I have to agree that the 6 speed makes the 5.4 power down much better that the old 4 speed. My '10 will out tow my old '05 hands down, even with the programmer. I've towed with the Eco, and was impressed, but the 5.4/ 6 speed is no slouch towing at all, lots of down low torque and plenty of high end power as well. I'm sure the 5.0 or the 5.4 are both good choices, and agree to test the both out and make a decision then.

 

love my 5.4l, but would definitely look to get a 5.0

 

you sir are right ford did up the auntie on the eco-boost with forged parts. but as for strength they both have the same tinsel strength and are rated the same

 

Forged crank. Powdered metal rods and cast pistons. All made possible by very careful engine management. I'm not worried about the internals or even the turbos. The elephant in the room for me is the injection system. Hopefully time will put my concerns to rest and I'd consider one. Until then,

 

I am more concerned with the electronics and management system than the mechanicals. There have been some folks who've needed to re-flash the PCM for driveability reasons. I doubt they'll be any more injector problems than any other gas engine.

 

Thanks for all the feedback - I was hoping there would be an overwhelming of responses saying one is better vs the other LOL. I sold my diesel private sale so only taking a $1,000 hit.

Now I really have to decide. Do not currently have a horse trailer so towing was not an option but I did take both home for a night and drove them again today. I like both of them but for different reasons. The 2011 is nice to drive although I am not crazy about how rough it goes through the gears and I do worry about it being the first year with the 5.0 - time will tell how good of a truck it really is. The 5.4 is more money but not enough to be the deciding factor. I like the Lariat package but it has more things that can break.

Might just flip a coin. The dealer will be happy to sell me either and I think I am getting a relative good deal either way. Only spent about $200 in diesel driving all over test driving and haggling the past two weeks

Would have loved to try out the Eco Boost but never saw a used on on the lots.

 

i took my brother-in-law in to look at a Chevy truck this weekend. sales man walked up and first thing out of his mouth as we steeped out of my truck was. why are you to here you all ready have the worlds best truck what else do you need? i told him i had to show my brother-in-law what clueless people bought! we laugh and my brother-in- law got mad bet after the test drive he wanted to leave and head to the ford dealers lot!

 

The Ecoboost has been out for over 2 years. I havent seen one issue with the Direct Injection yet. And diesles have been using DI for a long long time.

Its nothing new really. Other than it spray gasoline through them instead of diesel, the injector doesnt car.

 

I have been really happy with my 09 5.4 with Max tow 3.73 gears. I get better milage than my 05 F250 v-10 ever got towing.

Real world, hand calculated 3000 mile round trip over the Rockies - 10.7 mpg pulling around 6000# (jeep and car hauler). Spent less on fuel than a cummings diesel 3/4 ton did on the same trip with very similair load.

Towing the boat (8500-9000#) milage drops down into the 9's.

Its never gonna pull like a diesel, but the other 90% of the time I drive - you gotta love the ride of a 1/2 ton truck.

 

I have a 2011 F150 Ecoboost max tow with 3.73 rear end. I towed about 9,000 pounds from MN to CO this summer with two adults and 2 kids in the truck. I ran premium all the way there and averaged 8.5MPG. I ran standard 87 octane all the way home and averaged 8.5MPG. I wont run premium while towing again, it is a waste of money. I am averaging 17MPG running around town and get about 19 MPG on the freeway empty. Very happy with this truck.

 

thats allmost what my 5.0 gets i am at 16 city and 20 freeway

 

The 5.0 is stronger up top, no doubt. But I have been very pleased with my 5.4, lots and lots of lower end torque. This coming from a previous Cummins driver.

 

My 5.4L 06 is strong down low as well. I drove a 6.0L PSD prior to the 06. I rarely see RPM above 3000 and cruising it's around 1700 RPM. I might see 3800 RPM on long grades, but that's rare for me.

 

I have the 11 5.0 screw 4x4 with 3.55 gears. Towed up to 6K pounds with it and it pulled great. Longest single pull was 800 miles from Cleavland Ohio to Omaha Ne. That load was 5200 pounds and the truck pulled 15.5 MPG hand calcuated. Normal mileage when I pull my 4K pound boat is 14.5 mpg. Just throwing you some numbers so you have a idea under different loads and differnent aerodynamics with the loads.

 

Not sure where everyone is getting there info on ecoboost towing.. I had 2011 XT plus with ecoboost 3.73 gears...I drive harder then anyone I know. W/o towing super heavy foot alot of hills 100 mph alot average during summer 17-17.5 regular unleaded...upstate ny....towing 5 -6 thousand lbs. 100 mph and average 70-75 1600 mile round trip to Ohio average was 13.6 there and 14.2 back.... now I have 2013 ecoboost lariat with 3.55 gears I lost 1-1.5 mpg driving the same... love the ecoboost just wish exhaust was louder..... I can smoke any other truck towing trailer and have he mi and ever some older diesels... I had 7.3 diesel which was great but love the ecoboost. .. my actual owner thoughts on 11 and 13 ecoboost. ...