Ford F150 5.0 vs eco...

[Dmace]

ok well your missing the main point guys.

No, we're just addressing a different point. You said

your losing probably 30-35 percent horsepower through that drive train.

.
We just disagree, especially in new trucks.
But, I also don't believe that F-150 spins all four on dry pavement even with 3.73's.
As far as "slushbox", we disagree again. Granted it cuts the throttle when up-shifting to make the shifts smoother and keep traction between shifts but pulling one wire (#15?) from the TCU harness gives you nice firm WOT shifts and chirps second gear. Google Ram WOT mod for more info. I'd like to see a Ford/GM tranny do that.

 

[shortthrow50]

No, we're just addressing a different point. You said .
We just disagree, especially in new trucks.
But, I also don't believe that F-150 spins all four on dry pavement even with 3.73's.
As far as "slushbox", we disagree again. Granted it cuts the throttle when up-shifting to make the shifts smoother and keep traction between shifts but pulling one wire (#15?) from the TCU harness gives you nice firm WOT shifts and chirps second gear. Google Ram WOT mod for more info. I'd like to see a Ford/GM tranny do that.

i wish i woulda known that trick back then. Then again, nobody probably knew that back then.

 

[jeffsw6]

The reason the computer in the truck limits torque in the lower gears and when shifting is to make the transmission and friends last longer. I guess if you were racing your truck, no mods are off the table; but I sure would not do that to a work truck!

 

[jejeosborne]

Thinking on a new truck. Looking at all makes. For the first time in 34 years I am seriously considering a Ford. Very impressed with the King Ranch option. I would prefer for this thread NOT to become a brand basher, seeking opinions related to the 5.0 vs the eco.

Looking for real world differences between the eco and 5.0. I will not be towing over about 5-6 thou with this truck. I am concerned about reliabilty, ease of maintenance and cost of ownership.

My opinions so far:

1. When I pop the hood I like what I see on the 5.0 a WHOLE bunch better, much less plumbing to deal with, looks TONS easier to work on.
2. I am not happy at all with the opening just below the bumper for the eco intercooler, just a BIG hole there with NO protection for that expensive looking piece of hardware. I can just see a piece of road debris, a rock or bird flying in there and taking out that cooler.
3. The 5.0 sounds lots better!
4. I have been reading about some issues with the eco and coil packs, seems to be a fairly prevalent problem. Under warranty is one thing but what about down the road?
5. For heavy towing the eco should be better, but I already have a Dmax for that.
6. Appears to be 1-2 mpg advantage for the eco, but it would take 40-50 thousand miles for that to pay off.
7. Resale looks better for the eco given the popularity.
8. I am as a rule pretty light on the throttle when driving as I drive for fuel economy, especially with the current price of fuel. Does that measn I could see better than the 1-2 mpg with the eco?

So what do others think?

Here is another link that you may have already read.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/228938-eco-boost-opinions.html

Also a good site for information.
http://www.f150forum.com/

I am not sure which engine would be easier to work on, both are complex. Reliability is unknown by all. Cost of ownership is probably equal after the initial $700 upcharge for the ecoboost.

Concerns for the intercooler getting hit is rare but I agree the hole could have been dressed up a bit. I have only seen one post of a rock strike and it just dented the cooler.

I actually enjoy the silence of the ecoboost. I can carry on a conversion at highway speeds at a whisper. I saw a couple kids riding around in a truck the other day with a bumper sticker that read "loud pipes save lives", my quiet truck gained some respect from those boys that day.

I haven't heard of the coil pack issue and I am very active on that Ford forum.

I own an ecoboost with 3.73 gears. I have been very happy but from your description, not towing or hot rodding, the 5.0 may be a better fit for you. Make certain, you do plan on keeping the Dmax because that is a game changer in my opinion. I would agree with others that the towing milage may be better with the 5.0 but better in the ecoboost empty. For me, I have been waiting for years for someone to build a turbo charged truck so it was a no brainer for me. I am sure they did their marketing homework but think a 3.0 liter turbo with about a 8000 lb tow rating would have been a better fit for power/efficiency in today's world. I will never tow my limit of 11,300 lbs but am enjoying playing with the power.

You will be happy with either.
Jeff

 

[Pixguy]

Thinking on a new truck. 2. I am not happy at all with the opening just below the bumper for the eco intercooler, just a BIG hole there with NO protection for that expensive looking piece of hardware. I can just see a piece of road debris, a rock or bird flying in there and taking out that cooler.
So what do others think?

You can place an aftermarket billet in there for little money.

eBay: f 150 billet 11

 

[Storm56]

Have been working with a couple of dealers, we are just too far apart on price/trade. For comparison and grins I went to see a GMC and RAM dealership and money wise faired better, even taking the King Ranch option into consideration.

Since I am having no issues with my current ride, (a 2007 Avalanche Z71 with only 37000 miles), I think I will take a wait and see attitude. Wait to see if a better deal comes up and maybe see what 2014 models bring. I will not buy a 2013 anything, the number 13 and I clash.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Have been working with a couple of dealers, we are just too far apart on price/trade. For comparison and grins I went to see a GMC and RAM dealership and money wise faired better, even taking the King Ranch option into consideration.

Since I am having no issues with my current ride, (a 2007 Avalanche Z71 with only 37000 miles), I think I will take a wait and see attitude. Wait to see if a better deal comes up and maybe see what 2014 models bring. I will not buy a 2013 anything, the number 13 and I clash.

Thanks for all the replies!

I have heard this. Ford is selling great guns on the new motors and GM and Dodge are making up for it with discounts. I talked to a guy who got nearly $10,000 off on a Chevy 1/2 ton.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

I have heard this. Ford is selling great guns on the new motors and GM and Dodge are making up for it with discounts. I talked to a guy who got nearly $10,000 off on a Chevy 1/2 ton.

Chris

Yeah, GM and RAM trucks are only selling because of huge discounts...
You can get the same discounts on Ford's too! http://www.portford.com/portflyer/page5.html
Get off your high horse, the only thing selling Ford's is marketing.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I have heard this. Ford is selling great guns on the new motors and GM and Dodge are making up for it with discounts. I talked to a guy who got nearly $10,000 off on a Chevy 1/2 ton.

Chris

Honestly, I found the factory discounts to be pretty comparable between Ford and Chevy when I recently purchased my truck. Believe it or not Dodge was the most expensive for what I was looking for. I think my Chevy had $500 more in factory cash available than Ford. They were really all pretty close.

 

[jejeosborne]

I have heard this. Ford is selling great guns on the new motors and GM and Dodge are making up for it with discounts. I talked to a guy who got nearly $10,000 off on a Chevy 1/2 ton.

Chris

I had a coworker who also bought a new Silverado because of the price difference. He really liked the Ford better but it came down to economics for him. I do believe that the Ford trucks do cost more than similarly equipted Dodge and GM as shown from these three indivials who just price shopped. It may be that the base price is just cheaper.

Dmace, are you saying I fell victim to a marketing group? I take offense to that for I feel I am a good consumer buying what fit my needs. Storm56 requested: "I would prefer for this thread NOT to become a brand basher, seeking opinions related to the 5.0 vs the eco." Have you driven both trucks or even one of them so that you can add value to this thread?