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Gary Ward

Gary Ward

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I am looking for input as the best engine to order in a f-150.
There is 6 options for engines.
What do you have and do you like it. Fuel mileage?
TIA
 
Gary Ward said:
I am looking for input as the best engine to order in a f-150.
There is 6 options for engines.
What do you have and do you like it. Fuel mileage?
TIA
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I personally went for the 5.0L V8. No turbos and the accompanying pieces and parts. By most accounts, its the most bulletproof. That was reading and watching videos from a lot of Ford techs that work on the things, they almost unanimously said stay away from the Ecoboost engines.

Highway driving mpg is usually 20+. Honestly if I was that worried about MPG, I wouldn't be driving a truck daily.
 
I also went for the 5.0. I’m a V-8 guy by nature so some hyper-charged V6 isn’t on my radar. The young salesmen will always try to talk you into the V6 and look at you strangely when you want the 5.0. In fact there was only one 5.0 on the whole lot and I ended up buying it even though I didn’t care about the color.
 
When I had an F-150 (2017 KR FX4), I was solidly a 5.0 guy. Prior to that, I had a 2010 with the 4.xL Triton. It was an okay motor.

The 5.0 with 3.55 e-locker is a good, the 3.73 e-locker is better. Mine got 17city/22 highway.

Get the biggest gas tank you can.


ETA: in all of today’s configs, the 5.0 and the 3.6L EB are the majority of deliveries. If you want max tow package, I’m fairly certain that’s solely a 3.6L EB config.
 
TCABM said:
When I had an F-150 (2017 KR FX4), I was solidly a 5.0 guy. Prior to that, I had a 2010 with the 4.xL Triton. It was an okay motor.

The 5.0 with 3.55 e-locker is a good, the 3.73 e-locker is better. Mine got 17city/22 highway.

Get the biggest gas tank you can.


ETA: in all of today’s configs, the 5.0 and the 3.6L EB are the majority of deliveries. If you want max tow package, I’m fairly certain that’s solely a 3.6L EB config.
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Yep, mine is the 5.0 with the 3.55 e lock rear. In 2020 the 36 gallon tank was an option, mandatory in my opinion. I believe they have eliminated the 26 gallon tank and the 36 is now standard.

By Ford's book, the 3.5L Ecoboost has a higher towing capacity. It has roughly the same horsepower of the 5.0L V8 (400hp), but about 25% more torque due to the turbos. The 3.5L gets marginally better gas mileage, unless you are towing and actually using the turbos, then the 5.0L does better. I have never once been disappointed by or second guessed buying the 5.0L.

I bought what was probably one of the last 2020 F-150s when the redesigned 2021s came out. I love my truck, but there were a few options I don't have because in the 2020 they were only available on Lariat or higher models, mine is an XLT. The difference then was $10k, but many of those features crept into the XLT for 2021.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I just bought the 4.9l inline 6, manual transmission. But it’s not new.
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I used to have one of those as a work truck. I don't think you could blow up that inline 6 even if you dropped a live grenade in the oil pan!

Do you have the dual fuel tanks?
 
I have the 4.6L 8 cylinder, but it’s a ‘98, so probably not much help. :)
 
I'm on my second 3.5 EcoBoost powered F150. The first is a 2011 Lariat that I bought new (first year for the EB in the F150), with over 150K miles on it now. My daughter is still driving it. So far other than normal scheduled oil & filter changes I replaced the spark plugs at about 65K miles (so it' probably needs them again, but that's her problem now). Oh, and the exhaust needed a pipe replaced at 110K. Other than that the entire drivetrain has been trouble-free.

I'm driving a 2020 Platinum with the max tow package, so it has the 3.5 EB and 36 gallon tank. Long term, since most of my city driving is short trips I get around 15 to 17 city and 20 to 21 on the highway at 75. A little higher on those rare occasions we're on a flat road or don't have a high crosswind. I bought the truck with 60K miles on it, and have about 75K now. No issues.

I have absolutely no reservations about the EcoBoost. Both have been trouble-free. If I could have found a truck with all the features I wanted and the 2.7 EcoBoost I'd have bought it. The only caveat: I rarely tow. When I do the EB has no trouble whatsoever with it; throttle response and power are fine, but TANSTAAFL. It sucks down gas like we just annexed Saudi Arabia. I'll get 10.5-11 MPG towing.
 
midwestpa24 said:
I used to have one of those as a work truck. I don't think you could blow up that inline 6 even if you dropped a live grenade in the oil pan!
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I think it took a lot of effort when they were destroying them during the bailout.
midwestpa24 said:
Do you have the dual fuel tanks?
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yes…rear hadn’t been used, so the gas that came out of it was pretty nasty. I’ve run 3 tankfuls through it, but it’s needed the inline fuel pump that somebody added…I’ll see if it’ll run on its own next week, probably.
TCABM said:
I knew that as the 300 straight six. Three on the tree, but later went to a five speed on the floor.
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Yeah, unfortunately if you say “straight six” and/or “300” at Auto Zone, it requires clarification.

