F150 Ecoboost owners, check in [Archive]

MSparks909

12-11-2020, 01:28 PM

Had a 2013 3.5 Eco. Put 50K trouble free miles on it before trading it on a F250 6.7. My good friend put 210K on his 2012 3.5 Eco before trading it. Got another friend with a 2.7 Eco in his 19’ F150 with about 30K on it and he enjoys it so far.

Change the plugs every ~50K, oil every 5K with a good synthetic and they are very reliable engines. They are thirsty when they tow though. If you’re in the boost, the MPG isn’t going to be that good. I’d look for a 17’ or newer (Gen 2) if you can afford it. The Gen 2 Ecoboost’s have both port and direct injection so they don’t have an issue with the intake valves coking up with deposits. The Gen 1s had a few issues with that (all DI engines do if they don’t also have port injection) and a few condensation issues with the intercoolers. With that said, my friend that put 210K on his ‘12 only changed the oil, spark plugs and air filter and never had an issue with intake valves gumming up. An additional benefit with the 17’ and newer Ecoboost F150s is they have the 10 speed transmission which is a big improvement over the 6 speed in the 2011-2016 trucks.

FWIW I’m looking to get back into a F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost/10 speed. Don’t need the F250 to tow heavy anymore and am tired of DD’ing it.

mmc45414

12-11-2020, 01:32 PM

Have 2014 3.5.
Tons of torque.
82k, no troubles.

ETA: Mine is only 6 speed, but is max tow config with 3.73.

whomever

12-11-2020, 02:08 PM

>Which engine do you have and do you like it?

2018 2.7 or whatever the small one is.

With a bare truck I get an honest 24 MPG on the highway and 19 around town. With the tall topper 19 everywhere. By my standards, an insane amount of horsepower, but then most of our vehicles have been 4 cylinder :-).

Do I like it? I'll let you know in 20 years ... if all the whiz bang engine tech is trouble free, it will be great. If it proves expensive to maintain ... not so much.

MVS

12-11-2020, 02:52 PM

Not a F150, a 2017 Ford Explorer Sport, 3.5 liter ecoboost. Love it, never thought I would say that about a Ford.

Soxfan9

12-11-2020, 05:52 PM

2017 F-150, 2.7L

I have 135,000 on it so far. I use Mobil 1, and have done the scheduled maintenance, which has not been much. Completely trouble free with plenty of power. I tow a 25’ boat a few times a year, it handles it well.

I plan to keep this for another 18 months or so. I may go with a 3.5 at that point, just for the extra towing capacity in case I get a different boat.

TC215

12-11-2020, 06:24 PM

I had a 2012 F-150 XLT with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Traded it earlier this year at about 130,000 miles. No issues.

I now have a 2016 F-150 FX4 with the 2.7 Ecoboost. 39,000 miles. The 2.7 seems to run a bit smoother than the 3.5 I had.

Duelist

12-11-2020, 07:52 PM

FIL sold his Chevy 1500 4x4 V8 he’d had for ten years or so when MIL and he went to Samoa for a couple of years to run a teacher cert program, and bought an F150 with one of the eco boosts when they came back. They haul a single horse with it, plus feed and other homestead stuff.

gtmtnbiker98

12-11-2020, 08:12 PM

Owned a 2016 F150 2.7 Eco, best truck I had, traded for F250 6.2L. The 2.7 had more ass than my 6.2L - but raw towing goes to the Super Duty!

Navin Johnson

12-11-2020, 08:18 PM

A technician I respect a lot who does a lot of motor enhancing shall we say at a Ford dealer Said he would probably run an EcoBoost in a truck.

If you're towing it's low RPM turbo boost makes a huge difference but the 3.73 gears make it too snappy in many people's opinion off the line so unless you need Max tow get 355 gears. 5.0 get 3.73.

How you drive it as way more to do with the mileage than the motor..... around town in Cody Wyoming is much different than around town in Los Angeles. How you take off from stops and how much you idle can make a huge difference. No full size vehicle gets good mileage around town. Also the boost is addicting and it's easy to put your foot in it a lot. A Chev 5.3 would likely get better mileage.

I would get the 3.5 for resale unless it's just a driver the 2.7 should do a bit better on mpg's

I would be cautious buying used as turbochargers need maintenance and if oil hasn't been changed etc who knows how long it will last. Just like people who buy used diesels the tight tolerance motor and expensive turbos need their oil changed frequently and if they don't they wear and they're expensive.

Irregardless of tow ratings a half ton is only good for about 8,000 lb other than on-level ground. The trailer will push it all over the place due to the soft suspension and lack of brakes.

if you have heard of the class action lawsuit against the EcoBoost motors it is only for the smaller ones not the two seven and the three five.

in my recently purchased Transit work vehicle I chose the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder.... the 3-5 is an option.

my next work van will probably be all-wheel drive and I will probably get the EcoBoost.

Maintenance discipline ......and good luck!

Navin Johnson

12-11-2020, 08:21 PM

Owned a 2016 F150 2.7 Eco, best truck I had, traded for F250 6.2L. The 2.7 had more ass than my 6.2L - but raw towing goes to the Super Duty!

Any EcoBoost would not stand up to the duty cycle that a 6-2 can. The 3.5 and 2.7 would likely outpull the 62 but would not have near the braking or control while towing.

JR1572

12-11-2020, 08:22 PM

I’m issued a 2020 ecoboost F150 responder truck. I’ve had it since July and I’m pretty happy with it.

msstate56

12-12-2020, 01:32 PM

I had a 2.7 2015 and liked it a lot. Sold it and replaced with an identical 2019 with 2.7. I am issued a take home F150 with the 3.5. I like them both, but the 3.5 definitely has more ass. I’m not disappointed with my personal 2.7 though. They tow very well, but they do drink the gas when towing.

Pit

12-12-2020, 04:18 PM

2014 Ford F150 3.5 Eco. Good mileage for up to 50000 miles, 19.5 - 21 mph all round driving. Now at +80000 miles, 15 mph same driving. Changed plugs. Checked turbos. All "in spec" Not as happy as I used to be.

Note: when towing - mileage takes a big hit. 8.5 to 10 mph with covered trailer hauling two Harleys and gear or hunting gear.

Friend's 2012 5.0 F150 consistently out performs my truck.

FWIW

msstate56

12-12-2020, 06:45 PM

Since gears were mentioned it reminds me- make sure you check them on the spec sheet before buying. When I got my 2019, all the 3.5 trucks they could find all had 3.31 gears (which are way too tall IMO). So I stuck with the 2.7 with 3.55 gears. I’ve since put 34” tires on it, and will probably re-gear to 3.73 in the future.

A friend of mine has a 2014 with 5.0 V8 and we went on a cross country hunting trip towing a trailer. It got about the same MPG as my 2.7 gets when towing on flat ground. But the 2.7 gets about 4-5 MPG better when not towing. The 5.0 struggled the whole way, had had a really hard time in the mountains of CO. A turbo engine (or supercharged) will perform much better at higher altitude if that matters to you.

Coal Train

12-12-2020, 08:08 PM

My Dad has a 2014 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. 11X,XXX miles on it with no trouble.

I have a 2016 F-150 3.5L Ecoboost with 3.55. 44,XXX miles on it. It is a beast of a motor. I have hauled our JD 5425 with it and the thing broke the rear wheels loose going up a hill. No problems with it to date.

One con to it is with the lighter weight aluminum body it is not as “planted” towing heavy loads as my previous F-150s. However when it is unloaded it will absolutely fly.

Best truck I have owned.

Isaac

12-12-2020, 08:44 PM

2.7, love it. Towed 7k easily, can fit 3 car seats in back if need be.

EMC

12-12-2020, 10:04 PM

2013 gen 1 3.5 owner here in the 6.5 foot bed supercrew XLT config. I was wooed by the noticeable power difference in the test drive compared to the V8. I do enjoy the turbo get up and go driving up the mountain passes to ski in the winter.

What I dislike. All gen 1 ecoboosts including some gen 2s have a particular flaw with cam phasers where there is gradual wear causing a terrible clacking noise on cold startup. Eventually it gets to the point where timing chain stretch occurs, the truck goes out of timing and a timing code appears and performance takes a dump. It's an extensive repair to fix and expensive.

I have had the clack randomly in the warmer months when the oil drains to the bottom of the engine away from the phasers, most commonly when the truck sits for a few days without use. I prevent it on cold starts by holding the gas peddle to the floor and let the engine crank to build oil pressure before letting it fire up. Eventually this trick will stop working and I will have to deal with the inevitable. There is a TSB about it for both generations.

While I still like my truck, I wish I would have gone for the simplicity and reliability of the proven V8. Turbos are neat but require more care and feeding.

BehindBlueI's

12-13-2020, 12:35 PM

Nephrology

12-13-2020, 06:43 PM

tanner

12-13-2020, 06:55 PM

2018 F-150 Supercab Lariat. 3.5L Ecoboost. 10 speed. Bought it new, in service 11/17.

Currently right around 65k miles. Honest 17mpg on the low end, 19 on the high end. The onboard computer lies and says it is 1mpg higher every time I check it.

Only issue so far has been "rattle on cold start". Timing belt tensioner went bad, this is apparently a common/known issue with these motors. During COVID, took like 9 weeks from diagnosis to fix at the dealer.

Warranty covered it and they gave me a loaner brand new F-150 for the three weeks it was in the shop. That one had the 2.7L Ecoboost, so it was good to compare. I like the grunt of the 3.5, and on paper, the gas mileage for the 2.7 isn't any better. I would recommend the 3.5.

I give it high marks, excellent balance of mileage and oomph.

JRB

12-13-2020, 07:44 PM

If you wait for 2022, looks like there will be another engine option:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37374/6-8-liter-windsor-pushrod-v8-coming-to-2022-ford-mustang-f150-report

6.8L pushrod motor.

Also, apparently, going to be a Mustang option. That'll be...quick.

If that 6.8L does anything like the 7.3 has so far, it'll easily make some pretty silly amounts of power with barely a kiss of boost. The challenge will be making the PCM and 10spd auto trans happy.
If they offer the 6.8L V8 in a Mustang with a 6-spd manual, Brembos, and without an excessive amount of too-cushy overcomplicated farkles in the packages required to get those things.... that might just push me into a Ford dealership.

BehindBlueI's

12-13-2020, 08:32 PM

If they offer the 6.8L V8 in a Mustang with a 6-spd manual, Brembos, and without an excessive amount of too-cushy overcomplicated farkles in the packages required to get those things.... that might just push me into a Ford dealership.

I wonder how it will compare to the 6.2L Camaro and 6.4L Challenger, performance wise. I *think* the Mustang is lighter then the Camaro and it's definitely lighter then the Challenger.

JRB

12-13-2020, 11:03 PM

I wonder how it will compare to the 6.2L Camaro and 6.4L Challenger, performance wise. I *think* the Mustang is lighter then the Camaro and it's definitely lighter then the Challenger.

In my humble opinion the S550 Mustang is a better chassis than the Camaro or Challenger. But the big potential really with the 6.8L isn't straight up HP because the Coyote 5.0L does that amazingly well if one's willing to build an engine. Like most of the 6.2L Camaros and 6.4L Challengers it needs an expensive bottom end build to allow it to hold 1000+whp

Considering the 7.3L Godzilla DNA, I'm hoping the 6.8L Ford brings out inherits the 7.3L's awesome bottom end strength so 1000whp is a matter of a power adder, fuel system/tuning, and a clutch instead of an 'all in' sort of build to get to that level.
Even if not, 6.8L's worth of V8 can spool modern turbos insanely fast :)

TOTS

12-14-2020, 08:10 AM

I wonder how it will compare to the 6.2L Camaro and 6.4L Challenger, performance wise. I *think* the Mustang is lighter then the Camaro and it's definitely lighter then the Challenger.

Makes me happy to see Mustang (or Ford in general) bucking their tradition of putting smaller engines in their vehicles than their competitors. They have done that since the 60s. Chevy just put the 5.7s in everything!

Expanding on my thought: 289,302, then finally 351, then back down to 302, then 4.6, 5.4, now back to 5.0 vs.....350/5.7. On the BB side: 428,429 vs (ignored the 396 and 427, not as common as the) 454. Just a trend I’ve noticed since being a musclecar guy for the last 30 years.

Navin Johnson

12-14-2020, 10:44 AM

Wait.....I thought electric was the future.....(snarky sarcastic remark)

rob_s

12-14-2020, 11:00 AM

this thread s timely. I'm particularly interested in experiences from folks with the EcoBoost from the 2019/2020 Raptor and Limited...

ranger

12-14-2020, 11:56 AM

Yes, very timely. I am looking at buying 2017+ F150 and good chance it will have ecoboost. My best friend has a 2018 F150 3.5EB and he has some of the dreaded "cam phaser" issues and his is low miles. Debating how long to keep current 2015 Ram 1500 Hemi now that it is over 100000 miles.

msstate56

12-14-2020, 06:04 PM

According to Ford dealers/mechanics I talked to before I bought my first 2015 2.7, the 2.7L is the best gas engine Ford makes. So far on my sample of two, it seems true. It is not simply a smaller 3.5, it has a completely different block design.

revchuck38

12-14-2020, 06:37 PM

On the BB side: 428,429 vs (ignored the 396 and 427, not as common as the) 454. Just a trend I’ve noticed since being a musclecar guy for the last 30 years.

You forgot the 348 and 409. #geezermemories

LittleLebowski

12-14-2020, 08:58 PM

TOTS

12-14-2020, 09:13 PM

You forgot the 348 and 409. #geezermemories

Nah, didn’t forget, those old W-motors were never in the Camaros. Which, I guess I meant when I was referring to the Mustang’s competitors. Wanna get nerdy, You forgot the 366 BBC truck motor!! 😂

LittleLebowski

12-14-2020, 09:16 PM

this thread s timely. I'm particularly interested in experiences from folks with the EcoBoost from the 2019/2020 Raptor and Limited...

