What Half-Ton Truck & Why

Ozarker

Well-known member
Absolutely true. No argument there!

So find yourself an early 90s Dodge/Cummins with a manual transmission. Simplest, most reliable drivetrain there is. Only accessory you'll need is ear plugs.
Engineered obsolescence, engineered to fail = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Guy down the street has a '57 Chevy, stock, maintained, not rebuilt, still rides just fine and it starts when he gets in it to drive it. I seriously doubt any vehicle made today will be on the road in 20 years with just regular maintenance, if they are they will probably have some major overhaul or replacement.
 

D45

Explorer
I just think a NA V8 is the way to go

My 5.3L engine has been fine, just turned 107,000 miles

I do like modern day features, like power slider, power sunroof, heated steering wheel.......but I'm just not sold on turbo gas engines nor modern day half ton diesel engines (emissions)

I also refuse to run anything over 87 octane

GMC / Chevy

5.3L V8 325 cid
355 HP @ 5,600 RPM
383 TQ @ 4,100 RPM

------------------------

Dodge Ram

5.7L V8 345 cid
395 HP @ 5,600 RPM
410 TQ @ 3,950 RPM
 

ITTOG

Well-known member
I hate my 3.5L twin turbo in my 2018 F150. Yes there are maintenance issues: cam phaser, oil leaks, coolant leaks, turbo failure, while at highway speeds it tells me the emergency brake is on, etc. But that isn't what bothers me. I absolutely hate the lag with turbo's. I have almost died more than a handful of times when waiting for the turbos to spool up. Not having instantaneous power is dangerous. If I didn't come from a 5.8L Tundra the turbo's may not be a problem. But when you are used to the instantaneous power and then lose it, well, it sucks. If I had it to do again I would definitely get a 5.0 if I bought a F150.
 

deserteagle56

Adventurer
I hate my 3.5L twin turbo in my 2018 F150. Yes there are maintenance issues: cam phaser, oil leaks, coolant leaks, turbo failure, while at highway speeds it tells me the emergency brake is on, etc. But that isn't what bothers me. I absolutely hate the lag with turbo's. I have almost died more than a handful of times when waiting for the turbos to spool up. Not having instantaneous power is dangerous. If I didn't come from a 5.8L Tundra the turbo's may not be a problem. But when you are used to the instantaneous power and then lose it, well, it sucks. If I had it to do again I would definitely get a 5.0 if I bought a F150.
And I'm just the opposite. Love my 2016 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I have a whole fleet of vehicles and this one is my favorite, especially for long road trips. Plus, most of the time my F150 has a trailer hooked to it. The low end torque of the 3.5 Ecoboost makes it a much better pulling machine.
 

ITTOG

Well-known member
And I'm just the opposite. Love my 2016 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I have a whole fleet of vehicles and this one is my favorite, especially for long road trips. Plus, most of the time my F150 has a trailer hooked to it. The low end torque of the 3.5 Ecoboost makes it a much better pulling machine.
Interesting on the towing. I hate towing with it because the turbo's are allways spooled up sucking the gas. If I don't limit the transmission to only 7 gears I will only get about 8.5 mpg's.

It is interesting to think about how each of us value, or not, turbo's and all other choices we have to make.
 

Todd780

OverCamper
Interesting on the towing. I hate towing with it because the turbo's are allways spooled up sucking the gas. If I don't limit the transmission to only 7 gears I will only get about 8.5 mpg's.

It is interesting to think about how each of us value, or not, turbo's and all other choices we have to make.
I do find the turbos spool up as well. But, not terribly often.

With my previous 5.0 it would sit at 4,500 RPM forever at the slightest incline of a flat road. Maybe the 10 spd would be better?

Even after the road leveled off, it would take forever and ever to downshift.

Overall, I would say fuel mileage while towing is pretty close. But, the EcoBoost seems to have a much easier time with my trailer.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Well-known member
Agreed. My previous truck was a 2015 F150 w/ 5.0L - 6 Spd & 3:73's. My 2022 has the EcoBoost & 3:55's.

No comparison when it comes to towing. EcoBoost hands down. I don't think I'd ever go back to an N/A V8 for towing.

It would be fun to run them beside each other, I very much preferred my 02 F-150 with a 5.4 for towing over my '16 with a 5.0. The 02 had a superchip tuner, the factory shift strategy was inspired by 1970's Cadillac.

'16 is a better platform but the 5.4 is a truck engine and ran like it. 350lb-ft at 2500 vs 380lb-ft at 3800 or whatever... you gotta put the spurs to the 5.0 and keep it wound tight to have anything. With OD locked out the 5.4 would pull down into its peak from above and just dig in its heels.

Non towing and sipping E85, the Coyote is great though. And I do like the simplicity over just about anything else currently on the market.
 

ITTOG

Well-known member
I do find the turbos spool up as well. But, not terribly often.

With my previous 5.0 it would sit at 4,500 RPM forever at the slightest incline of a flat road. Maybe the 10 spd would be better?

Even after the road leveled off, it would take forever and ever to downshift.

Overall, I would say fuel mileage while towing is pretty close. But, the EcoBoost seems to have a much easier time with my trailer.
Yes 10 speed definitely helps. I can lock it out at 7 and cruse about 75 mph at 2500 rpm. With my 1600 pound utility trailer I can get about 10 to 10.5 mpg's. If I would have it to do over, I would have bought the 5.0 and have it tuned. Or put a super charger on it.
 

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