Ford 3.5 L V-6 with elec. 6 sp.

Rustyiron · Nov 29, 2015

I can't believe I'm asking this as I swore off new vehicles, but the price of used trucks as discussed here on another thread is crazy as well. After actually thinking of calling a c/l add about a Toyota '06 with 217k on a 4 cyl and asking 8500 dollars, I went on line looking for a light F150 in "work trim" to leave the heavier trucks at home when they're not needed load wise. Well I got a reply from a dealer with a new 2015 150 with 4wd that I was not considering and the motor/trans combo listed above, for just under 27k. I am quite detached from my old ways of being right up to date on all the new truck "stuff" and since they (EPA) ruined the diesel engine with the emission circle jerk equipment, I've been even more less interested than before.
The "sticker" advises 19 combined mpg, are these ratings just as phoney as they were 10-15 years ago, or have they been forced to be more realistic with these ratings? The other question I have is this a new engine or has it been around for a while or at least based off an existing engine platform that has been proven? The same go's for the tranny. I''m of the age and mindset that I don't need to smoke the tires and race to the next gas station. If I need to, I'll hop in one of my old souped up 7.3's:laughing:

Diamondpilot · Nov 30, 2015

They have both been solid pieces. I have the 6 speed in my 2012 F150

I assume you are talking straight 3.5, not the Ecoboost. We have that motor in our 2013 Edge. Has about the same power as the 4.6 V8 I had in a Mountaineer. Average mpg for our Edge at 80K is 23.8mpg. Just did the Thanksgiving trip with it packed full of Kids and a Dog plus our junk for 3 nights and got 26 mpg. Not a single issue to date. 1 set of tires and still original brakes.

Chris

tcartwri · Nov 30, 2015

The RAM V6 with the 8 speed will return an honest 25~26 mpg on the hwy. Ford for whatever reason always fudges their numbers high by several mpg.

Cord · Nov 30, 2015

133,000 miles on my 2011 with the 6 speed; no problems, at least with the trans. I can't get over 15 running empty on the highway. If you slow down to 55, you'll see the claimed 22 mpg.

btw - they don't have dipsticks on the transmissions any more either.

Rustyiron · Nov 30, 2015

tcartwri said:
The RAM V6 with the 8 speed will return an honest 25~26 mpg on the hwy. Ford for whatever reason always fudges their numbers high by several mpg.

All the Dodges around here seem to be early rust buckets. That seems to be agreed to by the guy's I know with them.

downsizingnow48 · Nov 30, 2015

You could check the Ford F150 forum. If there is anything wrong with your engine/transmission combo it will be discussed there.

I have 65k on the 6 spd transmission in a 2012 F150, it is OK so far.

Ford850 · Dec 1, 2015

As far as EPA estimates go, it will depend on your driving habits. Once the tranny is warm, the mpg's are very good. My lifetime average for a 2013 5.0 Super Crew with 3.73 axle, 6 1/2' bed, and heavy duty payload package, is close to 18 now. That includes occasional towing. If I drive it more than 20 minutes, the city and highway mpgs are better than advertised. Towing, or prior to getting the transmission warm, lower than EPA estimates. If I start out on a highway trip, my mpgs are around 16. After 30 minutes, I'm normally over 18, and with no wind I see 20 - 22. That's why you'll hear so many varying comments about mpgs. Someone driving a 10 minute daily commute will get poor mpgs.

tcartwri · Dec 1, 2015

Rustyiron said:
All the Dodges around here seem to be early rust buckets. That seems to be agreed to by the guy's I know with them.

They all seem to have their issues that carry over from year to year. GM with their cabs, frames and electrical. Ford with their oil pans, brake lines, and hit and miss engine problems. RAM with the box rust and electrical.

The aluminum bodies on the Fords will still corrode in the salt. Anyone with aluminum hoods and tailgates will attest to that.

Rustyiron · Dec 1, 2015

tcartwri;4304199 The aluminum bodies on the Fords will still corrode in the salt. Anyone with aluminum hoods and tailgates will attest to that.[/QUOTE said:
I had forgotten about that!
I wonder witch is worse (in the salt), steel vs. alum?

ModMech · Dec 2, 2015

tcartwri said:
Ford for whatever reason always fudges their numbers high by several mpg.

Actually, of the 7+ Ford products I have driven over the past 5 or 6 years, all but one meets or exceeds the EPA estimate. In fact, my wife's Expy (5.4L 6spd) gets 2 MPG BETTER than the sticker as does the '16 Fusion SE. The '13 Fusion was a LOT worse than the sticker, never did figure that out.