Fullsize V-6 Pickup Comparison

[dgl24087]

2010 V-6 Shootout Truck Specs and Testing Approach - PickupTrucks.com Special Reports

 

[_RaT_]

I have been looking around to replace my falling apart 93 non turbo IDI Ford F250. With only 181,000 miles, it is shot. I was a bit soured with Ford and quite frankly was turning toward Toyota. I like the Chevy Silverado, I am just not a Dodge guy, they seem just fine but not my cup of tea. Recently the Ford (F150) has renewed my interest and when I started investigating their new crop of V6's I must admit to being impressed. Two neighbors bought them a good friend bought one and they absolutely love them. The Ecoboost 3.5L may be incredible but as you can see even their base 3.7 L is quite strong compared to the others. I must admit, Ford has brought me back into the US made truck market and hope they really make a go of it. It won't be a 3.5L Ecoboost (jury is still out on its durability) as I will only buy used anymore. Thanks for the link.

 

[Diamondpilot]

No surprise here. The other 2 were bringing a knife to a gun fight. They gave up tons of power and were using 20 year old tranny technology. Too bad the Toyota got wrecked before it could be tested. I think it would give the F-150 a real fight.

What will be interesting to see is who will win the battle in 2-3 year. My prediction will be GM. They already have some stout V6 engines. They upgrade that and a few other items and Ford will need to watch out in this segment.

Chris

 

[ToadHill]

I ran a F150 with a V6 for over 12 years. The engine was bullet proof but it was a gas hog. I never got over 15 mpg and that was downhill with a tailwind.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I ran a F150 with a V6 for over 12 years. The engine was bullet proof but it was a gas hog. I never got over 15 mpg and that was downhill with a tailwind.

Thats all changing. Read the article front to back. It now has over 300 Hp and gets 24 mpg according to the test they did.

Chris

 

[_RaT_]

The Toyota does not have the MPG or maybe that has changed. We are talking V6 right? I thought the V6 they had was still a "knife in a gun fight"

No surprise here. The other 2 were bringing a knife to a gun fight. They gave up tons of power and were using 20 year old tranny technology. Too bad the Toyota got wrecked before it could be tested. I think it would give the F-150 a real fight.

What will be interesting to see is who will win the battle in 2-3 year. My prediction will be GM. They already have some stout V6 engines. They upgrade that and a few other items and Ford will need to watch out in this segment.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

The Toyota does not have the MPG or maybe that has changed. We are talking V6 right? I thought the V6 they had was still a "knife in a gun fight"

The new 3.7 base V6 makes over 300 HP and about 285 FT TQ and the top of the line motor is a 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo that makes 365 HP and 420 FT TQ all at under 2,500 rpm. That is diesel type power and about matches most V8's out there in HP and best them in TQ.

Things are a changing in the V6 world.

Check out the specs.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/specifications/engine/

Chris

 

[_RaT_]

Yeah, I saw that with Ford but not with Toyota. It is pretty cool to see Ford making the V-6 a great option. It will also be interesting to see if it can handle the stresses on a relatively small motor with such huge output.

The new 3.7 base V6 makes over 300 HP and about 285 FT TQ and the top of the line motor is a 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo that makes 365 HP and 420 FT TQ all at under 2,500 rpm. That is diesel type power and about matches most V8's out there in HP and best them in TQ.

Things are a changing in the V6 world.

Check out the specs.

2011 Ford F-150 | View Full Engine Specifications | FordVehicles.com

Chris

 

[MESSMAKER]

Those Ford numbers are as good as what you got with most v8s ten years ago. I would love to get almost 22mpg. I wonder if you can get a good sounding 6 cylinder exhaust.

 

[Dmace]

The problem with these test is that they are trying to say this is a fair comparison by comparing the "base" trucks but you don't get a good test of the "value" like that.

