F150 - 2.7L vs 3.5L vs 5.0L

D45

Explorer
The 2015+ 3.5L Ecoboost is still very appealing to me, especially with the larger turbos and the direct and port injection advances

Just scares the piss out of me, regarding all the issues with timing and cam phasers
 

D45

Explorer
I love the Raptor trucks and the power they make, but the price tag is beyond my comfort zone

I have been looking at Power Wagon trucks also, with the 6.4L..........but yet again, more than I want to pay

I am in no rush, since there is nothing wrong with my Silverado and the monthly payments are under $300
 

stevo_pct

Well-known member
The 2015+ 3.5L Ecoboost is still very appealing to me, especially with the larger turbos and the direct and port injection advances

Just scares the piss out of me, regarding all the issues with timing and cam phasers

That's why I went with the 5.0. Although I'm not sure if it has a better track record.
 

D45

Explorer
I found a 2018, with the XLT Sport package

What's XLT Sport?

It's not an FX4........so I assume the rear diff doesn't lock?

302A - MOONROOF - NAVIGATION - Heated Seats - Rear View Camera - Remote Start
 

Todd780

OverCamper
I found a 2018, with the XLT Sport package

What's XLT Sport?

It's not an FX4........so I assume the rear diff doesn't lock?

302A - MOONROOF - NAVIGATION - Heated Seats - Rear View Camera - Remote Start
Sport is just an appearance pkg. Body colored bumpers and handles, black interior, buckets and console shift.

Diff lock is a stand alone option as well. technically you could get in on a bare bones XL.

You can get the FX4 pkg added onto the sport pkg. I have both on my truck.
 

Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
I found a 2018, with the XLT Sport package
What's XLT Sport?

It's not an FX4........so I assume the rear diff doesn't lock?

I wouldn't assume that. Either get the VIN and check the window sticker (I think you can do it at Ford's web site or a dealer can do it) or else have the seller snap a photo of the 4wd control. That will tell you whether it has the locker.

I think Sport Package is an appearance package. IIRC it means body-colored door handles and bumpers (which IMO look much better than chrome. Mine has chrome and I don't like it - too gaudy looking for me. I'd love to de-chrome my whole truck.)
 

jbaucom

Well-known member
In addition to the window sticker, VIN lookup, or 4WD selector knob, another way to tell if the truck was built with an e-locker is to check the axle code on the B-pillar sticker. This generation F150 has an axle code that begins with the letter "L" if it was built with an e-locker. The axle code also tells you which gear ratio the truck was built with.
  • 15: 3.15 ratio, open differential
  • 27: 3.31 ratio, open differential
  • 19: 3.55 ratio, open differential
  • 26: 3.73 ratio, open differential
  • H9: 3.55 ratio, limited-slip differential
  • B6: 3.73 ratio, limited-slip differential
  • L5: 3.15 ratio, electronic locking differential
  • L3: 3.31 ratio, electronic locking differential
  • L9: 3.55 ratio, electronic locking differential
  • L6: 3.73 ratio, electronic locking differential
  • L4: 4.10 ratio, electronic locking differential
 

D45

Explorer
Found a nice 2018 F150 Super Crew

3.5L Eco with 26k miles

XLT Power Equipment Group, XLT Special Edition Package, XLT Sport

FX4 Package with 7050 gcwr

302A Package, 6 1/2 Foot Box, Heated Seats, Navigation System, 4X4, 20'' Wheels,

Electronic Locking w/3.55 Axle Ratio, Electronic Stability Control

Equipment Group 302A Luxury

Extended Range 36 Gallon Tank

FX4 Off-Road Package

Folding Heated Pwr Glass Trailer Tow Mirror,l

Remote keyless entry, Remote Start System

Spray-In Bedliner

I like it all, especially the longer bed and large gas tank
 

D45

Explorer
The symbol on the left of the 4wd dial will be indicative or the locking rear diff

Some have the symbol, some don't
Screenshot_20220119-113608_Facebook.jpg
 

ricoisme26

Active member
The 2015+ 3.5L Ecoboost is still very appealing to me, especially with the larger turbos and the direct and port injection advances

Just scares the piss out of me, regarding all the issues with timing and cam phasers

2017 was when the 2nd gen 3.5 ecoboost with both direct and port injection came out. This is also my current search criteria and similarly I'm in no need to purchase a new tuck but if a deal came along I wouldn't turn it down.
 

D45

Explorer
I would probably buy the 2018 I posted above if it had a sunroof and 3.73s

I can swap out those 20s
 

Grassland

Well-known member
My buddies 2017 with second gen 3.5 has had chains and phasers, along with something else all done under warranty. He doesn't keep the reports handy so it's hard to get a clear list of what exactly was done.
He had the chain slap noise on cold start up at like 20k.
As much a Fiddy fan bois I am, the boring 3.3 and the underdog 2.7 is the direction I'd lean if I didn't absolutely need more power. If I needed more power I'd drive a super duty.
 

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