I might know a guy...

TOTS

12-14-2020, 09:21 PM

With the gracious advice and time of a certain unnamed forum member, I got an excellent deal on this 3.5 XLT s-crew 4wd with the Max Tow Package. It’s hard to explain exactly how much power the 3.5 Ecoboost has, it’s insane.

64669

I was researching the Dodge 3.0 Ecodiesel thinking I had missed something but you just sold me on the Max Tow Ecoboost.

LittleLebowski

12-14-2020, 09:28 PM

I was researching the Dodge 3.0 Ecodiesel thinking I had missed something but you just sold me on the Max Tow Ecoboost.

The towing/payload numbers don’t lie, plus no DEF bullshit. Did you see the Ford Trailer Backup Assist gadget?

https://youtu.be/0HLcJiPcumM

camel

12-14-2020, 09:52 PM

Ford did it right with the ecoboost and package accessories. Congrats

schüler

12-14-2020, 11:24 PM

I put some serious highway miles on EB F150s.

PRO: Freakin sporty in Sport mode. First time I drove an unloaded 3.5L in S mode I had a grin from ear to ear. The 2.7L is no slouch either.

CON: I don't like the peaky torque or Ford's laggy response. Only 1.0mpg advantage in town or highway.

My current 2.7L is at 90k mi, has some oil burn off on startup. Our trucks are driven to 200k, most are 2.7L, not a single engine failure in the fleet. Although failing door position sensors and electronic e-brake stuff can drive you nuts.

Local dealerships won't take the earlier model 3.5L near 100k in trade due to timing chain stretch issues. Dealer mechanics have preferred the V8 for durability but it sounds like Ford has worked out the big issues.

Yeah, the EB Raptor is perky, but I hate the way they sound. I wish they'd offer an 8 again.

mmc45414

12-15-2020, 10:18 AM

The towing/payload numbers don’t lie
Yeah, can confirm...

64702

rayrevolver

12-15-2020, 06:53 PM

The towing/payload numbers don’t lie, plus no DEF bullshit.

I just want to point out, the payload is where my 2013 3.5 runs short (4x4, 3.55 gears). I know they did a much better job on newer trucks, based on looking at the door jambs at the dealership). My Lariat is something like ~1150lbs of payload... which isn't much.

I have posted about it in the past, pictured below is my 32.5' TT. Empty is 6200 lbs, max gross is 7100lbs (which means a tongue weight up to 1050lbs...). Yada Yada Yada I figure I am very close to my max payload with just the family in the truck. I would NOT want to tow a 9500lb trailer with my rig. I would be limited to myself in the truck since payload would be maxed out.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50724579096_fac738323d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2khmJ9y)

This is the first gen 3.5 and I don't hear any weird sounds. I hope it runs through at least 150k miles. I am at 90k.

LittleLebowski

12-16-2020, 08:50 PM

Anyone here running a tuner?

mmc45414

12-16-2020, 09:03 PM

Anyone here running a tuner?No, but am a little curious. Just a little...

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

rayrevolver

12-17-2020, 08:48 AM

At least on the 2013s, our engines respond to 93 octane. Its in the manual to use 93 for heavy loads and has been proven by testing/dynos. I am NOT saying its worth it to run 93 for the tiny gains in HP or MPG. I use 93 for towing that TT and 87 when not towing.

As a new owner I learned about a transmission mode that uses higher RPM until it warms up. When my trans temp goes from 104 -> 105, all of the sudden the RPMs drop in 6th. Not sure if this is still a thing with you newer trans.

Anyone here running a tuner?

No, but back in the day I looked into it. I remember 5-Star Tuning and Livernois as the brands I was looking into for tunes.

These guys sell some of the engine tuning kits:
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/

https://www.livernoismotorsports.com/mycalibrator-tuners

End of the day, I am happy with the performance but would have liked better mileage for day-to-day. There was/is a lot of MPG talks when it come to these Ecoboosts and the performance "seems" very inconsistent truck-to-truck. My truck struggled to get 18mpg, even with me doing my best pussy footing but not hypermiling. My best mileage is 18.8mpg and that was limping at 55mph, although I have seen 21 and change on road trips but never for a whole actual tank. At the same time, guys with similar trucks were getting over 21-22mpg on tanks, which means they were getting 23-24 at slow freeway speeds. And on the low end, dudes claimed 13-14mpg while trying to get good mileage.

So yeah, I was considering a tuner with a 87 daily driver tune and a 91/93 towing tune.

mmc45414

12-17-2020, 01:56 PM

No, but am a little curious. Just a little...

No, but back in the day I looked into it.
End of the day, I am happy with the performance but would have liked better mileage for day-to-day.
So yeah, I was considering a tuner with a 87 daily driver tune and a 91/93 towing tune.
I am plenty happy with the power, but have always wondered if I am leaving some mileage on the table. I tend to put mid-grade in the truck and 93 in the Focus ST and would commit to doing so if I could gain something through a tune. But, JRB explained (in response to me mentioning that my Focus went through plugs pretty fast) that the way they adjust to having 93 is that they assume they do and if they don't they roll back a little bit (at least that is how I understood it), eventually using up the spark plugs in fewer miles than a N/A engine would.

I would commit to 93, even in the truck, if I could gain a little mileage to offset a little cost, even if that is just mental. In the car I would do it for sure, since I am already running 93, but I am not willing to do anything that costs me range. I can make a sales call in Chicago in the morning and drive home without a fuel stop and I do not want to tamper with that. I also have already racked up 112k miles on the car, and it is more important to me that it lives a long time rather than power understeers a little more, since FWD is FWD after all.

Maybe JRB will weigh in here, since I threw up the Batsignal a couple times... :cool:

LittleLebowski

12-19-2020, 09:35 AM

mmc45414

12-19-2020, 10:41 AM

Also, my hard, folding bed cover is en route.
How long is your bed, and which one did you buy?
I have an eight footer, and a Bakflip, and am happy but it seems like it is kinda heavy, but it is an eight footer (and eight foot options are limited).

LittleLebowski

12-19-2020, 10:43 AM

How long is your bed, and which one did you buy?
I have an eight footer, and a Bakflip, and am happy but it seems like it is kinda heavy, but it is an eight footer (and eight foot options are limited).

67” and this cheap one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JCLB58S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I read the reviews thoroughly, I think it will be fine for my needs.

BehindBlueI's

12-19-2020, 11:49 AM

I’ve got rubber mats installed on the tailgate and the bed for me dawg so she doesn’t slip whilst riding in the back. Also, my hard, folding bed cover is en route.

No spray in bed liner? I like my Line-x quite a bit. I've only managed to damage it once. I was sharpening a chainsaw on my tailgate and accidentally gouged the liner. It didn't damage the metal underneath but made a flap of material. They fixed it at no cost under their warranty and didn't even point and laugh at me.

joshs

12-19-2020, 12:18 PM

DeeZee tailgate assist (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AP2BNS0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) installed, highly recommended. Made In USA Husky floor mats (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QG3X6NH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) added, great investment :cool: I’ve got rubber mats installed on the tailgate and the bed for me dawg so she doesn’t slip whilst riding in the back. Also, my hard, folding bed cover is en route.

Thanks for reminding me that I needed one of the tailgate dampers for my Ranger.

I was a bit skeptical of the little baby Ecoboost, but it has been awesome. Plenty of power for a little truck, and I get up to 23 mpg on the highway since adding a bed cover.

TOTS

12-19-2020, 12:54 PM

LittleLebowski

12-19-2020, 01:16 PM

Why the tri-fold vice a roll-up?

Cost.

LittleLebowski

12-19-2020, 02:12 PM

No spray in bed liner? I like my Line-x quite a bit. I've only managed to damage it once. I was sharpening a chainsaw on my tailgate and accidentally gouged the liner. It didn't damage the metal underneath but made a flap of material. They fixed it at no cost under their warranty and didn't even point and laugh at me.

I am focusing my funds towards a tuner right now so I just grabbed this US made rubber mat for $92 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y4JCOGQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), plus my dog is much less likely to slip on it.

Balisong

12-19-2020, 02:32 PM

I am focusing my funds towards a tuner right now so I just grabbed this US made rubber mat for $92 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y4JCOGQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), plus my dog is much less likely to slip on it.

Nice job on all the USA made stuff. Whenever I'm able to get a 4runner I was already planning on getting weather tech type floor covers for it, so I will most likely go with the USA brand Husky. I didn't know those were made here, so that's a definite bonus (and yes I see the irony in trying to go USA made items as much as possible in a Japanese vehicle)

LittleLebowski

12-19-2020, 02:49 PM

Nice job on all the USA made stuff. Whenever I'm able to get a 4runner I was already planning on getting weather tech type floor covers for it, so I will most likely go with the USA brand Husky. I didn't know those were made here, so that's a definite bonus (and yes I see the irony in trying to go USA made items as much as possible in a Japanese vehicle)

I don’t try to virtue signal about the USA made stuff, but I certainly will spend a few more bucks for it when possible and I couldn’t possibly hate on buying a Japanese vehicle.

mtnbkr

12-19-2020, 04:33 PM

FWIW, a buddy and I drove down Peters Mill OHV trail today (Near Edinburg, VA). I was in my 4Runner, he took his F150 Ecoboost 4x4. The trail was mostly covered with snow and ice and the last 1/4 of the trail was a sheet of packed snow that was polished smooth and slick as snot (Jeeps were struggling to climb out of Edinburg Gap as a result, we were descending on this mess and let gravity do the work). Except for one minorly technical spot my buddy made it through with little drama on the factory street tires. He rubbed his undercarriage on a few rocks here and there, but no damage was done.

Some +1 or +2 fitment AT tires would have made the few challenging sections nothing at all.

Chris

LittleLebowski

12-20-2020, 11:21 AM

TC215

12-20-2020, 11:39 AM

BehindBlueI's

12-20-2020, 11:45 AM

I like this, it’s prolly next on my list of shit to add to my new truck.

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-TG-CB5F2228-2015-2018-Underseat/dp/B07DYHLMM3/

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61X17uSWyTL._AC_SX679_.jpg

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71LAbKi8RXL._AC_SX679_.jpg

If my vastly superior Ram didn't have build in under seat storage, I guess that might be of interest to me... :D

One universal trick I picked up on the Ram forum is buying two Husky stackable storage bins at Home depot and then using one of the bed divider bars to keep them in place at the back of your bed. It makes it very easy to put small items, groceries, etc. in the bed of your truck and them not roll around. It's very easy to take them out when you need more bed space, of course, and since they stack when not in use they are easy to store.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Stackable-Storage-Bin-in-Black-232387/300170479

Two of them will sit side by side and not have room to slide sideways. The expandable bar keeps them trapped up against the tailgate so they don't slide front to back. I leave enough room between them and the tailgate to put a case of soda for grocery runs.

tanner

12-20-2020, 12:32 PM

I forgot to mention that the towing package is one of my favorite choices I made with my truck even though I don't tow much.

36 gallon gas tank is the bomb. I can usually fill up once a week, typically drive about 500 miles per.

NWshooter

12-20-2020, 12:33 PM

Had my first “issue” with my 2011 F150 Ecoboost.

Fan would come on like I was overheating, but thermostat was pegged cold. Ran full and couldn’t have been louder.

Took it in and simply had to recharge the A/C u it. Only holds about 1.7 pounds but this model has started to have this show up.

$260 later, good as new.

Can’t see myself ever getting rid of this truck. I looked for about 8 months for this exact truck. 4 door, black exterior (ended up with a black and grey fleck job that is incredible) black leather, center console up front, no screen on the dash just a radio, Flipbak bed cover. Found it on accident on my way to a client call. Pulled over, called the client said I’d be late.

Love this truck.

NWshooter

12-20-2020, 12:34 PM

If my vastly superior Ram didn't have build in under seat storage, I guess that might be of interest to me... :D

One universal trick I picked up on the Ram forum is buying two Husky stackable storage bins at Home depot and then using one of the bed divider bars to keep them in place at the back of your bed. It makes it very easy to put small items, groceries, etc. in the bed of your truck and them not roll around. It's very easy to take them out when you need more bed space, of course, and since they stack when not in use they are easy to store.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Stackable-Storage-Bin-in-Black-232387/300170479

Two of them will sit side by side and not have room to slide sideways. The expandable bar keeps them trapped up against the tailgate so they don't slide front to back. I leave enough room between them and the tailgate to put a case of soda for grocery runs.

When I clicked on this, Amazon had a banner that said “this doesn’t fit your 2011 F150”

That’s troublesome.

BehindBlueI's

12-20-2020, 12:37 PM

When I clicked on this, Amazon had a banner that said “this doesn’t fit your 2011 F150”

That’s troublesome.

My link went to Home Depot and it's not vehicle specific (or even designed to be an automotive accessory), so I'm not sure what you're saying.

revchuck38

12-20-2020, 01:10 PM

If my vastly superior Ram didn't have build in under seat storage, I guess that might be of interest to me... :D

Does a long gun fit under there? Specifically, an 18-1/2" 870 or an A2 AR?

NWshooter

12-20-2020, 02:33 PM

My link went to Home Depot and it's not vehicle specific (or even designed to be an automotive accessory), so I'm not sure what you're saying.

The link inside your quotes post takes me to Amazon

BehindBlueI's

12-20-2020, 02:56 PM

The link inside your quotes post takes me to Amazon

Ah, I quoted LL originally and you were talking about that doo-dad and not the doo-dad I posted, got it.

