First long towing trip with 2015 F150 2.7EB

[Oaktree]

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.

If you could, keep us updated on how your truck stands up over time. My '02 Dakota's probably got another 3-4 years left in it, and the Colorado/Canyon are high on my list of ones to replace it when it's time. Like you, I also prefer something with as little techie stuff as possible (granted, that's still a lot).

Around here I probably see more old GM trucks than any other brand, with Ford & Dodge roughly tied for 2nd place.

 

[deerefan]

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.

To be honest, my opinion was on par with yours, especially about the small engine and twin turbos. I am at 70k miles now with no issues. Power is not a problem. It feels more powerful than the 5.3GM engine, maybe more comparable to the 6.2 *. I change my own oil, takes about 30 minutes, allowing for 15 minute drain interval per manufacturer recommendation. Been very impressed so far.

 

[deserteagle71]

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.

Pretty funny considering both your Kubotas have those tiny engines with hairdryers attached........

 

[shooterdon]

On my Mercedes I never drained the oil. Sucked the oil out via the dip stick. Nice way to do it. Filter was easy to get to on top of engine..

Will try that with the 2.7EB on my next oil change. The oil filter on the 2.7 is changed from the top like the Mercedes. It is nice not having to crawl under a vehicle to do an oil change.

 

[deerefan]

On my Mercedes I never drained the oil. Sucked the oil out via the dip stick. Nice way to do it. Filter was easy to get to on top of engine..

Will try that with the 2.7EB on my next oil change. The oil filter on the 2.7 is changed from the top like the Mercedes. It is nice not having to crawl under a vehicle to do an oil change.

How does this work? Sounds interesting

 

[Mat4644]

I was skeptical at first. Always drove V8s in trucks. Great power and fuel economy. For a 4WD also great handling and ride. Locking rear end also a wonderful freature. 2 years old in November and very satisfied.

 

[JWR]

I was skeptical at first. Always drove V8s in trucks. Great power and fuel economy. For a 4WD also great handling and ride. Locking rear end also a wonderful freature. 2 years old in November and very satisfied.

Mine is a 2015 first aluminum year. Low miles so far but 100% happy. 3.5 single turbo. Power aplenty. For towing purposes (comparing to my old 2000 F-250 V-10 stick) power is never the issue. Weight is. Once in a long while I tow a 3000lb 21ft trailer with a 9000 lb tractor aboard. Hills are fine, stopping is fine with electric brakes of course. But overall stability is just not there compared to the older heavier F-250. In general great vehicle & love it.

 

[Grumpycat]

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.

Yeah, its really bad when one has to put the truck up on ramps to get under and remove the panel for access to the drain plug, then requires a box to stand on to put the new oil in!

I use a short pencil to keep the yellow plug partially in the hole so as to keep everything from gushing out, hitting the sway bar, and making a mess.

 

[Grumpycat]

On my Mercedes I never drained the oil. Sucked the oil out via the dip stick. Nice way to do it. Filter was easy to get to on top of engine..

Will try that with the 2.7EB on my next oil change. The oil filter on the 2.7 is changed from the top like the Mercedes. It is nice not having to crawl under a vehicle to do an oil change.

Me too. The ML320 had about 12 bolts holding belly pan on, then the crankcase was covered with insulation that looked like it would suck the dripping oil in then drip that oil for weeks after.

Friend's son-in-law is Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Says they use carburetor cleaner on the insulation to clean the oil out. So I went to Harbor Freight and purchased an air compressor powered oil extractor. The really neat thing is the extractor's fitting perfectly fit and sealed on the engine's dip stick tube which was routed to the very bottom of the crankcase. Just attach my hose to the top of the dip stick tube then suck 8-9 quarts out.

Seeing how the 2.7EB also lacks a drain magnet I might try this on it. After sucking it dry I'll pull the plug and see how much comes out. Its not the P.I.T.A. to access same as the M-B was.

My extractor came with hoses and tubes to insert in the dipstick tube for those dipstick tubes which do not reach the bottom of the crankcase.

The 2.7EB states oil must drain for 15 minutes or more. I'm guessing Ford makes effort to hold oil in the lubrication system so that it is ready the instant the engine starts, and restarts at traffic lights.

Something I learned: Open the 2.7EB's oil filter first. Then start draining oil. Open the oil filter to let air into the passages for complete drain. Else 6 quarts will be about 3/4 quart high.

 

[dodge man]

Mine is a 2015 first aluminum year. Low miles so far but 100% happy. 3.5 single turbo. Power aplenty. For towing purposes (comparing to my old 2000 F-250 V-10 stick) power is never the issue. Weight is. Once in a long while I tow a 3000lb 21ft trailer with a 9000 lb tractor aboard. Hills are fine, stopping is fine with electric brakes of course. But overall stability is just not there compared to the older heavier F-250. In general great vehicle & love it.

Pretty sure all the 3.5 engines were twin turbo.

I own a 2017 5.0 F150. It’s what was on the lot, optioned the way I wanted, but I wouldn’t be afraid if any of the turbo motors.