We have alot in common. I personally would prefer to have a N/A V8 over a Turbo'd V6. N/A V8's are what I've grown up knowing and trusting. And who can argue with that sweet V8 soundtrack. But even though I feel this way, (And as strong as I do) I have nothing against the Ecoboost. At first it intimidated me because I pictured it as a replacement for N/A V8's. But as time goes on, and I do more research on it I am starting to beleive that it is not so much a replacement for the traditional, But more Ford way of offering a Diesel without actually offering a Diesel if that makes sense haha.

If you remember a few years ago all the rage was trying to convince Ford, GM, and Chrysler to put 5.0L or smaller Diesels in their 1/2 ton trucks. But as things are right now they are uncertain as to how well Diesels would sell due to fact that they will add huge $$ to the initial price tag, And the fuel they use cost substantially more than Gasoline. Thus the Ecoboost was born, Its got a high torque rating at a low RPM and huge flat broad torque curve also much like a Diesel engine. The way I figure it is that Ford didn't think with the way things are right now enough people would buy a 1/2 ton Diesel, So the created the Ecoboost, a very Diesel like gas engine. As time goes by I mind the Ecoboost less and less for the reason's I describe above, But does that mean that I'll consider an Ecoboost over a 5.0L? Not a chance. My next truck will be powered by the good ole...err well new in this case 5.0L V8. And personally I don't see V8's leaving the 1/2 ton market anytime soon, Even if the Ecoboost proves to be a hands down success. The market for V8 powered 1/2ton trucks is one of the largest in the world. To many people are loyal to those extra two cylinders to consider axing it. And with the way we are advancing in Technology right now, V8's of the future will get considerably better gas mileage than they do even now.

 

God I hope Ford doesn't make a Unibody F-150. Unibodys are great for cars as they do in fact shave alot of weight off. But the reason I don't want a Unibody F-150 is this...Look at the SUV market today. 99% of them are Unibodied and they may look rugged...They aren't. Not even by a long shot. SUV's today are not much more than a AWD car lifted up and given slightly larger tires with a more aggressive tread pattern so they look tougher. But I guarantee you, If you try to take one out into the boonies they will not handle it well at all. And its for this reason I would hate to see a F-150 go that route. F-150's need to be solid and even though they do need to advance they need to keep some of their tried and true values with them as to not muck them up like SUV's have been.

For me the worst case scenario F-150 is this...

Ford F-150
All V6's and I4's No V8 option
Unibody Construction
IFS and IRS Suspension system (IFS I can live with)
Full time AWD, No Part time 4WD.

To me that's more car than truck. And I hope to god the F-150 never turns into that. But in the hypothetical that it did. You can bet your money I'll be looking at F-250's instead of F-150's.

 

Well, at least if you get a 5.0, you can put this on it.

Courtesy of Ford racing.

 

I Think that I need clean underwear now... Now the problem is my inner child going to be in charge when I start looking for a new truck?

 

Jeep Cherokees have been unibodies since 1984 and have done very well in the boonies for a very long time. All Grand Cherokees have been unibody. Likewise some Land Rovers are unibody. A unibody can be designed to do pretty well off-road. I agree that these are the exception rather than the rule; the current CUV's are designed to do what most people ask of them, which is to spend time on the road.

Likewise, although load-carrying pickups have generally been body on frame, a lot of vans (pre-1975 Ford, pre-1996 GM, all Dodge vans) have been unibodies. But they have a box shape to provide strength unlike a pickup and they don't do off road well.

Although I like V8's in trucks, I have a soft spot for inline 6's as well (Ford 300, even the Jeep 4.0). There is something about V6's, maybe the reputation of most of them, that makes me think of them as fragile. Maybe the best exception to this is the GM 4.3, which was 3/4 of a 350 V8. As I think about it, these were all heavy duty iron engines; aluminum twincam, 4 valve engines just don't seem "trucklike" to me.

