Ford F-150: 3.5 or 5.0?

[Nice Racks]

The F150 was not an EcoBoost, just a regular 6 cylinder.  The Rebel I just got is a 1/2 ton...1500.

[jackelope]

There is NO replacement for displacement.   😎  5.0 all the way.   

Not accurate in this case.

Boost the 5.0 and get back to me.   

Why?
I thought we were comparing 2 bone stock factory trucks.

[b23]

There is NO replacement for displacement.     5.0 all the way.   

Not accurate in this case.

Boost the 5.0 and get back to me.   

If that was an option, you'd have a valid point and I'd gladly agree, but a boosted 5.0 is only an option in the custom world and at a rather expensive price tag so it's a moot point.

[bassquatch]

I'm pretty much set on the 3.5L if I go 1/2 ton and now it's just a question of the 157" or 163" wheelbase options?

Lots to ponder.... The only way I'm going to get a 163 set up the way I want means factory order and no discounts 

Took measurements today to see if I can make the 157 work?  If I can, then I can hammer down the price and get most of the incentives applied

[R2Rcoulee]

I bought a 2013 lariat eco boost brand new. I’ve got 159k miles on it. It has the 6.5 bed with the max tow package so it can haul right at 12k. The bad is that with the max tow it averages 14 mpg. I do drive a bit faster than most people, so the truck could probably average 15-16 mpg. I have the warranty forever package & with that you have to stick with their maintenance program. The truck has had probably $3500 in warranty work. The main complaint that I have had is if it is humid or rainy out the truck woukd cut out when you stepped on the gas to pass. It was really dangerous & it took them several different shop visits to finally fix the problem. I’ve heard the new f-150 do not have this problem. Overall I’m happy with this truck. The new 2019 f-150 diesel I’ve heard gets excellent gas mileage & can tow around 11k. You might want to look into that truck as well.

[b23]

If you can wait a little longer and don't mind spending more, the 2019 F-150 Limited is supposed to be getting the H.O. version 3.5 EcoBoost which is 450hp and 510 lb.ft torque.

[Wingin it]

I have a '14 with the 5.0 and have been happy with it. It has 74k on it and has a lifetime average of 16.4 mpg. I just pulled a 25' trailer to Yellowstone and except for a few really steep grades it handled it okay. 60 was no problem over Snoqualmie for example. A few grades along the continental divide had me down to about 50. I don't think you can go wrong with either option.

[bassquatch]

Thanks for the feedback everyone 

I do not want to mess with todays diesels and all the DEF nonsense, not too mention I'm too far along in life to switch now 

Honestly the 2.7L would pull my 2,000 pound boat and trailer around easily.  I want the 3.5L just for the extra oomph for when we purchase our camp trailer next year.  80% of my towing is just my boat and only within one hour-ish of home.  The rest would be longer distance runs with the boat OR the extra weight when I pull the camp trailer.  I expect a 16-18 foot camper to weigh in the 4K range but that will only be 3-5 trips per year.

My biggest dilemma aside from wheelbase is going to be color    I've owned silver trucks since 1998 as the exterior maintenance is absolutely minimal!  Unfortunately that Magnetic color won't leave me alone...and I am also digging on the Shadow Black....better stock up on car wax I guess 

[bassquatch]

Thanks everyone 

I think I'm good and have what I need going forward, Mods please feel free to delete 

[h20hunter]

Lots of good info. Why not just leave it for future reference for others.

[thinkingman]

Thanks for the feedback everyone 

I do not want to mess with todays diesels and all the DEF nonsense, not too mention I'm too far along in life to switch now 

Honestly the 2.7L would pull my 2,000 pound boat and trailer around easily.  I want the 3.5L just for the extra oomph for when we purchase our camp trailer next year.  80% of my towing is just my boat and only within one hour-ish of home.  The rest would be longer distance runs with the boat OR the extra weight when I pull the camp trailer.  I expect a 16-18 foot camper to weigh in the 4K range but that will only be 3-5 trips per year.

My biggest dilemma aside from wheelbase is going to be color    I've owned silver trucks since 1998 as the exterior maintenance is absolutely minimal!  Unfortunately that Magnetic color won't leave me alone...and I am also digging on the Shadow Black....better stock up on car wax I guess 

I have owned a 2015 3.5Eco 159" for about 9 mos.
Just got back from Yellowstone and averaged 17mpg with 33" tires(Falken AT3w are so smooth and quiet) and a leveling kit, bed loaded with gear, driving 85mph much of the way.
Truck drives better than most cars....Smooth and quiet.
I drive in the city and the long wheelbase makes parking a pain.
You will be backing in to most spaces or parking in the farthest spots.
I love the Eco motor and if you feel the need for extra ponies, a tune will get you a ton more hp and torque.
The XLT 302A package with Sport is a great balance between Lariat pricing and luxury.
And I love the Magnetic Gray.

[thinkingman]

The 3.5L is a bi-turbo. The fuel mileage will be all over the board based on how the truck is driven.  Drive it like a grandma, youll do better. Drive it like you stole it, mpg’s go in the tank. I.E. how the turbos spool up. They have more power and torque than the V8’s. In fact, the only way to get the F150 with the 13,200 pound tow rating is with the 3.5.

I don't have a F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost but I have a new Explorer with this motor and if I set the cruise right at the speed limit and don't go over, it gets really good mileage, but the more you creep above that, the faster it falls.  I had a TRD supercharger put on my 13 Tacoma shortly after it was new and it's the same way.  If I drive it like a granny, it'll get 22-24 MPG but I generally set the cruise 6-8mph over and that drops it down to 18-19.

I'm very happy with the power of the 3.5 EcoBoost, in fact, I've been thinking about selling my Tacoma and getting a new F150 with that motor.

If you go to the F150 from your Tacoma, you'll wonder why you waited so long.
My Tacoma was pathetic compared to the F150.

[b23]

The 3.5L is a bi-turbo. The fuel mileage will be all over the board based on how the truck is driven.  Drive it like a grandma, youll do better. Drive it like you stole it, mpg’s go in the tank. I.E. how the turbos spool up. They have more power and torque than the V8’s. In fact, the only way to get the F150 with the 13,200 pound tow rating is with the 3.5.

I don't have a F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost but I have a new Explorer with this motor and if I set the cruise right at the speed limit and don't go over, it gets really good mileage, but the more you creep above that, the faster it falls.  I had a TRD supercharger put on my 13 Tacoma shortly after it was new and it's the same way.  If I drive it like a granny, it'll get 22-24 MPG but I generally set the cruise 6-8mph over and that drops it down to 18-19.

I'm very happy with the power of the 3.5 EcoBoost, in fact, I've been thinking about selling my Tacoma and getting a new F150 with that motor.

If you go to the F150 from your Tacoma, you'll wonder why you waited so long.
My Tacoma was pathetic compared to the F150.

I bought my Taco new and waited about a month before I put the TRD supercharger on it.  In stock form they're just kinda ok on power but with the TRD SC on, it's definitely a significant increase in power so there isn't that much difference between my Taco with the SC on it and my wife's Explorer with the 3.5 EcoBoost.  I've been itching for a new truck so I'll be very interested to drive one of the new 2019 F-150 Limited with the H.O. 3.5 EcoBoost.

[Alchase]

Tacoma with Super Charger - 304 hp and 334 lb-ft, 6,000 lbs
(can't find anything that says how much on an increase, if any the SC increases towing.)

F150 with Eco-boost 3.5 - 365 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, 11,300 lbs towing capacity

[elkaholic123]

I just picked up a 2016 with the 5.0 in it, crew cab, 6 1/2 ft bed King Ranch edition. I like it so far.