For me: 3.5 v 5.0
#1
11-18-2018, 09:12 PM
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For me: 3.5 v 5.0
Long story short, my 2011 F250 6.7 with 93k got gone in a hurry when the HPFP decided to grenade itself and distribute metal through my fuel system recently. As much as I would love one less vehicle in the driveway/garage I need to tow an open car trailer loaded with tire rack etc, 3-6x/year and yank our 7k lb boat out of the water a couple times per year (plus random truck stuff that I’ve become accustomed to having a truck handy for).
The plan with the F250 was to DD it for two years and then have it sit in the driveway until called upon every week or two. The replacement F150 I expect to drive 1-3 days/week to give my usual DD a break and keep miles off it. As a family we no longer have an SUV (another reason I still want/need a truck) so occasional family trips will be taken in the truck when we want more room or want 4wd. I expect I’ll do 4000-7500 miles/year and hope/plan to have this truck the next 15-20 years (thanks for ruining that plan last go around F250!).
So, my question is, for my wants, needs, situation, does the forum-mind think the reliability of the 3.5 or 5.0 better suit me? The EB has me a tiny bit nervous about my long term plan, I would think the 5.0 may be the better long term play, but I’m leaning 3.5.
FWIW, looking at XLT crewcab 4x4 6.5’ bed with tow/max tow.
Thoughts?
The plan with the F250 was to DD it for two years and then have it sit in the driveway until called upon every week or two. The replacement F150 I expect to drive 1-3 days/week to give my usual DD a break and keep miles off it. As a family we no longer have an SUV (another reason I still want/need a truck) so occasional family trips will be taken in the truck when we want more room or want 4wd. I expect I’ll do 4000-7500 miles/year and hope/plan to have this truck the next 15-20 years (thanks for ruining that plan last go around F250!).
So, my question is, for my wants, needs, situation, does the forum-mind think the reliability of the 3.5 or 5.0 better suit me? The EB has me a tiny bit nervous about my long term plan, I would think the 5.0 may be the better long term play, but I’m leaning 3.5.
FWIW, looking at XLT crewcab 4x4 6.5’ bed with tow/max tow.
Thoughts?
#5
11-19-2018, 06:14 AM
Mountain Pass
5.0 is more durable and will go further plus sounds better,makes a tad less power.
Ask any Ford service tech what he would buy and its obvious .. 5.0 kicks ***
#6
11-19-2018, 06:25 AM
I would not look at first gen 3.5L TT but would feel more comfortable with 2nd gen 3.5L TT. The 3 things that concerned me with 1st gen's were addressed by Ford on the 2nd gen motors. I was concerned enough that I bought a 6.2L F150 back in 2012 (when I was in the market). If you're buying new, then either motor will do what you want.
Since you want a Crew with 6.5' bed, maybe a super duty with 6.2L, 4:30 gears is actually the better choice. Then the choice comes down to ride quality. The F150 will be way more comfortable. 15-20 years is a long time for non-power train related crap so simpler is better.
Since you want a Crew with 6.5' bed, maybe a super duty with 6.2L, 4:30 gears is actually the better choice. Then the choice comes down to ride quality. The F150 will be way more comfortable. 15-20 years is a long time for non-power train related crap so simpler is better.
#7
11-19-2018, 07:05 AM
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#8
11-19-2018, 07:39 AM
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Shopping new or slightly used, but leaning new with deals on leftover 2018s. Don’t want to go F250 again, downsizing a tad would be nice. With that being said, the extra towing capacity for the 3.5 gives me what’s needed if I ever pick up that enclosed trailer. Hat may be 5-10 years off though, so not a huge factor.
#9
11-19-2018, 08:10 AM
Long story short, my 2011 F250 6.7 with 93k got gone in a hurry when the HPFP decided to grenade itself and distribute metal through my fuel system recently. As much as I would love one less vehicle in the driveway/garage I need to tow an open car trailer loaded with tire rack etc, 3-6x/year and yank our 7k lb boat out of the water a couple times per year (plus random truck stuff that I’ve become accustomed to having a truck handy for).
The plan with the F250 was to DD it for two years and then have it sit in the driveway until called upon every week or two. The replacement F150 I expect to drive 1-3 days/week to give my usual DD a break and keep miles off it. As a family we no longer have an SUV (another reason I still want/need a truck) so occasional family trips will be taken in the truck when we want more room or want 4wd. I expect I’ll do 4000-7500 miles/year and hope/plan to have this truck the next 15-20 years (thanks for ruining that plan last go around F250!).
So, my question is, for my wants, needs, situation, does the forum-mind think the reliability of the 3.5 or 5.0 better suit me? The EB has me a tiny bit nervous about my long term plan, I would think the 5.0 may be the better long term play, but I’m leaning 3.5.
FWIW, looking at XLT crewcab 4x4 6.5’ bed with tow/max tow.
Thoughts?
