What Half-Ton Truck & Why

[85_Ranger4x4]

At that point I'd probably just get a 3/4 ton.

A tune I wouldn't fuss over, a supercharger on a truck to work would be a hard pass for me.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

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.

Tons of Toyotas will- tons of Fords as well- probably the super duty gas motors

 

[Todd780]

A tune I wouldn't fuss over, a supercharger on a truck to work would be a hard pass for me.

Ford now offers a factory tune for the 3.5. Personally I'll pass. I'm leaving my drivetrain stock. Plenty of power for me.

If I make my truck any worse on gas, I might as well just get a 1 ton Godzilla, lol... My 35's already brought me down to an average of 18 mpg...

2021-2023 F-150 3.5L PERFORMANCE CALIBRATION

2021-2023 F-150 3.5L PERFORMANCE CALIBRATION|Ford Performance Parts

performanceparts.ford.com

 

[deserteagle56]

Ford now offers a factory tune for the 3.5. Personally I'll pass. I'm leaving my drivetrain stock. Plenty of power for me.

Same here. My 2016 that I bought new has been trouble free. My understanding is that the newest version of the 3.5 Ecoboost puts out 500 lb-ft of torque - that's almost what the 5.9 Cummins in my 2004 Dodge has. What's amazing is that 90% of that torque the Ecoboost puts out is available at 1700 rpm - just like a diesel. That's why it pulls a trailer so well. I'd consider a newer F150 but I don't trust the new 10 speed. The 6 speed in my 2016 has been trouble free.

 

[Todd780]

Same here. My 2016 that I bought new has been trouble free. My understanding is that the newest version of the 3.5 Ecoboost puts out 500 lb-ft of torque - that's almost what the 5.9 Cummins in my 2004 Dodge has. What's amazing is that 90% of that torque the Ecoboost puts out is available at 1700 rpm - just like a diesel. That's why it pulls a trailer so well. I'd consider a newer F150 but I don't trust the new 10 speed. The 6 speed in my 2016 has been trouble free.

View attachment 857972

Exaclty. The low end torque is what prompted my move from a 5.0L to a 3.5.

Funny enough after 50,000 miles the 10 speed in my 2022 has been fine. I believe this transmission is used in a few vehicles including the Super Duty.

My 6 spd in my 2015 gave me grief. Same issue that was recall in the 2014's. I'd be driving along and all of the sudden the truck would shift into first. If my truck had been a year older, the issue would have been covered under the recall instead of me having to pay out of pocket.

One of Canada's most popular vehicles recalled over transmission issue; 95,000 impacted

One of the country's most popular vehicles is being recalled in Canada due to a transmission issue that may impact tens of thousands of drivers.

www.ctvnews.ca

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/recall/recalls-and-faqs/24s37-f-150-2014-transmission-sudden-downshift-recall/

 

[Jupiter58]

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.

Almost died????
Be more careful pulling out in front of something!!!
I have never had that issue in my 2019 3.5 eb.
Actually I find much poorer acceleration in the v8s I drive. That .1 second lag with the turbo is more than made up for when it kicks in. The v-8s are dogs at low rpm’s and their torque curves are about as flat as the earth!!

 

[Todd780]

Almost died????
Be more careful pulling out in front of something!!!
I have never had that issue in my 2019 3.5 eb.
Actually I find much poorer acceleration in the v8s I drive. That .1 second lag with the turbo is more than made up for when it kicks in. The v-8s are dogs at low rpm’s and their torque curves are about as flat as the earth!!

I found the same coming from a 5.0. Out of curiosity do the 2018 - 2019's have Sport mode?

I usually drive in Eco but, when I switch into Sport, you can def tell a difference.

@ITTOG If your truck has this feature, have you tried driving in this mode?

 

[Jupiter58]

I found the same coming from a 5.0. Out of curiosity do the 2018 - 2019's have Sport mode?

I usually drive in Eco but, when I switch into Sport, you can def tell a difference.

@ITTOG If your truck has this feature, have you tried driving in this mode?

Yes, I primarily use eco also and yes sport is a different animal. No traction on the stock continentals!

 

[Jupiter58]

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

2019 3.5 eb.
375 hp @ 5000
470 tq & 3500

2024 3.5 eb
400 hp at 6000
500 tq @ 3100

Their original goal was to get the same power as a 6.0 with better gas mileage.

 

[D45]

My 2012 F150 3.5L Eco was powerful yes......but never got over 13.5 mpg

 

[ITTOG]

I found the same coming from a 5.0. Out of curiosity do the 2018 - 2019's have Sport mode?

I usually drive in Eco but, when I switch into Sport, you can def tell a difference.

@ITTOG If your truck has this feature, have you tried driving in this mode?

I just drive it in whatever mode it starts up in. Not sure what it is called but I never change the modes except for towing. Sure, sport would probably resolve the issue but when you are trying to change lanes quickly I never think or should have to change the mode beforehand. It is just OEM tune as well. These engines are too sensitive to get a tune on it. I know too many that end up blowing turbo's, engines, or transmissions once they start doing that.

 

[deserteagle56]

My 2012 F150 3.5L Eco was powerful yes......but never got over 13.5 mpg

Wow! Did you have a trailer hooked to it most of the time?

My 2016 averages around 21 mpg when not towing. Hook a trailer to it and that cuts the mileage in half.

 

[D45]

No, rarely towed with it.......maybe 5 times a year

It did have Tow Max with 3.73s and I was running 34" tires so maybe that's why?

 

[rruff]

Tons of Toyotas will....

Good odds my Toyota will live longer than 20 years. It's 8 now, and I only have 28k miles on it... 🤪

Regarding mpg, even with the big camper and fat 35" ATs, I average 15 mpg on the highways (has varied between 14.2 and 16.0 on long round-trips). I was recently looking at Ford Maverick hybrids because they get phenomenal mpg (>40 typically overall), but the few anecdotes I've been able to gather is that if you put a small camper on it, expect low 20s on the highway.

These days I think the only new 1/2 tons I'd consider are a base Ram with either the NA V6 or V8. Would make more sense to just go for a 1 ton or bigger for my use though.