NWshooter

12-20-2020, 03:12 PM

Ah, I quoted LL originally and you were talking about that doo-dad and not the doo-dad I posted, got it.

Jeff Bezos is gonna find you for not linking an Amazon product.

BehindBlueI's

12-20-2020, 03:14 PM

Jeff Bezos is gonna find you for not linking an Amazon product.

That won't be a challenge. Tell him to bring those cherry wood chunks I ordered when he comes.

NWshooter

12-20-2020, 03:17 PM

That won't be a challenge. Tell him to bring those cherry wood chunks I ordered when he comes.

LQTM

Laugh Quietly To Myself

rayrevolver

12-20-2020, 03:24 PM

I like this, it’s prolly next on my list of shit to add to my new truck.

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-TG-CB5F2228-2015-2018-Underseat/dp/B07DYHLMM3/

Nice setup. It won't work in my fancy Lariat, I have a stock subwoofer under the passenger side seat. I do have blankets, first aid, and jumper cables on the other side. Now that I think of it, I need another NOCO battery booster thing and can keep the cables at home.

Have you figured out the tune and the tuner you are going to use? Like getting new wheels, its something that I've wanted to do but always spend the money on something else.

Same goes for a bed cover. The Bakflip was something I wanted after a roadtrip with the family where we used trash bags for luggage during a storm. Still no cover on mine, but I liked the price on the one you linked.

LittleLebowski

12-20-2020, 04:26 PM

Nice setup. It won't work in my fancy Lariat, I have a stock subwoofer under the passenger side seat. I do have blankets, first aid, and jumper cables on the other side. Now that I think of it, I need another NOCO battery booster thing and can keep the cables at home.

Have you figured out the tune and the tuner you are going to use? Like getting new wheels, its something that I've wanted to do but always spend the money on something else.

Same goes for a bed cover. The Bakflip was something I wanted after a roadtrip with the family where we used trash bags for luggage during a storm. Still no cover on mine, but I liked the price on the one you linked.

I’m going with 5 Star tuning, most likely. I get my bed cover tomorrow, standby for a review.

ranger

12-20-2020, 04:26 PM

My best accessory since I bought my Ram - wish I had bought it day one but I waited 4 years to add.

https://www.bedslide.com/series-2-bedslide-1000-classic.html

LittleLebowski

12-21-2020, 08:10 PM

If my vastly superior Ram didn't have build in under seat storage, I guess that might be of interest to me... :D

Oh, I’m ordering a tuner for sure now :D

BehindBlueI's

12-21-2020, 08:18 PM

Oh, I’m ordering a tuner for sure now :D

Can you order two more cylinders? :cool:

LittleLebowski

12-21-2020, 08:40 PM

Can you order two more cylinders? :cool:

The extra horsepower and the insane torque curve (stock) make up for it :cool: Today, I punched it at about 40 and squalled the tires and launched like a bat out of hell.

BehindBlueI's

12-21-2020, 09:07 PM

The extra horsepower and the insane torque curve (stock) make up for it :cool: Today, I punched it at about 40 and squalled the tires and launched like a bat out of hell.

Says the guy who says he's not interested in speed. LL is going to become LLL. You know, for lyin'....

Congrats on the new truck. You get a new truck, I get something to flip you shit about, it's really a win for both of us.

LittleLebowski

12-21-2020, 09:57 PM

Says the guy who says he's not interested in speed. LL is going to become LLL. You know, for lyin'....

Congrats on the new truck. You get a new truck, I get something to flip you shit about, it's really a win for both of us.

The tires squalling at 40MPH made me hurry home, full of inspiration for the wife :D

I guess I’m old, I’m not used to crew cab 4wds doing this, ever.

BehindBlueI's

12-21-2020, 10:31 PM

The tires squalling at 40MPH made me hurry home, full of inspiration for the wife :D

I guess I’m old, I’m not used to crew cab 4wds doing this, ever.

The capability of new trucks is nothing short of stunning if you grew up in the era of square bodies or earlier. No more 4.10s and a TH400 behind a big block that could pull down a barn but was revving like a turbine at highway speeds...now you get both.

The only downside is complexity and the cost associated with it. No more sitting on your fender liner and working on the motor with simple hand tools. I also miss manual transmissions. My Camaro is a stick, so I get my fix there. I just like rowing my own even if I'm not as good at is as a computer is. And I'm not. But my 'one that got away' is not a gun or a girl, it's a 4-speed granny geared regular cab long bed.

LittleLebowski

12-22-2020, 07:51 AM

The capability of new trucks is nothing short of stunning if you grew up in the era of square bodies or earlier. No more 4.10s and a TH400 behind a big block that could pull down a barn but was revving like a turbine at highway speeds...now you get both.

The only downside is complexity and the cost associated with it. No more sitting on your fender liner and working on the motor with simple hand tools. I also miss manual transmissions. My Camaro is a stick, so I get my fix there. I just like rowing my own even if I'm not as good at is as a computer is. And I'm not. But my 'one that got away' is not a gun or a girl, it's a 4-speed granny geared regular cab long bed.

I concur, I prefer a stick, and yup, owned only stick shifts in SoCal, no problems.

mmc45414

12-22-2020, 09:21 AM

We use these in some of our trucks at work:
https://www.tuffyproducts.com/product/512/underseat-lockbox-ford-f-series-supercrew-2015
I would like to get something similar for my F-150, but I have too many children/car seats for that to be convenient.
I have the extended cab version and it is nice to know I have someplace to really lock stuff up, but there seems to be a dog on top of it most of the time. My XLT has the center console that folds up into a seat that has been used exactly once, I plan to take it out and make one of these fit:
https://www.tuffyproducts.com/product/88/center-console-series-ii-12-12-wide
We had the same unit in our 1991 Suburban and it was great.

The capability of new trucks is nothing short of stunning if you grew up in the era of square bodies or earlier.
That 1991 Suburban was the last square body with front leaf springs (ETA: I think they changed the pickups in 1988). We kept it for a decade and had a ton of adventure and many great memories. It probably had less torque and horsepower than my current Ford Focus...

I also miss manual transmissions. My Camaro is a stick, so I get my fix there. I just like rowing my own even if I'm not as good at is as a computer is. And I'm not. But my 'one that got away' is not a gun or a girl, it's a 4-speed granny geared regular cab long bed.
We actually had two square body Suburbans, and the first one was a retired power company truck that had a 4-speed with a creeper. My first new vehicle was a short bed 1978 K-10 with the same transmission. I liked RAM was still doing the Cummins with a 6-speed, granny first and overdrive sixth. Now we have the Focus ST and MrsMMc's 2009 Honda Element. We joke that the Element was probably the last one ever produced with the 5-speed manual, but it might actually be the last one ever produced with the 5-speed manual.

LittleLebowski

12-22-2020, 09:23 AM

I still can't believe the back seat space in the crew cab, it's crazy. My kids have seemingly acres of room back there.

mmc45414

12-22-2020, 09:38 AM

I still can't believe the back seat space in the crew cab, it's crazy. My kids have seemingly acres of room back there.
They are like a limo!
I have the extended cab because when I bought it I needed the long bed, but the modern ones are actually pretty roomy. With kids that are going to get progressively bigger the crew cab is the answer, but for us there is plenty of room for the occasional passenger. My mom is small, but she rode back there all the way to Florida (from OH) in one day. She was ready to stop overnight in Georgia, but that probably had nothing to do with the truck.

msstate56

12-22-2020, 09:29 PM

They are like a limo!
I have the extended cab because when I bought it I needed the long bed, but the modern ones are actually pretty roomy. With kids that are going to get progressively bigger the crew cab is the answer, but for us there is plenty of room for the occasional passenger. My mom is small, but she rode back there all the way to Florida (from OH) in one day. She was ready to stop overnight in Georgia, but that probably had nothing to do with the truck.

I took an 18 hour drive to CO with 5 full grown adult males in a 2013 crew cab F150. No complaints about room at all.

LittleLebowski

12-23-2020, 07:05 AM

First highway trip this morning, 22MPG. I am sure I could have bettered that with a longer drive sans stops and starts.

mmc45414

12-23-2020, 09:31 AM

First highway trip this morning, 22MPG.
Do you know what final drive ratio you have? I think the ten speed is another advantage. I really like the power on my 2014 3.5L, but with MaxTow I only get 15-18mpg, but the 36gal tank makes it all good.

LOKNLOD

12-23-2020, 10:05 AM

Do you know what final drive ratio you have? I think the ten speed is another advantage. I really like the power on my 2014 3.5L, but with MaxTow I only get 15-18mpg, but the 36gal tank makes it all good.

My '15 with the max tow and and steep gearing was a lot thirstier than my buddies '16 without it. To the tune of several MPG. Both had/have 6-speeds though, and I bet that 10-speed improves things a lot across the board.

LittleLebowski

12-23-2020, 10:12 AM

mmc45414

12-23-2020, 11:55 AM

My '15 with the max tow and and steep gearing was a lot thirstier than my buddies '16 without it. To the tune of several MPG. Both had/have 6-speeds though, and I bet that 10-speed improves things a lot across the board.
Plus I leveled the front (+2") and added a front hitch that eliminated the little air damn. I was just reading something that maybe 3.73 is no longer even part of MaxTow with the 3.5L (it is with the 5.0) and 10-speed, might not be necessary. I also think my big ass mirrors are not doing me any favors.

LittleLebowski

12-23-2020, 01:00 PM

Plus I leveled the front (+2") and added a front hitch that eliminated the little air damn. I was just reading something that maybe 3.73 is no longer even part of MaxTow with the 3.5L (it is with the 5.0) and 10-speed, might not be necessary. I also think my big ass mirrors are not doing me any favors.

Which air damn? I've got the Max Tow package.

mmc45414

12-23-2020, 01:39 PM

Which air damn? I've got the Max Tow package.
There was a tiny little lip beneath the bumper that I think I had to remove when I put the FRONT hitch on. But the more I recollect maybe I only had to cut a notch in it...

Don't really have a good picture that shows it handy.

65071

LittleLebowski

12-25-2020, 08:32 PM

Supposedly this tool is very handy when changing the transmission fluid on the new 10sp tranny.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00KIKZOLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TOTS

12-26-2020, 09:10 AM

Supposedly this tool is very handy when changing the transmission fluid on the new 10sp tranny.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00KIKZOLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wonder if it’s the same as the fuel line disconnect tools that I already have?

LOKNLOD

12-26-2020, 09:50 AM

First highway trip this morning, 22MPG. I am sure I could have bettered that with a longer drive sans stops and starts.

LL, or others, does yours have the engine start/stop feature, how are you feeling about it, and how are you dealing with it if you don't like it?

mtnbkr

12-26-2020, 09:56 AM

LL, or others, does yours have the engine start/stop feature, how are you feeling about it, and how are you dealing with it if you don't like it?

My buddy hates it (same guy I referenced in my first post at the top of the thread). His view is that a starter has a finite number of starts and this "feature" just artificially uses them up. He punches the disable button every time he starts the truck.

He has considered one of the defeat devices, but hasn't gotten around to it yet.

Chris

whomever

12-26-2020, 12:16 PM

LL, or others, does yours have the engine start/stop feature, how are you feeling about it, and how are you dealing with it if you don't like it?

I had a battery replaced, on warranty, after several months. It might have just been a lemon battery, or too many starts/stops on in-town errands and not enough longer trips for the charging to catch up. I deal with it by having my 'start the car' routine include pushing the disable button.

It's kind of funny - if you're spending all day on the interstate, the auto-start won't kick in enough to make much of a difference. If you have too many short trips with too many stops, maybe you end up running the battery down. If your usage is just right, like Goldilocks, it could be awesome. I wish there was a permanent disable option (in the vehicle software, supported by Ford, not the add on switches that 'push' themselves and so on).

camel

12-26-2020, 01:55 PM

Supposedly this tool is very handy when changing the transmission fluid on the new 10sp tranny.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00KIKZOLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Haven’t done a fluid change personally but the mechanics I talk to say the tool comes in handy

mmc45414

12-29-2020, 09:31 PM

It’s hard to explain exactly how much power the 3.5 Ecoboost has
Today I was on I-70 in Indiana and an Explorer with Iowa plates on it was just parked in the left lane. I mean like seriously after I had passed them miles and miles later (I could tell they were trying to catch back up) when I saw them get in the right lane I muttered to the dog "They must need gas" and sure as shit, they hit the next exit. Anyway, back to the "after I passed them " part. Ater I got really tired of their shit I started to roll on past in the right lane (I know, I know...) and they started to speed up, a little at first, then a bit more.

It didn't work.

Glad I didn't need bailed out. :cool:

mmc45414

12-29-2020, 09:37 PM

LL, or others, does yours have the engine start/stop feature, how are you feeling about it, and how are you dealing with it if you don't like it?

My buddy hates it (same guy I referenced in my first post at the top of the thread).
A friend that has it that I would expect to hate it doesn't mind it. OTOH I have rented cars that have it and it bugged the shit out of me. I think I have a tendency to move ahead in traffic slowly, so it was kicking on and off frequently. So maybe it can vary by user?

MSparks909

12-29-2020, 11:17 PM

I’m going with 5 Star tuning, most likely. I get my bed cover tomorrow, standby for a review.

5 Star is the way to go. Take the silencer rings out of the intakes (free) and remove the sound deadening from under the engine and you’ll really hear the turbos spool. Pair the tuner with an aftermarket free-er flowing exhaust would be a nice combo.

whomever

12-30-2020, 07:32 AM

A friend that has it that I would expect to hate it doesn't mind it. OTOH I have rented cars that have it and it bugged the shit out of me. I think I have a tendency to move ahead in traffic slowly, so it was kicking on and off frequently. So maybe it can vary by user?

