Thoughts on alternative options to our fantastic 6.7 engine
 

As most of you know, my 6.7 engine dropped a valve and basically self destructed. The end result was a new 2012 engine being installed in my 2011 truck. Everything is back to normal, runs great like it should.

At the request of a few I am posting my opinion of two engines I used while my truck was in the shop. Both trucks were used for 1,000 or more towing weights of 8,000 pounds.

1. 2011 F150 Lariat crew cab 2wd with the EcoBoost engine.

Great power, very similar to our Diesel engines. Smooth low end torque, nice power delivery, very similar transmission, very nice truck. No complaints regarding drive comfort. The most important thing for me is maintaining speed and changing speed in the 45-70 mph range. Off the line grunt is of little value to me, handling traffic and interstate cruising are the most important things.

The ecoboost does a good job of handling weight and the frustration of tugging trailers from 45-70 mph. Seldom did I feel that the ability to speed up from 60-70 mph was lacking. It performed very well. One thing to note, I could not maintain speed limit in 6th gear, had to cruise in 5th gear at around 2,000 rpm.

Sadly, the f150 chassis is not comparable to a super duty. Towing on occasion is fine but I would go crazy if I had to do it every day, which for my work I need to do.

2. The f250 crew cab 4x4 6.2 boss is everything a super duty is. Completely fantastic as a tow vehicle. But, the gas motor is awful at pulling the load, dealing with momentum and changing speed from 45-70 takes real effort. You have to work it, you have to be in the right gears, you can not accelerate below 3,000 rpm. I could place it in 4 th gear at 55 mph and floor it, wait for 30 seconds for anything to happen. Holding 70 mph was a constant struggle between 4th, 5th, and 6th gear. This motor needs help! I would supercharge it somehow!

Again, towing on occasion, or consistently in town at low speed, sure. But traveling 1,000 miles every week would make me a very frustrated person.

Both trucks averaged 9.5-11 mpg. They were the same in that regard.

Nice to hear your thoughts on the EcoBoost engine. My dad is thinking of getting one. I haven't looked at the F150 but I imagine it's one nice ride.

Joel, thanks for this description.
The report of the F150 ecoboost is similar to others but you're right, it comes down to actual weight.
That in my opinion is one of the major advantages to the Ford SD.
2014 will be interesting because I don't see how technology can compensate for lack of weight.

What gearing do you have on your 6.2L?
I wonder if the 4.30 gears would resolve any concerns, other than running higher RPM’s and burning more fuel since it seems like the 6.2L likes the high RPMs?

If Ford told me my repair bill will be $27,000 I will seriously be considering the 6.2L but I don’t want something that will suck in the rolling AL/TN hills on two-lane roads pulling my 20ft.
The F150 would be great for most of my needs but I don’t know I would be comfortable using it with certain loads throughout the year.

However, until my early 2010 built engine blows up (it probably won't), I’ll keep driving it and enjoying every minute.
It still puts a grin on my face both with goofing off and hooking up to a heavy pull and arriving safely.
We’ll know more about this engine in another two years or so as more people reach 100,000.
I still think Ford hit a home run but they are going to need to shine with customer service for those who have failures due to a [possible] early flaw.

I too am interested in the 6.2, I currently run an 01` V10, and 4.30`s. We are in the process off dumping a junk 6.0. after spending an ungodly amount of money, and down time with it. SO I have seriously been considering, going to an all gas fleet.

If they would make a 6.2 ecoboost I would bet the diesel sales would severely drop.

I think our 6.2 has 3.73 gears. With our 6 speed trannys I don't think I would go to a lower gear if I drove long distances a lot. A lot of y'all pretty much work within 70 miles of your home all the time, that would be different.

The 6.2 is fine and I'm not going to poor mouth it. It's just nowhere near the towing platform that the diesel gives ya. For me, cruising interstates all the time, fighting the motor to keep the rig going 60-70 mph is everything. The 6.2 does not do a good job at this. Everything else is fine.

Again, the perfect alternative to the diesel would be a turbo or charger on the 6.2. That's all it needs.

http://www.roushperformance.com/part...2010-2012.html

Come visit the 6.2L forum. 6.2L V8 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums


If you have an '01 V10...you will LOVE the new 6.2L with 6R140 tranny!:-X22


biz
;)

Thank you very much for the report. We have an Ecoboost in the family and I've been quite impressed with it's towing power and economy while unloaded. However, I just feel better when I get behind the wheel of a Super Duty. IMO, the F-150 chassis seems to be lacking in a few areas when loaded up...

A direct injected turbo charged 6.2 liter gas engine would probably get me down to the dealership for a test drive....

Thanks again for the report. You have a unique experience in that you have had the opportunity to test all three platforms in the real world. :-X22

3.73's are giving the 6.2 a bad rap.... lmao. :-X04

FWIW - the mpg's between the two gear sets with the 6spd is so close, it's hard not to go with the 4.30's.

Joel, for what you do, there's no question you have the right motor. I told ya to let that 6.2 sing. :-drink

Good report on the two motors.
there is no way I would do a distance tow with them

1 note pony time again......

5.0 ecoboost would rock in a super duty.
That 3.5 is incredible, and bites at the heels of diesels.

500 hp 5.0 ecoboost.......

Thanks for the comparison Joel!

So out of curiosity was there any reason why you tried to hold high gears on the freeway with the 6.2L? Did you ever put it in drive with tow/haul engaged and just set the cruise?

Oh trust me I`ve been watching that section............... I am just curious to see how it holds up to the hotshot trucking I do with this V10.

Just speculation here...but it sounds like he was trying to drive the 6.2L like a 6.7L.

When it comes to gearing especially. He made a comment that he wouldn't drive long distances with 4.30 gears. What???:-roll Towing with 4.30 gears will yield better mpg's than 3.73.

That's like me making a comment that I wouldn't recommend driving the 6.7L with 3.55 gears...and to only use the 3.31 set.

For the record...YES...it is perfectly ok to drive the 6.2L with 4.30 gears in 5th gear (with 6th locked out)...for thousands of miles. If the truck doesn't hold 6th...then lock it out...and continue on with 5th and lower. It takes time to learn the 6.2L...and how it likes to run.

Again...IMHO...the 3.73 gears have no place in a SD with a 6.2L...that is going to tow. Bad setup...and bad combo. The 6.7L is a towing beast! It does its job extremely well...


biz
:-X21

Well, I will repeat. I'm not trying to slam the 6.2. I'm also not a perfect driver. I did not set the cruise at 70mph in tow haul. Why? It constantly tries to go into 6th gear, so with a gust of wind or a slight hill, it drops into 5 th after I lose 6 mph. Then in fifth it won't gain speed, so it drops to fourth because cruise is still demanding speed. Then I lose another 5 mph and the cruise turns itself off.

Then, I floor it, drops to third and everyone in the truck looks at me like I'm crazy, I'm going 55 mph, engine drops to second and redlines, and I've got a hundred cars blowing by me.

Start over, lock out sixth, same deal, lose speed on a hill, downshifting to try to maintain, more lost speed until either the cruise turns itself off or the engine is running 5,000 rpms.

I hate this stuff. You go ahead and mess with all that for 500 miles twice a week.

I set the cruise on 70 in M5. When I approached a hill, I shift to 4 and hope for the best.

Thanks for the clarification, it does surprise me that the cruise would kick off like that. I'll be feeling your pain next month though, my ancient 2V V10 and I are dragging my trailer on a 1,200 mile trip out east. Think the trailer is going to be nearly 14,000 lbs. :eek: