Suggestions from current owners
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1
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Suggestions from current owners
Im in the market for a new(used) truck. Im currently looking at the 2020 and 2021 F-150s. I have always bought the larger engines and drove diesels for several years. Now, my truck is mainly driven back and forth to work 50 miles round trip. I pull a 12 ft trailer with a 700lb golf cart to the beach 4x a year (400 miles). I tell this to say I don't see I need a diesel or large V-8 any more. I do need crew cab and 4wd. I have been scared of the eco boost engines due how hard they are working and how that would affect longevity. What are your thoughts owning one? How do you like the 10 speed trans? Should I go with the V-8? Overall reliability? And, any other advice that would help in this decision. Thank you.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Either the 3.5L EcoBoost and the 2.7L EcoBoost use 6qt 5w30. 2.7L has a cartridge filter onto, needs a 27mm socket to get it out. 3 o-rings that need to be replaced. The 5.0L V8 uses 8.85qt of 5w20. Just letting you know the basic maintenance on these so you don't freak out when you get the bill.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 942
Likes: 149
I think Ford made improvements to the 3.5 ECO in 2021. I'm not 100% sure on the timing of the next couple of things. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
A new single piece oil pan.
Added port injection to the direct injection system. The port injection is supposed to help clean the back side of the intake valve.
Updated the cam phasers.
A new single piece oil pan.
Added port injection to the direct injection system. The port injection is supposed to help clean the back side of the intake valve.
Updated the cam phasers.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
There are some 5L 2018 to 2020 that pass a lot of oil.
The dealer may or may not know that about the specific vehicle they sell.
II you get one of these, the dealer has a TSB to apply and some other foolish tricks from Ford that do not fix the issue.
I got one and found the fix based on research that is not Ford approved but now have no more oil usage issue.
The 2018 has a lot of power and 5 shift modes to use based in what your doing with the truck.
The ECO mode cools the throttle response a noticeable amount and skip shifts to help save fuel.
The Wet/Snow mode does very well in Winter Snow by modulating the rear wheel grip side to side using the open rear.
They also have Electric Rear lock, but not to be used for normal driving or in Wet/Snow mode above 25 mph.
Just some 2018 features you need to know about.
Good luck.
The dealer may or may not know that about the specific vehicle they sell.
II you get one of these, the dealer has a TSB to apply and some other foolish tricks from Ford that do not fix the issue.
I got one and found the fix based on research that is not Ford approved but now have no more oil usage issue.
The 2018 has a lot of power and 5 shift modes to use based in what your doing with the truck.
The ECO mode cools the throttle response a noticeable amount and skip shifts to help save fuel.
The Wet/Snow mode does very well in Winter Snow by modulating the rear wheel grip side to side using the open rear.
They also have Electric Rear lock, but not to be used for normal driving or in Wet/Snow mode above 25 mph.
Just some 2018 features you need to know about.
Good luck.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 60
A 2020 and a 2021 5.0L V8 are two completely different generation of engines. The 2021 and newer have a larger throttle body (87mm vs 80mm on the 2020 and older), new larger intake manifold with long tubes, torque bias camshafts (lower lift lobes). The 2021 and up has a lot more low end torque and drives pretty different. It also has cylinder deactivation and goes to V-4 mode so great highway mpg. I am averaging 19.4 mpg combined on my 2023 Scab 5.0L.
Even the basics of the engine are totally new. 21+ 5.0L pistons and piston rings, as well as connecting rods are different part #s than the 2020 and previous engines. 21+ F-150 actually have the most expensive connecting rods and pistons from Ford, costing more than the current Mustang parts. Found that interesting.
2021+ F-150 5.0L ONLY:
Piston - ML3Z6108Z
Connecting Rod - ML3Z6200A
Piston Ring - ML3Z6148A
2020 and older F-150 (All 5.0L Mustang and F-150) as well CURRENT Mustang:
Piston - JR3Z6108A
Connecting Rod - CR3Z6200B
Piston Ring - JR3Z6148B
Even the basics of the engine are totally new. 21+ 5.0L pistons and piston rings, as well as connecting rods are different part #s than the 2020 and previous engines. 21+ F-150 actually have the most expensive connecting rods and pistons from Ford, costing more than the current Mustang parts. Found that interesting.
2021+ F-150 5.0L ONLY:
Piston - ML3Z6108Z
Connecting Rod - ML3Z6200A
Piston Ring - ML3Z6148A
2020 and older F-150 (All 5.0L Mustang and F-150) as well CURRENT Mustang:
Piston - JR3Z6108A
Connecting Rod - CR3Z6200B
Piston Ring - JR3Z6148B
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 60
A 2020 and a 2021 5.0L V8 are two completely different generation of engines. The 2021 and newer have a larger throttle body (87mm vs 80mm on the 2020 and older), new larger intake manifold with long tubes, torque bias camshafts (lower lift lobes). The 2021 and up has a lot more low end torque and drives pretty different. It also has cylinder deactivation and goes to V-4 mode so great highway mpg. I am averaging 19.4 mpg combined on my 2023 Scab 5.0L.
