Choosing Motor
08-31-2012, 09:51 AM
#41
On more meds than ymeski
Unless I'm racing to the next stop light I never find that I have to mash the pedal to move. Even with a palette of grass in the back 3.7 is just fine. I prefer my basic truck to the fully optioned ones with hardly more payload than a Camry.
Maybe max torque of 3.7 is at a high RPM but otherwise its curve is broad. Most of the torque is there by 2500 rpms. I also love long trips no problem passing since it loves to rev.
Maybe max torque of 3.7 is at a high RPM but otherwise its curve is broad. Most of the torque is there by 2500 rpms. I also love long trips no problem passing since it loves to rev.
Lot's of 3.7 bashing here LOL
I own a Scab 4x4 3.7L that I use as a daily driver and it's peppy enough for me, way better than my old Ranger. If I used it as a work truck or hauled a trailer I'd of opted for the Eco or the 5L......I generally put over 300 miles a week on it and appreciate the fuel economy.
I own a Scab 4x4 3.7L that I use as a daily driver and it's peppy enough for me, way better than my old Ranger. If I used it as a work truck or hauled a trailer I'd of opted for the Eco or the 5L......I generally put over 300 miles a week on it and appreciate the fuel economy.
08-31-2012, 10:54 AM
#42
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Buyers regret is a terrible ailment to have. I have suffered from this one a couple of times. Whatever you choose, it's going to be at least three years before you can unload it and not lose your shirt because of depreciation. Choose wisely my friend. Also I do agree with the resale value issue.
08-31-2012, 11:16 AM
#43
My truck is a 2011 crew cab 4wd with a 5.0. I've never reset the odometer and over the first 16,4xx miles my truck has averaged 19.6 mpg on mostly 55 mph roads, running about 58 mph. I drive like an old lady but it has paid off in my wallet. A typical tank will net me about 20 mpg but I've had a couple tanks with towing where I averaged under 17 mpg. You won't regret the 5.0.
Last edited by upalittle; 08-31-2012 at 11:17 AM. Reason: correct spelling
08-31-2012, 11:39 AM
#44
Senior Member
I drive in a LOT of rural areas and for me I couldnt stand the lack of passing power of the 3.7. The peace of mind of a quick pass in short passing zones is worth the small mileage differance. If you go to fuelly.com you can check out what people are getting out of their respective trucks and honestly I always see the best numbers from the 5.0's not the 3.7/3.5.
THis is also something that should be looked at as well when trying to decide on an engine. Passing power can be a huge safety issue depending on where you live and what kind of roads you drive on. Here in the land of the endless sea of slow driving tourists in rented RV's, passing power is critical because the 2 lane highways are seldom straight and flat, and passing zones can often be very short. That was one thing I loved about my former Ecoboost Lincoln as the power was there instant on.
08-31-2012, 01:55 PM
#45
I don't know why everyone thinks the 3.7 has no passing power. It does. I do enough 1000+ mi trips on texas highways to know. Has everyone posting driven the 3.7? Get 5.0 if you need it but 3.7 can suite most people's needs maybe not wants.
08-31-2012, 02:41 PM
#46
The OP asked for "real world" MPG numbers, so that is what I will give. I have never driven the 3.7, when I chose my truck it was between the EB and the 5.0....I went 5.0 and haven't regretted it.
My truck is a 2011, 4WD, super cab, 145" WB, 3.55LS rear.
Trip B has never been reset. 13318.2 miles shows 16.7 avg mpg. 85% mixed rural/small city driving, 15% pure highway with two e85 fuel loads (36 gal) in there.
Hand calculated over the same period returns 16.654 avg mpg.
Lowest MPG returned was 13.365 MPG which was on E85 (hand calculated)
Highest MPG returned was 20.2 MPG (hand calculated) which was my most recent all-highway trip. Pure interstate, speeds between 68 and 72, fairly flat but with some rolling hills. This was a 305 mile run.
All in all not too bad for a rolling brick.
My truck is a 2011, 4WD, super cab, 145" WB, 3.55LS rear.
Trip B has never been reset. 13318.2 miles shows 16.7 avg mpg. 85% mixed rural/small city driving, 15% pure highway with two e85 fuel loads (36 gal) in there.
Hand calculated over the same period returns 16.654 avg mpg.
