First long towing trip with 2015 F150 2.7EB

[Jstpssng]

The EV people love to talk about how there's so many less moving parts but the fact of the matter is that any properly built engine these days is one of the most reliable parts of a vehicle. 200k is now the baseline. Anything less is unacceptable as long as the proper maintenance has been done. With modern oils pushing changing it out to 10k (or more) there's not a lot engines really need. When Ford first came out with the EB line I was wondering just how long they would last but it looks like they are up to the challenge.

I say this in all seriousness; they almost need to design vehicles in the rust belt which you can swap the running gear into a new vehicle when the old one rots out. Body parts are lasting much longer, but after 15 years the frame is gone. I just replaced my '04 Ranger with a Colorado... the Ford still runs great but the frame is so bad that it was time to replace it.

 

[Grumpycat]

On my 2.7EB I would wish for a florescent ring around the dip stick tube that I could see the hole in the shadows. The only difficulty in reaching is due to the size of the F-150. Larger than F-250's used to be.

Oil and air filters are easy to reach. The oil drain requires removal of a panel underneath. (4) bolts with 8mm hex heads. But the bayonet plastic plug comes out without tools.

Until it brakes (sic), they you are screwed.

You don't know the bayonet plug Ford used. About 3" long, 1" in diameter. A bolt with crush washer is much more likely to loosen and fall out.

 

[Grumpycat]

I say this in all seriousness; they almost need to design vehicles in the rust belt which you can swap the running gear into a new vehicle when the old one rots out. Body parts are lasting much longer, but after 15 years the frame is gone. I just replaced my '04 Ranger with a Colorado... the Ford still runs great but the frame is so bad that it was time to replace it.

They do that already. Is called "salvage yard."

In all seriousness they can make the chassis last as long as they want. But you shopped for cheap and they knew you would. So they don't make them.

 

[Jstpssng]

They do that already. Is called "salvage yard."

In all seriousness they can make the chassis last as long as they want. But you shopped for cheap and they knew you would. So they don't make them.

No, I bought what is available. Anything in a salvage yard is going to be just as rusty- if not more so- than what I have.

 

[fried1765]

Until it brakes, they you are screwed.

There is a Ford problem with the "brakes" too?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Being a Ford family (autoworker family), I think Ford pickups blow as far as general maintenance is concerned. Very difficult to get to common items like the oil dipstick, why I bought a new Chevy pickup truck, you can actually check the oil without climbing up on the fender and it has a V8 in it as well. Not impressed with a tiny motor with a hairdryer either.

More likely, you bought the Chevy because it was cheaper and deeply discounted... The 3.5 Ecoboost is a rocket.

 

[coobie]

Always enjoy the truck battles ford, chevy,dodge/ram.Not brand loyal by any means.

 

[KennyG]

I found it a little annoying that I need to stand on a box to easily check the oil on my 4WD 3.5 EB. However, I only check the oil every few months since it uses none at all, so it's not that big of a deal. I was originally taken aback by the plastic plug on the oil pan, but after 3 years I have decided it's a good design. The pan covering the bottom of the engine takes a few minutes to remove, but once it's off it's great to have a very clean bottom of the engine, even after years of use.

 

[deserteagle71]

Always enjoy the truck battles ford, chevy,dodge/ram.Not brand loyal by any means.

Me neither.

But at this time I would never buy a GM product. Not that there is anything wrong with them but GM chose to close all dealerships in small towns around here a few years ago. Now the nearest dealership is 175 miles away in the Reno area. So if GM won't support those of us who live in rural areas, why should we support them?

 

[Jstpssng]

Always enjoy the truck battles ford, chevy,dodge/ram.Not brand loyal by any means.

Neither am I. I started out looking at Rangers, but they are hard to come by so started looking at GM products. More HP with a V6 and nowhere near as much fancy computer junk... it shouldn't have to update everytime I turn around. Plus on the rare occasion that I keep my foot out of the carburetor it brings in around 25-26 mpg. Plus I ended up finding a 2 Yo with 28K miles, saving me about 4 grand plus a few hundred in sales and excise taxes.