The Ford has a 302hp base V6 but that "base" truck is still $28,565! :confused2: Over $4k more than the other two...For that money, you can get the V8 4.7l in the RAM making the same 302hp but a bunch more torque at 329lb.ft vs 276lb.ft. or Chevy's V8 4.8l making 302hp/305lb.ft. Plus you would get quite a few nice features over the "base" $28k F-150. :laughing:

How convenient they did this test right after Ford releases the new V6 engines too. The reason Dodge didn't provide a truck is because they are currently planning the release of the new Pentastar V6 3.7l that will be over 300hp/270lb.tq making 90% of torque available from 1,600 to 6,400 rpms for the 2012 model year trucks. I wonder if pickuptrucks.com will do another comparison then...

 

[_RaT_]

Not sure I understand what you are saying. As was mentioned in a previous post, the Ford truck they used from Ford was not a base truck. I am just curious how much the 3.5L Ecoboost will add to the cost as it seems to have specs that even the smaller V8's aren't approaching. I am sure folks will be interested in its longevity as well. I'm buying used so none of this really matters. Ford, Chevy or Toyota is what I am looking at.
As I recall many tests come out just prior to the new years models but I am no car/truck buff so my knowlege of this is limited. The timing of the test by this company "pickups.com" does not raise any suspicion to me. I am just glad to see Ford getting innovative and bringing a competitive product to the market. Hopefully Dodge does too, they absolutely need it, more than any of the 3 US companies. (I realize Chrysler is partially owned by FIAT)

The problem with these test is that they are trying to say this is a fair comparison by comparing the "base" trucks but you don't get a good test of the "value" like that.

The Ford has a 302hp base V6 but that "base" truck is still $28,565! :confused2: Over $4k more than the other two...For that money, you can get the V8 4.7l in the RAM making the same 302hp but a bunch more torque at 329lb.ft vs 276lb.ft. or Chevy's V8 4.8l making 302hp/305lb.ft. Plus you would get quite a few nice features over the "base" $28k F-150. :laughing:

How convenient they did this test right after Ford releases the new V6 engines too. The reason Dodge didn't provide a truck is because they are currently planning the release of the new Pentastar V6 3.7l that will be over 300hp/270lb.tq making 90% of torque available from 1,600 to 6,400 rpms for the 2012 model year trucks. I wonder if pickuptrucks.com will do another comparison then...

 

[MESSMAKER]

I don't know if there is a problem with the HP #s if it makes good #s at 2000rpm. I think we all wonder about durability. Nothing about a 6 cylinder that scares me. Ford 300- 6 was one of the best ever. I think it can be done, but someone has to do it. time will tell.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not sure I understand what you are saying. As was mentioned in a previous post, the Ford truck they used from Ford was not a base truck. I am just curious how much the 3.5L Ecoboost will add to the cost as it seems to have specs that even the smaller V8's aren't approaching. I am sure folks will be interested in its longevity as well. I'm buying used so none of this really matters. Ford, Chevy or Toyota is what I am looking at.
As I recall many tests come out just prior to the new years models but I am no car/truck buff so my knowlege of this is limited. The timing of the test by this company "pickups.com" does not raise any suspicion to me. I am just glad to see Ford getting innovative and bringing a competitive product to the market. Hopefully Dodge does too, they absolutely need it, more than any of the 3 US companies. (I realize Chrysler is partially owned by FIAT)

That is what its all about, Inovation. Everyone had a small diesel on the drawing board at one time but the major issue was it was $7,000 for that option as projected by many articles I had read. It looks like what Ford is doing, and I am sure the others will follow as they always do, is giving a option at 1/3 the price and and about the same power. Even more important is its diesel like power giving tons of low end torque that carries all the way though.

What many do not understand BIG HP and BIG TQ does not mean squat. Its nice but its more important where its made. Low end TQ is what makes a diesel so good. Making the power at 4,500 rpm does noting for you in a truck. TQ is the ability to do work. Making peak TQ at or close to the RPM you actually cruise at is what you want. This will yield the most power and inturn the best fuel economy.

