packplantpath

Here is my advice. With the ecoboost, and your described needs, get 3.31 rear. It will do fine since the eco has more torque down low.

With the 5.0, I'd lean towards 3.55 for your needs to make up for the lack of torque below 3,000 RPMs. If you are the type that wants more power, get 3.75 rear in the 5.0.

You can't get 3.15 with 4x4 eco or 3.31 with 4x4 5.0 (I think this is right anyway.)

Ignore this part above. While accurate on paper, it tells you nothing about the torque availability at certain RPMs.

Though I would agree, for your described uses, the 5.0 will be more than sufficient.

Wisdom

Honestly if your never going to tow, the 5.0 is a no brainer, less moving parts, the chances of getting a 300 000km drivetrain is a lot better. Why spend more money for less reliability and more cost if something does go wrong, all while not using it for what it was built for? My opinion anyway

jayandsam09

Just to be specific it is a 3.73. I had one in my Eco that I had such a mountain of issues with, I had to turn it back in after 11 months. I now have a 13 5.0 fx4 with a 3.55. In my experience, towing mpg's with the Eco were between 9.5-11. With the 5.0 they have been 11.8-14.1. These are towing the same 23 ft center console boat from north Atlanta to st George island, Florida. The higher end of the mileage with both vehicles has been in lesser traffic times headed south, going downhill. Coming home it's the lower end. Yes, the 5.0 will rev higher to hit its pulling band but it does it just fine and gets better mileage doing it. Ford still has a lot of kinks to work out of the Eco before I'd ever encourage anybody to buy one. I'd hate to see anybody endure what those of us that got bad ones have been through.

poskwally

First of all, the FX4 eco is only offered with 3.55, 3.73, or 4.10 differential. Also, I left out the technical details of the Eco's amazing torque curve because well, those details don't matter to someone who doesn't tow like the OP stated. So I summed it up by saying the Eco was a beast at towing. If he was towing and was dead set on a 150 series truck, then the Eco and 4.10 differential would be the way to go. At that point, however, I'd prefer a 250 with a diesel. But with his needs, I wouldn't recommend the added headaches that could potentially be involved with turbos. Just thought I'd clarify my previous statement that was suggested to be ignored. I can understand the confusion it may have caused originally. I didn't want to intentionally take away from the Eco's capabilities.

pctcone

Yes [MENTION=139708]poskwally[/MENTION] and [MENTION=128129]packplantpath[/MENTION]. I'm pretty much sold on the 5.0 with 3.55 set up now. Again, to empahsize, it's not just that i won't be towing, it's that i probably won't even be using the truck bed!! That being said, and to be repetitive (apologies), the above engine and axle set up might be the only way for me to go. Thanks everyone for your answers. Now I need more answers lol regarding some other stuff imma post now.

packplantpath

Good luck with it and send along pictures when you pick it up. I don't think you will regret any choice unless you go buy a big camper.

jayandsam09

And even then it'll be fine