FLSTFI Dave

I too debated for about a month. I drove a 5.0 KR and then a Platinum 3.5 EB.

I ended up ordering a Platinum 157WB 3.5 EB with about every option. It's being built now, scheduled delivery beginning of May. Dealer says I will have it around the 24 of April.

I have always been a big V-8 guy. This EB is really nice, especially with the 10 speed. Should get better mpg also.

RBA

I test drove the V8 and the 2017 3.5 EB GenII. It was a relatively short test drive and I can't say that I felt much of a difference. I ended up picking the 3.5 EB version due to the trim level and options I wanted and were in stock. No regrets.

Batchell

I test drove every motor except the 3.5L air exasperated base motor. The 2.7L was light and felt it all the way through. The 5.0 wasn't bad at all. The 3.5L EB had me a little worried about the down the road costs over the 5.0 given turbo life expectations.

I ended up buying an 3.5 EB. Only time will tell if it was a good call or not.


But, dang near every review of every type of engine buy loved the 3.5 twin turbo with the 10 speed.

My last truck was a 2000 f150 v6 that lagged on the up hills with a 16' trailer with my Polaris Ranger Crew and a Honda Rubicon on it with a couple of coolers. And ran about 2800-3000 rpms when towing .

I just brought the new truck home Thursday and haven't towed my stuff with it yet.

Foulplay

Do you think you'll ever want to put a winch bumper and winch on the front of it? The winch bumpers and winch mounting options are more limited for the Ecoboost engines due to blocking air flow to the intercooler. I bought the 3.5 Eco and I'm very happy with my engine choice, however I'm finding out now that my choices for winch mounts and bumpers are more limited. I didn't consider that when I made my decision. Just a thought...

acdii

Have you considered a front hitch mount instead, and attach the winch to that? I haven't checked, but when I had my Dually I was considering one until I found a brush guard for cheap.

Foulplay

I've considered it, but I want an aftermarket heavy duty bumper either way and the aftermarket bumpers that are compatible with Ecoboost engines aren't as plentiful.

acdii

Just curious how those bumpers affect the crush zones and other safety devices. Having just been in a head on crash, well, head on to side impact, a few months ago and seeing how torn up the truck was, yet other than some separated ribs and a scraped shin, I walked away unharmed, makes me wonder if the impact would have been harder on me if I had a heavy duty bumper on. It was quite a jolt, but the truck absorbed most of the impact.

Foulplay

That is definitely something to consider. I've hit two deer with the front of my truck in the last year, and I wanted some more protection up front for those types of instances.

acdii

I hit a deer with the 14, and the bumper was untouched, but man did it mess up the right headlight, hood and grill. I had a brush guard on my 99 F350 and something tells me a hit like that would have bent it back into the hood grill and lights. so who knows if they protect better or not in those hits without actually seeing it. I know I wouldn't mind having deer guards in place!

johndeerefarmer

I took my new ecoboost out yesterday put it in sport mode and put the pedal to the floor. It runs like a race car and the shifting through the 10 speed is smooth as silk!
I also have the 6.5' bed and wouldn't even consider the 5.5'