I didn't notice it being that bad in doing test drives in trucks with 3.31's, also drove a couple with 3.55's and 1 4x4 with a 3.73, it had the most pickup off the line

Different story when towing, so I will see...

 

How heavy do you plan on towing?

 

I have an 8500 pound boat and a travel trailer that weighs close to that.

 

So, knowing a little bit about process automation, you program into the build sheet what options to put in the vehicle, and the robot does it, all that's needed is editing the build script, or whatever it's called in their world. For most trucks, all the wiring, mounting brackets, etc are already there, it's literally which cog gets put in what hole, so what cog does the robot know to grab

More to the point, which gear ratio to put in a given truck, is literally which set of gears is grabbed by the robot... how hard is that? No special process involved

 

Well, if we are talking about different gears with different engines, don't forget about the additional cost of EPA testing.

Nothing is free. And you are over-simplifying with just editing the build script.

 

So here's a dumb question. They offer it with the 3.5 Eco with the HD payload package...

Is the non-HD payload package that different? Only real world difference is vehicle weight. So using our powers of deduction, less vehicle weight = better mileage = lower emissions... I think you are really overthinking this

I think you are wrong...

 

Your max tow rating with a 5.0 and 3.31's is 9100#. You might be over max payload and GVWR, but the 2015 has a considerably higher payload rating than past years.

 

Well, I'm sure there is a reason. Ford knows a lot more about this than either of us. I'm just trying to offer some insight.

I can live with that.

 

Yes, the payload is higher than the previous models it replaces, but if you compare it to other past years, like that of your 2003, that is not the case.

2003 single cab, 6.5' bed, 4x2 with M5OD and 4.2L has a payload rating of 2060 lbs.

2015 single cab, 6.5' bed, 4x2 with 2.7L ecoboost has a payload rating of 1800 lbs.
2015 single cab, 6.5' bed, 4x2 with 3.5L Ti-VCT has a payload rating of 1910 lbs.
2015 single cab, 6.5' bed, 4x2 with 5.0L Ti-VCT has a payload rating of 1930 lbs.

 

2015 crew cab 5.0 6.5 bed 4x4 payload rating is 2230#.

 

I know, all configurations have different payload ratings. The point I was trying to make, is that when you compare your 2003 to that of a 2015 of similar configuration, the payload is not significantly more for the 2015, but less.

I am not directing this towards you, so please don't take it that way, but I see/hear a lot of people stating that the 2015 has much more payload capacity than past years, when it isn't always the case.