Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire F150 Engine advice

Guys, looking at a used 2010 or 2011 F150 XLT supercrew

Any opinions on the different engines?

4.6L V8
5.4L V8
3.5L Ecoboost V6
3.7L V6
5.0L V8

What say you?

I have the Ecoboost. I like it a lot, but haven't achieved the mileage they claim.

Is the 5.4 l still the Triton? It is a bull of an engine and would be my pick if so.

I've got 265,000 miles on a 2001 5.4 liter. Never missed a beat. Runs like a watch. You'll get some "piston slap" clacking issues, but it doesn't seem to hurt 'em. I'm shooting for 300K before I even think of another truck.

4

The 5.0 V8 coyote engine is 4-valve dual overhead cam and is also used in the Mustang, but tuned for the F150. It's not as quick or quite as good on gas as the V6 ecoboost, but it's a real V8 if you don't like the whine of turbo chargers.

That's what's in my 2011 F-150. Love it.
I couldn't get the Ecoboost due to lack of availability when I ordered mine in January on 2011, so I went with the 5.0 liter.
I'm averaging 17mpg in mostly city/short drive usage. I only live 6 miles from work.
As for not getting the mileage with the Ecoboost, going lightly on the loud pedal makes a big difference.

What no 6.2L ?

We have a 5.0 in the company delivery truck, I will ask our guys what mileage it gets

Being Ford took the 5.0-V8 Coyote developed for the Mustang and put it in the F-150, you got to wonder if they won't do the same with the 5.4-V8 Condor, or the 5.8-V8 Trinity, all of which are the new 4-valve DOHC design. The 5.8-V8 Trinity puts out 650 HP and 600 lb-ft torque in its supercharged Shelby configuration. Could be fun if gas prices don't go through the roof.

I have the 4x4 Ecoboost with the 3:73 axle. I love the truck and the engine. I get really good mileage at 60-65 mph (around 21-22mpg) but if I push it up around 75-80 I get about 18-19.
The torgue the engine produces is amazing and it is very quiet. I think you would like it.

I've got the small V8 in mine F150---4.6. It has power enough but when I pull anything it has to work. I'd go with the 5.4

I have an '08 5.4 Triton and it is a trailer towing machine.Pulls my trailer the same speed up White Bird hill my old 390 and 454 did.

So far it is a great engine..19.5 Highway empty yet get down and dirty pulling but the gas mileage drops big time.

Jayco

+1 on the above. If you don't do alot of towing, the V6 would be a great choice. It just depends on your intended use.

My F150 4x4 is 34 years old and gets 7mpg on a good day, so my only personal experience with the newer engines is what my cousin tells me about his. He gets short-term leases as there is a Ford dealer in the family, and he always gets the 5.4. He' retired, and tows a 30 Jayco all over the country without a problem. He loves 'em and finds no reason to go bigger.
I think your engine choice would come down to how you plan on using the truck. If you tow, and tow a lot within the GCVWR of a 150, get the 5.4. Otherwise, the Ecoboost sounds like a helluva piece of machinery.

Intended use is light duty. I have a 14 foot john boat and that's the most towing I do. No hills to speak of. Fuel economy and reliability is more important than towing for my use.

We just got a half dozen of the eco-boosts at work, they're a pretty awesome engine.

Not sure if you have to pay more to get it or not.

If I was looking for a new 1/2 ton that's definitely what I'd go after.

I'd say the Ford v6 is plenty for your application unless you're sold on a v8. If you are, get the small one. It would be plenty.
Remember one rule of thumb with the gas prices- $3 is the new $2, $4 the new $3, etc, etc.
Hope you find what you're looking for. I'd love to have a new one.

The V6 'feels' strong enough for my purpose but that was a short test drive yesterday. I like the good fuel economy and will probably go with that. But they wanted $2k more than I want to pay.

The base V6 is no puffcake engine. Rated at 300 hp, and 17/23 fuel milage. If you don't feel the need for the added power & complexity of the Ecoboost that seems like a good option.

I posed this question to a trusted Ford mechanic when I was thinking of a new F150. He recommended the 5.0 V8 or the 5.4 if I went used.

good point. i hope it sticks. i really wanted a V-8 when i purchased my tundracar back in the day.

nowadays, mpg is a big factor, and likely to get bigger. hauling stuff requires the power to do it. but, on a day to day basis, mpg is quickly beginning to rule the road. i like the marketing value of a product called "Eco-boost."

beyond that, i'd rank Ford and Toyota right up at the top. Government motors with various brands, not so much.