Or by vehicle? If you weren't paying attention, on the F-150 it was easy to not notice when autostart did its thing. I'd look at the tach to be sure :-). It was really, really impressive how invisible they made it.

mmc45414

12-30-2020, 08:04 AM

Or by vehicle? If you weren't paying attention, on the F-150 it was easy to not notice when autostart did its thing. I'd look at the tach to be sure :-). It was really, really impressive how invisible they made it.
Now that I have recollected a bit more, you could be right, I think most of my rental experience was with various 4cyl smaller cars and it was evident when it happened, and I think was only really annoying when in a right turn on red lane, where you might move and stop and move and stop and move...

LittleLebowski

12-30-2020, 09:02 AM

Oh, I’m ordering a tuner for sure now :D

I got a 5Star tuner and tunes. The 87 octane performance and towing package is ridiculous, just smooth power.

whomever

12-30-2020, 09:31 AM

Now that I have recollected a bit more, you could be right, I think most of my rental experience was with various 4cyl smaller cars and it was evident when it happened, and I think was only really annoying when in a right turn on red lane, where you might move and stop and move and stop and move...

When I started having battery probs (but before getting in the habit of just disabling it), I left the dash display showing the autostart status - it would say, for example, that it would be stopping the engine except for $reason, where $reason could be any of: engine too cold, wheels turned more than X degrees, you were on a hill, up or down, that it didn't think it could maintain cabin temp w/o the engine, and on and on. The geek in me would love to see the source code for making the decision, it was so well done. I don't recall brake pedal pressure being displayed as a reason, but my sense was that it cared - a really gentle, eggshell-between-foot-and-pedal stop was less likely to have it turn the motor off, and since the stop-creep-stop-creep pattern usually doesn't have you stomping the pedal it wasn't repeatedly doing stop-start in those circumstances. Alternatively, or in addition, it might have had some kind of memory function - 'if I autostarted just 5 seconds ago, be more reluctant to do it again'. I don't know for sure, it would be fun to know the nitty gritty details.

And I'm just spitballing here, if anyone else knows chime in, but my sense is that the direct injection makes it the fastest starting engine I have ever encountered. I remember the old carburetted engines where they went grr...grr...grr...grr for several seconds waiting for gas to get from the carb to the spark plug. Then with electronic ignition and port fuel injection it was (and still is, on our Honda) grrrr...vroom, with the cranking part lasting maybe one second. This motor (2.7) ... it's instantaneous, no grrr at all. You turn the key, it's on, well in the subsecond range. My guess is that is because it is spraying gas right onto the plug of whatever cylinder is in compression, so there is an immediate power stroke. So when it is autostopped and the light turns green, it's at idle RPM before your foot is off the brake pedal. Very, very impressive engineering.

LittleLebowski

12-30-2020, 09:44 AM

LL, or others, does yours have the engine start/stop feature, how are you feeling about it, and how are you dealing with it if you don't like it?

I have it, it doesn’t bother me, but my tune disabled it.

mmc45414

12-30-2020, 10:07 AM

And I'm just spitballing here, if anyone else knows chime in, but my sense is that the direct injection makes it the fastest starting engine I have ever encountered.

I think they have also changed how the starter engages, but cannot easily find any info.

tanner

12-30-2020, 04:44 PM

LL, or others, does yours have the engine start/stop feature, how are you feeling about it, and how are you dealing with it if you don't like it?

So mine has it. Didn't bother me too much, had to press hard on the brake while stopped to get it to go.

But since I got it back from having the timing belt tensioner replaced, it seems to be disabled. Maybe the dealer mechanic did me a solid? No idea as to why other than that.

mmc45414

12-31-2020, 09:28 AM

I got a 5Star tuner and tunes. The 87 octane performance and towing package is ridiculous, just smooth power.

Was your recent 22mpg before or after the tune?

ETA: Did you just get it sent to you or did a shop install it?

LittleLebowski

12-31-2020, 09:57 AM

Was your recent 22mpg before or after the tune?

ETA: Did you just get it sent to you or did a shop install it?

Before. I got it sent to me, it’s laughably easy to install with a tuner that you have to buy anyway.

LittleLebowski

01-04-2021, 07:17 AM

I got a 5Star tuner and tunes. The 87 octane performance and towing package is ridiculous, just smooth power.

Gassed it at about 50-ish the other night, the traction control came on :cool:

BehindBlueI's

01-06-2021, 07:36 PM

This popped up in my recommended videos today, thanks LittleLebowski now YT thinks I'm needing to learn more about your eco-boost.... :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70GgjKdAtZs

LittleLebowski

01-09-2021, 03:53 PM

67” and this cheap one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JCLB58S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I read the reviews thoroughly, I think it will be fine for my needs.

I seem to remember someone in this thread wanting to know how I liked this bed cover, but I can’t find the post. The answer is that I do like it so far and it’s fairly waterproof. For the cost, absolutely good to go.

MVS

01-09-2021, 03:57 PM

I gave serious consideration to the tuner route, but I have the platinum package extended warranty or whatever they call it, and don't want to void that.

TOTS

02-27-2021, 11:24 PM

rob_s

02-28-2021, 08:59 AM

Without reading back through the whole thread...

Anyone running the powerboost engine? I believe that’s what Ford is calling the hybrid, ecoboost plus 47 ho electric motor. Boosts performance AND mpg (which I only care about because it also increases range, although you can’t get the larger gas tank in the powerboost models).

LittleLebowski

02-28-2021, 03:47 PM

68180

Just picked this up; 2018 XLT SCrew 4x4; 3.5 EB. Modding is starting soon. Katzkin leather seats and those Husky floor mats are already ordered. Going with tune and intercooler after that. Looking into a 2 in leveling kit as well. Really wanted a 250, so maybe go with some LED head/tail lights.

Right now, any suggestions on tint film to make the front windows match the rears? Or vinyl to black out the huge chrome ‘bars’ on the grill?

I just put 3600 miles on my 2018 3.5 Ecoboost driving across country in the middle of that snowstorm (flawless). I strongly recommend getting an oil catch can. I’ve this one (https://www.amazon.com/2011-2017-3-5EB-JLT-Passenger-Separator/dp/B06X6KM4RS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3CXBJT8COHHVT&dchild=1&keywords=ecoboost+catch+can&qid=1614545158&sprefix=Ecoboost+%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-3). I empty some interesting crap out of this catch can every few hundred miles, I’ll do it again tomorrow and take pics.

TOTS

02-28-2021, 07:05 PM

Added to my cart. What F150 forums are everyone in for PF quality info?

LittleLebowski

02-28-2021, 07:12 PM

Added to my cart. What F150 forums are everyone in for PF quality info?

I like https://www.f150forum.com/. The catch can really works, I’ll get a pic.

rayrevolver

02-28-2021, 08:40 PM

I just put 3600 miles on my 2018 3.5 Ecoboost driving across country in the middle of that snowstorm (flawless). I strongly recommend getting an oil catch can. I’ve this one (https://www.amazon.com/2011-2017-3-5EB-JLT-Passenger-Separator/dp/B06X6KM4RS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3CXBJT8COHHVT&dchild=1&keywords=ecoboost+catch+can&qid=1614545158&sprefix=Ecoboost+%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-3). I empty some interesting crap out of this catch can every few hundred miles, I’ll do it again tomorrow and take pics.

I ran one in my previous car and it pulled a lot of oily liquid out. I never bought one for my 13 EB, I remember at the time they were $3-400. Or maybe I was just too cheap.

Your linked setup is affordable. Maybe time to try it out.

TOTS

02-28-2021, 11:25 PM

I’ve always been a cheap sob too. My built Mustang, Z06, and S4 all had the air compressor water separator from Lowes pulling catch can duty. For some reason I feel I should step up to a real product for the F150 though 🤔. Probably because I’m sure those turbskis are $$$$ to replace.

whomever

03-01-2021, 03:36 AM

My understanding of the catch can issue is that the gunk sucked through the PCV valve became a problem when they went to direct injection, because the gunk hit the intake valve and some of it stuck and eventually built up enough to be a problem. Prior to direct injection, the gas/air mixture washing over the valve kept the valve clean.

And the fix was to add a (small??) injector(s) upstream, in addition to the direct injection, that adds enough gas to keep the valve clean. Ford has been rolling out the updated injection scheme at different times based on displacement and model, i.e. vans might not get it the same year trucks do or whatever. But I think the 2018 F150 with the 2.7 and 3.5 both have the new motor, and so shouldn't need a catch can.

Some info (see the section on the different versions):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_EcoBoost_engine

YMMV, etc, etc, if you look under your hood and don't have any upstream injectors, then - gasp! - wikipedia is wrong, etc, etc.

TOTS

03-01-2021, 07:25 AM

I’ve been reading similar information re the second injector preventing intake valve coking but ANY vehicle with a PCV system that recirculates oil into the intake will benefit from a separator. I have an LS6 manifold around here somewhere with the inside literally dripping with mobil 1! I think it’s just more detrimental to DI motors. And turbo motors as an intercooler filled with oil won’t cool very well.

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 07:39 AM

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 09:31 AM

TOTS here’s what I have after 1740 miles since last emptying the JLT oil catch can (https://www.amazon.com/2011-2017-3-5EB-JLT-Passenger-Separator/dp/B06X6KM4RS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=16BAK3AOBHG1V&dchild=1&keywords=oil+catch+can&qid=1614609003&sprefix=Oil+catch%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-4).

68204

TOTS

03-01-2021, 09:45 AM

whomever

03-01-2021, 11:29 AM

"ANY vehicle with a PCV system that recirculates oil into the intake"

I'm sure not any kind of auto guru, but doesn't every modern vehicle with a PCV valve (which I think is every vehicle built since ... the ??1960's??) vent into the intake manifold?

(there were some earlier systems that vented into the atmosphere ... WWII tanks, for example, but intake vacuum is a free pump, and the post-60's reason for PCV was to cut emissions, which doesn't happen if you are venting to the atmosphere. I'm not a mechanic, I only work on my own cars, and so I've only been under the hood of a dozen or so cars since the 60's, but they all just had a PCV valve with a host to the intake)

TOTS

03-01-2021, 12:31 PM

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 12:40 PM

Yep; that’s my point. I was stating that just about every car would benefit from one.

Separately, apparently, there is storage behind the driver side rear seat that’s hard to access as there’s no pull to activate the latch like on the passenger side. Builtrite makes this latch.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0732VMKHM/?coliid=I32Q5R0NIJ54SG&colid=XWJY2CVSYGTB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Good reminder, but it isn't in stock for a week so I got this US made competitor for $4 less (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0732VMKHM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0732VMKHM&linkCode=as2&tag=ratio07-20), delivered tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think of it

TOTS

03-01-2021, 12:45 PM

Good reminder, but it isn't in stock for a week so I got this US made competitor for $4 less (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0732VMKHM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0732VMKHM&linkCode=as2&tag=ratio07-20), delivered tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think of it

Link seems to show the same product as I linked to?

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 12:56 PM

Link seems to show the same product as I linked to?

Whoops.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J1JZRF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 01:04 PM

I just had the epiphany that I keep thinking of the EcoBoost engines as "new" when in effect they've been around for 10 years.

I'm currently driving a 2001 F150 and have been debating a new F150 or the new Ranger. After riding in my friend's new to him 2018 F150 yesterday, I'm kind of done having that conversation. I think the Ranger would be a better truck for me when I'm out woods bumming and hunting, but once we load up the family and head out on vacation, I'm gonna be glad we bought the F150.

Trying to decide between 2.7 and 3.5. We are picking up our new camp trailer at the end of March, but it only weighs 3000lb, so either truck would tow it fine. I'm leaning toward 2.7.

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 01:06 PM

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 01:27 PM

Depends on how much you've got loaded up in the truck as well. Don't forget humans, fuel, camp gear, water, etc.

It's funny you should mention that, as I was just doing that math. The kiddo is only six, but even adding in weight for her to grow into an adult, if I add that to me, my wife, one German Shepherd Dog, the tongue weight of the trailer, and 400 lbs of personal gear stowed in the truck bed, I still come in a few hundred under max payload for the truck.

We started out as backpackers, so we travel pretty light. The new trailer is only 20' long, but it feels like a goddamn palace compared to what we are used to.

Hell, we could kill an elk, quarter it out and still be under weight I think.

I had to redo those numbers a couple times to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

I guess 20 years of technology really does make a difference.

TOTS

03-01-2021, 01:28 PM

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 01:33 PM

It's funny you should mention that, as I was just doing that math. The kiddo is only six, but even adding in weight for her to grow into an adult, if I add that to me, my wife, one German Shepherd Dog, the tongue weight of the trailer, and 400 lbs of personal gear stowed in the truck bed, I still come in a few hundred under max payload for the truck.

We started out as backpackers, so we travel pretty light. The new trailer is only 20' long, but it feels like a goddamn palace compared to what we are used to.

Hell, we could kill an elk, quarter it out and still be under weight I think.

I had to redo those numbers a couple times to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

I guess 20 years of technology really does make a difference.

What about the hills where you are driving?

GNiner

03-01-2021, 01:48 PM

It's funny you should mention that, as I was just doing that math. The kiddo is only six, but even adding in weight for her to grow into an adult, if I add that to me, my wife, one German Shepherd Dog, the tongue weight of the trailer, and 400 lbs of personal gear stowed in the truck bed, I still come in a few hundred under max payload for the truck.

Since you are former backpackers, you may not know that the listed trailer weight is usually the DRY weight. When doing your calculations, you have to add in the weight of the water, battery, and propane tanks. A 20 ft trailer usually comes with a 25-30 gallon water tank. 30 gallons of water is an extra 240 lbs, plus a twenty pound propane tank. If you are going to a campground with services, you don't have to haul the water. Just mentioning it, because being a backpacker myself, I prefer to boondock with a trailer and therefore have to haul water.