The plan with the F250 was to DD it for two years and then have it sit in the driveway until called upon every week or two. The replacement F150 I expect to drive 1-3 days/week to give my usual DD a break and keep miles off it. As a family we no longer have an SUV (another reason I still want/need a truck) so occasional family trips will be taken in the truck when we want more room or want 4wd. I expect I’ll do 4000-7500 miles/year and hope/plan to have this truck the next 15-20 years (thanks for ruining that plan last go around F250!).
So, my question is, for my wants, needs, situation, does the forum-mind think the reliability of the 3.5 or 5.0 better suit me? The EB has me a tiny bit nervous about my long term plan, I would think the 5.0 may be the better long term play, but I’m leaning 3.5.
FWIW, looking at XLT crewcab 4x4 6.5’ bed with tow/max tow.
Thoughts?
#10
11-19-2018, 08:37 AM
I just purchased a 2018 with the 3.5 EB engine. This will be my third truck with the 3.5 EB, which in my opinion is a better towing platform, especially at high altitude. My last V8 engine was the 5.4, which was a good engine, but nothing like the 3.5 EB when it comes to towing. Both the 5.0 and 3.5 engines are good, but I think the EB would serve you better for towing. As far as durability, there are plenty of EB engines driving around with well over 200,000 miles on them with no issues. Ford has improved the first generation EB engine, which is now paired with a 10 speed transmission. My last two F150's had the 6 speed transmission and I much prefer the 10 speed. I've included a link to an article and video that will talk about the second generation EB and 10 speed transmission. I hope that helps.
https://www.tfltruck.com/2016/05/whi...ader-question/
https://www.tfltruck.com/2016/05/whi...ader-question/
#11
11-19-2018, 09:28 AM
Fleet Mechanic
Either motor should be fine. Both engines are currently on the road in great numbers with few issues.
Your biggest crapshoot will be whether or not you are a lucky guy (re: your 6.7 issue)....because the engine isn’t what I’d be concerned about when keeping something for 20 years. The engines are both proven. Anyone that states one is much more reliable than the other is only showing their bias, not giving factual info.
I would be more concerned about all the electronic stuff, because that seems to be what will cause headaches in 15 years. Sync systems shutting down and electrical gremlins that pop up over time...would have me leaning towards a lower trim model.
Of course, in the end, if you have issues or get a lemon...you can always just buy another truck.
Your biggest crapshoot will be whether or not you are a lucky guy (re: your 6.7 issue)....because the engine isn’t what I’d be concerned about when keeping something for 20 years. The engines are both proven. Anyone that states one is much more reliable than the other is only showing their bias, not giving factual info.
I would be more concerned about all the electronic stuff, because that seems to be what will cause headaches in 15 years. Sync systems shutting down and electrical gremlins that pop up over time...would have me leaning towards a lower trim model.
Of course, in the end, if you have issues or get a lemon...you can always just buy another truck.
#12
11-19-2018, 11:06 AM
I don't believe there is a significant difference in reliability between the two engines. There are a few million of the 3.5LEB on the road now, and the presumed reliability issues are just not born out. The 3.5LEB will provide power more like your old 6.7 at the expense of "the sound".
You have to ask yourself if you need that sound or not. Personally, I could care less about the sound; give me the power.
You have to ask yourself if you need that sound or not. Personally, I could care less about the sound; give me the power.
#13
11-19-2018, 12:24 PM
I don't believe there is a significant difference in reliability between the two engines. There are a few million of the 3.5LEB on the road now, and the presumed reliability issues are just not born out. The 3.5LEB will provide power more like your old 6.7 at the expense of "the sound".
You have to ask yourself if you need that sound or not. Personally, I could care less about the sound; give me the power.
You have to ask yourself if you need that sound or not. Personally, I could care less about the sound; give me the power.
#14
11-19-2018, 03:33 PM
As has been said, while every engine is an individual and you could get unlucky with either, neither the 3.5 nor the 5.0 have experienced systemic reliability issues. Heck, the 6.7 is generally reliable, and look what happened to yours...
For your use case, you want the 3.5 all day long. You plan to use your truck for truck stuff, and you’re used to driving a diesel, so you’ll prefer the big time low end torque advantage of the 3.5. Yes, you’ll miss that V8 sound, which you would hear a lot of when towing because it has to rev a lot more than the twin turbo V6 to make ALMOST the same torque.
For your use case, you want the 3.5 all day long. You plan to use your truck for truck stuff, and you’re used to driving a diesel, so you’ll prefer the big time low end torque advantage of the 3.5. Yes, you’ll miss that V8 sound, which you would hear a lot of when towing because it has to rev a lot more than the twin turbo V6 to make ALMOST the same torque.
#15
11-19-2018, 09:25 PM
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I think I’ve rationalized that I want the 3.5 in hopes I do have this truck many years and eventually buy an enclosed. Not stressed about the noise or the power, I’ve got other vehicles for that, this is a tool and sometime family hauler. Here’s to finding the right one and it lasting me a very long, trouble free time.
Thanks all.