George

 

Yesterday, 10/25/2010, the EPA proposed that 2014 gasoline and diesel versions of the HD F series pickups and vans will have to meet different fuel economy standards. By 2018 gasoline engines will need to yield a 10% cut in gas usage. Diesels will need to give a 15% cut in fuel use. I saw this first in the local new papers and got this info just now from Forbes.

Makes me wonder how this will trickle over to our lighter trucks. Hope it doesn't simply result in name tag reshuffling! I like the capabilities of my 09' 4.6 3V. It can tow alot, move plenty in the bed. The only real complaint is the bed steel should be thicker and stiffer w/more stiffening bends. I grabbed my head board in the middle so I could pull a 400 Lb barrel and the head board bent! Keep that in mind and grip it near the corners. If that's what has to be sacrificed to keep the capacities with the fuel efficiency I'll live with it. It sure surprised me when it flexed & kinked.

 

I think the EB V6 is gonna sell well - factoring in the ungodly price, simply because trucks are no longer used as trucks by the people who write those size checks.

look around at any 250/2500 size or larger truck without a contractor sticker on the door and you find it is an extra/crew cab with a short bed and a rust free hitch...

those who buy the show pieces rarely tow or haul so it a v6 gets the cafe number in line and has the punch for showing off - it will sell.

 

That's a pretty sweeping generalization. There are plenty of people that pull campers and personal trailers. Just because someone doesn't need a truck to work doesn't mean they don't need a truck. Many of the people that don't really need an F250 that still have one could get by with a half ton but there are advantages of driving a larger truck such as more durable parts as well as the more widespread availability of a crew cab with a 6.5' bed instead of a baby bed. Personally, I know many people who work the hell out of their trucks that love having a shortbed (6.5') cause it doesn't take a mile to turn it around.

 

um no, its fairly accurate based on reported usage of trucks.

btw- just what is the turning circle of a 6.5 bed truck vs a 8ft bed?

 

I wonder what ever happened to the dual fuel bobcat motor they were working on? I forget what the hell they called it (I think "BOBCAT" is the right name"), but it used a combination of direct injection and port Fuel Injection (each bank of injectors handled 1 of the 2 fuels, I can't remember if it was ethanol that was port injected, or direct injected). It put out superior consumption rates to that of a diesel in test conditions and superior torque as well since they could vary the octane of the fuel, all while using the ecoboost mantra of engine design. Nevermind, I found it here: Sneak Peek! Ford's "Bobcat" Dual Fuel Engine - PickupTrucks.com News

 

It may be fairly accurate in terms of half tons but most people (at least in my area) who want a truck to have a truck buy half tons. They are cheaper (marginally), and get (once again, marginally) better mileage as well as having a better ride. But just because someone doesn't pull a trailer and haul building materials everyday, doesn't mean it doesn't get used.

I don't know the specific turning circle but my buddy drives a CCSB 3500, his dad drives a CCLB 2500. Even if it is only 1.5' it makes a hell of a difference getting in and out of parking spots. Plus a shorter wheelbase works better for plowing snow.

 

It may still be in the works. I imagine with something like that they are doing very extensive testing so they don't have any major issues in launch. That looks like a very interesting and awesome design. I wonder what kind of mileage that thing would knock down at those power levels mentioned.

 

You're very close.

 

I would love to see this engine come into play a few years down the road, The idea of a 5.0L V8 making that much power and getting that good of fuel econmy is pretty incredible. I hope that Ford is still working and considering the project, As I think it would be more suitable for use in in the F-150 than the Ecoboost. And I am in no way bashing the Ecoboost, But I'm just skeptical of V6's and Fullsize trucks. Much less Turbo V6's. But I'm sure both engines will perform well. And in the mean time we got the 5.0L and 6.2L V8 and the Ecoboost for people who want go that route.

 

And you have got my attention...What do you know about the future frames that I don't?

Tell me! Haha.