Need Help Choosing Motor in 2013 F-150
 

Hey guys. I am new to this forum and posted a little about myself in the welcome forum area. Anyway...I am strongly considering trading in my current truck (2005 F-150, 5.4 L SCREW) for a 2013 F-150 XLT. I am really struggling trying to decide between the 5.0 and the EcoBoost. My current mileage is terrible...11-13 mpg mostly town driving so mileage is definitely part of my reasoning for trading up. I am a home builder and do tow a small trailer (6x10) fairly often. I also do quite a bit of highway driving in the fall during hunting season.

I have heard both motors are awesome but just want to hear some opinions from guys who actually own a truck with each motor. I was also wondering what rear gear is standard in a 2013 XLT? I think the Fx4 has a 3.73 rear gear and I know you can get a 3.55 gear in some of the other models. I am mainly wondering what rear gearing is best for a mix of towing/highway driving.

Thanks for the help.

First off I have a 2012 fx4 with the 5.0. I love it its a great truck with plenary of power. I have driven the ecoboost and it defiantly has more power and better fuel mileage. But I have also heard that they have had some problems with the engine. I have not had a single problem with line yet and have 20000 miles so far. It would defiantly pull your trailer with no problem. I am 90 percent sure it comes stock with the 3.55. It would do what you need it to do the trailer you pull and be better on gas milage. The 3.73 rear end would be a little worse on fuel milage but would be able to tow more. But like I said my 5.0 with the 3.55 does a great job with everything I have done and sounds perfect to do the jobs you need done.

Love my '13 XLT 5.0 4X4. I test drove the ecoboost and love that little engine also, but there's too many issues with it shutting down upon hard acceleration in highly humid climates so I opted for the 5.0. Its got plenty of power with less moving parts and therefore, fewer points of failure. Oh, just a side note, a V8 sounds better than any V6 and I think any full size truck should have a good ole American V8 in it. Didn't want my truck sounding like a Honda Civic Back on the subject, the differential depends on what you buy. The FX4 comes standard with 3.55, the XLT 2 wheel drive comes with the 3.31 and 4X4 I think depends on engine choice. I think the 4X4 XLT ecoboost is standard with 3.31 and the 5.0 standard with 3.55. But don't quote me on that, I could be wrong there. Now my 5.0 4X4 Supercrew with 3.73 is a huge improvement in mileage over my '02 Z71 5.3 (14.5 mpg hwy) getting me close to 20 mpg @50-60mph hwy. That drops down to about 18 mpg on interstates @75-80 mph. I would guess somewhere around 16-17 mpg city/town. I'm guessing here since I don't do much city/town driving to get a good feel for it. I don't tow anything currently so I can't comment on those mpg numbers. For your needs, the 3.55 should be perfect. I do recommend the 5.0, but go test drive both and research the problems. I've heard great things about the Eco and also heard some horror stories about them. I haven't heard a bad thing about the 5.0 yet. It seems that everyone loves them.

2013 XLT Screw owner here: I got the max tow, 3.73 gears, and ecoboost, truck is SMOOOOTH. Easiest way to describe it. Power is deceptive, turbo whine sound makes up for lack of V8 growl, like a mini diesel. I also like the mirrors that come with max tow, sooo much nicer for backing on inclines, blind spots, etc.

Having said that, for your application I think the 5.0 would be the way I would lean. Even pulling a small trailer turbos are going to spool up more and suck gas, I think a higher proportion than the 5.0 would (my opinon). Have heard good reports on fuel economy of the 5.0, and 3.55 gears should be fine. Plus, you save like 1100 bucks not getting the eco...I would suggest load it up the way you want it in everything else. Would probably spend more on the eco engine than would ever save on gas, and engine longevity probably better with the 5.0.

I do like the Ecoboost, gets 18.5 average for me mostly city even with 3.73s. Really like the truck overall. Just might be overkill for your application.

Also - As to the intake issues on the Ecoboost...I think "lots" is pretty subjective...some forums repost and repost the same stories, or people tell stories about what they have read. Anyways, think anything produced from Nov 2012 or after has the changes to prevent moisture intake, thus the stalling. Probably everything else in inventory reworked as well. I live in a very humid state, and its rained a ton this spring and early summer, never had an issue at all.

Id suggest Weathertec 1 piece front and rear mats for the truck if you have pets, kids, or lots of people in truck. They are awesome, fit great, go all the way under back seat.

Hello, I just took delivery of my first F150 this past May. I researched and test drove all 1/2 ton trucks from all manufacturers. I decided Ford was the way to go and found myself in the same dilema but with one more choice. I had the option of the FX Appearance package in either the 5.0, ecoboost and the 6.2. The truck is my daily driver and used to pull our 31 foot travel trailer. The dealer was fantastic. In order for them to earn my business, I needed to take each truck, spec out the same but with each different motor, hook up to my trailer and take it for a spin. Well, the dealer did just that. I had each truck for about 2 hours by myself. In the end, the 2013 Ecoboost won out. Why...main reason, was the available torque within the band of 1700-2500 rpm. This is the range where pulling the trailer is most common for me and having that available torque at low rpm's is the next best thing to a diesel. As well the fuel economy was significantly better the 6.2 and better than the 5.0. What I do miss is the growl of a V8 motor. The eco is quiet, though I do like the "whistling" of the turbos. As far as the 6.2, it is a monster once it hits that 4000-4500 rpm range, it certainly hauled $%!.......the 5.0 I found pulled better from gear to gear compared to the 6.2. Any motor of the three is a great choice. It just depends on your personal needs. I love my truck and the motor I chose. Hope that helps.

F250 diesel hands down

In all honesty any one of the 4 engines will be fantastic.

I would use this simple formula when choosing the engine:

Highest mpg + don't tow more then 4000lb regularly + 7000rpm screamer = 3.7L

Good mpg + don't tow more then 6500 - 7000lb regularly + great power in the mid - high end + awesome V8 sound = 5.0L

Good mpg if you stay out of the boost + tow more then 7000lb regularly + awesome low end torque + slightly muted exhaust note = EcoBoost

Worst mpg of the 4 + highest horse power + tow more then 7000lb regularly + great V8 sound + tried and tested architecture = 6.2L

Keep in mind every engine's mileage will suffer if you raise the truck and add bigger tires. They will also all get much worse mileage towing (obviously)

Your engine options will also change depending on the trim level your after, I don't think the 3.7L is available in anything higher then XLT.

Good luck with your decision :D

Best answer is to drive them all and choose the one YOU like best.

I can tell you what I like but that doesn't matter to anyone but me.

Lots of thoughts on what's best from all of us. Went from an 02 F150 4x4 s/crew 5.4, 3.55 gears to 2011 F150 4x4 s/crew 5.0, 3.55 gears. No comparison. My old rig was like 265hp. I think yours is around 300hp. The 5.0 is 365hp I think. Anyway, immediate throaty throttle response and much better fuel mileage. Fuel mileage in the old rig to work was hittin mid 14 mpg range for 40 mile round trip. New truck is consistently right 17 mpg. Best freeway tank 22 mpg with 21 being pretty normal at speeds not exceeding 70 mph. Good luck on whatever your choice.

Thanks for all the advice guys...I was leaning towards the ecoboost at first but now I am leaning towards the 5.0. I drove both yesterday and both were smooth and responsive. The eco really screamed upon punching the throttle the 5.0 felt good as well. My biggest resson for wanting an eco is the fuel mileage but from what I have read some ecos are getting the same mileage as the 5.0. I do a lot of city driving. Can I realistically expect 20 mpg hwy from the 5.0?