Which F150 engine?

[huntnfish]

I have been tossing around the idea of trading in my extended cab Chevy for a new 4 door pickup and like the new Fords. I had my mind set on an Eco-boost but I have found some issues with them when doing my research. I also found that the 5.0 engines don't get that much less for mileage or HP/torque. I haven't ruled out a GM product completely yet either but it seems like there's more back seat room in the Ford which will make hauling the kids easier. Any opinions?

[randerson]

Well we have a 2011 5.0 and a 2012 3.5 at work and I would say the 3.5 is a much better truck to drive the 5.0 will do anything you ask it to do but doesn't seem to get out of its own way as well as the 3.5. With that being said if you were to average the miles per gallon the eco boost is slightly better but really drops in the winter months the turbo likes cold dense air and requires more fuel If you do get a 3.5 and plan on towing get the 3.55 rear end I think the 3.73 will tow anything but doesn't get the milage people are looking for and the 3.21or3.31 they have is a touch to high

[CJH]

The F150 has the biggest rear seat space in the Crew Cab configurations, RAM would probably be second. My brother in law has three kids and switched from a Tahoe to an F150 Lariat Crew Cab Ecoboost. Loves pretty much everything about it and hasn't had any problems with it. All the kids fit comfortably.

You'll get a little better MPG + TQ in the EB than the 5.0, but you have to decide if the cost is worth it to you. Depends on how you use it and how you drive your truck.

Good Luck on your purchase!!

[huntnfish]

The wife already ruled out the Dodge for some reason which is fine with me. The extra cost for the Eco-boost doesn't concern me as much as the unknown longevity of the engine. I didn't realize how much room there was in the back until I rode in a friends. They are very spacious and would have no trouble handling a couple car seats and an adult in the back.

[TR21HP]

I have a 2011 eco boost FX4 with the 373 rear end and my son has a 2012 5.0 XLT with the 355 rear end and they are basically a wash. I get slightly better gas mileage and we both tow 4,000 lb. boats with ease. Easily the best F150 to come along in a long time and I've had 11 of them previously. You can't go wrong with either.

[rundrave]

The F150 has the biggest rear seat space in the Crew Cab configurations, RAM would probably be second.

I would say the tundra crew max has more room than both. I will give the ford credit for the way the rear seat folds up and out of the way. My tundra doesn't gain much more space with the configuration it has with the seat folded. It's a moot point though as I would rarely need to travel with them folded.

[CaptainMusky]

Total cost of ownership the 5.0 is the better deal than eco boost. If you are going from an extended cab to a crew cab ANY manufacturer is going to have significantly more room than you have now.

Screw it, just get a denali with the 6.2. Over 400 HP, room for 8 and still get 20 mpg. I do!

[thatoneguy]

I have a F150 with the 5.0 and love it. Plenty of power, tons of room, over 20mpg average in the 2 1/2 years I've owned it. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

You really can't go wrong with either. I have the 3.5 and love it. The stories of problems with them are way overblown. I saw a published article that the 3.5 is one of the most problem free motors in the industry. I know several people with 5.0's, and they love them, too.

[Scott K]

You really can't go wrong with either. I have the 3.5 and love it. The stories of problems with them are way overblown. I saw a published article that the 3.5 is one of the most problem free motors in the industry. I know several people with 5.0's, and they love them, too.

Repair per vehicle reports (on drivetrain) do prove this. The 3.5 EcoBoost engine leads the industry with the least amount of repairs per vehicle under warranty.

Ford has marketed, and sold a lot of the EcoBoost trucks, and while there is a couple problems with them, they have been a very dependable truck. I would buy one in a heart beat, and not think twice about it. IMO, Ford has improved its line up to be the best out there right now.

[BartmanMN]

Loving my 2013 Ecoboost still. I went from extended cab GMC to super crew as well. It is so nice with all the extra space and the kids can't touch the back of my seat if they tried. Love the whistling turbos. Only thing I am still working on perfecting is backing my boat into the garage on the first try. The longer wheel base turns the boat much differently. I also love the back up camera. No more getting in and out to see if I am lined up or close to the hitch, now I just back it right over it and leave.

One thing I just learned regarding the loan that I thought I would share since I wasn't aware of it. If you take the $1000 and finance through Ford motor company, there acutally isn't a 3-4 payment cycle needed before you transfer to your own company for a lower rate. The dealer tells you that since they only get their loan orignation money if the loan is on the books for 3-4 payments. I didn't know that and waited to transfer my loan.

[DRH1175]

Ecoboost for sure! I have a 2011 with the 3.73 max tow. It is an awesome motor. You say your research came up with problems. Mine has not missed a beat. My dealer also said that it is one of the best engines they have seen. On the internet is the only place I have heard of problems and quite frankly Every engine ever made has problems if you look. Problem with the internet is you only hear of the bad, never the good. Honestly, It is the best truck and engine I have ever owned so far. The power is amazing, It blows my old 5.4l triton out of the water, not to mention the fuel economy is the best out of every truck I have ever owned. On average I see 17 mpg. If I keep my speed at 65 mph on highway I have seen as high as 22mpg. If you buy the 3.55 I would expect much better. Good luck with your decision!

