EcoBOOST

[daugen]

I tested a new Ecoboost F150 before I bought my Suburban recently. Very impressed, remarkable how much grunt it has off the line, clearly the turbos spooling up early, but no way did it feel like a 6 and it didn't sound bad either.
Just don't expect super mileage out of it if you use all that hp or have a heavy foot. What's so appealing about the Ecoboost is that if you are running the truck lightly and take it easy, you really can get above average mpg, yet have the power when you need it. I was seduced by the sound of the 6.0 in my 2500, marvelously throaty when pulling some load, but after 3000 miles, the average mpg is running about 11.7. I have to believe the Ford will do much better than that, and turbos clearly are the way of the future.

 

[gtrippleb]

It looks like Ford introduced the locking diff on their F150 FX4 package in 2009.
PickupTrucks.com: First Drive Review - 2009 Ford F-150

True Off-Road Capability
While Ford has stretched luxury to new heights in the F-150ç—´ new Platinum trim package, weæ±*e most enamored with the revamped FX4 offroad model. Unlike the sticker-buffed Dodge Ram TRX4, Ford gives the FX4 Barry Bonds levels of offroad juice, starting with an electronic locking rear differential supplied by GKN. Itç—´ the first time an F-150 4x4 has had this feature, and it was specially made to fit inside the F-150ç—´ standard 9.75-inch rear ring and pinion case. The system locks the rear axle on demand to provide traction to both back wheels to help get the truck out of sticky spots in snow, mud, sand or rocks. In practice, it was easily activated by pulling out the dial on the transfer case selector.

 

[timswi]

GM has had the G80 forever in all lines of trucks. I had one in my '93 S-10. I had one in my '97 1500 and currently in my '99 Silverado 1500 and my 2008 Suburban 1500. This unit works well in stock form. If you bump up the horsepower, yes, it will become the weakest link, but in stock form it is very reliable. Having owned and abused 4 of them, sister with one in a Trailblazer, and Mom has Dad's truck with one, w/o a single issue in any of them. I really like it, especially in off-road use like getting my tractor unstuck. It kicks in when needed, but yet unlocks as soon as you get moving so you don't break something. Works well on my truck too when towing our 36' camper weighing in close to 10k lbs. For the number of them sold and as well as they work, I wouldn't exactly call them Mickey Mouse, I've always held a pretty good opion of Eaton.

My 2011 GMC 1/2 ton has a locker..Works perfectly.

 

[swines]

I have a 2011 EcoBoost SuperCrew 4x4 that has 12K miles on it. Average gas mileage is 15.4 mpg over the 12K miles. The truck has a 3:55 rear end and I drive it 40 miles daily round trip to work. Most of the trip is on Interstate highways with about 5 miles on surface streets. I live at 5,000 feet altitude - so you may want to factor in the truck's usage location as part of any gas mileage claims.

 

[Raspy]

Do they require premium fuel?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Do they require premium fuel?

Nope, just 87.

Chris

 

[Raspy]

GM has had the G80 forever in all lines of trucks. I had one in my '93 S-10. I had one in my '97 1500 and currently in my '99 Silverado 1500 and my 2008 Suburban 1500. This unit works well in stock form. If you bump up the horsepower, yes, it will become the weakest link, but in stock form it is very reliable. Having owned and abused 4 of them, sister with one in a Trailblazer, and Mom has Dad's truck with one, w/o a single issue in any of them. I really like it, especially in off-road use like getting my tractor unstuck. It kicks in when needed, but yet unlocks as soon as you get moving so you don't break something. Works well on my truck too when towing our 36' camper weighing in close to 10k lbs. For the number of them sold and as well as they work, I wouldn't exactly call them Mickey Mouse, I've always held a pretty good opion of Eaton.

I had a G80. To me it's not so important whether or not I could break it with higher HP, it's how it works. ALL limited slips or lockers are a compromise.

