Rear end and engine question
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Maryville, TN
Rear end and engine question
Alright guys, considering trading the wife's edge in on a new f150. I'm looking at two very similar trucks at different dealers. One is a 2.7 3.55. The other is a 5.0 3.55. The 2.7 is a 3.55 "regular" rear end. So is this an open differential or are all the differentials l/s now? The other is an electric locker, which I like the idea of, but does that make it an open or l/s when the lockers not engaged?
This question is for those that have towed simi-heavy with both the 2.7 and 5.0. Which do you like better. Most of my towing would be very light, a n/a 3.5 would be fine, but I have a 6k dry travel trailer. It stays set up at the campground, but a couple times a year we will visit other campgrounds. Nothing far away, as we have 100+ campgrounds within 50 miles, without getting on the interstate. So no 3.5 ecoboost recommendations, I'm on a budget, and the truck will be a blue blame 4wd crew cab. So choices are a little limited. I had found a left over 2015 3.5 ecoboost that may have worked, but found out it had just been sold.
This question is for those that have towed simi-heavy with both the 2.7 and 5.0. Which do you like better. Most of my towing would be very light, a n/a 3.5 would be fine, but I have a 6k dry travel trailer. It stays set up at the campground, but a couple times a year we will visit other campgrounds. Nothing far away, as we have 100+ campgrounds within 50 miles, without getting on the interstate. So no 3.5 ecoboost recommendations, I'm on a budget, and the truck will be a blue blame 4wd crew cab. So choices are a little limited. I had found a left over 2015 3.5 ecoboost that may have worked, but found out it had just been sold.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Ft Worth
The 10 miles or so that i have pulled my boat (so far) the 5.0 was really impressive. So far i like better than our diesel excursion we sold pulling the boat. We will see how she does this summer, we hit the lake every weekend during the summer, but right now very impressed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Calgary Canada
Either engine would do fine, it's basically down to personal preference for feel and sound. Myself, I'm a huge fan of the EcoBoost, but that 5.0L V8 is a great engine.
The e-locker is handy for those occasional sticky situations. You'll probably only need it once per year.
The e-locker is handy for those occasional sticky situations. You'll probably only need it once per year.
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I personally would insist on an e-locker (since there are no limited-slip options available anymore). It would be embarassing to drop one side of your truck off in the mud, engage your 4WD, and still be stuck - the front is also an open diff. With 4WD plus the e-locker, you should be able to power at minimum 3 wheels in any situation.
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Maryville, TN
Yeah, that's kinda how I feel too. The dealer called with the 2.7 open rear end. Want me to come sign papers. I'm not thrilled about the payment vs the numbers they gave me. Asked them to email me the deal sheet. Must have a bunch of fees on there. I'm really thinking of backing out and waiting for better rebates. I'll let that dealer sit on it and call me back with better numbers while I pursue the 5.0 with locking differential. It's got remote start anyway.
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From: San Antonio, TX
No more dealers in your area that you could visit, or that the one you're working with could locate a truck from? Seems sad that you only have 2 trucks to choose from. Either truck will suit your needs, but you might as well get as exactly what you want, or close to it.
4x4 is a smart move for the travel trailer as you can back it uphill in 4 low to reduce the possibility of overheating. I would definitely go with a e locker, it would be an expensive aftermarket add on if you found that you need one after you bought a truck without one.
I think the 5.0, 2.7 or 3.5 EB would all serve you well. I don't know why you say the 3.5 EB is a budget buster though. Maybe you're only seeing them on high end trucks.
The 2.7 is becoming hugely popular in my area and there are a ton of them on the lots now, along with 3.5 EcoBoosts. The 5.0 is the hard one to find anymore. 3.5 NA are non existent. One local dealer has two regular, cab short bed, 2.7 4x4s for sale. Look like fun little trucks.
4x4 is a smart move for the travel trailer as you can back it uphill in 4 low to reduce the possibility of overheating. I would definitely go with a e locker, it would be an expensive aftermarket add on if you found that you need one after you bought a truck without one.
I think the 5.0, 2.7 or 3.5 EB would all serve you well. I don't know why you say the 3.5 EB is a budget buster though. Maybe you're only seeing them on high end trucks.