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 01:56 PM

Since you are former backpackers, you may not know that the listed trailer weight is usually the DRY weight. When doing your calculations, you have to add in the weight of the water, battery, and propane tanks. A 20 ft trailer usually comes with a 25-30 gallon water tank. 30 gallons of water is an extra 240 lbs, plus a twenty pound propane tank. If you are going to a campground with services, you don't have to haul the water. Just mentioning it, because being a backpacker myself, I prefer to boondock with a trailer and therefore have to haul water.

Yes. We own a 2000lb pop up A-frame right now, so we have some trailering experience. I assumed a max tongue weight in our calculations, considering the new trailer to be fully loaded, as we do quite a bit of boon-docking as well.

My current 5.4L Screw 4x4 can tow that trailer with our stuff and a full load of water up Mt. Hood with nary a problem. The gas mileage sucks worse than it already does, but that's to be expected.

The new trailer doesn't fold, so we'll be pulling that through the air.

It sounds like the day to day MPG between the 2.7 and the 3.5 isn't that different, so maybe the 3.5 is the way to go.

whomever

03-01-2021, 02:01 PM

"Separately, apparently, there is storage behind the driver side rear seat that’s hard to access as there’s no pull to activate the latch like on the passenger side. Builtright makes this latch."

For the cheap bastids^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hfrugal a loop of zipcord works fine as well.

whomever

03-01-2021, 02:04 PM

"Yep; that’s my point. I was stating that just about every car would benefit from one. "

Can you elaborate on what the benefit is (other than the few engines with direct only injection)? I like to keep my vehicles until I have to pay someone to haul them away, and I'm not aware of any problems caused so far by a conventional PCV setup. What have I been missing?

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 02:08 PM

After driving both, and noticing there’s only one mpg difference in practice, I’m not really seeing where the 2.7 becomes an option. My friend has the same truck as mine with it and it feels really strong, any is very capable, but I’m not seeing any benefit. Willing to be taught something though.

And I'm certainly willing to concede that the 3.5 is the way to go.

I tend to buy something, use it until it really should have been replaced a few years previous, and do a deep dive into the latest technology. I've been putting off replacing our truck for three or four years because I hate buying vehicles.

While I was paying attention to other things, the technology has changed. My benchmark was the 5.4L V8, and I'm a little at sea trying to figure out where the new benchmark should be. I don't want to overbuy on a new truck, but I don't want to wish I'd bought a little more either.

What kind of mileage are you seeing out of the 3.5L?

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 02:11 PM

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 02:32 PM

And while I'm sucking the brain trust dry:

I hate payments. On anything.

I could get into a 2017 to maybe 2019 in a cash deal, or almost cash deal.

Is there a compelling reason to buy new, and finance the delta, technology wise? I don't really care about the warranty.

I'd go at least 2017 and get the 2nd Gen Ecoboost with the 10 speed tranny. Otherwise, I don't see a compelling reason to go newer than say 2018.

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 02:36 PM

And I'm certainly willing to concede that the 3.5 is the way to go.

I tend to buy something, use it until it really should have been replaced a few years previous, and do a deep dive into the latest technology. I've been putting off replacing our truck for three or four years because I hate buying vehicles.

While I was paying attention to other things, the technology has changed. My benchmark was the 5.4L V8, and I'm a little at sea trying to figure out where the new benchmark should be. I don't want to overbuy on a new truck, but I don't want to wish I'd bought a little more either.

What kind of mileage are you seeing out of the 3.5L?

I got 21MPG with a little bit of cargo and a lead foot at 80MPH or so for 1740 miles, but that's with a performance tune that has a slight bit more boost.

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 02:43 PM

I'd go at least 2017 and get the 2nd Gen Ecoboost with the 10 speed tranny. Otherwise, I don't see a compelling reason to go newer than say 2018.

That was pretty much the conclusion I was coming to.

I got 21MPG with a little bit of cargo and a lead foot at 80MPH or so for 1740 miles, but that's with a performance tune that has a slight bit more boost.

Holy shit. I get 14 out of my SCREW, driving like a little old lady with the family and maybe 200lbs of emergency gear onboard.

That's with LT tires, but also about 50% of that is on forest service roads.

I get 9-10 towing the trailer.

I appreciate your insights.

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 03:23 PM

Holy shit. I get 14 out of my SCREW, driving like a little old lady with the family and maybe 200lbs of emergency gear onboard.

That's with LT tires, but also about 50% of that is on forest service roads.

I get 9-10 towing the trailer.

I appreciate your insights.

I was in and out of 4wd for hours in sub zero temps during that blizzard across the Midwest, a coupla weeks ago; the temps and 4wd being mileage killers. Still got 17.5. Mind you, the numbers I’m posting are out of a rig pushing 400HP and 475 lbs of torque with a nice flat torque curve for towing.

mmc45414

03-01-2021, 08:30 PM

I got 21MPG with a little bit of cargo and a lead foot at 80MPH or so for 1740 miles, but that's with a performance tune that has a slight bit more boost.
So, your tune did not cost you any mileage/range?
What octane are you running?

mmc45414

03-01-2021, 08:32 PM

We are picking up our new camp trailer at the end of March, but it only weighs 3000lb
Hijack:
Whatcha getting?

LittleLebowski

03-01-2021, 09:30 PM

So, your tune did not cost you any mileage/range?
What octane are you running?

I don’t know, never made a long range trip without it. 87, sometimes 89.

Lester Polfus

03-01-2021, 10:29 PM

Hijack:
Whatcha getting?

Apex Nano 185bh. The kid and the GSD will each have their own bunk. RV cognoscenti will look down on us, but we feel incredibly indulgent.

After years of backpacking, we loved the pop up A Frame, except for the fact that once we turned the dinette into a bed there was no where to put anything, so we were constantly tetrising duffle bags and shit. Also, the bed clothes were six inches from the gas burner so I flat insisted it get turned into a table again before anybody used the stove.

LittleLebowski

03-02-2021, 07:36 AM

36 gallon tank is a must, should come standard with the tow package. I’ll never have a truck without a big tank like this again.

mmc45414

03-02-2021, 08:27 AM

Apex Nano 185bh. The kid and the GSD will each have their own bunk. RV cognoscenti will look down on us, but we feel incredibly indulgent.
That will be nice.

36 gallon tank is a must, should come standard with the tow package. I’ll never have a truck without a big tank like this again.
Yeah, "I wish we needed to stop for gas right now" said nobody ever. Maybe that one person that also says "Gee, I sure am glad my phone battery is dead"...

I am a little disappointed with the mileage in my 2014, but I was the guy that said he needed max-tow and all that, the mental remedy will be to buy something we need to tow.
But seriously, I care about the range more than the cost. Even in my truck I can count on 500mi before I need to care. This also means that there are some pretty long trips you can manage with just one fuel stop. Many times we leave after work and get a ways down the road and stop for the night, top off in the morning and there are many places you can just get to without worry. Or you will want a fresh coffee in a few miles and top off then. You are always gonna need to pee, but it sure is nice to pee at rest areas and not have to get gas because you need it.

Even in my car I can get over 300, I can make a sales call (back when that was a thing...) in the Chicago area and usually make it home. My friends think I am nuts about it, I think they are crazy. :cool:

revchuck38

03-02-2021, 09:20 AM

36 gallon tank is a must, should come standard with the tow package. I’ll never have a truck without a big tank like this again.

I have a Ram 1500 with a V6 which is good for 500+ miles unloaded, but a 36-gallon tank would be nice.

rob_s

03-02-2021, 09:33 AM

36 gallon tank is a must, should come standard with the tow package. I’ll never have a truck without a big tank like this again.

It's a downside on the "hybrid" that you can't get it. I think the tank on my RAM is the 32 which was the max at that time. Been really nice to have.

The hybrid gets better mileage, but I don't think it makes up for the smaller tank. I can't even remember what the "small" tank size is in the F150 to be able todo the ciphering. But I think the regular ecoboost is 20 mpg epa and the hybrid is 24...

LittleLebowski

03-02-2021, 09:55 AM

I have a Ram 1500 with a V6 which is good for 500+ miles unloaded, but a 36-gallon tank would be nice.

If I keep my foot out of it, I can see 700+ miles.

rayrevolver

03-02-2021, 10:01 AM

If you want to see real world numbers, bum around this place for a bit:
https://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150

There are only 3 hybrids being tracked for 2021, so not a lot info. But its better than nothing.

rob_s

03-02-2021, 10:05 AM

It's a downside on the "hybrid" that you can't get it. I think the tank on my RAM is the 32 which was the max at that time. Been really nice to have.

The hybrid gets better mileage, but I don't think it makes up for the smaller tank. I can't even remember what the "small" tank size is in the F150 to be able todo the ciphering. But I think the regular ecoboost is 20 mpg epa and the hybrid is 24...

Looks like the "small" tank is 26 gallons. so if we just use the epa numbers, assuming that both will have different real-world numbers...

ecoboost: 20 mpg x 36 gal = 720
powerboost: 24 mpg x 26 gal = 624

I think my current RAM gets me about 600 on a tank, although I'm kind of rabid about re-fueling at half a tank.

LittleLebowski

03-02-2021, 10:05 AM

The hardest part about getting good mileage out of an Ecoboost F150 is the fun to drive factor. Goosing the throttle and getting pushed back in the seat hard is too much fun.

Lester Polfus

03-02-2021, 12:35 PM

36 gallon tank is a must, should come standard with the tow package. I’ll never have a truck without a big tank like this again.

I'm kind of ambivalent about many of the byzantine array of options, but that 36 gallon tank made my ears perk up. When we are in the backcountry, I like having as much gas on board as possible.

LittleLebowski

03-02-2021, 01:03 PM

Take a look at this torque curve. Not a lot of peaks and dips :D

68267

Lester Polfus

03-04-2021, 12:43 PM

Has anyone switched from P to LT tires on their EcoBoost, and if so, how did it affect your gas mileage?

Coal Train

03-04-2021, 02:56 PM

Has anyone switched from P to LT tires on their EcoBoost, and if so, how did it affect your gas mileage?
My truck is a 2016 Super Crew XLT 3.5L Ecoboost 4x4 with a 3.55 rear end. It came from the factory with C rated all-terrains in 275/65R18's . I recently purchased new tires and I stuck with C-rated, same size, but I went with a different brand all-terrain. The mileage has not appeared to affected with the computer displayed average of 17.7 mpg. When I was looking at new tires I considered getting LT tires but I was concerned with the weight. My factory tires were ~50lbs. In looking across different manufactures there was a pretty wide variation in published E-rated tire weights in the size I was looking (50-62 lbs). When I have switched to E-rated tires on previous half-ton trucks it seems to drop the mileage by ~1.5 mpg. I would expect it to be the same with the Ecoboost. However, I have not fully accepted the new thinking in regards to truck rear end ratios (i.e. that you no longer need a 3.73 or a 4.10) so I was a bit more concerned about tire weight when selecting my new tires than I have been with previous trucks.

FWIW, this is the best towing half-ton truck I have ever owned.

And the 38 gallon tank should be standard on everything.

rob_s

03-07-2021, 09:14 AM

This makes me really want a powerboost!

https://youtu.be/37uKi1JRMaA

LittleLebowski

03-07-2021, 09:18 AM

I'm kind of ambivalent about many of the byzantine array of options, but that 36 gallon tank made my ears perk up. When we are in the backcountry, I like having as much gas on board as possible.

For what it’s worth, some folks have switched out their standard tanks to the 36 gallon tank and it doesn’t look too hard.

mmc45414

03-07-2021, 11:57 AM

And if you are switching i have heard there is a 40-42 aftermarket option.

My buddy that went for Coyote with a Roush supercharger has been shopping them to replace his 26gal.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Lester Polfus

03-07-2021, 03:14 PM

A quick Google search suggests the tank would be about $2K. I'll need to do a deep dive to figure out what it would mean as far as crash safety and etc.

mmc45414

03-07-2021, 07:57 PM

A quick Google search suggests the tank would be about $2K.
That sounds about double to what my buddy was quoted.

Wise_A

03-07-2021, 08:29 PM

This makes me really want a powerboost!

https://youtu.be/37uKi1JRMaA

Everything makes me want a PowerBoost: performance, mileage, ProPower. I had originally thought that the ProPower was going to be a really niche, "people will get it and then never use it" thing, but...damn. Run any of your home's major systems. Charge your boat's batteries. Automatic on/off on the engine to manage it, and the entirety of your truck's fuel supply to keep it going in an emergency. It's a feature I'm absolutely going to get, and likely the 36-gallon tank if I can, too.

LittleLebowski

03-07-2021, 08:32 PM

A quick Google search suggests the tank would be about $2K. I'll need to do a deep dive to figure out what it would mean as far as crash safety and etc.

I wouldn’t worry about crash safety, Ford’s been doing this big gas tank a long time, it ain’t their first rodeo. Honestly, a newer F150 is gonna be way safer than your 2001 with all of the airbags and whatnot.

Coal Train

03-07-2021, 08:39 PM

One downside to the PowerBoost trucks is payload, particularly on the optioned up trucks. I believe my 2016 XLT has a payload of around 1750lbs. Looking at some of the door stickers of PowerBoost trucks online the payload is in the 1300 lb range. That could cause some folks problems depending on intended use.

The 36 gallon tank is not available on the PowerBoost, I think it is only available with a 30 gallon tank.

Lester Polfus

03-07-2021, 10:08 PM

I wouldn’t worry about crash safety, Ford’s been doing this big gas tank a long time, it ain’t their first rodeo. Honestly, a newer F150 is gonna be way safer than your 2001 with all of the airbags and whatnot.

