You need the right axle ratio to achieve EPA estimates no matter what you drive. I'm doing it with my 2011 truck with the 3.31 axles.

 

Both had 3.55's for sure. I checked. If I go really easy and do not use the turbo in the EB, gas mileage can be really good. With a 4x4 and hills, that's much more difficult. Between 3.31 and 3.55, the difference is tiny.

 

I found that I was getting ~~ 19 MPG driving around town yesterday (3.5L EB, with 3.31 gears). You really have to watch the instantaneous MPG display; especially when accelerating or going uphill. Stoplights were killer, but if you nursed it along, it didn't do too badly.

Coming up the mountain was another story.

 

I went up the mountain to Big Bear and back. It takes about four hours. I reset both the 5.0 and EB at the same. I left at the same time and traffic was identical. The V8 got better gas mileage.

However, the EB got better gas mileage on flat surface. I was disappointed EB didn't get that far above EPA's estimated mileage while I could with the V8. Going 60 mph on a flat surface, I can get 28 mpg on my V8 4x4 Supercrew 3.55.

 

The 5.4L has been gone long enough for people to forget that the 3.5L replaced that engine. The 3.5L is a tow monster and will excel under load. If MPG's are the primary concern, then my I suggest a Fusion 2.5L n/a. My daughter got over 35 MPG's going to Illinois and back traveling through West Virginia.

 

Funny. We went up & back to Bear Valley a few months ago. Mileage going up wasn't too bad as the climb is very gradual. I was getting maybe 17-18 MPG doing the uphill. We filled up the tank at Bear Valley before we left, and for the first 5 or so miles, the instantaneous readout was showing 99 MPG. After about 10 miles, it had settled in to ~~ 40-43 MPG, and it wasn't until the slope started to level out that the MPG got into the 20s. We then turned south on 49 down to Columbia, and I was still in the mid 20s. Finally, we got on the freeway coming back into the Bay Area, and I noted that we still had 23 MPG when we got to Saratoga.

 

The 5.4's were intended to be tow monsters that disappointed instead. The 5.0 has way more power and can tow much more. The 3.5 can tow a bit more but at a steep cost to the fuel economy.

My 5.0 V8 got 28 mpg going 60 mph for over an hour, all flat terrain from L.A. to San Diego. That's where the EB would get better gas mileage. I make that trip daily from office to office and I have two to choose from, the V8 or the EB. I have inflated tires to 45 psi, I have taken things out of the back, I have tested 55 mph, 65 mph, and 75 mph. EB's do much worse at 75 mph compared to V8, but at 55 mph, EB's did slightly better as long as there's no spooling. And it's pretty hard not to do that especially when I'm going uphill or moving after stopping.

I used to go up to Big Bear almost every two weeks so I'm familiar with it. I always filled up at the same gas station and drove up there usually at 4 a.m. before the traffic comes in so the driving pattern is very consistent. EB's got consistently worse gas mileage. Wasn't the case on flat surface.

I used to reset up there and see how much I can get the computer to show. I think my record was 47 after three hours of driving from Big Bear to San Diego. I went REALLY light on the gas, braked only when I had to, slowed down before red lights anticipating green lights, never went above 55 mph, etc.

 

Anyways, I don't expect a lot of changes for the 2017 model except for the 10-speed transmission and the new Ecoboost V6. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

 

That's the nature of a turbo engine. If you keep it out of boost it's fine. It's when you watch the boost gauge start lighting up that your mileage drops in it. The EB is capable of slightly better fuel economy than the V8, but the problem with it is that the EB trucks are too much fun to drive. You put your foot in them and it's tough to keep it from working the turbos. The 2.7L trucks are a bit better there, but again they suffer somewhat from the same problem.

Ford's already basically said in the 3.5L EB GenII announcement that the trucks would largely be carry overs from the previous year aside from those changes. I do know there is a new "white gold" color coming for them. That's been spotted and I believe you can see that on the order guide.

 

10-speed's only in the EB 3.5, right? Or all? I heard conflicting reports.

 

Only the Ecoboost. If you want the 10 speed then you're getting the Ecoboost.

 

For the way I drive the 3.31s will do better on gas than either 3.55s or 3.73s. (I have a 2013, 6.2, 373s. Best Ive done with it was 15. I average 14. which is very good)

 

WRT floor covering materials, I'd love to see Ford offer the premium vinyl as an alternate to carpeting as they will in the 2017 Superduty trucks. Instead, you have to downgrade your package to get the standard grade vinyl.

 

That would be great. I remember washing out the floors in my '94. Sure was easier.

 

What makes it premium?