually find an excuse to get in and drive. (Not including the wife's KR Expi - that's a swanky machine).
All my opinion but what do I know right?
Good luck man....
09-30-2016, 08:56 AM
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well guys k really appreciate all your opinions. I drove both the 5.0 and 3.5 yesterday two great trucks. The 5.0 is real reliable from what I hear and my experience. The 3.5 has good gas mileage but I didn't know about its issues and I appreciate that info! Does anyone know any inexpensive ways to help the 3.5 out with its issues?
09-30-2016, 12:49 PM
#18
Senior Member
Go to the Ford Customer Service thread and ask the Ford rep. They are on here. I will guarantee its not going to be Inexpensive! They may have it all worked out and they may not. Just remember, there is a strong chance you would never have any issues and you do get a warranty.
09-30-2016, 03:12 PM
#19
Well guys k really appreciate all your opinions. I drove both the 5.0 and 3.5 yesterday two great trucks. The 5.0 is real reliable from what I hear and my experience. The 3.5 has good gas mileage but I didn't know about its issues and I appreciate that info! Does anyone know any inexpensive ways to help the 3.5 out with its issues?
09-30-2016, 08:37 PM
#20
Senior Member
Don't let the 3.5 fool you. Many have had buyer remorse once the problems occurred. The 3.5 eco is a finicky engine with lots of maintenance. Spark plugs last 20k miles if lucky, gap is very finicky for .030, intercooler has to be drilled with a 1/16" weep hole, always worry and wait for the cam phaser failure, turbo failure, blowoff valve failure.... it's a mess.