Hey all, I am new here and am looking to purchase a '08-'12 F-150 with 4 wd. All the other options are up in the air and not set.

I keep finding used trucks @ the 100K mi. range that are within my budget.

So far I have found 2011 3.5 ecoboost with 130K and a 2010 5.4 with 92K
(the ecoboost look like a fleet vehicle and maint. schedule is stetchy)

What are your thoughts on the reliability and longevity of these motors and trucks with that amount of miles? Are the ecoboosts holding up, are there any major known issues or large ticket maintenance items at these miles.

Other question, is any 3.7 turbo considered the ecoboost?

I understand it has to do with how well the truck was treated and maintained. A 40K mi. truck that has never been maintained might be worse than a higher mile truck that has been well kept. I do not plan to do any towing but mpg is sorta important to me. From what i read there isnt a HUGE difference between the two on average.

Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving

 

Welcome to the forum and happy thanks giving. These trucks stand up to mileage very well. I would not be concerned about the longevity. Also other than an oil change there isn't a whole lot to maintaining them. The rub comes in around 100k because that's when the services are do. Some years of 5.4s had issues removing plugs that may require the use of a special tool. On the pre2011s I think transmission, anti-freeze and maybe transfer case fluid need to be replaced. 2011 and up the Trans service is at 150k. You'll want to consider these costs when looking. Also some people have had a timing chain issue with the early EcoBoost. The problem is rare but it exists. When looking at a used one make sure you get to hear the engine cold.
I have 62,000 on my EcoBoost with about 1/3 of the miles towing. I have had zero issues. I've had 2 F150s with 5.4s. They were great engines. I would say the EcoBoost will get you 10 to 15 percent better mileage over the 5.4. I consistently get 1.7 miles per gallon (10%) better with my EcoBoost driving between 70 and 75 mph. If I go slower I get even better as I go faster both engines do about the same.

 

My preference would be an Ecoboost over the 5.4. The 3.7 is a good motor, no turbo.

 

Thanks

I keep seeing 3.7' Turbos advertised but no mention of ecoboost? are they separate things?

 

Spark plug issues were fixed in 08 IIRC, so that's a non issue. We have well over 100 Ford trucks at our company, the one I've been driving is an 08 SCrew and currently has just over 222K and surprisingly runs pretty good. It's in for inspection and the loaner I got, that I'm hoping they will let me keep since im working 2nd shift right now, is an 11 SCab with EB, both 4x4. I like it a lot, but im not ready to trade my personal '10 SCrew for one. Good luck, welcome aboard, and YMMV

 

3.7 is reg V6, 3.5 is the twin turbo EB. Probably a misprint

 

Why not a 5.0 v8 if your range is up to '12.......better than 5.4 and cheaper than the ecoboost

 

Good point. I came out of a 6.0 that about put me in the poor house out of warranty so I opted for the 5.4, didn't want any issues with the new engine line up. They seem to be pretty stout but I couldn't afford to take any chances at that time

 

The 5.0 and 4.6 are on my radar too, but they are a littler tougher to find and withing my price. I am still looking. I take it the fuel mpg in order would be ?

5.4
5.0
4.6
3.7
3.5

Though there doesnt seem to be a lot of difference in the mpg between a few of these. I mainly want to haul some wood, camping gear, antique furniture, and deer. I am lucky in that this will not be my primary or full time vehicle.

 

Real world #s favor the 5.0 over all those

 

I've got a 2011 with a 5.0, love it!

 

My 2008 has over 270,000 kms......whatever that is in miles.
It sees a lot of rough logging roads etc. and while its had to have some new front end parts and shocks, and brakes etc. Mostly it has just been regular maintenance. Mine is the 5.4 L v8 and it tows my boat and quads just fine to, but doubts its ever pulled over 6,000 pounds, so not heavy toweing. That's all I can offer you for my experience, but they are good trucks.

 

When I was shopping for my 2011 back in 2011, I was actually looking for a good used truck. That was the most hideous shopping experience of my life. The dealer had the audacity to try and sell me a 2008 Lariat with 85K miles for 28K. I went to another dealer and bought a new truck for 29K OTD. Not as much equipment but I didn't care.

Miles are certainly not the villain that they used to be on a well maintained truck. But now it comes down to warranty, incentives, financing if needed and that real cool new car smell and the fact that you know that no one has been in it before you.

If I ever bought another used vehicle, it would never be more than a year old and would have no more than 10K-12K miles on it.

 

I've bought some great high mileage vehicles. It comes down to one's personal preference, but I'd rather enjoy the driving experience of a fully equipped truck with well-maintained high miles on it, than a base model with few or no options and lower miles. I would look at the car fax, get as much history as you can, and go from there. Hope you find a great truck.

 

I have a '02 Expedition 4x4 with the 5.4 V/8 with 144k miles and it runs great. I did have a blown plug at about 100k which my dealer fixed with a helicoil type insert.

The reason I got the Expediton was the terrific service my son got out of his work truck, a '02 F150 4x4 5.4 V/8. He finally turned it in at 344k miles. My son works at a sand quarry and his truck ran in four wheel drive just about everyday and it got driven hard. Other than routine maintenance the only thing he did was replace the transfer case at mileage about 310k with a lower mileage unit form a wreck. The transfer case still worked but there was a lot of play in the chain. Up on the rack you could turn the drive shaft back and forth and hear the chain flopping.

I don't know about the newer engines, but I am hopeful as I just bought a new '14 F150 Lariat 4x4 3.5 ecoboost. It only has 262 miles on it. I got the day before Thanksgiving.

Good luck with your new to you truck. I am confident that any one in the year range that you are looking at will serve you well.