I looked at my 2500 Hemi when I was getting rid of it and compared it to the old Dodge 360 that I loved. The Hemi made much more power and TQ but when you compared them to each other the 360 actually was right with the Hemi at the RPM's you used in a truck. What I am saying is they were close at say 3,000 RPM doing 65 mph. I for one do not like to hear something scream down the road. That is one reason I chose the Titan for my Gas Towing needs. It will pull my 7,000# load at 60 mph at only 1,600 RPM and will run 75 mph with that load at about 2,500 RPM.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

That is what its all about, Inovation. Everyone had a small diesel on the drawing board at one time but the major issue was it was $7,000 for that option as projected by many articles I had read. It looks like what Ford is doing, and I am sure the others will follow as they always do, is giving a option at 1/3 the price and and about the same power. Even more important is its diesel like power giving tons of low end torque that carries all the way though.

What many do not understand BIG HP and BIG TQ does not mean squat. Its nice but its more important where its made. Low end TQ is what makes a diesel so good. Making the power at 4,500 rpm does noting for you in a truck. TQ is the ability to do work. Making peak TQ at or close to the RPM you actually cruise at is what you want. This will yield the most power and inturn the best fuel economy.

I looked at my 2500 Hemi when I was getting rid of it and compared it to the old Dodge 360 that I loved. The Hemi made much more power and TQ but when you compared them to each other the 360 actually was right with the Hemi at the RPM's you used in a truck. What I am saying is they were close at say 3,000 RPM doing 65 mph. I for one do not like to hear something scream down the road. That is one reason I chose the Titan for my Gas Towing needs. It will pull my 7,000# load at 60 mph at only 1,600 RPM and will run 75 mph with that load at about 2,500 RPM.

Chris

It is all very interesting. I'm with you...give me the 360 any day. Unfortunately, mileage stunk, but man that was a stump puller. I had a 4.3 and it is an ok engine power wise but is very reliable. That is why I think GM kept it so long, much like the 305 and 350. Proven engines. I have a 4.6 2V in a 97 4x4 ford ext cab. Ok motor, not much for towing. Good run around truck. I am very interested to see how these V6 motors do.

 

[RollingsFarms]

That is what its all about, Inovation. Everyone had a small diesel on the drawing board at one time but the major issue was it was $7,000 for that option as projected by many articles I had read. It looks like what Ford is doing, and I am sure the others will follow as they always do, is giving a option at 1/3 the price and and about the same power. Even more important is its diesel like power giving tons of low end torque that carries all the way though.

What many do not understand BIG HP and BIG TQ does not mean squat. Its nice but its more important where its made. Low end TQ is what makes a diesel so good. Making the power at 4,500 rpm does noting for you in a truck. TQ is the ability to do work. Making peak TQ at or close to the RPM you actually cruise at is what you want. This will yield the most power and inturn the best fuel economy.

I looked at my 2500 Hemi when I was getting rid of it and compared it to the old Dodge 360 that I loved. The Hemi made much more power and TQ but when you compared them to each other the 360 actually was right with the Hemi at the RPM's you used in a truck. What I am saying is they were close at say 3,000 RPM doing 65 mph. I for one do not like to hear something scream down the road. That is one reason I chose the Titan for my Gas Towing needs. It will pull my 7,000# load at 60 mph at only 1,600 RPM and will run 75 mph with that load at about 2,500 RPM.

Chris

same here. the 5.3 in GM trucks has never impressed me like the old 5.7 did. sure it was a gas hog but in my real world experience my 5.3 isn't but 1-2 mpg better. this engine is good for "racing" but when it comes to towing i've never been too impressed with it. revs way too high for me, and like you said it screams. to me the HEMI and the 5.3 are for "having fun" moreso then doing work.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ah, but my 2.56 axle and 9 speed automatic will solve this problem! :laughing: I'm surprised folks haven't jumped on this. The little 3.5L dual turbo should be interesting to watch from a towing standpoint. The older F-150 Lightning was a no-no for towing (from Ford). As I said before, this will be the trend due to CAFE unless there's a change in attitudes by Uncle Sam, but the horses have already left the barn.