[LMITOUT]

I have been tossing around the idea of trading in my extended cab Chevy for a new 4 door pickup and like the new Fords. I had my mind set on an Eco-boost but I have found some issues with them when doing my research. I also found that the 5.0 engines don't get that much less for mileage or HP/torque. I haven't ruled out a GM product completely yet either but it seems like there's more back seat room in the Ford which will make hauling the kids easier. Any opinions?

The new Chevy's and GMC's are just hitting the lots and they are supposed to get better mileage than the Ecoboost, without giving up 2 cylinders and having to put up with turbo lag. They also re-designed the cab to allow for more space for passengers riding in the back seat. Since you seem to be open to any brand it might not hurt to give them a look too.

[Pistol Pete]

Turbo lag????? Now thats news to me! Have NEVER felt it in the ecoboost that i drive and I've got almost 55k on it

[LMITOUT]

"drive" is a relative term.

If you don't feel the lag from the turbos then you ain't driving it, and quite frankly don't need a truck with turbos.

[Powerstroke]

My 2012 ecoboost has 8500 miles on it now. I average 17.5mpg overall. My highway driving is a solid 20mpg up to 70mph. I drive to and from work everyday in the cities and my city driving runs from 15.8 - 16.3mpg.

I tow a 5000lb travel trailer and that has run 9.3mpg-11mpg while towing 60-65mph.

I have no complaints about this truck or the motor.

Lmitout mentions a few reasons to look at the chevy's and they sound nice but they all began with supposed and should.

Just like everyone said to wait and see if the ecoboost passes the test, I'd wait to see if the Chevy delivers on its estimates. Meanwhile the Ford has shown in the last 3 yrs that its motor can deliver.

[LMITOUT]

Lmitout mentions a few reasons to look at the chevy's and they sound nice but they all began with supposed and should.

[Dave S]

Looked at the 2014 Silverado yesterday. Nice looking truck and the interior feels like the 2013 and older (not a bad thing).

What I can't seem to understand is the wheel-wells. From my 2008 Silverado where they were stamped metal to a plastic replaceable piece in 2013 to what now looks to be a felt covered trunk liner in the 2014 models.

Maybe it's going to serve it's purpose and maybe this has been done before but it sure looked odd on a brand new truck.

[Pistol Pete]

I traded in my chevy with a 5.3 for a ecoboost. I was a dog compared to the ford. Pulling the same camper and boat there is a HUGE difference. The ecoboost just flat out performs the chevys 5.3 and gets way better milage. This is from 1st hand experience from a guy who has owned both and know how to DRIVE them.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

My dad bought a 2013 GMC with the 5.3 about 4 months ago. I drove it for the first time a few weeks ago, and it is way better than the older models (he had an '06 before this). While they may be somewhat close in mileage, the Ecoboost will destroy it towing. You just can't beat the flat torque curve.

[Alagnak]

It was nice of Chevy to try to keep up but they'll be sucking hind tit for a while- they're late to the party. Even some life long Chevy guys are realizing you can't make this stuff up. Ford's 2015 F150 is going to be even more impressive especially in terms of mileage, along with everything else they have going for it that already has it leading the pack. It hasn't been the best selling truck for a decades because of internet stories, popularity contests, or strictly marketing campaigns. Who gives a rats azz if it's got 8 cylinders, 6, or 3?? The numbers speak for itself in terms of what it does on the road, and sales follow. Period

Heck, even my 04 has been doing everything I need it to do and that's all that matters to me- and has the most important thing going for it that I look for in a truck- paid for a long time ago. But when the kids are big enough to be tagging along and I need the 4 door, there's no debating what I'm filling the void with.

[CJH]

I completely agree about seeing "real world" proof on the new EcoTec3 engines, but the previous generation Chevy engine in the right configuration put up the same if not better mileage as the Ecoboost, however they didn't have the marketing and hype behind it to get everyone soiling their pants like Ford did with the Ecoboost it was down so much on power it couldn't get out of its own way, despite being in a lighter truck.

Fixed it for you.

[Scott K]

Lmit is just another Chevy boy. He says no need for a turbo, but I do believe he is driving a truck with a turbo. A chevy truck at that.

[TR21HP]

Regardless of what he is driving his statement of lag is erroneous. An engineer should understand that the eco boost uses high pressure direct injection at 16 psi and pumps the fuel load directly into the combustion chamber rather than the intake port eliminating any waste resulting in no turbo lag. Too make a statement such as he did without merit just demonstates a lack of credibility.

[TravP]

The ecoboost still has some turbo lag. I own one and have driven a few others. All three of them have it. I just had the new intercooler put into mine and no more misfiring so far, but I've only put a couple hundred on it since getting it back.