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With regard to the springs, I too recognized the soft spring problem early on (a result of Ford bowing to those who want a truck with a Cadillac ride). I installed the Hellwig spring helpers, and it seems to have fixed the problem. The Hellwig do stiffen the ride some because you have to pre load them enough to keep them from jingling on every little bump. Get the spacers they say don't fit the Hellwigs that go on our trucks. They will fit, the rear ones just cant a little when installed. But, they definitely help with the noise.
I traded my na 3.5 V-6 for a 5.0 V-8. Not because of the engine as much as for the transmission. The 3.5 ran fine and was more than adequate towing and empty. The problem was towing in any kind of hills. I got sick of all the shifting. Up the hills, 6-5-4 and sometims 3rd. Downhill 3-4-5-6. Very irritating. My new truck allows me to lock out 5 and 6 which are really overdrive gears when towing. Up the hill in fourth, down the hill in fourth. Much better.
This past weekend I helped my son move. We hooked up a double axle trailer and loaded it down pretty good (trailer and back of truck). I live in the Appalachian Mountains so there were lots of hills on the way (about 25 miles). Pulled like a champ, no problems at all, trans temps stayed at 199 (and I don't have a trans cooler). Cruise control kept the truck at 55-60 (never slowed even on hills---it did downshift of course).
Empty I am averaging about 22 mpg. Great little engine that is very capable.
Well bought my used older fifth wheel. A Terry 24L 5C rear kitchen single pullout. This one weighs 4600 lbs and Super "T" (as we call it as it's small and mighty). The 3.5 NA is a champ and pulls this thing like a champ. Fuel mileage however is half of what it is empty. There is no shortage of power. I had ordered Timbren springs as it sagged when I had my brother in laws trailer (hitch type) with the fifth wheel it rides nice and no need for Timbrens really. I have to flip the axles on this trailer as we move forward. How do you like my rims with the stock rubber? I want to change my XL grill from the to the black Lariat Sport one? Have any of you done this?
Got a new 2017 4x4 Screw today with the 3.5 NA. It was a managers take home program where it is allowed to be driven by the dealer manager until 2,500 miles then sold at discount as new with new title, warranty etc. Everything still in plastic and never titled and all. In return for giving up those 2500 miles I got this with a new warranty and title starting with my purchase for 28k plus taxes! I'm really happy with it and it drives well. It's no power horse, but it is plenty for me. I have owned old F-150's with both the 5.0 and the 4.9L straight-six. I also owned a Ram Hemi 5.7L, but this will do just fine for me. Thanks for y'all's help on this forum in deciding to take the plunge...the great deal didn't hurt either.
I have just about 15K on my 2015 SCAB. 3.5 NA 4x4 with 3.73 electric differential. Have owned the truck for 18 months. Got the new 2015 in 4/2016. Took the truck back for the lock recall & that was only negative issue. Average combined MPG is 20 around town. I have gotten 25 on the road. When passing at highway speeds, it goes from 55 to about 75 in the time it takes to pass a tractor trailer. The 3.5 motor loves to rev. The best part is when she is filled, the distance to empty is about 800 miles because of the 36 gallon tank.
I traded a 2014 Silverado on this & I am very satisfied. My goal is to keep this for 10 years.
08-17-2017, 08:28 PM