The 2.7 is becoming hugely popular in my area and there are a ton of them on the lots now, along with 3.5 EcoBoosts. The 5.0 is the hard one to find anymore. 3.5 NA are non existent. One local dealer has two regular, cab short bed, 2.7 4x4s for sale. Look like fun little trucks.
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From: Isanti, MN
Don't really agree about the locking differential. This truck and my '13 had the e-locker, and I really don't use it. I think it's a toy for those times you have the truck you probably shouldn't. I've used it in lieu of shifting to 4WD a few times, but that's about it. I like having it, but wouldn't have paid $470 for it if I was ordering the truck.
Modern traction control makes this issue obsolete. Traction control will apply brakes to the spinning wheel, which sends power to the one that grips. Try it out sometime, put one wheel on ice, disable traction control, and hit the gas. Then enable traction control and see what happens; you'll feel the ABS pump engage and the truck will move forward.
I think the old fashioned LSD is obsolete with this technology.
I personally would insist on an e-locker (since there are no limited-slip options available anymore). It would be embarassing to drop one side of your truck off in the mud, engage your 4WD, and still be stuck - the front is also an open diff. With 4WD plus the e-locker, you should be able to power at minimum 3 wheels in any situation.
I think the old fashioned LSD is obsolete with this technology.
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Yep, e-locker is unnecessary IMHO. If the truck already has it then so be it, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way for one. Traction control, and if it is Lariat and up with 4A it would be completely useless.
Josh
Josh
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Modern traction control makes this issue obsolete. Traction control will apply brakes to the spinning wheel, which sends power to the one that grips. Try it out sometime, put one wheel on ice, disable traction control, and hit the gas. Then enable traction control and see what happens; you'll feel the ABS pump engage and the truck will move forward.
I think the old fashioned LSD is obsolete with this technology.
I think the old fashioned LSD is obsolete with this technology.
I do agree that, considering the issues I've had with LSDs, friction modifier, chattering, etc., that an open diff plus the improved traction control is an improvement.
I'm always a fan of options, and the e-locker just gives you another option when things get bad.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I'll have to echo the elocker sentiment. There's no need to choose one truck over another just because of it. It "may" come in handy but, a person who knows how to drive and has a good set of tires will get pretty far in a 4x2 vehicle. I do it all the time in an LLV delivering mail.
If the truck that I wanted happened to have it then that's a bonus but the locker surely wouldn't carry any weight in that decision.
If the truck that I wanted happened to have it then that's a bonus but the locker surely wouldn't carry any weight in that decision.
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Maryville, TN
Alright guys, thanks for the replies. And to answer the question about only two trucks in my area, yes, that is correct. I want a specific color, in the xlt, in 4x4. My credit took a hit over the past two years with a newborn and the wife out of work. She is back to work now, but without 0% financing, every dollar you spend is a dramatic difference in monthly payment. So all the 3.5 ecoboost in the truck I want are 5-8k more. That = a hefty chunk more each month. On another note, I visited a dealer last night, and actually found an xl f250 4x4 gasser 3.73 e-locker with the chrome package for 1800 less than the f150. I'm leaning very heavily that direction. Also offered 1,100 more on my trade, and as I was walking out, said they could probably stick another 1000 in my trade! That's 3900 difference and getting a heavier duty truck. Need the wife's approval because she will be driving the truck a lot.
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From: San Antonio, TX
0% is not always the best deal. A Super Duty is the wrong choice if you're budget conscious, I can't emphasize that enough. Why would you buy a truck that will nearly double your fuel bill? Plus the ride is rough and will only get more so as you drive it. I owned 2 Super Duties for 8 years. The 6.2 will average 11 MPG.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Originally Posted by JKBrad
0% is not always the best deal. A Super Duty is the wrong choice if you're budget conscious, I can't emphasize that enough. Why would you buy a truck that will nearly double your fuel bill? Plus the ride is rough and will only get more so as you drive it. I owned 2 Super Duties for 8 years. The 6.2 will average 11 MPG.
Fuel economy is going to be a good 20% better with an F150, and the ride and handling are MUCH better. I've had as much as 15,000 lbs behind my lash F150 and it never left me disappointed. I am NOT recommending that you buy an F150 if you're going to be pulling hat heavy, but for tasks within their capability they do an outstanding job.