I am trying to decide which way to go when my truck is either LL, or I just decide, enough already and trade it in. I may go the used route if I can so I can stay with the options I like and not be buried. SO which one is a better choice, the 17 or the 18. Not choosy on engine, 3.5 or 5.0 will suffice. Mainly used as a daily driver, but also tow my Travel Trailer a few times a year, usually one big long vacation with a few days driving, and a few weekend shorts. The 502a Lariat has enough payload for me, and want to stay with the high trim.

I have had to replace the shocks/struts, and would like to not have to do that again. Not really crazy about interior or exterior of the new models, and after 39K still prefer the 2014 interiors, but enjoy Sync3 and 360* cameras too much to go back to a 14. I can fully outfit either a 14 or a 17/18 the way I like, and is the main reason I am not jumping onto a Superduty right away, may still if I find the right one, but the 150 would be a more practical choice at this time.

The 17 I believe has the 3.5 Gen 2 and 10 speed, but does the 5.0 also have the 10 speed, or is that the 18's that get the new 5.0 and 10 speed? Is the ride any better in the 18, and is towing more stable than the 16-17?

I know whichever one I do decide on I am taking it on a long drive to verify that it is NOT like the one I have. If it is, that would make my decision to go back to a 14 or to a SD a lot easier. I test drove a 15 F350 on Saturday, it had 55K on it, was a Diesel, and it rode smoother and steadier than my 16. Bumps were much more pronounced, but expected, I did not expect it to be as smooth as it was.

 

Pretty sure the '17 5.0 has the 6-speed so if you want the 10 speed it will be either '17 3.5 or an '18.

I can't comment on the towing stability other than I had no issues with my '15 so there really was no room for improvement with the '18 from my perspective. I know some guys have had issues with '15-'17's though but have not seen enough reviews on the '18's to know whether they will be hit or miss too.

 

in 2017 only the 3.5EB came with the 10 Speed
in 2018 all engines except the base 3.3 came with the 10 speed.

You WILL WANT the 10speed.... its is a HUGE improvement over the 6 speed...I know, I have both (5.0 3.73/6Speed & 3.5EB 3.31/10Speed)

10speed:
Shifts smoother
Shifts faster
Keeps the engine in the torque curve longer
Skip shifts up and down to the best gear
Allows for a lower rpm lugging limit for better fuel economy
Lower and more Under-drive gears for acceleration
Higher and more Over-drive gears for economy

It is such a good unit with either EB or Coyote!

 

How is the MPG with the 3.5? It's the only engine I ever had and have a good idea what to expect with 6 spd, but not the 10.

 

Drive it easy, Eco mode, almost no boost and I get 20-21mpg in mixed 50/50 driving

 

I backup 100% Thugzy's opinion/facts!

​​​​​​Just like he's EB, my 5.0 with 3:31 is always in the right gear and can spin the tires at the right acceleration even while "slugging" down the road. My MPGs are down low, because I drive 99% on Toronto's heavy traffic, but when on open roads it increases to amazing numbers, so I can picture I'd have similar MPGs to his on same driving scenario.

Lariat '18 also has better BLIS, new tweaked adaptive cruise with pedestrian avoidance that completely stops the truck, redesigned seats and a few extra drive modes. B&O is a very neat sound system!

​​​​​​The ambient lights is Ford's shame!!
Are barely visible at night, so they suck, but honestly I never notice that detail while driving, I guess due to the city lights being too intense to actually remember I have them. When shutting off the truck the brightness increases to the level it should be all the time, but this hasn't been bothering me yet.

Maybe Thugzy can testify about any differences on suspension? Mine rides just as well as my '13 did. Towing: it pulls just as good as the 13, but the 10 speeds makes it more effortlessly, however it doesn't "hold" the weight of an heavy trailer, while braking as the 13 did.
17 EB or 18 EB, both 10 speed should tow same way.

 

I just talked to the lawfirm handling the case, and due to the miles, they will file under the Federal Magnuson-Moss act. It won't be a replacement/buyback deal, but monetary compensation. Hopefully it will be enough to make up the difference between balance due and trade value. I should know something in a few weeks, at which point I may just go ahead and order me a truck with what I want, or more like what I DON'T want, and that is that stupid damned sunroof, AKA Rattleglass! Since my tuner will no longer work on the EB, might as well give the 5.0 a try too.

I have not 100% decided yet, but leaning more towards the F150 over the F350 as I don't Need it right now, but Want it. I need a truck, but what I need it for the F150 does the job OK. When it comes time to get rid of it, I will yank the Powerstops off, put the OEM ones one, take off the mudflaps, wheel liners, bedrug and topper, and pull the floor liners, and LED bulbs from the fogs. I can reuse all of it in the new one. If all works out well I may go King Ranch this time out, I like the seats.

 

I think building and ordering what you want is a good idea, especially if you are adding what you miss on this one, being functional or aesthetical.

Maybe not a good idea to get the 5.0 to complement your towing needs. It's not that it can't do it. It can, very well and I can testify for it on 2 different trucks and I love the way the 5.0 tows, but you're used to the performance of the EB and on the back of your mind you'll be cooking something while the 5.0 is doing it on its own way.

I see that you don't like the panoroof, and you're entitled to it, but I simply love mine!
I lube it with Teflon spray every couple weeks and leave the curtain retracted all the time to allow for heat to go up and warm up all the parts in these cold days. I drive almost every day on damaged roads and there's no rattles or noises at all.

I appreciate the brightness inside and love the feeling of "contact with the sky" and to see the rain drops on it while parked and waiting for an opening to get out. I think in summer days I'll have to keep it closed often to help cool the cab, but I doubt I won't have it open while on the road.
One day if it breaks down I'll have it fixed without a growl, because it became my favorite thing among all the favorite good things this truck has.

 

Just pulled the 22' boat with a 18 502a Lariat 3.5 EB Max tow 3.55 and got 12mpg over 200 miles varing highway speeds,(at 1 point in traffic going up hill at 80mph). This setup is hands down better than the previous 16 Lariat 2.7 Eb 3.55 6 speed with trailer tow pulling the same boat. 10 speed shifted smooth up and down the hills (no hunting) . Truck really never did anything unexpected. Would not buy a truck with any higher rear axle ratio and wish mine had the 3.73. 5.0 engine definitly would get th 3.73 rear axle.
__________________________________________________ _
18 Lariat 502a, 3.5EB, max tow, 20" wheels 4WD Screw.

 

I disagree on the must have the 10 speed. I just had mine reflashed and its helped, but it still not the 6 speed that I had in my 2014, That trasmission you never even thought about. it was reliable and proven. The 10 speed just shifts more and you simply can't help but notice the extra shifting. I do think the 10 speed probably really helps the 5.0

last week I drove a 2018 as a loaner for a day. I personally thought the ride was better than my 2017, It was also a lariat. my 2017 is an STX. I guess the lariat they pipe in fake engine noise. I have to say the fake engine noise sounds pretty darn good. It sounds like the 5.0 with a low rumble that is just about right.

you say your not choosey about engine. I think you should be. there is a huge difference between the 3.5 eco and the 5.0. the 3.5 eco at 2200 rpm is exceeding the max torque the 5.0 engine is capable of producing at its max torque which is around 4000 rpm. to tap its power its very much on or off. the 3.5 is much more locomotive like, just push the throttle and the motor just grunts it out without breaking a sweat. its like a diesel engine that runs on gas. much better drivablity.