Missmy06

I currently have 3.31 gear equipped 2014 Ecoboost and I have been very unhappy with the lack of power/ inability to tow well and just the Eco engine in general. I am in a position now where I think I can offload this truck and pick up a 3.73 equipped 5.0. I have no experience with the 5.0, so my question is directed at those that have experience with a 3.73 equipped 5.0. Will I be happier with the towing ability of a 3.73 5.0 versus my 3.31 Eco.

jdunk54nl

I would suggest you find one to rent and try it for yourself. There are not very many people that have experience with both of what you are asking and your personal experience will be worth more than many others posting. It would cost you like $40-100 to rent and see.

Or ask the person your are buying it from if you can hook up your trailer and try it. If they want to sell then they probably will let you.

Missmy06

Good point. All the rental places around here have the new aluminum trucks which I don't want and most are 3.15 or 3.31 gears and don't even have tow package. I have been having a hard time finding a clean 3.73 5.0 in the 13-14 years to even try out let alone hook my trailer too.

Spiky

Yeah, the 5.0s are mostly 3.55s.

I don't have any proof for this, really, but I would say you would be happy if you can handle higher rpms for towing. And if you aren't trying to tow 10000 or more. With a 5.0 3.73.

mossbum

I have a 14 with the 5.0 and 3.73 rear end, 35" tires. It pulls great, and the difference compared to my 13 5.0 with 3.55 gears and 35" tires is noticeable.

Pulled this around for several days last winter without any issues.

jdunk54nl

Find the truck you would "like," go to the dealership, request a 24 hour test drive to make sure you like it. If they are actually interested in selling it then they will probably allow this for a used vehicle.

atwowheelguy

It would appear that Ford rates the towing capacity of the 5.0 w/3.73 axle as exactly the same as the 3.5TT w/3.31 axle. This is the chart for 2013.

RLXXI

I have a 5.0 with 3.31 gear and custom tune, will light the tires when it hits 2nd gear on full throttle and bark the tires when she hits 3rd.

Perhaps you could save some $$$ just getting a programmer and a custom tune? Sure as hell cheaper than selling/trading in on an entirely new truck.
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RLXXI

Strange coincidence looking at your trailer, I pulled a similar twin axle trailer with a Ford tractor/bushhog on top using a 1996 3.0 V6 Ford Taurus in the rolling hills of south Alabama many moons ago.

Was it safe? Haha yeah, it was a rarely used road. Otherwise a wreck looking to happen, but it did the job.
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SteveLord

Start with a custom tune. A gear upgrade would require an updated tune anyway, so might as well spend the $400 first and think about the $2000 (for 4WD) on gears later.