5 speed on mine…loving it.
 
DaleB said:
I have absolutely no reservations about the EcoBoost.
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We’ve got a Ranger with EcoBoost…I’m wary that it’s got the same level of disposability as the Escape EcoBoost that it replaced, but the dealer buys a lifetime power train warranty when you buy a qualifying vehicle, so…

But that’s also one reason I got rid of my EcoBoost Edge.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I think it took a lot of effort when they were destroying them during the bailout.

yes…rear hadn’t been used, so the gas that came out of it was pretty nasty. I’ve run 3 tankfuls through it, but it’s needed the inline fuel pump that somebody added…I’ll see if it’ll run on its own next week, probably.

Yeah, unfortunately if you say “straight six” and/or “300” at Auto Zone, it requires clarification.

5 speed on mine…loving it.
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I recall when I was younger, a local business doing some kind of raffle fundraiser type thing where they took one of those inline 6 Fords and drained the oil, and people could place their bets on how long it would keep running. If I am remembering right, it ran out of gas first.
 
MauleSkinner said:
We’ve got a Ranger with EcoBoost…I’m wary that it’s got the same level of disposability as the Escape EcoBoost that it replaced, but the dealer buys a lifetime power train warranty when you buy a qualifying vehicle, so…

But that’s also one reason I got rid of my EcoBoost Edge.
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But none of those have/had the 3.5, correct? I don't know how well the 3- and 4-bangers do, just the 3.5s I've had. My son's friend has the 2.7 in his '17 F150 and it's been solid as well; they have a good reputation from what I've heard - but I haven't driven one.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I just bought the 4.9l inline 6, manual transmission. But it’s not new.
Click to expand...
I loved mine, only sold it because my wife drove it 95% of the time. After her motorcycle accident she couldn't drive a stick anymore.
Still wish they sold inline 6's. I hear they are slowly coming back into favor so maybe eventually.
I was driving a Jeep with a 4.0 inline 6.

She has a had few trucks since, a Nissan Titan, GM 2500, Currently driving a 2015 F-150 with the with the 2.7 V6. Has lots of acceleration if you want it.
Seems to average about 18-19mpg on the internal MPG calculator. Actual seems to probably be more like 17-18mpg.
Has a 7500towing capacity which it seems to do just fine. I once towed a 15000lb fork lift across town that was noticeable but it did ok, but we limited top speed to about 35mph. It just didn't occur to me that, that small of a fork lift weighed so much until I started pulling it.

I usually consult my mechanic before buying a new vehicle. He is pilot I taught to fly a number of years ago and runs a higher end repair shop. He gave the 2.7 Eco boost good reviews except for the 1st couple years. He steered us away from one my wife really liked, I think it was a 2012. That is why we ended up with the 2015.

Brian
 
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DaleB said:
But none of those have/had the 3.5, correct? I don't know how well the 3- and 4-bangers do, just the 3.5s I've had. My son's friend has the 2.7 in his '17 F150 and it's been solid as well; they have a good reputation from what I've heard - but I haven't driven one.
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My wife got 230,000 miles out of her engine…it’s what happens when they die that concerns me.
 
Have the 3.5EB in our new Transit T350HD high roof extended length dualie van. The 5.0 is not offered in the Transit, so it’s either the NA3.5 V6 or the 3.5EB. Being a pilot I opted for moar power!

The 3.5EB hauls around the 8000# van towing a 4000# RV trailer like it’s not there. I am slowly outfitting the van to be a pocket RV for those trips when we don’t want to tow.

I agonized for months between getting an F350 diesel pickup vs the 350 van, and am so glad I went with the van SO USEFUL!!!

IMG_9023.jpegIMG_9017.jpeg
 
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Thanks for everyone's experience so far.
I drove a 2014 F-250 with a 6.2 gas for 133K miles with no trouble.
Time to replace it. I drove Rams and 2- one ton Chevys for 25 years before the Ford.
I think I want to go back to Ford for a F-150. My mechanic tells me his rides so nice.
Yes I was thinking the 5.0 V8 also.
My AP/IA has the turbo V6. He had me listening to a mild knocking sound when he revved it up the other day. It had 140K miles on it. Those turbos looked tight in there and expensive to replace?
I want a F-150 this time. Only tow a small trailer with a lawn mower on it nowadays. It gonna suck only having aa 6.5' bed on the crew cab 150. Got to have 4 doors.
I have been a V-8 guy all my life, wasn't sure if I should consider the V-6's?
I have a appointment to see the same salesmen that sold me the 250 12 years ago tomorrow.
I am also keeping my mind open to a 2-3 year old used one also. Although he didn't have anything on his lot. Most of what he was finding used were XL and white in color like for fleets.
 