The G80 will get you out of a mud hole if one wheel is in the goo, but using it for general four wheeling is not a good choice. On an icy highway it can help you by not locking during normal driving, but then it will lock suddenly if one wheel slips and all of a sudden you'r sliding. Off road you have to slip one wheel up to about 25 MPH and then there is a big CLANG as it locks. Very crude.

A selectable locker is only good for getting unstuck, but not for general driving. The DANA trac-loc diff is probably the best one, generally available, for everyday use. A Gleason Torsen is probably the best for anything less than all out rock climbing. The AAM trac-rite in the Dodges is good for all around mountain driving, but not very aggressive if seriously stuck. They are all compromises.

 

[jejeosborne]

Nope, just 87.

Chris

91 octane is recommended when towing or in hot temperatures for best performance. 87 octane is correct for everyday driving. No e85 either, not that I would anyway.

 

[jcmseven]

I like the Ecoboost. My dad has one, and he has also had the 5L in his company truck (he is "retired" now). He has the electronic locking diff on his truck and it seems to work well. If I were buying a 1/2 ton truck now I would seriously look at the F150, but I would be on the fence between the 3.5L and the 5.0L. The 3.5L definitely seems to get better mileage when empty, but it also seems to drop more when towing, based on my personal experience with my dad's rigs. The 3.5L is a more complex engine, but simply because it is smaller and more complex does not mean it is less durable. The 3.5L engine is a pretty heavily made powerplant and likely would have a similar life-expectancy to any of the V8's out there. The big question to ask one's self is whether the 10% or so performance gain and marginally better real world fuel economy offsets the mental block of going with a V6 rather than a V8 in this sized truck. For me, it would; for others maybe not. One area where I much prefer the Ecoboost is drivability. The 5.0L company truck of my father seemed to miss and sputter when in overdrive and at low RPM. I have been told by the dealer this is "normal" for this truck and everything checked out well on diagnostics. I found it aggravating and something that should have not been present on a new truck. The 3.5L does not have that. I also note in this conversation that Chris has not missed a chance to take a subtle dig at the General. As one who has owned both Ford and GM trucks and helped my father buy 2 more Ford's relatively recently but currently owns a GMC 2500, I have always considered myself a "Ford Man" and posted the same---until I bought a GMC. I have to admit owning a 2500 GMC opened my eyes in several areas. With this as background, the Eaton locker is a simple design, but it is durable and very effective at its intent. My experience has been there are few circumstances in a pickup where if traction is lost with one wheel, having two is going to make much difference. At that point, four wheel drive is usually necessary. The intent of a locking differential in these type applications is to add a bit of hitch pull when pulling a trailer, etc., on sketchy terrain and that's about it. I feel as though given the subtle discounting of the Eaton locker as a viable choice this needs to be said. It remains to be seen how the electronic LS on the 150 of my dad's holds up, but the locker on my truck has had no issue either. From my end, I think Ford has the currently most-desirable HALF ton truck and I feel the 3.5L is the engine of choice in that truck by a narrow margin with the following two caveats: 1. the advertised 11,200# max tow rating I believe is based on a configuration that is not popular here, 2WD. I think it is adjusted in 4WD configuration so one may want to double check that before buying if he is going to be towing close to that limit. 2. Ford has a habit to increase fuel economy numbers of specifying poor gear ratios for towing and work and flooding dealer lots with them. It was very challenging to find an Ecoboost truck that was geared lower than 3.31:1 for my dad in nearly any engine configuration. For that, or any engine in my mind, to effectively tow any weight 3.55:1 or lower (numerically higher) is desirable. I have been surprised how many people I know who have bought new Fords unwittingly purchased an Ecoboost "for good towing" and found that it had a 3.31:1 open rear axle (even on Platinum models). In those cases they would have been better off buying a less-expensive 5.0L with a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio. I feel care must be exercised there.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

I should also note that with my father's truck, it does seem that running 91 octane fuel does seem to help economy. We are approaching winter so we will see if these numbers hold true through the colder climate. It is very difficult to find non-ethanol fuel here. I have wondered whether this may have played a role in the rough low-RPM running of my dad's 5.0 liter company truck.

John M