I just realized the 40 some gallon tank I Googled up was aftermarket. If I did a tank swap, I would buy the Ford tank for exactly the reasons you just said.

rob_s

03-08-2021, 04:58 AM

and likely the 36-gallon tank if I can, too.

The 36 gallon tank is not available on the PowerBoost, I think it is only available with a 30 gallon tank.

As I understand it, the tank on the Powerboost is the stock tank which is 26 gallons. And there are no options for increased tank sizes. To me, it’s not really an issue. My current RAM with a 32 gallon tank gets me around 500 miles, and I try to always fill up at half tank in normal situations. The Powerboost, I would think, should come close to the same range.

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 09:03 AM

I had originally thought that the ProPower was going to be a really niche, "people will get it and then never use it" thing, but...damn. Run any of your home's major systems. Charge your boat's batteries. Automatic on/off on the engine to manage it, and the entirety of your truck's fuel supply to keep it going in an emergency.

Hmmmmmmm, plug the camper in and run the air conditioner overnight at a truck stop...

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 09:08 AM

As I understand it, the tank on the Powerboost is the stock tank which is 26 gallons.

The linked video showed 30gal:
68551

Not a big difference, but maybe 90 miles.
ETA: From the video saying 31+ more like 125mi.

rob_s

03-08-2021, 10:04 AM

The linked video showed 30gal:
68551

Not a big difference, but maybe 90 miles.
ETA: From the video saying 31+ more like 125mi.

that's good news, I suppose, but I haven't been able to add any larger tanks in the "build & price". Although he has, I think, an XL and I've been pricing XLTs and Lariats.

ETA:
here's what happens on the "build n price". Maybe by choosing the Powerboost you automatically get a 30 gallon tank? I think the options otherwise are 26 or 36. I'd certainly be happy with a 30 over the 26.

68553

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 12:43 PM

here's what happens on the "build n price". Maybe by choosing the Powerboost you automatically get a 30 gallon tank? I think the options otherwise are 26 or 36. I'd certainly be happy with a 30 over the 26.

Yeah, I am sure they are packing batteries (space and weight...) into where the bigger tank would have been. I am pretty much Cold Dead Hands when it comes to the big tank, but if they swapped it out for batteries that boosted my range, and the thing worked like a genset, that has my attention. As mentioned elsewhere we are just starting to shop for a camper, and having something that the trailer could be plugged into the truck for an overnight stay and when I turned on the Keurig in the morning it started up the (quiet) truck automatically, that would have a lot of appeal. Getting an extra few thousand pounds started from a stop, and regenerative braking, would just be bonus.

Since I did mention it we are thinking this might meet our needs:
https://escapetrailer.com/the-5-0-escape/
Two year wait list. When I first found out I thought holy hell, and a couple seconds later I realized that would be just about perfect, owning the thing now would just be a PITA, 24mo from now would be pretty sweet. And our current truck, the 2014 long bed extended cab 3.5EB with the max payload and trailer packages (integrated brake controller, big mirrors, 36gal tank) would be just right.

I do not need, nor am I gonna buy a new truck, but this has opened my eyes. Like many Pistol-Forum threads, I have converted from That Is Dumb to I Want One in just the span of a few posts... :D

rob_s

03-08-2021, 01:13 PM

looks like yes, the Powerboost gets it's own proprietary 30.6 gallon tank

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/powerboost-gas-tank-size.1150/

LittleLebowski

03-08-2021, 01:20 PM

Yeah, I am sure they are packing batteries (space and weight...) into where the bigger tank would have been. I am pretty much Cold Dead Hands when it comes to the big tank, but if they swapped it out for batteries that boosted my range, and the thing worked like a genset, that has my attention. As mentioned elsewhere we are just starting to shop for a camper, and having something that the trailer could be plugged into the truck for an overnight stay and when I turned on the Keurig in the morning it started up the (quiet) truck automatically, that would have a lot of appeal. Getting an extra few thousand pounds started from a stop, and regenerative braking, would just be bonus.

Since I did mention it we are thinking this might meet our needs:
https://escapetrailer.com/the-5-0-escape/
Two year wait list. When I first found out I thought holy hell, and a couple seconds later I realized that would be just about perfect, owning the thing now would just be a PITA, 24mo from now would be pretty sweet. And our current truck, the 2014 long bed extended cab 3.5EB with the max payload and trailer packages (integrated brake controller, big mirrors, 36gal tank) would be just right.

I do not need, nor am I gonna buy a new truck, but this has opened my eyes. Like many Pistol-Forum threads, I have converted from That Is Dumb to I Want One in just the span of a few posts... :D

Man, that looks nice. Wish it had another bed for the kids.

Coal Train

03-08-2021, 01:31 PM

For RV users (and some other applications) I wonder if/when Ford will be including the generators on the Super Duties?

Coal Train

03-08-2021, 01:55 PM

Also, this is pretty cool to see that it will run a welder.

https://twitter.com/BrownDogWelding/status/1368004575010160641

https://twitter.com/BrownDogWelding/status/1368395291704049674

LittleLebowski

03-08-2021, 02:03 PM

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 02:13 PM

Man, that looks nice. Wish it had another bed for the kids.
How many kids ya got? There are two dinette options and they both drop down into a bed.

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 02:14 PM

Oddly enough, Ford isn't the only truck manufacturer that isn't installing rear wheel well liners. I bought these Huskys (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XZ70V5O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and installed them after making sure everything they were covering was clean and rust free, and I'm glad I bought them. Really easy install.
Mine were a factory option, and probably cost about the same, if anybody is ordering.

rob_s

03-08-2021, 04:36 PM

Oddly enough, Ford isn't the only truck manufacturer that isn't installing rear wheel well liners. I bought these Huskys (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XZ70V5O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and installed them after making sure everything they were covering was clean and rust free, and I'm glad I bought them. Really easy install.

yeah it's pretty nuts that it's an option so often. It's the same way on the Transit (which is also available with the Ecoboost and reportedly surprisingly quick when equipped with it)

LittleLebowski

03-08-2021, 07:55 PM

How many kids ya got? There are two dinette options and they both drop down into a bed.

Two, weird I researched that and didn’t see it.

Lester Polfus

03-08-2021, 08:08 PM

Yeah, I am sure they are packing batteries (space and weight...) into where the bigger tank would have been. I am pretty much Cold Dead Hands when it comes to the big tank, but if they swapped it out for batteries that boosted my range, and the thing worked like a genset, that has my attention. As mentioned elsewhere we are just starting to shop for a camper, and having something that the trailer could be plugged into the truck for an overnight stay and when I turned on the Keurig in the morning it started up the (quiet) truck automatically, that would have a lot of appeal. Getting an extra few thousand pounds started from a stop, and regenerative braking, would just be bonus.

Since I did mention it we are thinking this might meet our needs:
https://escapetrailer.com/the-5-0-escape/
Two year wait list. When I first found out I thought holy hell, and a couple seconds later I realized that would be just about perfect, owning the thing now would just be a PITA, 24mo from now would be pretty sweet. And our current truck, the 2014 long bed extended cab 3.5EB with the max payload and trailer packages (integrated brake controller, big mirrors, 36gal tank) would be just right.

I do not need, nor am I gonna buy a new truck, but this has opened my eyes. Like many Pistol-Forum threads, I have converted from That Is Dumb to I Want One in just the span of a few posts... :D

That is a cool trailer.

It has some nice features, especially in the kitchen, which is a little more like a home kitchen with the stainless an formica, than an RV kitchen. You pay a weight penalty for all that, but it is nice.

LittleLebowski

03-08-2021, 08:14 PM

That is a cool trailer.

It has some nice features, especially in the kitchen, which is a little more like a home kitchen with the stainless an formica, than an RV kitchen. You pay a weight penalty for all that, but it is nice.

I like the no leaks thing and the fifth wheel. Plus, a 3.5 Ecoboost will laugh at that trailer.

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 09:10 PM

Two, weird I researched that and didn’t see it.I only know from following the FB group and seeing some YT video.

There is a config with two benches or a u-shape i think.

We are probably going to put down the deposit. They take $2k to schedule you a slot. You have until 3mo out to commit, if you bail they keep $150.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 10:03 PM

I like the no leaks thing and the fifth wheel. Plus, a 3.5 Ecoboost will laugh at that trailer.I also like the compact size and moderate weight. I do not want some monster that we drag someplace and stay for an extended time. Once we are retired I see us spending 4-5 days going someplace, spending 4-5 days there, and spend 4-5 days getting back. I want something that is not a big chore to drive, and yeah I figure the 3.5EB should be able to manage on cruise control.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

mmc45414

03-08-2021, 10:06 PM

Oops, doubled posted...

Lester Polfus

03-09-2021, 01:00 PM

We need to get this new trailer picked up and sorted, then we'll move on to a truck. We'll likely start looking in June, but if the right ride comes along before then, we might pounce on it.

How are y'all organizing your truck beds? The 2001 S-crew I've been driving came with a raider canopy/topper/cap/shell (pick your nomenclature). I've never been happy with the yard sale of shit I have floating around back there, and all the high-speed organizational systems aren't available for a truck that old.

I carry an axe, saw, shovel, fire extinguisher, some recovery gear, tools, and etc. The truck sees about 50% of its time on shitty national forest roads, and the other 40% towing a trailer.

I'm considering a folding, hard tonneau cover, a swing out toolbox on one side, and some Built Right Molle Panels on the other side of the bed right now. The only real compelling reason for us to have a camper shell is to sleep in the back. The only time I would do that Is when I was out solo during hunting season, and frankly the cost delta between a decent hard folding tonneau cover and a shell will almost buy me a hot tent with a folding titanium wood stove.

I considered the Decked system, but it just doesn't seem to be an efficient use of space.

rob_s

03-09-2021, 01:10 PM

One of the reasons I'd really like to "upgrade" to a new RAM to replace my 2016 RAM is to get the RAMbox storage bins over the rear wheels.

Barring that, I've installed one of these and likely to go with a second if I keep the current truck or if I get a Ford instead of a RAM
https://www.swingcase.us/

I love the idea of Decked but from having drawer systems before the reach and level change from the tailgate to the top of the drawer system sucks. Sliding things in/out is nowhere near as easy when the tailgate isn't the same level as the load floor.

Funnily enough, something that the multifunction tailgate from RAM also addresses.

mmc45414

03-09-2021, 03:41 PM

How are y'all organizing your truck beds?

Pretty simple, I have a couple of these Stanley tool boxes (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KN470Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) pushed up against the front of the bed, and a couple of 2x12s in the divider slots stamped into the sides of the bed. I used 2x12 so they would be as tall as the tool boxes, that way I can slide eight foot lumber and sheets all the way forward and close the tailgate. But damn, they were heavy (pretty sure I used treated lumber) so I shot a bunch 4" hole saw holes in them to make them lighter and easier to grab. And I keep some of those bendable cord wraps around so I can tie things into position on top of the 2x12s. With the tool boxes in front I have plenty of room for my three ShootSteel.com conduit based plate racks and targets, and behind the rear one is a great space for groceries.

I also have a Bakflip.

Lester Polfus

03-09-2021, 04:13 PM

I also have a Bakflip.

Have you been pretty happy with the Bakflip? I'm in the Pacific Northwet, so something as waterproof as possible would be great.

TOTS

03-09-2021, 09:56 PM

Any good Amazon or similar solution for front window tint to match the rears?

mmc45414

03-10-2021, 08:39 AM

Have you been pretty happy with the Bakflip? I'm in the Pacific Northwet, so something as waterproof as possible would be great.
Yes, sorta.
As far as keeping water out of the bed, I guess it does but I had low expectation there since I had four holes from when the cap had been mounted. Coming from several Suburbans that we had over the span of several decades, I was glad to just have a truck that could tolerate a little water (or spilled mower gas) and never worried about it. But when the installer saw the four little holes they told me they couldn't assure me the bed would stay dry, like I guess that is what people expect.

One concern I have is it seems like maybe it is heavier than it started out, but at my age over six years I might be weaker :cool:
FWIW my truck has to sit outside, it is too long for the garage (I used this as an excuse to get a fun car...).

When I bought six years ago there were just starting to be some alternatives to consider, but then (I think still) the 8' bed options were scarce. So I am happy in general but I would recommend you shop all of the brands.

As far as the concept of the folder, I would do that again. It is a bit of a PITA in the winter because it won't fold until you brush the snow off. And I think they have improved the seal across the back, but mine will freeze and I have to use something to break it loose before I can get the tailgate open now and then. But if I replace it I will shop for what is the lightest, opening the whole bed to haul an ATV or motorcycle or snowmobile requires leaning it up against the cab, something that is OK to bring home a piece of furniture but I do not like it for a road trip. Not a big deal for my long bed because it will probably just stay on there with one panel folded, but the one time I took it off it was a two person job to get it back on.

The day I rode my motorcycle to pick it up I could get the tailgate closed without the Bakflip:
68631

But with it on the snowmobile was probably a foot from the front, but it is (was, just sold...) too long anyway so NBD:
68632

If we get a fifth wheel I am pretty sure our long bed is long enough to keep it in place while towing, and that would be nice to be able to close up the bed and not look like a tourist.

rob_s

03-17-2021, 04:35 AM

Can we just buy one of those on the consumer market?

https://youtu.be/io8TRvE1dcs

Navin Johnson

03-17-2021, 09:05 AM

Will be a great test of the truck EB motors. Popo are not easy on state owned stuff. Sgt. friend at local PD said no more EB explorers for them. Too many problems/downtime.

Local Ford dealer says only delivering Hybrid Explorers any more to PD's. (Hybrid has a bit more power than standard motor)

El Cid

03-21-2021, 06:17 PM

Those of you looking at having a larger fuel tank installed... if you have the virtual gas gauge how do you reprogram it to know there is a larger tank?

