Just curious...I can't help but wonder why Ford is already replacing the 3.7L with the 3.5L for the 2015 model year?

The 3.7L is modern,current and makes competitive HP/TQ numbers to its competitors (GM 4.3L and Mopar 3.6L). Its only been in use since 2011, so its not like its an old dog that needs to be put down. It made it 4 model years before it bit the dust?

I understand that the new N/A 3.5L will most likely be better in every way over the outgoing 3.7L but whats the purpose of swapping out an engine this quick? It doesn't seem cost effective. The Ranger for example held onto its 4.0L V6 for over 20 years (Essentially the entire lifespan of the north american Ranger) and just updated the engine so it would remain competitive as the years wore on.

Just thinking out loud here and trying to produce an interesting topic.

If anyone has any idea's or wants to add their input, lets hear it!

 

As I understand it, the 3.5L has been tuned and slightly reworked to produce more power. If thats the case, it should save money to use a common engine in multiple platforms.

But I have to agree with you, seems a little weird.

 

I think they just weren't selling. And with the intro of the 2.7 eco. I think ford felt it just wasn't needed. The 3.7 as far as I know was used only in the f150. Where as the 3.5 has been used in many other applications in both ecoboost form and n/a form. I could be wrong, but I think the 3.7 was just a stroked 3.5. Much like the 400 was for the 351m in the 70's and early 80's. Just another way to keep costs in check.

 

The 3.7L was also used in the Mustang and I believe the Exploder sport.

The N/A 3.5L and the ecoboost version share nothing in common but displacement.

 

The 3.7 is used in the Mustang, Edge Sport, Explorer Police Interceptor, Lincoln MKS, MKZ, F-150. Ford makes a fair amount of that engine. I agree that with the 2.7 Ecoboost V6, and the projected weight savings of the '15 F-150, the 3.5 should be fine. I would think the 3.5 would mostly be in base model trucks, which would be lighter weighted trucks anyway.

 

The Explorer Sport (and the new Ecoboosted PI Utility) use the 3.5EB. The base PI Utility uses the 3.7.

 

I would bet that the decision to move forward with the 3.5 vs the 3.7 was based on information Ford engineers learned from some computer modeling. I'm sure they have the ability in their vast modeling tool box to test out all sorts of different configurations to predict what certain changes may or may not do for enhancing engine performance as it relates to efficiencies and power output. The days of trial and error of building early stage test configurations are over. It's more cost effective to develop new/different configurations and test them out via modeling software.

Just my 2 cents.

 

It just occurred to me that the 3.5L power upgrade may have been more for the Taurus Police Interceptor than for any other reason.

The other day while I was carrying mail, I had a minute to speak with a local LEO who was driving a new Taurus. I asked a few questions and he said that he loved it better than any of the other cars in the fleet. It did have the n/a 3.5L and he mentioned that the engine was plenty robust for it's purpose. I believe this engine put out 265 HP.

So I'll wager that since the 3.5L was tweaked a little, the 3.7L was no longer needed. Hopefully at some point the actual reasons will be revealed.

 

The 3.5L and the 3.7L are both part of the Cyclone family. They're almost identical except for the 3mm increase in bore size. Most of the parts will even readily interchange.

My guess is Ford did a lot of testing and found the 3.5L version to get the best fuel economy with the new lighter F150.

 

Does anyone know what type of cab styles will be available?
Extended cabs, "Super cabs" and the like are all great, but for me and my uses, a regular cab is really all I ever wanted. Just curious..

 

Same styles as now. Regular cab, Supercab (extended cab), and Crew cab.

 

Cool!
Works for me.

 

That is not true. The ecoboost was based of the duratec motor. I am sure the ecoboost engine had to be beefed up but they designed it off the 3.5 duratec.

 

Possible. The EB was definitely beefed up for diesel like attributes.

 

Police explorer has the 3.7. It the right engine for that SUV