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I drive a 2016 F-150 Lariet with the 2.7 eco boost and am rolling up on 160k miles with zero engine issues. I’m very happy with the power it has. However, I’ve had a few electrical gremlins in that truck. The first was self inflicted because who knew you had to reset the charging system when you replace a battery? The second was an uncommanded light show in the middle of the night. Still don’t know what happened with that one. Also, and I’ve noticed this on other 150s driving around - the paint is coming off the top right side of the tailgate.
 
In the early 80s I worked with a guy that had a 1972 F-100 that he put a mildly built 429 in it. It had more power than needed and he claimed 17mpg. If he drove it normally. IF he drove it normally... which didn't happen often. But gas was only like a buck a gallon back then.
 
I went with the V8 in my 24 I drive about 9000 miles a year with it and get around 23 mpg. With the large gas tank that means over 700 miles range. With what I drive the difference in mileage didn’t matter much.
 
Pugs said:
I went with the V8 in my 24 I drive about 9000 miles a year with it and get around 23 mpg. With the large gas tank that means over 700 miles range. With what I drive the difference in mileage didn’t matter much.
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3.31 or 3.55?
 
I currently own 5 of the 3.5 eco boosts for my company and have owned I think 10 through the years. I had a 4 banger also and it lasted almost 200,000 miles

The earlier ones had valve train issues and we moved them out of the fleet

My new one with 9,000 miles has been to the shop four times for electrical gremlins. Runs great, just will throw codes for no reason and ford can’t figure it out. Its at their shop now as I head on an overseas work trip and told them to fix it while I’m gone or give me a new truck when I get back.

The Ford rep (not the dealer) has been very good to work with and is flying in a factory guy to go over my electrical system next week.

We also own a bunch of diesel Fords, 1 ton cab and chassis and duallys. I think 7 or 8 right now. We sell them before they hit 150,000 miles as they get real expensive to fix after that.

My business partner and I are true blue oval guys. We have tried other brands, mainly Dodge on the diesels but end up with the same issues as Ford. We have a good fleet salesman, and that probably is what keeps us loyal at this point
 
cowtowner said:
…We also own a bunch of diesel Fords, 1 ton cab and chassis and duallys. I think 7 or 8 right now. We sell them before they hit 150,000 miles…
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I’m curious on the calendar time it takes for your operation to hit that mark. I would guess it’s 24 months or less.
 
I currently have 9 ford trucks at work. F-150 to F-600. They have been the standard for the most part since 1980. We have run about half of them on LP gas and reg gas, a bi fuel system. Also have had a few power strokes over the years.

I love your Shelby truck. I used a wipple screw blower on our TAD in the early days before the PSI screw blowers came along.

I towed a 49' enclosed race car trailer with a C3500 dully with a 454 gas engine, had the truck for 125k miles. It was flawless until the end when the rear end broke.
It got about 5-6 miles to the gallon towing.

Then I got a FL112 chassis toterhome from Freightliner to pull the same trailer. It has a cat C12 in it making 505 HP from the freightliner RV assembly line. IT get's better full mileage than the 1 ton truck did.
When towing a open car trailer with the FL112 it get's double digit fuel mileage and we have everything with us including the kitchen sink. lol
 
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2018 XLT 5.0. Bad year for the 5.0 due to cam phaser issues. Mine had them replaced at around 40k miles. Also, you have to watch the oil level, as mine does burn oil between changes. That said, I love it. Comfortable to drive, and I get ~17 highway here in TN, but when I go up north IL/WI to flatland, I get around 20 highway.
 
I am discovering that 5.5 beds are way more popular than the 6.5 beds. I wonder why is that? This will be the first time since 1993 that I won't have a 8' bed. That makes me nervous. I sometimes laugh to myself when I see someone with many feet of something hanging out the back of their 5.5' bed. I don't want to be one of them. So I feel I have to have a 6.5' bed on a 150. Currently I don't see any in stock in this area on a XLT truck. My work neighbor has a nice F 150 lariat with 6.5 bed that I looked at this morning. I can't spend lariat money on one.
 
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Gary Ward said:
I am discovering that 5.5 beds are way more popular than the 6.5 beds. I wonder why is that? This will be the first time since 1993 that I won't have a 8' bed. That makes me nervous. I sometimes laugh to myself when I see someone with many feet of something hanging out the back of their 5.5' bed. I don't want to one of them. So I feel I have to have a 6.5' bed on a 150. Currently I don't see any in stock in this area on a XLT truck. My work neighbor has a nice F 150 lariat with 6.5 bed that I looked at this morning. I can't spend lariat money on one.
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I had a 6.5 ft bed pickup for 20 years…can’t say as it was ever sorely deficient. The tailgate lays out to 8 ft, so it’ll support drywall, etc.

