Contemplating on my next pickup.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 657
Likes: 156
From: Southside, Arkansas
It's all about gearing. Chevy uses 3.42 gearing as standard and Ram uses 3.92 gearing in most of their trucks. Toyota uses either 3.91 or 4.30 gears The Ford 2wd trucks with 5.0's have 3.15 gearing and occasionally 3.31 which is not a good choice in power, but they are trying to meet government CAFE standards with rental trucks that they know will never be used to haul anything.
The 4X4 5.0's have either 3.55 or 3.73 gearing. Virtually all of the 3.5EB 4X4's have 3.31 gearing, 3.55's in an EB are rare. When test driving 4X4 Supercrews 3 years ago I found virtually no difference in power between the 5.0/3.55 and 3.5EB/3.31 combos. I was looking at 2012-2014's as well. I ended up with a 5.0 and couldn't be happier. On paper the 3.5 EB will tow more weight, but both trucks run out of usable payload with trailers over about 7500-8000 lbs unless you get the heavy duty payload package. Real world, they both tow about the same.
The 3.5 EB will develop torque at lower rpm and pull those loads in higher gears which some people find important. I don't.
I won't trash the 3.5. If I lived at altitude where the turbos are a huge help, or if I pulled a trailer heavier than about 7000 lbs I'd buy the 3.5. I haven't seen anything that indicates it is a bad engine, but it is a high performance engine and as a result will need more maintenance, more often, and more expensive maintenance to keep it running. They also recommend higher octane fuel if towing with that engine and it has a habit of running hot when towing. Pulling loads in higher gears even if the engine has the power will do that.
When buying used you'll pay less for a truck with the 5.0, and you'll spend less on it over time. I was able to buy my '14 with the 5.0 in 2016 for the same price as a '13 with the 3.5EB with 10,000 more miles. But, if you NEED the power and torque of the 3.5, it is a powerful engine when towing.
The 4X4 5.0's have either 3.55 or 3.73 gearing. Virtually all of the 3.5EB 4X4's have 3.31 gearing, 3.55's in an EB are rare. When test driving 4X4 Supercrews 3 years ago I found virtually no difference in power between the 5.0/3.55 and 3.5EB/3.31 combos. I was looking at 2012-2014's as well. I ended up with a 5.0 and couldn't be happier. On paper the 3.5 EB will tow more weight, but both trucks run out of usable payload with trailers over about 7500-8000 lbs unless you get the heavy duty payload package. Real world, they both tow about the same.
The 3.5 EB will develop torque at lower rpm and pull those loads in higher gears which some people find important. I don't.
I won't trash the 3.5. If I lived at altitude where the turbos are a huge help, or if I pulled a trailer heavier than about 7000 lbs I'd buy the 3.5. I haven't seen anything that indicates it is a bad engine, but it is a high performance engine and as a result will need more maintenance, more often, and more expensive maintenance to keep it running. They also recommend higher octane fuel if towing with that engine and it has a habit of running hot when towing. Pulling loads in higher gears even if the engine has the power will do that.
When buying used you'll pay less for a truck with the 5.0, and you'll spend less on it over time. I was able to buy my '14 with the 5.0 in 2016 for the same price as a '13 with the 3.5EB with 10,000 more miles. But, if you NEED the power and torque of the 3.5, it is a powerful engine when towing.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,696
Likes: 3,086
I’ve had 20+ F150s and I will tell you get a ‘13-14 5.0 or 6.2 and you will be happy. Mostly all of my ecos have developed timing chain issues, oil leaks from various spots around the engine, and the gas mileage is relatively the same as a 5.0L. 6.2 is very thirsty, but will do 3-4-500k with ease.
You cant beat a loaded 13 or 14 F150, in my opinion.
You cant beat a loaded 13 or 14 F150, in my opinion.
It was a dam good solid truck! 85000 miles, no rattles or other issues.
Wish I had it back...(less the timing chain issue)
Ya get a 5.0 in a '13 or '14 or a 6.2. Ford really fckd up the 5.0 in 2018.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10,934
Likes: 2,457
From: Minneapolis
I did take a picture of the door sticker when I drove the 5.0. I just looked it up, it was a 3.15 ratio which helps explain some of the gutless feeling. I don't know what gear ratio 2.7's come typically with, but I test drove a couple Lariats with the 2.7 a few years ago, my memory puts them in between the 3.5EB and 5.0 on the butt dyno.
