When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello All Its been a while, needs some purchasing advise
My question is for a used truck from 2011-? Should only look for a 3.5 ecoboost or is the 3.7 just as good? I will only be using this truck for weekend stuff like loading my Polaris and yard chores.
thanks for any help.
The naturally aspirated V6 engine is very reliable and more powerful than most people think, but it's not in the same league as the other engines in terms of power. Are you carrying the polaris in the bed? What's the weight on that? As with any truck, payload rating (on the sticker inside the drivers door) is more important than power.
If you're not planning to pull 5000 pound plus loads several times a year or long distances then like Seventyseven said, the 3.7 probably would be just fine. If you're not sure how it will be used look for the 5.0, hard to go wrong there. If you know you're gonna pull heavy loads and like tinkering with easy power, look for Ecoboost, it's a beast tuned for towing. We have a very large fleet of Ford trucks at work with regular cab F150 3.7, F150 4x4 5.0, and F350 4x4 6.2 trucks. We have very few problems out of any of them but hey are used in a manner that each was intended. It's hard to believe that NA V6 has more power than the 1990's V8 trucks and with the modern transmissions will outpull most of those trucks up to the late 90's 5.4 engines. I wouldn't be afraid of that 3.7 for the things you listed as long as you know that it won't be more than that.
Thank for all the replies, I will be mainly using it as a second vehicle for getting stuff at Home depot and hauling my polaris to the desert to ride. My Polaris is 800lbs plus with all the goodies attached. I cant see hauling anything more than a 5x9 uhaul trailer once in a while, but you never know. My daily driver is a 2017 Subaru outback, will probably buy a new outback in a year or 2. I am more inclined to look got the 3.5 EB, regular cab, 6.5 bed, 4x2. I will probably lower it a bit just because. I want a shorter truck thats easier to park ect. After i sold my 2002 SD Extra Cab Long bed 4x4, six speed last year when moving to AZ, i dont want a huge truck anymore and dont need to haul horse trailer and a car hauler either.
If you're not planning to pull 5000 pound plus loads several times a year or long distances then like Seventyseven said, the 3.7 probably would be just fine. If you're not sure how it will be used look for the 5.0, hard to go wrong there. If you know you're gonna pull heavy loads and like tinkering with easy power, look for Ecoboost, it's a beast tuned for towing. We have a very large fleet of Ford trucks at work with regular cab F150 3.7, F150 4x4 5.0, and F350 4x4 6.2 trucks. We have very few problems out of any of them but hey are used in a manner that each was intended. It's hard to believe that NA V6 has more power than the 1990's V8 trucks and with the modern transmissions will outpull most of those trucks up to the late 90's 5.4 engines. I wouldn't be afraid of that 3.7 for the things you listed as long as you know that it won't be more than that.
Ya my subaru 2.5l has 20 more horsepower than a 1977 ford supercab 4x4 351 i had 20 years ago, lol
Ya my subaru 2.5l has 20 more horsepower than a 1977 ford supercab 4x4 351 i had 20 years ago, lol
I can understand that feeling. My 2013 4x4 w/ the 3.7 reg cab long bed has more spunk than my former 1985 4x4 351w reg cab short bed (although the latter was a serious low end puller as well as gas hog). I don't need the extra power of a 5.0 nor that of the 3.5 ecoboost turbos. I've found that the 3.7 v6 is a very nice, rather easy to work on, sleeper engine. It won't beat the 3.5 turbo or the 5.0 in a quarter mile, but it just has surprising power to get up and go anytime you need it.
My neighbor has a 2012 2 wheel drive reg cab short bed w/ the 3.7 (about the same mileage as mine) and there is a very noticeable difference in exhaust sound within the cab between our vehicles. Mine is so quiet it's hard to tell the engine is running, his is louder and I think it's because of how long my exhaust system is compared to his truck. Both are factory stock XL's without any aftermarket performance upgrades. Just something to think about if it matters.
Thanks all. I am kind of set on an xcab with 6.5 bed and ecoboost. I test drove a single cab LB the other day and just feel the xcab is better for me for when i take my dogs with me or luggage ect. The length of the x cab 6.5 is the same length of the single 8 foot, so its not a huge long truck and it meets my needs for my polaris in the back ect. I am going tomorrow to look at a 12 f150 xcab,6.5 2wd,Eco with 82k miles on it. What do you guys use for heavy duty tailgate cables for the added weight of an 800lb atv on the gate?
I think some folks remove the tailgate entirely and then the weight of the ATV is on the bad of the bed where it's stronger. the tailgate isn't really meant for 800lbs. Although I'm sure some folks do it.
Another option is the SuperCab with the 8 foot bed. you can get a Heavy Payload Package with that which is pretty stout.
Yes i agree but the tailgate is only supporting half of the atv not 800lbs. I have seen these but they are kind of spendy for pieces of flat metal. According to the specs the tailgate will support 600lbs, i tend to want to add some margin of strength by using aftermarket supports. After looking at them on youtube, i could make these fairly easily, It might be time to break out the plasma cutter and welder once i buy a truck.
So i ended up buying a 2011 f150 supercab 2wd 6.5 bed yesterday from a private party. It is a very nice truck with a couple minor issues I have to fix. But, it only has 73k miles, power everything and 3.7 engine. I truly was surprised how peppy this 6 is. For what i am doing, its all i need. Its very hard finding a low mileage truck from this era. I didn't want a high mileage 3.5 and have the possibility of having expensive turbo issues, and I know myself, i would always have my foot into it, negating any good MPG . I plan on doing a 2/4 lowering kit so my polaris loads easier in the bed and i like the look.
Good buy! If I was going to buy another truck of this generation, the 3.7 would have been my choice. In the years since it's initial release, it's proven to be the understated underdog of the group with the Carbonboost and 5.tick being the glorified workhorses. I test drove several 3.7's and have a friend with a 2013 supercab 4WD and I feel the power is adequate...but for me, power is adequate as long as it's not the 4.6 2V...which...the Cyclone is very competitive with when it comes in the way of power.
Its crazy to me how much HP they are getting out of less cubit inches. I am old school and back in the day it was a big feat to get 1 hp per Cubic inch. Now a 227 CI engine putting out 302 HP is amazing. Not to mention the new 385HP 5.0. This thing is super clean, the interior is almost flawless, I do have to fix a power seat thing and my own upgrades of course. it should be a good truck. I paid 14.5k for it, which was very low bluebook. There is such a shortage of trucks in az, dealers are giving top dollar for trade ins. My brother brought a 2021 Jeep rubicon in Jan, now he can sell it for more than he paid for it and has had many offers.