We bought a Ranger with a 5.5 ft bed last year, and it’s already been a challenge a couple of times.

I think the 6.5 ft bed behind a 4-door cab just makes the truck that much longer, and a large part of the population can’t figure out how to maneuver it.
 
I have a 2012 f-150 4x4 with the 5.0 and 3.73 rear end purchased new. Drivetrain has been great, I’ve towed quite a few heavy loads(including a few that were overloads). If the 5.0 isn’t sufficient for your towing needs, it’s probably a sign to step up to an F-250 or bigger IMO.

All around MPG is in the 18s. However if I drive it just so I can average over 20 on a long highway trip. Towing MPG is more variable but I’d say around 13-14MPG.

Based on my long term experience I would recommend using fluid film or some other rust proofing on the rockers, fenders, frame, etc. That said, the newer bodies are mostly aluminum now so maybe it’s less of a concern.

IMG_7431.jpeg
 
What are you primarily using it for?

I wouldn't be too worried about the 3.5L EcoBoost engines. They've been used in every Expedition since 2010 or so, and they're on the 3rd or 4th revision at this point addressing any of the issues. If having the best towing performance or outright acceleration is what you are after, the EB V6 is the choice. However, they will have higher maintenance costs in general, as is the case with any forced-induction engine.

My father has an '18 F-150 with 5.0L (as well as a '14 Mustang 5.0) and it's also a solid choice. It doesn't have the off-the-line torque/acceleration like the EB V6, but it still has plenty of power. I'd opt for the 3.73 rear end if you can, just to help it out a bit on the towing side. The cam phasers/timing chain are still about the only pain points, but that's going to be the case with either engine choice and is generally not a problem if you stay current on maintenance/oil changes. The 10-Speed transmission is also paired with both engine options and is shared with GM in their trucks/SUVs as well. It's a solid transmission for the most part, but the only complaint from most is just the hunting for gears in certain situations (like light throttle/uphill/transitions).

As noted above, the nice thing about the 5.0L is that their is a lot of aftermarket for performance upgrades if you decide you want to toss a supercharger/turbo on it.
 
Gary Ward said:
I am discovering that 5.5 beds are way more popular than the 6.5 beds. I wonder why is that? ….
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Most folks want the shorter wheelbase. If you want a 6.5ft new it’ll most likely have to be ordered. It’s rare to see a used one for sale, but autotempest says there’s a white 2023 5.0L SCREW long bed with 23K mi at Lincoln of Bloomington in Bloomington, MN. Listed at $45K.

www.lincolnofbloomington.com

Used Oxford White 2023 Ford F-150 XLT for Sale in Bloomington, MN | 1FTFW1E56PKD17377 | Lincoln of Bloomington

Looking for a 2023 Ford F-150 for sale in Bloomington, MN? Stop by Lincoln of Bloomington today to learn more about this F-150 1FTFW1E56PKD17377
www.lincolnofbloomington.com www.lincolnofbloomington.com
 
MauleSkinner said:
I had a 6.5 ft bed pickup for 20 years…can’t say as it was ever sorely deficient. The tailgate lays out to 8 ft, so it’ll support drywall, etc.

We bought a Ranger with a 5.5 ft bed last year, and it’s already been a challenge a couple of times.

I think the 6.5 ft bed behind a 4-door cab just makes the truck that much longer, and a large part of the population can’t figure out how to maneuver it.
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I drove crewcab dually with a 8’ bed for 13 years every day.
I think this 150 with a 6.5’ bed will feel like I am driving my wife’s XT5.
I am going to use it for light duty use and every day transportation.
Most I may tow is a open car trailer and that won’t be very often.

Not really worried about MPG or performance.Like going fast.
Would like a 3:55 gear I think? If want anything tow related it seems you have to have a 3:73 gear?
 
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Gary Ward said:
….Would like a 3:55 gear I think? If want anything tow related it seems you have to have a 3:73 gear?
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You can/could get the tow package with 3.55s. In some years, that was offered separately from max tow then HDPP.

The max tow was not just receiver, but also the trans cooler and tow/haul mode for the transmission. You’ll have to look by model year and build sheet see if the 3.55 incorporates the tow/haul or not.
 
Gary Ward said:
I drove crewcab dually with a 8’ bed for 13 years every day.
I think this 150 with a 6.5’ bed will feel like I am driving my wife’s XT5.
I am going to use it for light duty use and every day transportation.
Most I may tow is a open car trailer and that won’t be very often.

Not really worried about MPG or performance.Like going fast.
Would like a 3:55 gear I think? If want anything tow related it seems you have to have a 3:73 gear?
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They even have a 3.31 rear end which is common. I'm sure with the 10-speed transmission it's less of a factor, but I'd not personally go below 3.55.
 
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