I did not test drive the 3.7 V6 so it's hard for me to comment on that motor but I must say the EB is one amazing package that in my opinion is the best of both worlds...acceptable MPG with more power than the 8.

 

Good find, thanks for posting.

 

I guess I’m one of the few that's had the chance to drive all 2011 F-150's 3.7, 5.0, Ecoboost, and 6.2L.

Ultimately I wound up with a 5.0L because I love me a wicked sounding V8. And I couldn't get the 6.2L in the FX4 model. Couldn't be happier with the 5.0L though!

But with that aside. In my ''relatively short'' test drive of the 3.7L and Ecoboost the mpg debate between the two seemed negligible....Honestly from what I am hearing the 3.7L, 5.0L and Ecoboost all tend to get within the realm of the same gas mileage. The 6.2L seems to be only that separates itself by getting lower mileage ''albeit while producing the most power''.

When most people think about baseline V6's in 1/2 ton trucks they think slow, sluggish, underpowered and just as thirsty as the V8's offered. Well...The 3.7L kind of breaks that tradition. The one 3.7L truck I drove was a joy to drive. It felt peppy...Not as powerful or quick as the 5.0L or Ecoboost by any means...But it moved the 2WD Regular Cab F-150 I test drove it in quite well, I never felt like it was struggling by any means. And IMO the 3.7L has a more pleasing sound than the Ecoboost. The 3.7L sounds a little more like a performance V6 when you put you're foot into it, as opposed to the flat tone the Ecoboost makes.

The Ecoboost is a whole different animal though from the 3.7L. To my understanding the Ecoboost makes its best mileage when the Turbo's are not spooled...Sounds logical. From what I have read the Ecoboost can either get reasonable mileage ''easy driving'' or terrible mileage ''hard driving'' I don't know how easy it is to spool the turbo's on an Ecoboost seeing as I don't get to drive one on a daily basis as I do the 5.0L. But it seems as though most Ecoboost drivers report a fine line between mileage and power. Accordingly when you spool to Turbos and put that awesome 420lb/ft of torque to the ground you're going to use 420lb/ft of torque's worth of fuel...But if you keep the turbo's on hiatus whenever possible...Chance's are you're mileage will be reasonable.

As far as gear sets go. From what you described a 3.7L would be more that sufficient with 3.55's and the Ecoboost could probably be had with 3.31's or lower and still be fine. I know the 3.73's in my 5.0L make it feel like overkill so I assumed it would be the same with the Ecoboost.

Either 3.7L or Ecoboost should suit you're needs just fine. The Ecoboost honestly sounds like overkill for you're application. I think the 3.7L would be more than acceptable. But I must admit...The power these new engines produce is intoxicating. I know I'll never use my 5.0L to its fullest capability's...But as I said...Its intoxicating...Same goes for the Ecoboost and 6.2L....You'll just have to test drive them and see which one suits you best.

 

If one is torn between two engines then a five mile test drive isn't enough to make a good decision. Some dealers, mine included will allow you to take a truck over night or over the weekend.

I would at least try for an over nighter on two trucks. If MPG's are the primary concern, then a 4x2 Ecoboost with a 3.15 gearset will very competently do the job.