I bought a 2011 4x4 extended cab F150 a few months ago. It has the basic 3.7 liter V6 but really performs more like a V8. This is both my first pickup and Ford vehicle. Toyota makes some really good products too, I sold my Corolla with 142k miles on it shortly after buying the truck. I too considered a Tacoma, it should make a brilliant off-road truck with the TRD Off-Road package. Those are pretty popular here in Wyoming.
So far the most I've hauled in the F150 is a deer but of course it can do a lot more. I would probably take the Ecoboost 3.5 liter V6 over the 5.0 V8, more torque and better MPG according to Ford. JMO.
