The Strictly 3.5L N.A. Thread
04-15-2018, 12:24 PM
#491
Sport Mode Love-Hate relationship
Like others here, I am loving my V6. I have a 2017 Crew Cab 4x4. As a daily driver the truck is great. It even did a great job pulling my 20' long 7' wide enclosed snowmobile trailer with 2 snowmobiles in it. The total weight is probably close to the 5000lb limit. Yes, at times, it lacks the power to really pull out and pass people, but overall if you keep it wound up, it does great. Very similar to my previous 2002 F150 with the 5.4L V8.
Now for the Love-Hate part. Sport mode really wakes up this engine. Always get a cool jump when you pull from a stop sign with a steady throttle and then hit the sport mode button. Feels like a rocket boost. I really LOVE sport mode in stop and go traffic on the Interstate. But, I HATE the downshift mode that comes with it. Punch the throttle to change lanes and you get where you need to quickly. Traffic slows and your on the brakes and the damn sport mode jerks you around as the tranny downshifts. Is there any way to enjoy sport mode without the downshift. i don't mind the downshift in tow/hall mode, but in sport mode i just don't see a reason for it.
Thanks in advance for any support on this topic.
Like others here, I am loving my V6. I have a 2017 Crew Cab 4x4. As a daily driver the truck is great. It even did a great job pulling my 20' long 7' wide enclosed snowmobile trailer with 2 snowmobiles in it. The total weight is probably close to the 5000lb limit. Yes, at times, it lacks the power to really pull out and pass people, but overall if you keep it wound up, it does great. Very similar to my previous 2002 F150 with the 5.4L V8.
Now for the Love-Hate part. Sport mode really wakes up this engine. Always get a cool jump when you pull from a stop sign with a steady throttle and then hit the sport mode button. Feels like a rocket boost. I really LOVE sport mode in stop and go traffic on the Interstate. But, I HATE the downshift mode that comes with it. Punch the throttle to change lanes and you get where you need to quickly. Traffic slows and your on the brakes and the damn sport mode jerks you around as the tranny downshifts. Is there any way to enjoy sport mode without the downshift. i don't mind the downshift in tow/hall mode, but in sport mode i just don't see a reason for it.
Thanks in advance for any support on this topic.
04-16-2018, 01:52 AM
#492
Senior Member
I have to agree with everyone who really appreciates their 3.5 NA equipped truck. It has many pluses and is all the engine that most people will ever need. It comes in multiple Ford applications and is proven. Fortunately we have the externally mounted water pump. In my opinion it is the best option for everyday driving and light duty work. I believe if more people were to have driven the 3.5 NA while it was available it would have had a higher take rate than the 10% that was reported in August 2017. From experience it averages 19 - 21 miles per gallon in most driving situations. This engine is often found in fleet trucks and does the actual work. Safe travels everyone 
05-01-2018, 10:17 PM
#493
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Does anyone know if the 6 speed transmission that comes with this engine has adaptive learning? It seems like mine is driving more and more in-tune with the way that I drive, but maybe it's in my head.
05-01-2018, 11:01 PM
#494
my 3.5na now at 110,000 miles - not a single problem or hickup. Changed oil and air filters, that is it. Keep trying to get my 100,000 service done but the dealer keeps getting tied up with my other trucks.
05-05-2018, 09:22 PM
#498
Senior Member
I was hoping it was gonna be bulletproof like Kevin's. Yet another minor set back by ford lol Just looks like a over torqued bolt to blame.
Last edited by 4leggedbucket; 05-05-2018 at 09:26 PM.
05-05-2018, 10:37 PM
#499
My truck does not get babied at all. Lets just say it gets pushed to 5000 rpm daily, run to 85mph daily, third winter plowing snow, towed a bunch of trailers, and I carry enough tools and material under the bed cover as a permanent load that I think the single add a leaf may need a second one. With the sway bar, this thing can really corner better than it should. Fox 2.0 on all 4 corners make it ride beautifully and solid. No it is not the fastest truck I have ever owned, but keep your foot in it or better yet instead of stomping the gas, just roll into it, it will really surprise you if you are not afraid to let it eat and let the rpm's climb. 4,000 rpm is it's true happy place. To top it off, I have been getting 22mpg driving to work when speeds in traffic don't exceed 50mph, this may be because the summer gas is in the pumps now. I never use sport mode, I use tow/haul a lot pulling trailers and the transmission program in that mode is perfect. I had to change a headlight bulb. Kind of a pain to remove the inner fender liners to get to the bulbs. Cut a finger on the aluminum fender tabs that are part of the fender itself. I will be more careful next time.
05-06-2018, 09:41 AM
#500
Crotchety Old Man
My truck does not get babied at all. Lets just say it gets pushed to 5000 rpm daily, run to 85mph daily, third winter plowing snow, towed a bunch of trailers, and I carry enough tools and material under the bed cover as a permanent load that I think the single add a leaf may need a second one. With the sway bar, this thing can really corner better than it should. Fox 2.0 on all 4 corners make it ride beautifully and solid. No it is not the fastest truck I have ever owned, but keep your foot in it or better yet instead of stomping the gas, just roll into it, it will really surprise you if you are not afraid to let it eat and let the rpm's climb. 4,000 rpm is it's true happy place. To top it off, I have been getting 22mpg driving to work when speeds in traffic don't exceed 50mph, this may be because the summer gas is in the pumps now. I never use sport mode, I use tow/haul a lot pulling trailers and the transmission program in that mode is perfect. I had to change a headlight bulb. Kind of a pain to remove the inner fender liners to get to the bulbs. Cut a finger on the aluminum fender tabs that are part of the fender itself. I will be more careful next time.
Watch out with the add a leaf, the truck won't squat and you might not realize you are exceeding your payload or GAWR.
I have a 3.7 with add a leaf and LT tires, rolled over a scale a few months ago and found myself within 50 lbs of GVWR and that's in daily kit for my truck. The V6 trucks have the lightest Spring and lowest payload rating.