Why did they redesigned the 3.5? Makes me suspicious. I have to get a new truck in April, and I have the 5 L V8 now, and was thinking about getting one of the eco-boost engines next time. But now…
I do not really know as again I am not really a true Ford fan so I rarely follow most of the Ford happenings. I do know the generation (1) 3.5 ecoboost did suffer from some rather serious design flaws of which some are easily remedied and others maybe not so much.
I would not be afraid of a generation (2) 3.5 eco boost at all as I believe Ford likely fixed most of the flaws of the previous generation. I also like the 2.7 eco boost, but its towing capabilities are not enough of what I need in a truck but it will serve many well.
I can only say that within the past 2 years I have driven several new trucks as I was looking at buying either a 1/2 ton with a max tow or enhanced towing package so a 1/2 capable of towing 10K minimum but 11K or 12K even better. I was also looking at 3/4 ton gassers. I have zero interest in a diesel for my needs.
The trucks that I would have been willing to spend my hard earned money on were:
a) 2017 Ram 1500 with 5.7 and 8 speed tranny. (Loved this truck, but its capabilities for heavy towing are not really all that much more than what I have now. I had a deal in the works to buy one but dealer would not honor their advertised price on selling it. I could have pushed the issue but did not since I loved the truck but it was gonna be pushing its towing capabilities like I am now with my ole 2003 GMC 1500. In other words it was a lot of money for me to spend and not really gain much over what I already own).
b) 2017 Ram 2500 with 6.4 gasser. (Liked this truck very well. It would easily serve my needs well. Only complaint against it is that it sits so darned tall in the air but 3/4 tons from all mfg's do. I actually use my bed to load heavy stuff into using only manpower doing the loading and trucks with high beds simply suck for this and a man's back. Otherwise this would be a great tow rig for my trailers and serve me well).
c) 2017 Ford F-150 with 5.0 gasser and 6 speed tranny (Truck was nothing earth shattering special but I certainly could have lived with it and been happy. I never drove the gen (2) 3.5 eco but it would likely serve me well too. 2.7 tops out about 7K on towing so did not fit my towing needs at all so never drove).
Trucks that totally missed the cut for Me:
a) 2017 Ford F-250 and 6.2 gasser. (I waited special to drive one of these. Its rock wagon ride and even worse yet ungainly steering were so bad I could not believe this was a fresh from the ground up redesign. What a letdown. I drove trucks form the 1970's better than this. Like the powertrain well enough though. No way I spend my money on one of these).
b) 2017 Nissan Titan and 5.6 gasser and 7 speed tranny. (Thought this pseudo 5/8 ton truck would be exactly what I was looking for. Enhanced capability over a standard 1/2 ton yet not full blown 3/4 ton either. Another big letdown. That gasser is a slug till the rpm's hit 3500 or more. I pulled out trying to merge into traffic and it had nothing. trans shifting was clumsy too. Did not really like the feel of the truck either. I did not fit in it well ergonomically).
c) 2017 Silverado 2500 gasser. Would be a contender for me if Chevy had not of cut the roofline such that a tall person like me no longer fits in their cabs comfortably. The claw-hammer like reliability of the 6.0 gasser is legendary which is a plus for a guy like me who keeps trucks 15 to 25 years or more....Looking forward to seeing if I fit in the 2019 redesign....
d) 2017 Silverado 6.2 gasser (Did not drive as I do not fit in heir current cabs and it sucks that the 6.2 is only available on topline trims making truck big $).
d) Toyota Tundra (Did not drive one but I simply figured if my gas mileage was gonna be as bad as these trucks are notorious for then why not opt for the 3/4 ton for that level of bad mpg. Otherwise this is a fine truck as I have a couple friends with them).
