maximusrex

We always buy the F150 XLT as our work trucks and we've always bought the V8. We buy one about every 2 years or so - we bought an 2014 XLT and a 2015 Lariat (both V8) most recently. Need to buy another (either a 2016 or 2017), but the V8 is proving hard to find in a price we want to pay.

We don't tow much, but do load down the bed with several hundred pounds of freon in addition to tools. On occasion, we may end up with 1000lbs or so in the bed.

Are we going to feel a massive difference dropping from the V8 to the 2.7L V6 EB? The techs are hesitant and distrustful, but it's my money so if I can save a couple of thousand and not know the difference I'm all for it. I don't care about the sound.

Seems to me after reading up on it, for what we do the 2.7L V6 EB will be just fine. Can anyone argue otherwise or offer input? Much appreciated!

tsigwing

wouldn't get any other motor. TONS of power.

Gene K

The 2.7EB will feel faster. It is faster. It makes lots more low end torque and holds gears better than the 5.0. Real world mpg is very little different for the average driver. 10% better for the lighter foot guys maybe 10% worse for the heavy foot.
I think the V8 will be more reliable long term. If you sell trucks every 100,000 miles I suspect you won't see a big difference. Newer turbos are pretty reliable and don't make a habit in going in less than 150,000 miles but any would be more than the V8.

Honestly the base 3.5 TiVCT engine with 3.73 gears in a Supercab is rated to tow 7400 lb via the new SAE standard so I don't see why you need a bigger engine for your use. It's likely the most reliable engine.

You can buy a leftover 2016 Supercab XLT 301A 2WD 3.5 TiVCT with Tow Package and 3.73 here for $26,500 (Consumer Price cant say about Fleet). Only you can say if it's worth the resale hit and possible employee satisfaction question.

SteveLord

2.7 performs comparably to your average V8s. But you might squeeze out better MPGs in the end and have a quieter and smoother ride.

odd-6

If you go with the 2.7 look into ordering one with the 2.7 payload package. It ups your cargo capacity quite a bit from the base 2.7.

one4uf

I have a 2016 XLT Supercrew with 301A with the 2.7EB and the payload package. I have been shocked by the amount of power. I tow 4500 lbs worth of boat and have had to slow down after catching myself doing 70+ without knowing it. My old 4.6 Triton was out of breath just over 60.

I'd buy the 2.7 over again.

maximusrex

Thanks for all the advice! I was trying to find the payload package option, but it seems that maybe it's only available with a certain cab or bed length, is that correct?

We buy the extended cab, not the regular or crew cab (the techs keep their tools and small parts back there so we don't ever use the back seat for passengers) and we get the 6.5ft bed, which is just the right length for what they need to carry. I probably should have stated that at the outset.

When I tried to build on ford.com, it would only allow the bigger payload with the regular cab and 8ft bed.

Honestly though, I don't think we ever carry even close to the 2210 lbs that the extended cab, 6.5ft bed, 2.7L V6 EB. As I said before, towing isn't even a real consideration - it happens occasionally, but never anything that would require an increase in towing capacity.

Tech satisfaction is definitely a consideration, but from everything I am seeing, there's no reason we need the V8.

We don't care abut resale. This particular tech is getting his 2010 XLT (~100k miles) replaced. The 2010 will be passed on to an apprentice tech. In a couple of years, if that guy has proved himself, we'll buy him a new truck (these vehicles are both work and personal vehicles for our techs) and either sell the 2010 locally or it will become the shop truck. We're a small, family business in the southeast so we're not really doing the big "fleet" thing.

Again, appreciate all the advice - I'm learning a lot. It's kinda nice to be the girl who knows more about engines and payloads than the techs :P

WXman

As a business owner, I'd be more concerned about something nobody is mentioning: maintenance and reliability. The Coyote is still in generation 1 because it's stone cold reliable and it works. The EcoBoost is in generation 2 because of the multiple issues they've had. Nobody has a ton of miles on a gen 2 Eco yet.

tsigwing

All speculation on your part. No data to reflect anything you just said. And yes there are many people with 100k+ miles on their eco's. Many.

By the way, the 2.7L is still on its first generation, is that because it is stone cold reliable?

Gene K

I believe you may have been given the wrong payload for a 6250 GVWR Truck.

My 2015 Spec Book list the following:

2015 F150 Scab 145 4x2 2.7EB
6250 GVWR Max Payload 1740 lb

2015 F150 Scab 145 4x2 2.7EB
6750 GVWR (EBPP) Max Payload 2160 lb

2015 F150 Scab 157 4x2 2.7EB
6800 GVWR (EBPP) Max Payload 2210 lb

The 2016-2017 may be slightly lower due to the addition of crash bars on the Supercab models but difference should be minimal.