Best engine combo
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 951
Likes: 470
If you're considering the 2.7, you can't get a '14 since they started with the '15 remodel.
'14 is steel body, but can be had with the 3.5 or 5.0
'18's all have the 10 speed plus port and direct injection
'15-'17 are just DI and have the 6-speed (minus the '17 3.5 which has the 10 speed)
I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything other than the 2.7 for daily driving/commuting, but all 3 engines have their +/-'s
Happy hunting!
'14 is steel body, but can be had with the 3.5 or 5.0
'18's all have the 10 speed plus port and direct injection
'15-'17 are just DI and have the 6-speed (minus the '17 3.5 which has the 10 speed)
I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything other than the 2.7 for daily driving/commuting, but all 3 engines have their +/-'s
Happy hunting!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 723
If you're considering the 2.7, you can't get a '14 since they started with the '15 remodel.
'14 is steel body, but can be had with the 3.5 or 5.0
'18's all have the 10 speed plus port and direct injection
'15-'17 are just DI and have the 6-speed (minus the '17 3.5 which has the 10 speed and port & direct injection)
'14 is steel body, but can be had with the 3.5 or 5.0
'18's all have the 10 speed plus port and direct injection
'15-'17 are just DI and have the 6-speed (minus the '17 3.5 which has the 10 speed and port & direct injection)
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. They will all do what you are asking.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 951
Likes: 470
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 951
Likes: 470
OP didn't mention it as a consideration so never even thought about it
5 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 706
Likes: 262
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 105
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 707
I have owned or driven all three engines a lot. Lot of F150's among my friends and family.
A 2.7L Ecoboost will cost less and get slightly better mpg. On the 2015-2016 the 2.7EB feels quicker and is quicker below 60 mph. The engine design spools the Turbos quicker and Ford's Factory Tune has more aggressive throttle mapping in the 2.7L. The engine design of the 2.7L is more robust and was designed from the ground up to be a turbo engine only. Pulling hills at speed the 2.7L will drop from 6th to 5th a little more often than the 3.5EB. The 2.7L has been a little more reliable than the 3.5EB but not quite as good as the 5.0. The reliability differences haven't been big on the 2015+ Engines.
The real difference is the 3.5EB performs about the same with a 9000 lb trailer the 2.7EB does with 7000 lb trailer.
Without trailer towing I would go 2.7EB. My previous Supercab 4x4 2.7EB 3.55 had a.lifetime average of 22.1 mpg but really in my experience your only talking 0-2 mpg difference on all 3 engines. The driver makes way more difference than the engines.
A 2.7L Ecoboost will cost less and get slightly better mpg. On the 2015-2016 the 2.7EB feels quicker and is quicker below 60 mph. The engine design spools the Turbos quicker and Ford's Factory Tune has more aggressive throttle mapping in the 2.7L. The engine design of the 2.7L is more robust and was designed from the ground up to be a turbo engine only. Pulling hills at speed the 2.7L will drop from 6th to 5th a little more often than the 3.5EB. The 2.7L has been a little more reliable than the 3.5EB but not quite as good as the 5.0. The reliability differences haven't been big on the 2015+ Engines.
The real difference is the 3.5EB performs about the same with a 9000 lb trailer the 2.7EB does with 7000 lb trailer.
Without trailer towing I would go 2.7EB. My previous Supercab 4x4 2.7EB 3.55 had a.lifetime average of 22.1 mpg but really in my experience your only talking 0-2 mpg difference on all 3 engines. The driver makes way more difference than the engines.
Scoundrel
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 510
Likes: 218
From: Montrose, Colorado
I have owned or driven all three engines a lot. Lot of F150's among my friends and family.
A 2.7L Ecoboost will cost less and get slightly better mpg. On the 2015-2016 the 2.7EB feels quicker and is quicker below 60 mph. The engine design spools the Turbos quicker and Ford's Factory Tune has more aggressive throttle mapping in the 2.7L. The engine design of the 2.7L is more robust and was designed from the ground up to be a turbo engine only. Pulling hills at speed the 2.7L will drop from 6th to 5th a little more often than the 3.5EB. The 2.7L has been a little more reliable than the 3.5EB but not quite as good as the 5.0. The reliability differences haven't been big on the 2015+ Engines.
The real difference is the 3.5EB performs about the same with a 9000 lb trailer the 2.7EB does with 7000 lb trailer.
Without trailer towing I would go 2.7EB. My previous Supercab 4x4 2.7EB 3.55 had a.lifetime average of 22.1 mpg but really in my experience your only talking 0-2 mpg difference on all 3 engines. The driver makes way more difference than the engines.
A 2.7L Ecoboost will cost less and get slightly better mpg. On the 2015-2016 the 2.7EB feels quicker and is quicker below 60 mph. The engine design spools the Turbos quicker and Ford's Factory Tune has more aggressive throttle mapping in the 2.7L. The engine design of the 2.7L is more robust and was designed from the ground up to be a turbo engine only. Pulling hills at speed the 2.7L will drop from 6th to 5th a little more often than the 3.5EB. The 2.7L has been a little more reliable than the 3.5EB but not quite as good as the 5.0. The reliability differences haven't been big on the 2015+ Engines.
The real difference is the 3.5EB performs about the same with a 9000 lb trailer the 2.7EB does with 7000 lb trailer.
Without trailer towing I would go 2.7EB. My previous Supercab 4x4 2.7EB 3.55 had a.lifetime average of 22.1 mpg but really in my experience your only talking 0-2 mpg difference on all 3 engines. The driver makes way more difference than the engines.