Hello! As you can see, I'm not a stranger to FTE. But, I usually hang out in the 80-86 forum 'cause I'm restifying Dad's '81 and driving Rusty - my other '81. And, that's kinda where this started.

Last week my wife and I drove Rusty to OKC and picked up a new-to-us boat and towed it home the 135 miles. Boat and trailer weigh about 5000 lbs and Rusty handled it fine. However, Rusty's a bit heavily sprung and bounces a bit. Enough so, in fact, that my wife said "Why don't you think about trading your Murano for a new truck?" Boy, am I blessed!

So, I started reading up on the new trucks, and naturally the F150 is most interesting to me. But, I'm not in any hurry and ran across several mentions of a 10-speed tranny that is supposed to come out in the F150 in the not-too-distant future. Does anyone know a timeline for them? Have you run across any interesting info on them? I'm just trying to plan ahead and figure out if I want to wait or buy soon.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the top of the forums Gary!

As I understand it, it will be a 2017 MY offering. Ford and GM are in joint development on the 10 speed for the trucks and SUV's and a 9 speed for some smaller vehicles.

One can only hope that between bot of these Goliath car builders on a joint venture, they will be able to head off any issues that could arise.

If I could wait, I'd wait. I think the gains in MPG's will be worth it.

 

I too have heard it'll be in the 2017 Model Year. It's my opinion that that 10-speed will be awesome, however, the current 6-speed is a very good transmission, so depending on your situation, I wouldn't get too worried about it.

 

Thanks for the welcome and the info, Tim. And, from what I've read I'd have to agree with you on how significant the 10-speed will be. However, I'm not sure I can wait.

If I understand what you are saying, the tranny may be available in about two years from now. Unfortunately that's going to be cutting it vey close since the main perceived need is in early June of 2017 when we hope to tow the boat to Lake Powell from here, a total of ~1000 miles each way. And, it was thinking of that trip and the bouncing involved that got my wife thinking about a new truck.

In fact, when I walked in from the shop yesterday she was busy doing something on her iPad. As I sat down she showed me a King Ranch F150 SuperCrew with the 3.5L EcoBoost and all the goodies and asked what color I wanted. So, I know she's thinking it is time for a change.

So, that brings me to another question: 2.7L or 3.5L EcoBoost? As said, the boat and trailer weigh 5000 lbs, but that's dry. Throw in skis, vests, anchor, rope, etc and some fuel and it may go closer to 6000. Then add passengers and luggage to the truck and…

A 4x4 F150 w/a 2.7 is rated at 7500 to 8000 lbs for the trailer and 12,500 to 13,000 lbs GCWR, and that is with 3.55 to 3.73 gears. But the 3.5L ECB can tow 10,700 to 11,500 and has a GCWR of from 15,800 to 17,100 depending on gearing. It looks to me that the 2.7 will technically do the job, but just. And it'll have to be spinning 3.73 gears to do it so I'll have an economy hit at all times. Given that, why not go with the 3.5L ECB and less gearing? Is there a way to compare the MPG of a 2.7 with 3.73 gears to a 3.5 with 3.31 gears?

Thoughts?

 

Oops, I missed that. Thanks.

 

It's gonna be tough to get a real good comparison between engines and gear ratios. I'd expect the 2.7 to be more efficient with all available ratios than the 3.5L EB. I've never driven one, but the numbers are more impressive than the old top-of-the-line 5.4L V8. You will not struggle to pull your boat with this engine.

 

I haven't driven the new 2.7EB, and they haven't been out long enough for many folks to do back-to-back comparisons, but here's my opinion.

When cruising, or not under load, the 3.5EB is very efficient. Under load, it has amazing power, but obviously uses a lot more fuel. I have a hard time imagining that the 2.7EB will get that much better economy in the type of driving I do. Plus, I really like all the power when towing, or just hot-rodding. For me, it would be 3.5EB all the way.

 

If you are going to be primarily towing it may be worth it to go for the 3.5 EB or even the 5.0 V8, the 2.7 EB does great efficiency-wise when it comes to driving unloaded, but if your truck will spend much of its life with a boat behind it, the 2.7EB may actually get worse mileage than the 3.5EB.

However... It sounds like you may be trading in a daily driver (Murano) in that case the 2.7 would be a great candidate. But, the 3.5 is an amazing engine, so if you want the extra power, go for it.

At the end of the day I don't think you can go wrong, take some test drives and buy the one you really want.

 

If I needed to pull the trigger right now, I'd spec out a 4x4 Screw to meet the family needs and a 3.5L EB with the 3.31 axles to meet the working / economy needs.

I think the 2.7L will be the next big splash and do very well but I think it'll struggle where the 3.5L and the 5.0L may be more at home.

 

Well, y'all seem to pretty much agree with my thinking: The 2.7L will do the job of towing the boat, but it'll be working hard when doing so and require lower gears. On the other hand, the 3.5 EB can pull taller gears and still has the power to "fit 'er done".

As for "If I want the extra power", do I look like a power junky??? Does a 400 kicking out over 500 HP and torque, as Tim Meyer assures me it will, sound like something a sane person would do?

But, our daughter just threw a spanner in the works - they aren't going to be available for a boating vacation during the summer of 2017. So, my plans for getting the truck just in time for that trip are for naught. So, now I'm checking on moving the trip up or back a year, which changes the timeline for the truck - although I don't know what it'll be.

 

I can't plan my summer vacation in 2015, let alone 2017. My Hat if off to you.

 

With two kids, each with their own families, we have to plan ahead. Last time we did we went to Italy and were able to get one kid/family. This time I'm wanting to plan my own birthday party, and it just so happens that I'll be 70 the summer of 2017. So, we thought it time to act.