Anyone gone from an F-150 to a new Explorer? Specifically the ST. Regrets?

Lester Polfus

03-23-2021, 10:37 AM

Traded in the 2001 last night for a 2017 3.5L SuperCrew XLT, with FX4, tow package, 36 gal tank and various other goodies. Color is "Mid-Life Crisis Metallic Red" so this is the first attractive vehicle I've ever owned.

I was vicariously prepared for a different driving experience, but good grief this thing is going to be difficult to drive like an adult.

Once I settled down a little and turned on the cruise control, we got 21 MPG on the 60 mile trip back home on the highway. That's according to the vehicle computer, and no cargo but my daughter's bag of books, but even if it's off by 10% to 15%, it's still a huge improvement over my 2001.

ETA: This is "pistol-forum" and not "truck-forum," but this thread has been helpful. The signal to noise ratio is much better than the various F150 and truck related forums, which very much remind me of GlockTalk. Thanks!

Coal Train

03-23-2021, 12:24 PM

Very nice. I have nearly the same truck except 2016 model year and Navy Blue. To date, it has been the best truck I have ever owned. [knock on wood]

I was vicariously prepared for a different driving experience, but good grief this thing is going to be difficult to drive like an adult.
Put the truck in Sport Mode (button on the side of the shifter) and be 16 years old again even if for just 5 minutes. ;)

Lester Polfus

03-23-2021, 12:55 PM

Very nice. I have nearly the same truck except 2016 model year and Navy Blue. To date, it has been the best truck I have ever owned. [knock on wood]

Put the truck in Sport Mode (button on the side of the shifter) and be 16 years old again even if for just 5 minutes. ;)

When I was 16 I had a Plymouth Horizon!

Coal Train

03-23-2021, 01:34 PM

When I was 16 I had a Plymouth Horizon!
I bet you drove it like it had a sport mode. ;-)

Lester Polfus

03-23-2021, 01:41 PM

I bet you drove it like it had a sport mode. ;-)

Well...

I got pretty good at working on cars thanks to that piece of shit.

Coal Train

03-23-2021, 02:31 PM

mmc45414

03-23-2021, 02:43 PM

One thing I forgot to mention is that my truck has the worst headlights of any vehicle I have ever owned.
I am content with my headlights (maybe my night vision has degraded to the point I have low expectations) but the backup lights are just lame. I will probably get one of those LED strips that go above the bumper.

andre3k

03-23-2021, 03:57 PM

BehindBlueI's

03-23-2021, 04:33 PM

My Ram's headlights were subpar from the factory. I upgraded the bulbs and aimed the driver's side up a little bit. Remember these trucks are designed with a load in mind, so if you're running empty your lights are pointed lower then is optimal so that you aren't searching for enemy bombers when the rear is squat with a load.

Lester Polfus

03-23-2021, 05:09 PM

One thing I forgot to mention is that my truck has the worst headlights of any vehicle I have ever owned. Hi-beams are fine but the low beams are like driving with a blindfold, particularly in the rain. I am eventually going to change mine.

Not sure if it is just my truck or these models in particular.

I agree. The headlights on my wife's F150 are horrible at night.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

My Ram's headlights were subpar from the factory. I upgraded the bulbs and aimed the driver's side up a little bit. Remember these trucks are designed with a load in mind, so if you're running empty your lights are pointed lower then is optimal so that you aren't searching for enemy bombers when the rear is squat with a load.

Mine seemed ok last night, and I was specifically paying attention, because after The Unfortunate Incident Where Lester Broke a Ball Joint While Elk Scouting 22 Miles Inside The National Forest, my 2001s headlights would randomly unaim themselves and point in random directions.

Why did I keep that truck so long?

LittleLebowski

03-23-2021, 05:18 PM

Coal Train

03-23-2021, 06:04 PM

Remember these trucks are designed with a load in mind, so if you're running empty your lights are pointed lower then is optimal so that you aren't searching for enemy bombers when the rear is squat with a load.
Agreed. But mine are equally terrible with or without a load.

whomever

03-23-2021, 08:55 PM

We have a 2018 F150, I think the base trim, or maybe one up, I forget. But definitely not one of the upscale trim levels. The low beams seem fine to me, but FWIW there are also fog lights. When I can remember the switchology to turn them on, they add a lot of light. YMMV.

Lester Polfus

03-23-2021, 09:45 PM

Congrats and told ya so :D

I just got 20MPG with wife, two kids, luggage, and a German Shepherd at 78-80ish to Wyoming.

I have the wife and the GSD, but just one kid.

Over the last couple of years it has become increasingly ridiculous for me to drive a 2001 truck. We had a family crossover that was the “nice” vehicle, and I tooled around the national forest hunting and woodsbumming in the truck and went to Home Depot and stuff. It was only a family vehicle during inclement weather and such, as most of our family hiking and backpacking trips were accessible via the crossover.

I am notorious for using shit until it is plumb wore out. My wife throws away my clothes sometimes when Im not looking, I think. But I can probably retire at 58, so there is that.

But when we got the trailer suddenly I was tooling down the Interstate with family in a really ancient vehicle. Since the inside of this truck turns into a giant marshmallow in a crash, that made it worth it. Now I can enjoy our family vacations without worrying if a 20 year old truck is going to shit the bed and leave me stranded with my family and a camp trailer.

So yeah, I am glad I did it.

rayrevolver

03-24-2021, 06:50 AM

The headlights in my fancy 2013, HIDs, have been great. Nerd alert: I installed clear film over them and they are still perfect to this day.

The reverse lights are terrible. I have to tap the brakes to get more light out back.

I ran this light plugged into my 7-pin for a few years but it died, then I misplaced it. While it was working it was great and I always threatened to either buy it again or install a more permanent solution.

https://www.etrailer.com/Lights/Blazer/C8020.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAjwxuuCBhATEiwAIIIz0QOzHU7kJyQtX-a4Gd-9z_Ef-0r2GCRTISaYL5ogcH792mMTG0uHlRoCfX4QAvD_BwE

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/9dfd8840-47b5-49ba-8611-192391c0f9a6_1.b5b424e66567825489e7919e3a2f646c.jp eg

mmc45414

03-24-2021, 08:24 AM

I ran this light plugged into my 7-pin
Thanks for that tip!
I plan to do one of those LED strips but this is quick and easy.

LittleLebowski

03-24-2021, 11:09 PM

Congrats and told ya so :D

I just got 20MPG with wife, two kids, luggage, and a German Shepherd at 78-80ish to Wyoming.

69314

El Cid

04-03-2021, 07:51 PM

rob_s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4dRkTkkSlWc

rob_s

04-04-2021, 06:51 AM

rob_s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4dRkTkkSlWc

That’s pretty much exactly what I’d want, right down to the color.

But I just opted to spend $1100 on new tires for the RAM which, in my mind buys me either 3 months (two months worth of new payment equivalent t to break even, one month to get ahead) or another 4 years (16k miles/year on average to date, 70k mile rating on new tires).

The 2025 F150 should be badass! :p

TCinVA

04-05-2021, 11:46 AM

LittleLebowski

04-06-2021, 06:38 AM

I totally did a stoplight drag race two days ago against a Silverado, he initiated, and was cool about losing. I know, very mature :D

mmc45414

04-06-2021, 08:13 AM

I totally did a stoplight drag race two days ago against a Silverado, he initiated, and was cool about losing. I know, very mature :D
My buddy had one with the big bad Duramax, leaving the gun club one day he expected a different outcome (and yeah, we are both old enough to be this "mature" you speak of...). He proceeded to spend thousands of dollars creating a beast that he was scared would scatter the torque converter or lift pump every time he cranked up the tune, and as the EPA crackdown started he was then was afraid to drive it out of town.

So he sold it and did this:
69849

rayrevolver

04-06-2021, 02:55 PM

I upgraded my reverse lights to brighter LED's...it's working well for me so far.

What did you buy?

A quick amazon search found these:
https://www.amazon.com/LEDpartsNow-Reverse-Replacement-2009-2014-Accessories/dp/B014TUJ1ME

Higher dollar LEDs:
https://www.americantrucks.com/vividline-led-led-reverse-light-1116all.html

Lester Polfus

04-06-2021, 04:48 PM

We're two weeks and about 600 miles in to our 2017 3.5 Ecoboost. About 350 of that was a trip out to the eastern Columbia River Gorge. We've put maybe 30 or 40 miles on "unimproved roads."

Overall gas mileage since we got it has been 18.6. We were in the 20s on the Interstate. I'm pretty damn happy with that. We were a couple hundred miles in when I realized the tires were grossly under inflated. They are BFG KO2 LT tires, inflated to 32 psi IAW the door sticker. Once I aired them up to the proper 50 we saw better handling and mileage. They don't look like they have been run under inflated for long, so I'm guessing when it was traded in the Oompa Loompas at the dealership said "wow there's too much air in these" and aired them down.

I really like these tires now that they are aired correctly. I was curious how the aluminum back end would behave unloaded. We traveled some heavily washboarded gravel roads and the back end stayed planted at any speed reasonable for a grown man to drive with his family in the truck.

The FX4 package is ok. I primarily bought it for the rear locker, as that's not something I'd want to do an aftermarket install. We don't do any serious wheeling, so I'm ok with the factory skid plates. They don't add much weight, and are more there for an "oopsie" to keep us from busting an oil pan, etc. I think they are pretty much capable of taking one solid hit, and I'm fine with that. I'm lukewarm on the shocks. We'll see how it does with some weight in the back.

The back seat is cavernous, and I wonder how many people flip the back seats up and say "yep, we're buying this one." The kiddo and doggo are pleased.

The truck handles like a big car, and the engine performance is impressive. If you're going 60 in the right hand lane on I84 and need to pass a Prius, you just do your lane change, and pretty much instantly you're going 80. I'm gonna have to watch my right foot.

I've just towed our little pop up a-frame up and down the driveway (which is more of an adventure than it sounds) to make sure the brake controller and whatnot works. I'm not setting up the trailer backup system with the stickers and such on this trailer, because our new one should be available Soon™. Apparently there was a foam shortage, and it's just now being shipped.

We're eschewing a camper shell on this one, and going with a Backflip, bed matt, a Swingcase on the back passenger side of the bed, and Built Right MOLLE panels in the rest of the bed. We're not going to do the full "overland" work up because I think roof top tents are stupid, but we'll definitely use it as a base vehicle for trips where the roads are too rough for the trailer.

I feel like I should be posting all this on one of the F150 dedicated forums, but they remind me of GlockTalk and make me tired. I got better information, more quickly, right here. Maybe we should rename this competency-forum.

Coal Train

04-06-2021, 07:51 PM

Nice truck!

I'm lukewarm on the shocks. We'll see how it does with some weight in the back.
Mine rides noticeably better with load in the bed. With a heavy trailer I do prefer the old heavier steel body to keep the truck more planted but as long as I get the hitch/load adjust properly it’s fine. Just more sensitive to variation than the older trucks.

Maybe we should rename this competency-forum.
That is a capital idea.

Mine had its semi-annual bath tonight.

69865

TCinVA

04-06-2021, 09:14 PM

What did you buy?

A quick amazon search found these:
https://www.amazon.com/LEDpartsNow-Reverse-Replacement-2009-2014-Accessories/dp/B014TUJ1ME

Higher dollar LEDs:
https://www.americantrucks.com/vividline-led-led-reverse-light-1116all.html

I bought these:

https://www.f150leds.com/collections/2009-14-f150-leds-1/products/09-14_cree_reverse_led

I upgraded the headlights, too...much better:

https://www.headlightrevolution.com/09-14-ford-f-150-led-headlight-bulbs-gtr-lighting-ultra-2_2?quantity=1

LittleLebowski

04-07-2021, 12:28 PM

I upgraded my reverse lights to brighter LED's...it's working well for me so far.

Wait. What did you get insofar as an F150?

TCinVA

04-07-2021, 07:05 PM

Wait. What did you get insofar as an F150?

2014 F150 STX with the 5.0.

LittleLebowski

04-07-2021, 08:33 PM

2014 F150 STX with the 5.0.

Solid, solid choice.

TOTS

04-11-2021, 08:38 PM

I can absolutely recommend upgrading cloth seats to leather with Katzkin leather upholstery. If you are slightly mechanically inclined or greater you can do the install and save $1000-1400. I purchased mine from https://www.touchupsautomotive.com and have nothing but good to say about the product, price, and communication with the seller. Took me about three evenings working about two hours per. I could cut the time in half now that I have done it once. Also, I was able to save the original seat materials which took extra time and effort. Warning though - your fingers will hurt so bad you can’t button your pants!! But definitely worth it.

70039

LittleLebowski

04-13-2021, 07:34 AM

I strongly recommend these Husky rear wheel well liners (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XZ70V5O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). They work well and honestly look good. Good investment to protest your rear undercarriage. Easy install.

rayrevolver

04-13-2021, 12:36 PM

I am at 92,000 miles. The other day I got on the gas to get out in front of traffic and around 5000 rpm it started to almost feel like the rear tires were searching for grip. The check engine light blinked and then extinguished.

Sounds like a misfire from the manual and my bluetooth OBD didn't find any codes in history, I wish it was plugged in at the time. I have since tried some higher RPM acceleration and it has started to bobble above 5k rpm, but no check engine light.

Bought 6 sparkplugs (Motorcraft SP-580) and plan to install this Friday. They are supposed to come gapped around .030-.031 which is perfect for the 3.5L Ecoboost. But some had more gap which I addressed, all gapped to .030 as best I can. I am hoping that some of the plugs look bad on the way out because I am not sure how to troubleshoot the coils.

