The Question is: Do ALL 3.5 l engines (mine is 2017) have the internal water pump, that requires a total tear down of the front of the engine? I see a pully mounted in the the middle of the front with bolts around the circumference. Please Help me know which I have and will the VIN tell me anything? Thanks
2017 xl 4x4 screw 3.5 l Ti-VCT FFV non turbo

 

Only the front wheel drive (transverse mounted) applications have the internal water pump. Yours has a traditional belt driven water pump.

 

You do not have to tear down the entire front of the engine, but it is a pain in the rear. The disassembly is extensive for a water pump.

 

When you look up water pump on Rock Auto or any other auto parts page, they always show three different water pumps for the 3.5L N/A. The 3.5L EB shows a chain drive water pump as well. One internal [chain drive ], one external w/4 hole pulley and one external with 3 hole pulley. Using the VIN may be helpful but, it would seem that visually inspecting the area were the pump is and knowing what your are looking at might be the way to go. The two pumps are very different. If you have an external water pump, there should be bolts surrounding the pulley. Better yet, go to Rock Auto and look up a water pump for your truck. They have pics of each kind. You can compare what you have with what they have.

 

OP has a non ecoboost... not sure how different the procedure is.

 

Im not sure which I have Iv'e got to look more close to get a good idea of what Im dealing with , the internal pump Scares the HELL OUT OF ME