Best engine combo
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Best engine combo
Looking to buy a 2014-2018 4wd ext cab or crew cab f150 in the next week do I go 2.7 3.5 or 5.0 I don’t pull trailers I drive a lot of free way models and spend a lot of time hunting on rough mountain roads
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: The Great Midwest, aka, Flyover Country
2.7 would be my choice given your description of use. Best performance plus fuel economy. 3.5 and 5.0 are overkill for your needs. I'd recommend springing for the newer 10-spd model ('17 and up?) if you can afford it, although there's nothing wrong with the performance of the 6-spd. One thing I would see if I can find to handle those off-road situations is the e-locker rear diff, available on the 3.55 and 3.73 ratio axles.
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2.7 would be my choice given your description of use. Best performance plus fuel economy. 3.5 and 5.0 are overkill for your needs. I'd recommend springing for the newer 10-spd model ('17 and up?) if you can afford it, although there's nothing wrong with the performance of the 6-spd. One thing I would see if I can find to handle those off-road situations is the e-locker rear diff, available on the 3.55 and 3.73 ratio axles.
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Dallas
I have a 2015 2.7 4x4 and love the hell out of it, I have not had a single issue with it other that regular maintenance with 52,000 miles. I pulled a trailer from Oregon back to Texas and could not complain, I cannot speak for everyone but I would buy another 2.7 if I decided to trade mine in.
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From: Raleigh, NC
I don't do much towing and I drive mostly on main roads and highways. I still wen't with the 3.5 TT because it makes a **** ton of power and the truck is blast to drive because of it. If you like performance, it or the 5.0 are must haves. I also get 26 mpg on flat highway with cruise set on 60mph.
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2.7 would be my choice given your description of use. Best performance plus fuel economy. 3.5 and 5.0 are overkill for your needs. I'd recommend springing for the newer 10-spd model ('17 and up?) if you can afford it, although there's nothing wrong with the performance of the 6-spd. One thing I would see if I can find to handle those off-road situations is the e-locker rear diff, available on the 3.55 and 3.73 ratio axles.
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Define "best". If you're chasing MPGs, 2.7EB. If you want lots of zoom-zoom and don't want to spend a ton of money modifying, 3.5EB. If you want the ultimate in zoom-zoom and don't mind dropping 10K for a Whipple, 5.0.
I have two 3.5EBs in my driveway, one of which replaced a previous 3.5EB... so I'm biased.
I have two 3.5EBs in my driveway, one of which replaced a previous 3.5EB... so I'm biased.
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I had a 2016 with a 2.7 and now a 2018 with a 3.5.
According to butt dyno, the 2.7 accelerated faster or at least felt more responsive. The 3.5 had more top-end which was why I wanted a 3.5 when going to a 2018. I do alot of hwy passing and the 3.5 just pulls all the way thru. The 2.7 kind of dies out after 80ish. Note, it still pulls, just not as hard as the 3.5. My wife has an Explorer with the 3.5 Eco and thats how I realized the top-end on the 3.5.
And according to the lie-o-meter, im getting the same mileage in both at 19.3 - 19.5. Both trucks have the same wheel/tire setup (transferred from the 2016 to 2018). Maybe the 10spd in the 2018 helped out compared to the 6spd on the 2016.
Never ran a 5.0 in the F150. Do run a 5.0 in my brother's stang with a paxton/pulleys/full bolt ons, tune, etc. That thing is nasty lol.
According to butt dyno, the 2.7 accelerated faster or at least felt more responsive. The 3.5 had more top-end which was why I wanted a 3.5 when going to a 2018. I do alot of hwy passing and the 3.5 just pulls all the way thru. The 2.7 kind of dies out after 80ish. Note, it still pulls, just not as hard as the 3.5. My wife has an Explorer with the 3.5 Eco and thats how I realized the top-end on the 3.5.
And according to the lie-o-meter, im getting the same mileage in both at 19.3 - 19.5. Both trucks have the same wheel/tire setup (transferred from the 2016 to 2018). Maybe the 10spd in the 2018 helped out compared to the 6spd on the 2016.
Never ran a 5.0 in the F150. Do run a 5.0 in my brother's stang with a paxton/pulleys/full bolt ons, tune, etc. That thing is nasty lol.
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Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Raleigh, NC
I had a 2016 with a 2.7 and now a 2018 with a 3.5.
According to butt dyno, the 2.7 accelerated faster or at least felt more responsive. The 3.5 had more top-end which was why I wanted a 3.5 when going to a 2018. I do alot of hwy passing and the 3.5 just pulls all the way thru. The 2.7 kind of dies out after 80ish. Note, it still pulls, just not as hard as the 3.5. My wife has an Explorer with the 3.5 Eco and thats how I realized the top-end on the 3.5.
And according to the lie-o-meter, im getting the same mileage in both at 19.3 - 19.5. Both trucks have the same wheel/tire setup (transferred from the 2016 to 2018). Maybe the 10spd in the 2018 helped out compared to the 6spd on the 2016.
Never ran a 5.0 in the F150. Do run a 5.0 in my brother's stang with a paxton/pulleys/full bolt ons, tune, etc. That thing is nasty lol.
According to butt dyno, the 2.7 accelerated faster or at least felt more responsive. The 3.5 had more top-end which was why I wanted a 3.5 when going to a 2018. I do alot of hwy passing and the 3.5 just pulls all the way thru. The 2.7 kind of dies out after 80ish. Note, it still pulls, just not as hard as the 3.5. My wife has an Explorer with the 3.5 Eco and thats how I realized the top-end on the 3.5.
And according to the lie-o-meter, im getting the same mileage in both at 19.3 - 19.5. Both trucks have the same wheel/tire setup (transferred from the 2016 to 2018). Maybe the 10spd in the 2018 helped out compared to the 6spd on the 2016.
Never ran a 5.0 in the F150. Do run a 5.0 in my brother's stang with a paxton/pulleys/full bolt ons, tune, etc. That thing is nasty lol.