The plugs are supposed to be replaced at 100k anyways, so we got pretty close. Towing 6500lbs of trailer this Saturday so I wanted to be sure it was making good power before the trip.

rayrevolver

04-13-2021, 04:58 PM

EMC

04-13-2021, 10:44 PM

I am at 92,000 miles. The other day I got on the gas to get out in front of traffic and around 5000 rpm it started to almost feel like the rear tires were searching for grip. The check engine light blinked and then extinguished.

Sounds like a misfire from the manual and my bluetooth OBD didn't find any codes in history, I wish it was plugged in at the time. I have since tried some higher RPM acceleration and it has started to bobble above 5k rpm, but no check engine light.

Bought 6 sparkplugs (Motorcraft SP-580) and plan to install this Friday. They are supposed to come gapped around .030-.031 which is perfect for the 3.5L Ecoboost. But some had more gap which I addressed, all gapped to .030 as best I can. I am hoping that some of the plugs look bad on the way out because I am not sure how to troubleshoot the coils.

The plugs are supposed to be replaced at 100k anyways, so we got pretty close. Towing 6500lbs of trailer this Saturday so I wanted to be sure it was making good power before the trip.All the dudes on the ecoboost forum recommend plug replacement every 50k on those engines. They eat plugs.

LittleLebowski

04-14-2021, 12:14 PM

mmc45414

04-15-2021, 07:53 AM

I am at 92,000 miles. The other day I got on the gas to get out in front of traffic and around 5000 rpm it started to almost feel like the rear tires were searching for grip. The check engine light blinked and then extinguished. ... Towing 6500lbs of trailer this Saturday so I wanted to be sure it was making good power before the trip.
I had the same thing last fall on a run to Mississippi to go adopt our dog (ETA: at about 80k), of course it happened on a trip hundreds of miles from home on a weekend... Nursed it back home and my trusted local shop replaced the plugs and also a couple of the coil packs.

All the dudes on the ecoboost forum recommend plug replacement every 50k on those engines. They eat plugs.
JRB explained in another thread here somewhere I read that the way (these?) modern turbo engines can optimize higher octane while being able to tolerate lower octane is to be tuned to exploit the higher octane but monitor constantly for signs of lower octane, and even if it happens instantaneously it happens, and in those instants degrades the plugs. I have the 2.0EB in my Focus ST and the 3.5EB in my truck. Before I would run regular in the truck, and would bounce around in the car. If I was on a road trip in the car and I was buying a tank of gas I was going to use up in the next few hours on the highway, I would just cheap out, and this was probably the worst thing I could do. Then one day when the car was only a couple years old I was in STL in the middle of summer, sitting at idle while I cooled the car down while I entered my notes from my sales call and my damn near new car just died. Fortunately, since I was far from home in an unfamiliar city it fired right back up, but when I did some research I was stunned to learn that at 35k-40k I was already probably overdue for plugs. Since then I have been running mid-grade in the truck and 93 in the car, and when it does the little bobble at idle I take it as a sign to order a set of plugs.

LittleLebowski

04-15-2021, 08:07 AM

Yeah, don’t forget to change the Ecoboost plugs at 60k mile intervals.

JRB

04-15-2021, 10:03 AM

Bam, got em replaced. Ford said they wanted $300 to replace them, which seemed silly. Got the plugs for $7 each, watched youtube, and voila.

I did a quick test run and all seems fine up to 5000rpm.

All the old plugs had a gap around .040, which I assume is normal wear and tear? Or maybe they were gapped more than .030-.032 from the factory and it contributed to my less than stellar mileage???

The grounding strap can move with age or detonation, I've seen plugs go wildly wide in gap and tighten up to damn near shut. A wider gap will generally run better so long as the ignition system can keep up. With turbocharging it's easy to cause spark blowout under high load, so high powered turbocharged engines run a tighter spark plug gap to prevent it. On heavily modified turbocharged/supercharged cars I've ran as tight as a .018" or .020" gap to prevent spark blowout.

I had the same thing last fall on a run to Mississippi to go adopt our dog (ETA: at about 80k), of course it happened on a trip hundreds of miles from home on a weekend... Nursed it back home and my trusted local shop replaced the plugs and also a couple of the coil packs.

JRB explained in another thread here somewhere I read that the way (these?) modern turbo engines can optimize higher octane while being able to tolerate lower octane is to be tuned to exploit the higher octane but monitor constantly for signs of lower octane, and even if it happens instantaneously it happens, and in those instants degrades the plugs. I have the 2.0EB in my Focus ST and the 3.5EB in my truck. Before I would run regular in the truck, and would bounce around in the car. If I was on a road trip in the car and I was buying a tank of gas I was going to use up in the next few hours on the highway, I would just cheap out, and this was probably the worst thing I could do. Then one day when the car was only a couple years old I was in STL in the middle of summer, sitting at idle while I cooled the car down while I entered my notes from my sales call and my damn near new car just died. Fortunately, since I was far from home in an unfamiliar city it fired right back up, but when I did some research I was stunned to learn that at 35k-40k I was already probably overdue for plugs. Since then I have been running mid-grade in the truck and 93 in the car, and when it does the little bobble at idle I take it as a sign to order a set of plugs.

Yes, these engines have pretty damn good knock sensors and the PCM monitors for knock events. Based on the knock count (how often these knock events are happening), it will pull back ignition timing advance and add fuel until it quits knocking to save the engine. Ford's drive cycles will self-learn and keep that all info for the most part, so it's not uncommon for nearly identical Ecoboost trucks to see a 2-3 mpg difference between an aggressive driver filling it with goat piss 86-87 octane and a gentle driver filling it with 91+ octane.

These learned fuel and spark trims will very gradually attempt to lean out the fuel and advance the spark for better power and mpg, but generally speaking if you've been feeding it 86 octane and want it to run as best as possible on 91+ octane, you'll need to reset all those fuel and spark trims in the PCM so it can learn all over again. Otherwise it'll run 91+ premium quite happily but it'll be on mapping that was playing nice with 86, so the benefits of premium would be minimal until the PCM re-learned and that can take a long time with Fords if you don't reset them.
Then it takes a long time to get through enough drive cycles for the PCM to fully reset.

Overall I'm a big fan of Iridium spark plugs for applications like an Ecoboost, as well as an aggressive replacement schedule. For the most part coil packs will last 2-3 sets of plugs at a minimum, so it's best practice IMHO to try a set of plugs first before throwing coilpacks at a vehicle with ignition issues.

mmc45414

04-15-2021, 10:26 AM

These learned fuel and spark trims will very gradually attempt to lean out the fuel and advance the spark for better power and mpg, but generally speaking if you've been feeding it 86 octane and want it to run as best as possible on 91+ octane, you'll need to reset all those fuel and spark trims in the PCM so it can learn all over again. Otherwise it'll run 91+ premium quite happily but it'll be on mapping that was playing nice with 86, so the benefits of premium would be minimal until the PCM re-learned and that can take a long time with Fords if you don't reset them. n it takes a long time to get through enough drive cycles for the PCM to fully reset.
Would one of the simple tuners take more direct control of this?

Overall I'm a big fan of Iridium spark plugs for applications like an Ecoboost, as well as an aggressive replacement schedule.
That is what I have been using and doing with my car, ever since the day it died in STL.

LittleLebowski

04-15-2021, 11:06 AM

I did some research and both the F150 forums and my tuner (5Star) recommend the iridium SP550 pregapped at .028 Ford Motorcraft plugs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY97E9A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Mine are out for delivery and I’m still not used to pregapped plugs, so I’ll be checking them before installing :D

JRB

04-15-2021, 11:26 AM

Would one of the simple tuners take more direct control of this?

That is what I have been using and doing with my car, ever since the day it died in STL.

Depends on the tuner and the exact truck. For a canned tune in a preprogrammed tuner, we had good luck with SCT but things may have changed in the ~5 years since I left that profession. We also used Diablo on some Dodge applications to good effect, they could also do Ford but our resident tuning guru preferred SCT for Fords not being custom tuned directly via HP tuners.

Generally speaking, most of these tuners have a 'performance' tune and an 'economy' tune and some misc middle-ground tunes. Be careful that you're using the fuel the tune is expecting, as most tunes especially the 'performance' tune will expect 91+ octane 24/7. The PCM will still save the engine based on knock count but a more aggressive tune will beat up the pistons in those instants before the PCM pulls back timing and adds fuel.

I did some research and both the F150 forums and my tuner (5Star) recommend the iridium SP550 pregapped at .028 Ford Motorcraft plugs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY97E9A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Mine are out for delivery and I’m still not used to pregapped plugs, so I’ll be checking them before installing :D

Be very careful when measuring the gaps on Iridium plugs, the electrode is much more delicate than typical platinum/copper plugs and if it's damaged or scuffed in any way that can drastically affect the performance of the plug.

LittleLebowski

04-15-2021, 11:48 AM

Be very careful when measuring the gaps on Iridium plugs, the electrode is much more delicate than typical platinum/copper plugs and if it's damaged or scuffed in any way that can drastically affect the performance of the plug.

Yeah, I’m not using a cheap graduated type gauge but rather an actual feeler gauge. Easy does it.

Coal Train

04-15-2021, 12:12 PM

Overall I'm a big fan of Iridium spark plugs for applications like an Ecoboost, as well as an aggressive replacement schedule. For the most part coil packs will last 2-3 sets of plugs at a minimum, so it's best practice IMHO to try a set of plugs first before throwing coilpacks at a vehicle with ignition issues.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic. Do the boots typically need to be replaced when the plugs are replaced?

mmc45414

04-15-2021, 12:25 PM

For a canned tune in a preprogrammed tuner, we had good luck with SCT but things may have changed in the ~5 years since I left that profession.

Generally speaking, most of these tuners have a 'performance' tune and an 'economy' tune and some misc middle-ground tunes. Be careful that you're using the fuel the tune is expecting, as most tunes especially the 'performance' tune will expect 91+ octane 24/7. The PCM will still save the engine based on knock count but a more aggressive tune will beat up the pistons in those instants before the PCM pulls back timing and adds fuel.
Understood, but does this imply that the baked in tune will eliminate or limit the learning of the ECU? I can commit to the octane, but would like to not be chasing a moving target that is based on what I may have been doing (or not) in the prior months.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic.
Yeah, me too, I have read enough of your posts on the topic to value your input.

JRB

04-15-2021, 02:00 PM

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic. Do the boots typically need to be replaced when the plugs are replaced?

Inspect them for cracks, if they're cracked then replace them or use a section of heat shrink tubing as a repair 'jacket' to prevent the crack from allowing the coil pack to ground to the valve cover or whatever instead of pumping the spark through the spark plug. Often times folks will replace a coil pack chasing a misfire issue instead of the boot, when the boot was actually the problem.

Hotter and drier climates tend to be harder on rubber components like that.

Understood, but does this imply that the baked in tune will eliminate or limit the learning of the ECU? I can commit to the octane, but would like to not be chasing a moving target that is based on what I may have been doing (or not) in the prior months.

Yeah, me too, I have read enough of your posts on the topic to value your input.

Depends entirely on the tune. For a canned tune from a programmer, just for CYA I wouldn't expect them to disable or limit the closed loop correction for things like knock count, but I've seen some weird shit. If you flash your PCM with an aftermarket tune that calls for 91 octane or better, I'd be fully committed to 91+ all the time no matter what. If circumstances dictated the use of 89 or 90 octane, I'd baby it at part throttle and I'd keep the revs as low as possible.

Glad to hear that my old hobby-turned-profession experience is helpful around here :)

rd62

04-15-2021, 02:40 PM

I'm familiar with aftermarket tunes somewhat but not for applications such as the F150 Ecoboost. What benefits are you seeing and at what risks to reliability and warranty?

JRB

04-15-2021, 03:44 PM

I'm familiar with aftermarket tunes somewhat but not for applications such as the F150 Ecoboost. What benefits are you seeing and at what risks to reliability and warranty?

Virtually every 'canned' tune from a reputable operation like SCT, Diablo, etc will be as reliable or more reliable than the stock mapping, and offer some very tangible improvements in power and MPG. With intakes, downpipes, and a custom dyno tune we'd routinely see 50-60whp and ~80 ft-lbs of torque increase on 13-15ish a 3.5L Ecoboost trucks. Better spool up too, and if the driver kept their foot out of it, usually better MPG. A canned tune on a 100% stock hardware Ecoboost truck would usually pick up 20-30hp and similar torque.

An OE tune is done for emissions, mpg, and power - in that order. So it's easy to change some parameters that improve both MPG and power at the expense of higher NOx or similar emissions, which most end users do not care about. Bear in mind though that these emissions increases aren't anything that anyone but the EPA would notice or care about so long as there's still a cat or two in the exhaust.
In some cases, such as the 2007-2009ish Subaru WRX's and STi's - the factory tuning was so aggressive for low emissions that it was dangerously lean in some critical high-torque high-load engine conditions, which led to Subaru replacing a shitload of fried engines under warranty. With those cars, an aftermarket tune was not just better HP and MPG but also massively safer and more reliable, too.

That kind of issue hasn't happened in any Ford that I'm aware of, but the balancing act between emissions, HP, and MPG is the same for every manufacturer and the gains for MPG and HP are almost always at the expense of emissions.

Warranty goes right out the window, though. Dealers are getting more and more proactive about checking the PCM for write counts (to detect if someone's remapped the PCM) and other anti-tuning measures.

Depending on your local dealership and your relationship with your service writer there, you can sometimes put the stock map back in the PCM and they'll look the other way. This is especially true if the issue has nothing to do with what can change in a PCM flash/rewrite. Meaning if you're in for warranty work because the A/C is going crazy or there's a weird rattling in a door, they're not likely to care about a tune.
But if you're in the dealership for a new engine or new turbos under warranty, you can bet they'll be scrutinizing whether or not it was tuned or physically modified as best they can.