Ford F-150 any good?

[Green Power]

The drywall guy who did our house replaced his old F-150 after 500,000 miles.

What year was it? That sounds pretty impressive for a half ton, of any manufacturer.

 

[s219]

If your drywaller got 500,000 miles on an F150, it must have had a 4.9L/300ci.

What year was it? That sounds pretty impressive for a half ton, of any manufacturer.

Not sure what engine he had -- it was from the 92-96 generation of F-150 though.



That picture was taken in early 2013, and the truck looks pretty darn nice for a 92-96 model.

 

[Garandman]

If you already have a full-size PU, why not look at the smaller Tacoma's or such? I'd put my ear to the ground and see if Toyota will be putting a diesel in play soon. I've driven the Toyota Hilux overseas and they get great mileage and power. I can't believe they haven't offered the same configuration here.

Unlikely, but Chevrolet may introduce a 2.8L Duramax Colorado, since the engine is being offered in other markets.

The Tacoma is scheduled for a major release in 2016 and there is much speculation about a diesel in that one.

 

[Sodo]

I'm impressed by the fuel mileage you guys get. The guy that sold me my Nissan Frontier (4.0v6) swore up and down it got 21mpg at 70 mph. I get 17. You guys get 19 in your F 150s, I got 15.5 at best. I drive 70-75 but make gentle speed changes, rarely exercise the "accelerator pump". I know how to drive and not "waste gas" but it doesn't turn out that way comparing numbers.

Pretty much everybody gets 15% better gas mileage than me, what am I doing wrong?

 

[RollingsFarms]

I'm impressed by the fuel mileage you guys get. The guy that sold me my Nissan Frontier (4.0v6) swore up and down it got 21mpg at 70 mph. I get 17. You guys get 19 in your F 150s, I got 15.5 at best. I drive 70-75 but make gentle speed changes, rarely exercise the "accelerator pump". I know how to drive and not "waste gas" but it doesn't turn out that way comparing numbers. Pretty much everybody gets 15% better gas mileage than me, what am I doing wrong?

Most likely you're doing nothing wrong. My Tacoma would never do better then 20mpg and usually got 19. It's due to that ancient 5 speed they use and the engines Toyota and Nissan have are pretty old technology as well. My Z71 gets equal to and most times better mileage then my Tacoma ever dreamed of getting.

 

[dragoneggs]

I would recommend buying an extended warranty if possible if you plan on keeping whatever you buy. The f150's have been pretty decent trucks but when your out of warranty some stuff that breaks can be expensive.

Generally I am against buying extended warranties on any appliance, car, or electrical do-hickey. I think the money you save by not buying the warrantees will probably be more than the cost to replace one or more things that crap out with a new unit (except for cars that is). I guess one plays the odds. Only once (on a BMW) did an extended warrantee (came with the used car I bought) prove to be worth the insurance policy.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have a 2011 157" ecoboost. The 157" features the longest rear leaf springs and I have axle wrap on take-off when towing. As a direct injection engine, no fuel cleans the carbon off of the intake valves and because it has turbos, a top end cleaning blows out the turbo seals causing them to fail. I have defeated the stock evaporative emissions system and capture all the gook that would get sent into the engine to burned from the crankcase and collect it is a giant catch-can. The catch-can is the work-around for the carbon on the intake valves problem. An additional problem is that the 3.5L direct injection pump seal can fail and dump raw fuel straight into the engine oil. Furthermore, the air to air intercooler has caused all kinds of hassles from misfires to causing the engine to gulp water and hydrolock throwing a rod in the process. The solution for the intercooler problem is to adapt a water to air intercooler but Ford has not done this yet, and neither are their any aftermarket solutions. Because of oil dilution, early fleet trucks started stretching out and breaking timing chains at 85,000 miles. The fix is more frequent oil changes and the catch-can.

The trucks hauls well enough and I hoof 10,000 pounds down the road at 75 mph irregularly and light loads frequently. In the city with heavy loads the issue is brakes. The truck can do it, but it is hard on the brakes.

Ford does offer a heavy half option, which i would look at if I was in the market. The 2.7L ecoboost has some design changes that make it superior to the 3.5L in terms of longevity in my opinion. The 5.0L gets better milage than the ecoboost while towing, but lacks the power of the EB engines. For 2015, Ford is joining the civilized world and finally offering a heated steering wheel. I suggest you avoid getting the sunroof as they all screw up in time and are noisier.

Catch-can.

Max load and acceleration is not a problem with the ecoboost. 6mpg at 65-75 mph though.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a 2011 157" ecoboost. The 157" features the longest rear leaf springs and I have axle wrap on take-off when towing. As a direct injection engine, no fuel cleans the carbon off of the intake valves and because it has turbos, a top end cleaning blows out the turbo seals causing them to fail. I have defeated the stock evaporative emissions system and capture all the gook that would get sent into the engine to burned from the crankcase and collect it is a giant catch-can. The catch-can is the work-around for the carbon on the intake valves problem. An additional problem is that the 3.5L direct injection pump seal can fail and dump raw fuel straight into the engine oil. Furthermore, the air to air intercooler has caused all kinds of hassles from misfires to causing the engine to gulp water and hydrolock throwing a rod in the process. The solution for the intercooler problem is to adapt a water to air intercooler but Ford has not done this yet, and neither are their any aftermarket solutions. Because of oil dilution, early fleet trucks started stretching out and breaking timing chains at 85,000 miles. The fix is more frequent oil changes and the catch-can.

The trucks hauls well enough and I hoof 10,000 pounds down the road at 75 mph irregularly and light loads frequently. In the city with heavy loads the issue is brakes. The truck can do it, but it is hard on the brakes.

Ford does offer a heavy half option, which i would look at if I was in the market. The 2.7L ecoboost has some design changes that make it superior to the 3.5L in terms of longevity in my opinion. The 5.0L gets better milage than the ecoboost while towing, but lacks the power of the EB engines. For 2015, Ford is joining the civilized world and finally offering a heated steering wheel. I suggest you avoid getting the sunroof as they all screw up in time and are noisier.

Catch-can.

Max load and acceleration is not a problem with the ecoboost. 6mpg at 65-75 mph though.

Nice tow picture! That Grapple looks mean and hungry! I take it you don't recommend the Ecoboost?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Nice tow picture! That Grapple looks mean and hungry! I take it you don't recommend the Ecoboost?

No, just be aware what you're getting into. If you want to turn the key for fifteen years and little else, get the 5.0.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm impressed by the fuel mileage you guys get. The guy that sold me my Nissan Frontier (4.0v6) swore up and down it got 21mpg at 70 mph. I get 17. You guys get 19 in your F 150s, I got 15.5 at best. I drive 70-75 but make gentle speed changes, rarely exercise the "accelerator pump". I know how to drive and not "waste gas" but it doesn't turn out that way comparing numbers.

Pretty much everybody gets 15% better gas mileage than me, what am I doing wrong?

I can get 18.5ish at 80 on the interstates with 3.73's.