2013-14 CCLB
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 6
From: Long Island, New York
3.7L V6
I apologize to the OP for hijacking this thread but I am in a similar boat and would like some feedback.
I'm in need of a vehicle for a new job - commute is 40 miles each way, 90% highway (which may include some stop and go traffic). Will also be a weekend warrior hauling lawn equipment, kids sporting gear, etc., all light weight stuff.
I plan on going to my dealer this week to take a look at the following:
2014 SuperCrew STX 4x2
Oxford White
3.7L V6 with 3.73 Limited Slip Axle
STX Sport Pkg
Rear View Camera
Spray in bedliner
They have nearly the same exact truck in 4x4 with 5.0 but it is $4,500 more and I don't know if I can swing it financially.
This really is all the truck I need (2WD SCREW) but of course there are wants (or would like) such as 157" WB, 5.0L V8, leather seats - would require stepping up to XLT or higher.
My only real concern with the truck I will be looking at is the 3.7L engine - I know ZERO about it other than a few threads here and similar message boards. Most everything I read is EB and 5.0 and the other two engines are not discussed much.
Does anyone have some real world input on this engine? I am sure it is mostly used in fleets but that might be a good indicator of reliability of the motor.
Thanks,
Eric
I'm in need of a vehicle for a new job - commute is 40 miles each way, 90% highway (which may include some stop and go traffic). Will also be a weekend warrior hauling lawn equipment, kids sporting gear, etc., all light weight stuff.
I plan on going to my dealer this week to take a look at the following:
2014 SuperCrew STX 4x2
Oxford White
3.7L V6 with 3.73 Limited Slip Axle
STX Sport Pkg
Rear View Camera
Spray in bedliner
They have nearly the same exact truck in 4x4 with 5.0 but it is $4,500 more and I don't know if I can swing it financially.
This really is all the truck I need (2WD SCREW) but of course there are wants (or would like) such as 157" WB, 5.0L V8, leather seats - would require stepping up to XLT or higher.
My only real concern with the truck I will be looking at is the 3.7L engine - I know ZERO about it other than a few threads here and similar message boards. Most everything I read is EB and 5.0 and the other two engines are not discussed much.
Does anyone have some real world input on this engine? I am sure it is mostly used in fleets but that might be a good indicator of reliability of the motor.
Thanks,
Eric
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Eric, I just attempted some searching for reliability articles on the 3.7 and found minimal info at best. Guess this could mean there are not enough reportable issues for folks to be posting??
I did want to ask the following thought, where as you will be doing mostly highway and minimal towing, why go with the 3.73s?
the 6R80 transmission is nothing like the older 4 speed transmissions, and has a super low 4.17 reduction in first. This means that even with a base v6, it's not going to feel like a dog. I would suggest trying out a 3.55 and 3.31 equipped truck. If you find the performance livable, a tall gear will net you better lifetime fuel economy.
I did want to ask the following thought, where as you will be doing mostly highway and minimal towing, why go with the 3.73s?
the 6R80 transmission is nothing like the older 4 speed transmissions, and has a super low 4.17 reduction in first. This means that even with a base v6, it's not going to feel like a dog. I would suggest trying out a 3.55 and 3.31 equipped truck. If you find the performance livable, a tall gear will net you better lifetime fuel economy.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I did want to ask the following thought, where as you will be doing mostly highway and minimal towing, why go with the 3.73s?
the 6R80 transmission is nothing like the older 4 speed transmissions, and has a super low 4.17 reduction in first. This means that even with a base v6, it's not going to feel like a dog. I would suggest trying out a 3.55 and 3.31 equipped truck. If you find the performance livable, a tall gear will net you better lifetime fuel economy.
the 6R80 transmission is nothing like the older 4 speed transmissions, and has a super low 4.17 reduction in first. This means that even with a base v6, it's not going to feel like a dog. I would suggest trying out a 3.55 and 3.31 equipped truck. If you find the performance livable, a tall gear will net you better lifetime fuel economy.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 6
From: Long Island, New York
Rob,
Thanks for attempting to research the 3.7L reliability. I hear you regarding the axle ratio but that's what the truck has - it is an in-stock unit. EDIT: I just saw Tom's post so I guess it is the lone ratio in this build.
