Test drove new 3.5l TT Ford

[deerefan]

I just left my local ford dealer and figured I would give you guys some feedback on the new truck motor, the 3.5. I just drove one, a CC 2 wheel drive, 3.15 axle ratio. With that ratio, it was rated @ 22mpg hwy, 15 city. That was rather disappointing. I know those are averages, maybe it can do better. As for accleration, I did not feel any lag. The response was instant. It also did not have the "rough" V6 I was used to when I had a 4.3 in my first truck and a 4.2 in my 03 F150. When I looked under the hood, I saw typical Ford. Virtually impossible to work on, a pain to get to the plugs and the oil filter is a little more accesable than my 97 but still awkward. I just bought a 2011 Silverado Z71 in December with the 5.3 and 3.42 ratio. The Silverado "feels" as if it has more tourque, but the 3.5 is a little quicker. As far as accesability for maintenance, no contest, the Silverado wins. In comfort, equal. I like the Silverado gauges better, bigger and easier to read, has numbers instead of "H" and "C" which I like better. Both trucks have a lot of plastic in the interior which seems to be the new thing. If someone offered me a choice between the 2, I would lean towards the Silverado. Less maint. costs and less expensive out of warranty repairs. I spoke with the service manager who I have known for years and he said if he had to guess a turbo problem would be a minimum of a $1500 repair. Remember, there are 2. Overall, avery interesting and very peppy engine, extremely smooth. Poor accesability but most guys let the dealer do it anyway. It would not be my first choice in engines due to the fact the mileage is not all that impressive along with higher than normal repair bills and if I bought it I would need the 3.73 ratio which definitely won't help. If I think of anything else, I will add it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am with you and am disappointed in the economy.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Personally, I am more impressed with the V8 5.0l making 360hp/380lb.ft which PickupTrucks.com was able to get 311hp and 325lb.ft at the rear wheels on a Dynojet dyno. I bet you'll get the same fuel mileage with the V8 (13-18mpg in real world testing by PickupTrucks.com) as this TT V6 and it will be cheaper in the long run for maintenance and longevity.

 

[deerefan]

Personally, I am more impressed with the V8 5.0l making 360hp/380lb.ft which PickupTrucks.com was able to get 311hp and 325lb.ft at the rear wheels on a Dynojet dyno. I bet you'll get the same fuel mileage with the V8 (13-18mpg in real world testing by PickupTrucks.com) as this TT V6 and it will be cheaper in the long run for maintenance and longevity.

That was a thought I had when driving this truck. The power difference is not that drastic between the 2.

 

[jcmseven]

I think Ford will find a marketing flop with the 3.5L in this application with the other good engine choices they have instead.

John M

 

[turbo36]

Why is eveyone "hatin" on this engine so much? Awful lot of Ford haters out there:laughing: Silky Johnson would be proud!

 

[Ford850]

The "tests" I've read show the 3.5 blows all the others away with it's low end ft lbs, but the 5.0 is close to it at the high end of RPMs. The 5.0 needs a full pedal to perform. Empty, both the 3.5 and 5.0 have power to burn and they seem similar. Pulling/hauling a lot of weight is where you see the real difference and the 3.5 shines. The 3.5 is similar to a 5.4 (flat torque curve) but much stronger throughout the bandwidth. The 5.0 beats the competition (other than 6.+) and the 3.5 is leaps and bounds ahead of that. Ford is offering their engines with a pretty wide variety of gears so any of these tests are suspect unless gear ratios are stated.
The milage being reported by the early buyers is all over the place. Several posting 24mpg hwy, but some much lower. Most of the reports I've seen are from supercrew 4x4's. I don't think I've seen any reports from 4x2 owners though. Most buyers admit they are heavy on the pedal, playing with all the power. I've seen a couple people say they are seeing slightly better milage when they get a little into the boost rather than babying it. Ford predicted the turbos run so efficiently that they they not only increase power but save fuel when in use, so maybe that's actually true. It's tough to tell this time of year with the winter blended fuel too.
It will be a tough decision between the 5.0 and the 3.5 for me.

 

[Ford850]

I think Ford will find a marketing flop with the 3.5L in this application with the other good engine choices they have instead.

John M

That could happen, but doubtful. They have been using the Ecoboost engines for a couple years now and are getting rave reviews from owners. People love getting all that power and still getting the best MPG of anything in it's class. Ford has 3 or 4 EB engines throughout their line (cars and trucks) and have more in the works. They can't keep up with the demand for it in the truck so far, hiring workers and adding shifts to their engine plants. Their parts suppliers can't keep up with demand. It seems like they can do no wrong right now. I read yesterday that their Escape plant is adding a shift because it is sold out in advance for the entire year working 2 shifts. I find that hard to believe but that was on a Ford employee site.
But time will tell. Sooner or later Ford will likely have a large issue with some product and they will get nocked down a peg or two. Maybe it will be this EB in the truck line.

 

[crazyal]

22 hwy/ 15 city for a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton full sized truck. It's been awhile but I thought that was about what 2wds got.

 

[jcmseven]

I have owned many Fords and do not hate them in the least. They make a good, solid product. My concern is that in a truck application this may be a tough sell. We will just have to see how it goes for them. I suspect they will have some tougher sledding in this market than in cars for the Ecoboost style motor.

John M