No dog here but. the 5.0 is a NEW engine. Complete re design for '18.

"older vehicles with forced induction and the don’t last as long" - what about the newer ones?

The reason Ford does not give us the more powerful engine(s) is because we, the consumer have proven that if the engine can handle an overloaded truck, we'll overload it. The F150 has to have a limiting factor. If you want more engine then you need to buy more truck.

OP: You need to confirm your usage and go drive the different options. Take good care of it and enjoy the heck out of it.

My final thoughts are they are all good. Get the one that fits your wants and needs.

 

Recently while searching for a late model used F-150 I was asking the same questions as the OP, read all the same threads, videos, etc. In the end I opted for a 2015 5.0L for the simple reason that these N/A motors are less stressed than the Ecos. No doubt the Ecos are great engines and their historical reliability is being written every day. Still, with the 5.0L, you don't have to put your foot into the pedal to have the truck cruise almost effortlessly. All of this said, how you drive and maintain a vehicle has a lot to do with the reliability of any of these power plants.

 

I prefer my 5.0, but that's just me.

I have a friend that operates an emergency utility repair company. He likes the Ford 3.5 turbo and pulls a fleet of large heavy equipment trailers. He can afford any truck out there and that is his choice. He typically trades them at 150K to 200K miles. I know for a fact his boys are rough on them. They run 'round the clock to emergency repair sites.

 

Oh is that the reason?

Funny how years ago they had much less powerful engines and could handle the weight.

 

Waaaat? You do realize that the 3.5EB would likely pull north of 20K - as long as the truck didn't come apart underneath it, right?

Just look at the 2003 Super Duty, the last year of the venerable 7.3. The F350 was rated up to 21,500lbs. with a motor producing 275/525. The 2018 3.5EB is producing 375/470... pretty damn close. And I bet both motors would pull well north of 21.5 - the transmission might come apart or the frame might stretch, but that's not an engine issue.

 

Sounds like the 3.5 Eco Boost has been very reliable for your friend for the guys being rough on them and running round the clock!

 

All you've done is proven my point. You believe the 2003 SD is the same as the one built today? Compare it with a comparable, modern engine.

As a fact Ford removed the V10 from the E350 (2003?) for no other reason than to reduce the capacity for the reason I've stated. They've learned their lesson. Todays F150 can most assuredly handle more payload than it could 10-20 years a go, hence the more powerful engines. Argue all you want. I'm telling you facts having dealt with this very issue. Every time they've added a more powerful engine they have increased it's payload and towing #'s.

But of course the engine will handle more weight so the consumer loads it up and then we get the threads telling people how they should have bought a SD....

Tried to provide some (known facts) insight. Ya'll enjoy yourselves.

 

Buy what you like when you go for a test drive. They are all equal as far a reliability, IMO.

 

Dig up that article where Ford raced the Baja 1000 with a bone stock motor and then opened it up at a car show and everything looked brand new inside.

Or call up www.fullrace.com and ask them how long their spare 3.5 sat in the shop waiting for the original to blow up after they put aftermarket turbos on it and made stupid power.

 

I believe that motor was a 2.7l Eco too.