Kytann

Hello. Where did you not notice that the ecoBoost was NOT offered in a Regular Cab Short Bed configuration (RCSB). Not everyone wants to drive a mommy mobile supercab, or larger.


Ah, you did see that point. Than I don't get your first paragraph.
I test drove the Supercab 5.0 because finding RCSB trucks around here is very rare. We had to trade to the next state to get me one, as everything in stock in this state was a Supercab or larger. Every damn new F150 in Minnesota was a Supercab or larger. Or sold very quickly. Do you know how difficult it was to do back to back test drives with the competition when there just isn't any stock? I almost went to Ram just for that reason alone.

I knew that the Ecoboost defenders would comment on that. There is still turbo-lag. Deny it all you want but it's there. When you're trying to initiate and control a slide lag in the throttle is exactly what you do NOT want. Think winter driving in the snow and drifting the *** end around. I've tried it with other modern turbo cars that claim no lag. Ones that have smaller (relative to displacement) turbos than the EcoBoost, and there is still lag.
You want instant power, literally instant, to break the back tires loose, then back off and hold it at a small opening. This keeps the slide going, but at a controllable rate. Then slamming the throttle shut when you want the slide to stop. Any lag in the throttle movement ends up in a much arger slide than anticipated, and potential turning a little fun into an accident.
This is all done in first gear at like 2 mph by the way.

Not to mention off-roading. Too much power and you spin the tires (or smoke the clutch. But this truck is an automatic) Too little and you don't go anywhere. Getting it just right also requires control, in the first few mms of throttle movement.

In both cases we're talking precise control at very light throttle openings. Like 10%. There is a ton of lag in those situations. So no turbo for me.

Like I also said, If you're towing and using 50% or more of the throttle, and stay there, then the efficiency gains of a turbo make alot of sense. That's why turbo work well with Diesels. Steady state large throttle openings. This is NOT what I do with my truck. Does that make sense now as to why I wanted a naturally aspirated engine?

If you're not towing and looking for better gas mileage? I very seriously doubt you'll make up the price premium you paid for an ecoBoost without years of driving the truck. And I actually do not plan on keeping it that long.

And then there is the not insubstantial thing of sound. the V8 sounds good. The V6 does not. Even if the throttle response was the same in both trucks, I would still prefer the V8 for the soundtrack. Both engines have way more power than I need.

Also:
You do know that in modern vehicles the amount you push down on the pedal is not indicative of anything? Electronic throttle controls allow for the throttle map to be variable. For example, just because you push down the pedal 10% does not mean the throttle plate opens 10%. It could be 8%, It could be 15%. This is a trick used in alot of smaller engined vehicles to make them feel faster. My friends Honda Fit, for example, feels really fast in normal driving. Then you realize that 40% pedal position opening is really almost 100% of the cars power, and suddenly it's not so fast anymore.

Also as an example, my other car (the one I'll keep forever) in a 2001 BMW Z3. In this car there is a different throttle map for EACH GEAR. So that in fifth gear pushing the throttle 30% gets you the same acceleration rate as 30% does in first gear. (Manual transmission). This makes the car feel f-ing fast on the highway, until you floor it and realize there's not much left. I'd actually prefer a linear throttle all of the time. But oh well.

Just two personal examples of the non-linear throttle common.

Obviously this only works at low throttle openings. Since the endpoint, 100%, is still the same.

Therefore it's best to compare at 100%. Since any throttle opening less than that can be artificially bolstered or weakened depending on what the engineers wanted to do.

One of these days it might be interesting to hook up an OBD2 scanner and watch throttle opening versus pedal position. If anyone has that software and can graph it, it'd be.... Well not really useful, just fun information to have.



P.S. I don't know why I felt like writing a book this morning.

smurfs_of_war

It was a good read during my morning coffee. Your posts are normally full of good info or at least decent points to the contrary to keep things level. Keep it up

Kytann

oh. Thanks! I'm glad someone appreciated it.

CougarKiller

I don't have a ton of real experience with the Dodge trucks... Have owned my fair share of Fords over the years and have been very happy with the build quality of my rigs...

However, My neighbors GF just bought a brandy new 2013 Dodge 1500 quad cab 4x4 all loaded up... I went over and started checking it out.. The paint on this thing was HORRIBLE! There are splotchy spots all over the truck and a high school shop class could of sprayed it better. Totally blown away that Dodge would let this truck leave the lot looking like this. I pointed it out to her and she took it back to the dealer... I'm sure they will fix under warranty.

The back seat has about 6-8" less knee room that my truck with the front seats all the way back

seats are firmer and less comfy than mine in my opinion

the dash and gauges are the best I have ever seen dodge put out and I am glad they stepped up the interior details finally on these trucks

Ride height looked really low for a 4x4 ... I don't think you can stuff as big a tire under them as you can a leveled F-150

Truck drives nice and hauls pretty good.. It is a 5 speed gearbox I think.

I'm not a fan personally but think Dodge has come a long way with their rigs!

Kytann

Ram Quad Cab is equivalent to our SuperCab. So having less interior space than your SuperCrew is no surprise.

Just wanted to clarify that. The Rams do not have a model with rear hinged doors like our SuperCab, so people often assume is supposed to be the Crew version when they see the four forward hinged doors.

adkhunter

Yep I know guys who make the same mistake all the time. I had a 2010 dodge 2500 cummins before my Eco and it was a crew cab. The back seat was actually quite big and had plenty of room. It was a tad smaller than the F150 screw but not a drastic difference

COXLT

Have you ever driven a powerstroke with 1200 ft/lbs of torque or a large bore V8 with a supercharger? I'm guessing not, or you might not think buying a truck for 0-60 times is so stupid

baldy500

Ram
I noticed the limit achieved. Will this stop overloading by not allowing the truck to start. Big Brother might....

HCFX2013

Wait.........................

What?

Grandpa's Grocery Getter

TV ad last nite on the Ram said it gets 36 pmg.....and best truck over all...
I did see a test few weeks back on the Ram and it was pretty week test, the only thing I did like was the 2" remote lift it has, but i think you can get that from Rancho........

just had to put my 2 cents in hahahaha

I'll Stick to my New 2012 F150 5.0