Lowest MPG returned was 13.365 MPG which was on E85 (hand calculated)
Highest MPG returned was 20.2 MPG (hand calculated) which was my most recent all-highway trip. Pure interstate, speeds between 68 and 72, fairly flat but with some rolling hills. This was a 305 mile run.
All in all not too bad for a rolling brick.
09-01-2012, 12:01 AM
#47
Senior Member
I have a 3.7L SCAB and it towed a 5500lb trailer camper across hilly Wisconsin with no issue. I have never had an issue with it being sluggish or anything I see on here. The only engine I found peppier than the 3.7L while test driving was the ECO. The 5.0 didn't immediately jump out as more peppy or anything.
I elected for the 3.7L to get more interior comforts + save money, and I tow only like 10 times a year, so I didn't need a working engine.
As for my truck. It has 5100 miles now, and trip B was reset at 500miles and is at 17.8MPG with a ton of those miles going 85MPH up I-35.
I get about 18MPG in city driving with no traffic, 16.5-17MPG with traffic. I can do 25MPG all day on highways at 60-65MPH. Only 20-21 at 70MPH and about 18 at 80 and 16-17 at 85+.
I elected for the 3.7L to get more interior comforts + save money, and I tow only like 10 times a year, so I didn't need a working engine.
As for my truck. It has 5100 miles now, and trip B was reset at 500miles and is at 17.8MPG with a ton of those miles going 85MPH up I-35.
I get about 18MPG in city driving with no traffic, 16.5-17MPG with traffic. I can do 25MPG all day on highways at 60-65MPH. Only 20-21 at 70MPH and about 18 at 80 and 16-17 at 85+.
Last edited by schizbomb; 09-01-2012 at 12:04 AM.
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626 (09-01-2012)
09-01-2012, 07:30 AM
#49
Well to start with, it is a statement, but also an opinion. So without knowing my background, location and general knowledge of engines you are taking a bit of liberty by calling it ignorant. So, I never even once mentioned diesels, I mean why would you considering we are talking about gas engines. But that aside, my statement holds true, "many people are wary of second hand turbos". I never said there was a problem with the EB, just that many people will be more comfortable buying second hand V8's.
You want me to educate myself about turbos? Ok how about owning an 88 toyota supra turbo for many years? How about having to deal with factory mistakes that result in blown head gaskets and coolant consumption that doesn't generally manifest until 100000+kms.
I am also an engineer who has worked in automotive in the past, so don't lecture me about what Ford has claimed to have done with their turbos. If you think designing the EB like a diesel is some sort of guarantee against future issues, maybe you should wander over to the Ford Focus TDCi owners group and see how well that worked out for them.
I am not trying to get into a pissing match. But your statement is just as at odds with general opinion as you claim mine is. Hell some guy a few posts up states his mechanic friend says to never buy to an EB because he is always working on them. I see large numbers of posts about EB's shuddering, throwing codes, not making power, not being able to tow without going into limp mode. But hey, you are entitled to your opinion, just like I am.
You want me to educate myself about turbos? Ok how about owning an 88 toyota supra turbo for many years? How about having to deal with factory mistakes that result in blown head gaskets and coolant consumption that doesn't generally manifest until 100000+kms.
I am also an engineer who has worked in automotive in the past, so don't lecture me about what Ford has claimed to have done with their turbos. If you think designing the EB like a diesel is some sort of guarantee against future issues, maybe you should wander over to the Ford Focus TDCi owners group and see how well that worked out for them.
I am not trying to get into a pissing match. But your statement is just as at odds with general opinion as you claim mine is. Hell some guy a few posts up states his mechanic friend says to never buy to an EB because he is always working on them. I see large numbers of posts about EB's shuddering, throwing codes, not making power, not being able to tow without going into limp mode. But hey, you are entitled to your opinion, just like I am.
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canddmeyer (09-01-2012)
09-01-2012, 09:03 AM
#50
Called on one of my customers and trip pic below. 5.0 3.73 gears screw. 87 octane. Little bit of a tailwind. I forgot to snap a pic on the way back but it dropped a little. I believe my round trip average was 19.8. I have taken the trip several times before but this was my best so far. My worst on this run is 18.8 round trip. Cannot go wrong with either engine....it's a FORD F150.