I had a Lightning for about 1 1/2 years. 380HP and the sweet super charger made it fun to drive until the roads were wet or snow covered. Sweet ride though.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I never had one, but liked the concept. That 4.11 with 15" tires didn't hurt the fun factor either. :thumbsup:

As far as I know the only ones with 4.10 gears were the first generation ones. That was 1993-1995 and they only made 240 HP with the 351 engine. All the ones I have seen had 17" wheels.

I had a second generation one. They were produced from 1999-2004. All the 1999-2000 made 360 HP and 440 FT TQ with 3.55 gears and 18" wheels. The 2001-2004 made 380 HP and 450 FT TQ. All I have seen had 3.73 gears and 18" wheels.

I had a 2001 that was all black with the 380/450 motor. It had 3.73 gears and 18" wheels. Anyway it was a lot of fun to eat up Mustangs and Camaro's. It would flat kill the 454 SS and the Typhoon and Cyclone GM had. Dodge did not come out with a answer until they put the Viper engine in some trucks.

Chris

 

[_RaT_]

Don't you guys think that the tugging power issue is pretty much over since the diesels took over? I mean I cannot think of any gasoline motor be it Viper, Hemi etc that can touch the power and fuel economy of the diesel. If i needed to pull stumps or trailers, I would forgo anything in gas period. If I want to have a nice quiet reasonable fuel economy vehicle with some power, I will look at the Ford V6 3.5L etc. No?

As far as I know the only ones with 4.10 gears were the first generation ones. That was 1993-1995 and they only made 240 HP with the 351 engine. All the ones I have seen had 17" wheels.

I had a second generation one. They were produced from 1999-2004. All the 1999-2000 made 360 HP and 440 FT TQ with 3.55 gears and 18" wheels. The 2001-2004 made 380 HP and 450 FT TQ. All I have seen had 3.73 gears and 18" wheels.

I had a 2001 that was all black with the 380/450 motor. It had 3.73 gears and 18" wheels. Anyway it was a lot of fun to eat up Mustangs and Camaro's. It would flat kill the 454 SS and the Typhoon and Cyclone GM had. Dodge did not come out with a answer until they put the Viper engine in some trucks.

Chris

 

[_RaT_]

I see what you mean about the middle group disappearing, I suspect sales of the V10's and large displacement V8's was the problem, I know I would never want one. I like to eliminate that $7000 extra right up front, I only buy used... :laughing:, last two Fords were diesel, I let everyone else take the hit. That said, I am no longer in need of a towing type truck except the occasional small stuff which is why even the Toyota Tacoma would be fine. I think the Ford 3.5L V-6 offers potential for those seeking the same. I will have to wait a number of years before anything used turns up with that in it and along with it have the benefit of having the engine reasonably tested. In the meantime, I will look on Craigslist etc. for a reasonable used truck, Toyota (Tacoma or Tundra), Ford, Chevy, even Nissan. Thanks for the info.

It's not always an all or nothing decision. Sure the diesel might be cool and the best answer for towing. But at ~$7000 extra, maybe not the best answer for somebody that's going to tow a camping trailer for 2 weeks a year. It might not be the best for the guy that wakes up every winter morning to -20*F and hasn't got a garage. For most of us, it's a balancing act between cost, use and practicality. What's developing now is that the choices are starting to diminish. It's either the Big Bruit diesel truck or the wimpy quad turbo motorcycle engine. The middle ground of choices are disappearing.

 

[RobertN]

Here are links to Chevy V6 trucks. Stump pullers.... Hook a chain from these trucks to one of the new ones, and the early one would drag the new one across the parking lot...

My old high school drafting teacher had a '66 GMC> That truck would pull like most modern diesels. It was a beast!

GMC V6 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GMC Big Block V6 Engines

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3323302/1962-gmc-c-k-pick-up-patterson-ca-us