Even the basics of the engine are totally new. 21+ 5.0L pistons and piston rings, as well as connecting rods are different part #s than the 2020 and previous engines. 21+ F-150 actually have the most expensive connecting rods and pistons from Ford, costing more than the current Mustang parts. Found that interesting.
2021+ F-150 5.0L ONLY:
Piston - ML3Z6108Z
Connecting Rod - ML3Z6200A
Piston Ring - ML3Z6148A
2020 and older F-150 (All 5.0L Mustang and F-150) as well CURRENT Mustang:
Piston - JR3Z6108A
Connecting Rod - CR3Z6200B
Piston Ring - JR3Z6148B
Even the basics of the engine are totally new. 21+ 5.0L pistons and piston rings, as well as connecting rods are different part #s than the 2020 and previous engines. 21+ F-150 actually have the most expensive connecting rods and pistons from Ford, costing more than the current Mustang parts. Found that interesting.
2021+ F-150 5.0L ONLY:
Piston - ML3Z6108Z
Connecting Rod - ML3Z6200A
Piston Ring - ML3Z6148A
2020 and older F-150 (All 5.0L Mustang and F-150) as well CURRENT Mustang:
Piston - JR3Z6108A
Connecting Rod - CR3Z6200B
Piston Ring - JR3Z6148B
2020 5.0L:
395 HP/400 lb ft @4,500
2021+ 5.0L:
400 HP/410 lb ft @4,250
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,019
Likes: 1,518
From: Maine, Virginia
Some outstanding info being passed along here and thank you all for that and for not starting an engine war.
To the OP, if you're accustomed to driving diesels then the ecoboost engines will make you feel at home with the low end grunt and broad range power. The new 5.0L engine are proving to be amazing. Ford has had it's issues with all of them and they are all showing great improvement.
If we're being totally honest, with the light loads that you intend to pull, the most reliable option is the 3.3L V-6. It's not going to break you neck when you get on it but it's plenty capable and durable.
To the OP, if you're accustomed to driving diesels then the ecoboost engines will make you feel at home with the low end grunt and broad range power. The new 5.0L engine are proving to be amazing. Ford has had it's issues with all of them and they are all showing great improvement.
If we're being totally honest, with the light loads that you intend to pull, the most reliable option is the 3.3L V-6. It's not going to break you neck when you get on it but it's plenty capable and durable.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 325
Likes: 27
From: Charlottesville VA
I'm on my second truck with the 3.5EB. It's an amazing engine and I've always been a V8 fan. I even had a tuned 7.3 diesel. The low down 500ft/lbs of torque from the 3.5 is the most diesel like you'll find in a gasser. And I get 20hwy/16city with a tremor which is on 33" tires and 3.73 gears.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,019
Likes: 1,518
From: Maine, Virginia
I'm on my second truck with the 3.5EB. It's an amazing engine and I've always been a V8 fan. I even had a tuned 7.3 diesel. The low down 500ft/lbs of torque from the 3.5 is the most diesel like you'll find in a gasser. And I get 20hwy/16city with a tremor which is on 33" tires and 3.73 gears.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 35
From: Chicago
My 3.5 EB really ripped up the 7% grades I found in Colorado last fall. I know it's not an apples-to-apples comparison, but my normally aspirated Mercedes E320 and Jeep Wrangler JK 3.6 seem to lose 25% of their power at altitude. It's quite noticeable. Not the EB. It rocked.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,463
Likes: 724
From: Calgary Canada
I've towed with the 3.5L EcoBoost all over the mountains of Western Canada, and I have NEVER needed to put my foot to the floor. Every NA V8 I ever had, always did from time to time. FOrd 5.4, Chev 5.3 and 6.0L, none compare to the towing power of the TT engine.
Of course, speed up the hill is only a small part of the towing experience. Lots else to consider.
Of course, speed up the hill is only a small part of the towing experience. Lots else to consider.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,216
Likes: 1,231
From: San Antonio, TX
If a truck performs well on long steep grades, it will perform well everywhere else. Going on 8 years with my 3.5 EB and have only had one vacuum line check valve fail, the vacuum pump leak and the battery die, that's it.
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,144
Likes: 2,631
From: GA
Im in the market for a new(used) truck. Im currently looking at the 2020 and 2021 F-150s. I have always bought the larger engines and drove diesels for several years. Now, my truck is mainly driven back and forth to work 50 miles round trip. I pull a 12 ft trailer with a 700lb golf cart to the beach 4x a year (400 miles). I tell this to say I don't see I need a diesel or large V-8 any more. I do need crew cab and 4wd. I have been scared of the eco boost engines due how hard they are working and how that would affect longevity. What are your thoughts owning one? How do you like the 10 speed trans? Should I go with the V-8? Overall reliability? And, any other advice that would help in this decision. Thank you.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 380
From: Southern California
My 3.5 EB really ripped up the 7% grades I found in Colorado last fall. I know it's not an apples-to-apples comparison, but my normally aspirated Mercedes E320 and Jeep Wrangler JK 3.6 seem to lose 25% of their power at altitude. It's quite noticeable. Not the EB. It rocked.
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