Dealers do not stock many 4x2 trucks here, especially in SuperCrew models. So, I won't have much of a choice of truck. If I could find an XLT with 157" WB 4x2 model locally, I would probably jump on it.
May expand my search area a bit south and see what I can come up with. Still concerned about the 3.7L and Ford no longer using it in the F-150 going forward.
Thanks,
Eric
Thanks for attempting to research the 3.7L reliability. I hear you regarding the axle ratio but that's what the truck has - it is an in-stock unit. EDIT: I just saw Tom's post so I guess it is the lone ratio in this build.
Dealers do not stock many 4x2 trucks here, especially in SuperCrew models. So, I won't have much of a choice of truck. If I could find an XLT with 157" WB 4x2 model locally, I would probably jump on it.
May expand my search area a bit south and see what I can come up with. Still concerned about the 3.7L and Ford no longer using it in the F-150 going forward.
Thanks,
Eric
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cyclone_engine
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I owned a 2012 F-150 supercab 4x4 XLT with 3.73's and the 3.7 motor.... The mileage was great, averaging around 19 and on long highway trips 20.5 mpg ... I did pull a small 2 horse trailer occasionally and it pulled it just fine. I bought it used with 4000 miles on it and I just traded it off with 22000 miles on it . It was excellent to drive , but it had starting issues that were never fixed and I found out that was why the first owner traded it off too. I posted on here last March about the problems with that, but other than those issues, I loved the truck..... so good luck and I hope you find the right F-150 for you !
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,054
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
I owned a 2012 F-150 supercab 4x4 XLT with 3.73's and the 3.7 motor.... The mileage was great, averaging around 19 and on long highway trips 20.5 mpg ... I did pull a small 2 horse trailer occasionally and it pulled it just fine. I bought it used with 4000 miles on it and I just traded it off with 22000 miles on it . It was excellent to drive , but it had starting issues that were never fixed and I found out that was why the first owner traded it off too. I posted on here last March about the problems with that, but other than those issues, I loved the truck..... so good luck and I hope you find the right F-150 for you !
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
The 3.7L is a DOHC 24V design with Ti-VCT(Twin independent Variable Cam Timing). That means the PCM can move all four camshafts(yes I said FOUR) independently of one another. It spins to over 6,500 RPM and even makes 18 ft-lbs more than the old 4.2. They never used the 4.2L V6 in the Mustang, but they did use the 3.8L that the 4.2 came from. The old 3.8 is a dinosaur that first entered production over 30 years ago.
Believe me the crew cab you're looking at will feel like a rocket ship compared to your '05. I had a 4.2L F150 in the past, and these new engines offer a whole different level of performance.
this will be my FIRST one
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: Denver
I owned a 2012 F-150 supercab 4x4 XLT with 3.73's and the 3.7 motor.... The mileage was great, averaging around 19 and on long highway trips 20.5 mpg ... I did pull a small 2 horse trailer occasionally and it pulled it just fine. I bought it used with 4000 miles on it and I just traded it off with 22000 miles on it . It was excellent to drive , but it had starting issues that were never fixed and I found out that was why the first owner traded it off too. I posted on here last March about the problems with that, but other than those issues, I loved the truck..... so good luck and I hope you find the right F-150 for you !
A 5.0 v8 gets pretty close to this mileage, maybe 17 city, 20 ish hiway (or more if under 70).. wouldn't resale on the 5.0 be better in the long run? I bet in the end its worth it to have the 5.0..
Posting Guru
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,054
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
The 5.0L has definitely done well to bridge the gap of power and economy.
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