3.5 NA?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 16, 2015 | 04:12 PM

#16

tseekins

Super Moderator

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 40,046

Likes: 1,524

From: Maine, Virginia

Thanks Tom. The VIN decoder labels it as an XLT but the Monroney sticker says it's an XL.

Jun 16, 2015 | 06:59 PM

#17

Tom

Super Moderator

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 25,479

Likes: 742

From: Isanti, MN

The VIN decoder is trash, there are better tools available. The link 1956MarkII posted can be applied to most any Ford from 2009 and newer and you'll get the original window sticker. For stuff older than that, you can punch the VIN into here:

https://www.etis.ford.com/

These are both actual build information rather than a bad guess based on the digits of the VIN that may or may not mean anything.

Jun 16, 2015 | 11:07 PM

#18

CuNmUdF250

Posting Guru

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 2,043

Likes: 4

From what I see the difference in engine prices is minimal in the overall cost of the truck initially so I would think forking over a few extra dollars for a more desirable motor would pay for itself when you sell........someone else tow your trailer

Jun 17, 2015 | 06:39 AM

#19

Frdtrkrul

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 35

From: Utica, Nebraska

I'd hold off until the new 9-11 speed transmissions come out for the 2017 MY. That 3.5L NA may look a lot better in some cases. Still will have plenty of power and more than enough gears. How often do people really lose any sleep over resale value? If I was in the market for a brand new truck I'd have to flip a coin between the 2.7L EcoBoost and the 3.5L NA engine.

Jun 17, 2015 | 06:46 AM

#20

Frantz

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 2,775

Likes: 7

From: Lewisberry, Penn

I used to have someone else tow my trailer and it worked out pretty well. Buy what you want obviously, but don't whine that your grand-daddys truck cost less than most cars when the basic trucks still are based on national avg purchase prices, just no one seems to buy them other than businesses.

Jun 18, 2015 | 10:50 PM

#21

Frdtrkrul

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 35

From: Utica, Nebraska

The only company that comes to mind that does not buy the NA V6 would be Enterprise. All of their trucks which consist of both the Ram 1500 and F150 have the 5.7L Hemi and 5.0L Coyote V8 engines. I doubt companies want to really dink around with turbo gas engines in fleets unless they are turbo diesels. Though a lot are going to gas engines over diesel just because maintenance is a lot cheaper and they don't need to mess with Urea/DEF.

Jun 21, 2015 | 09:06 AM

#22

heymrdj

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,079

Likes: 2

From: Fort Wayne, IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frdtrkrul

They equip those engines because the trucks are alot of times rented out to tow trailers, so they get them for max tow capacity, not MPG, per dollar cost. They would use the Eco if the Eco was the same on the balance sheet, but Eco on either brand is an insanely expensive option for not too many more pounds of tow capacity (or less in the RAMS case).

Jun 22, 2015 | 02:05 AM

#23

Frdtrkrul

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 35

From: Utica, Nebraska

I wonder if they'll still do that now or just get the EcoBoost? I have no idea since I left my job at working for the company that handled tires and lube for Enterprise a few months ago. And it does make sense since unless they ask how much the person is going to tow or haul, having the larger engine may make sense. And probably would be cheaper than having a mixed fleet of V6 and V8 for different tow caps.