Went away this weekend with the wife to celebrate turning 40. We're pretty fond of the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Had to fill up before we left. Hadn't filled up since before Christams. Has some aggressive driving due to being a guy who procrastinates getting Christams presants. So, before we left for NH I got a 19.0 old school with a 18.7 on the lie-o-meter.

Then, we were running late starting our trip, as we usually are, so I wasn't taking it easy heading up north. Had more than a few heavy throttle, forced downshift bursts. Had the cruise set a 75 on the highway. The temps were in the mid 30's in MA when we left. They were teens and 20's in the White Mountains. Did some driving around NH to get to our hike and what not. There is some varrying terrain requiring somewhat frequent downshifts. So I filled back up when we were almost back home. Had gone 405mi. Had an old school number of 18.1 with a lie-o-meter reading of 18.4.

The truck ran beautifully has it has for almost a year now. The only complaint that I have is that the tires were loud. Probably because of the effects of the cold air. I was hoping to see better numbers because it was mostly highway miles. Well, maybe half. Really, winters just begun here.

 

OK. I have about 12,250 miles on my truck and for the last 3-4 tanks of gas I have not set the meter. Been stuck on 19mpg and when given past history of checking old school... I usually and up being a few points higher... not too darn bad considering I have just been driving if you will... using like I would any other vehicle without so much focus as early during purchase. There is a good mix of highway and city... to end up with advertised 19mpg average with a screw... I'm pretty darn happy!

 

I was all set to buy a 3.7L 2011 F150 SuperCab, 3.73 lim slip. I had one bargained for after an initial test drive. Then when I took the 3.7 for a second test drive on the highway in traffic, I realized how little torque it had. It was working so hard to make lane changes. The truck seemed so heavy for the engine. I so desperately wanted it to work out for the fuel efficiency factor, but to no avail. If a truck has no get up and go, IMO, its not a truck.
I bought a 5.0L, 3,73 lim slip. Buying too much truck can be expensive, but buying too little truck is a miserable, regretful waste of money...

 

While I'm not at all surprized by your assessment, and I completely understand where you are coming from, I can assure you that the 3.7 does indeed have enough power to move this F150. It is not going to give you the rapid launch or burnouts that the other motors offered might do, but it will cruise, merge and pass without a problem. You do need to put the pedal to the floor for some manuvers. The engine will make a lot of noise and the truck will do what you wanted it to do.

While I'm a fan of V8 power as any F150 enthisiast is, my F150 with the 3.7 is not too little truck. It is a pleasure to drive. I don't regret buying it, and don't feel that I wasted a dime. It's not a 5.0. It's also not a V6 like the ones from the past. This 3.7 is comparable to the 2V, and to a point even the 3V 4.6 V8. It costs less than any other engine choice. It is capable of some pretty respectable mpg numbers. It's an option for some of us who have perhaps already blown enough tire smoke in our lives and want a slightly more docile ride.

Again, I do understand where you are coming from. There have been a couple times that I wished I'd bought the 5.0 for the grunt, but as I see the gas prices climb, I'm reminded why I opted for this V6, and why I decided it was time to drive with a bit more sanity.

Enjoy the 5.0. It's a great engine!

 

We're pretty lucky that we now have an engine lineup, where an engine can throw down 0-60 times in the 7's, and still be considered slow and underpowered. This engine happens to produce acceleration times at least as fast if not faster than your main competitor's 5.3L volume V8. Did I mention that we're talking about the smallest engine available, usually ordered by fleets in white 2wd long bed strippos, and that there are three other available engines with more power and faster acceleration times?

How long ago was it that our top optional V8 was called a "boat anchor"? Those were the days LMFAO!

 

Well I think if your getting a truck to just have a truck and do occasional trip to Lowes or tow snowmobiles then anything above the V6 might be waste, but then I question even getting a truck when there are some cars and SUVs that get even better MPG and can tow the same. But if your towing over 5k then you better get the bigger engine.

 

Folks I tow a #5400 pound 25' long travel trail with absolutely no issues! It rides like it is not even there.... how lucky we are to have so many choices. I am convinced Ford has nailed it with my 3.7L. I forget how many liter my '06 dakota was... but this truck performs better both in ride and mileage.

Should coulda... $2k-5k it is only money... like a 5.0... sure... like a Eco... oh yes... however this base 3.7 out performs V8 entry engines hands down.

It will scream... but will go... one does need to lay into the pedal though. I wonder if Ford had only tweaked this... would anyone really know the difference.

PS that is a #5400 rig and a SCrew 3.7L no problem... could it be better? um yes... but laughing to think how pissed I would have been if I had gotten the 2010 Silverado V8 I was looking at with less performance and 15-16mpg ROFL

 

nards444, your facts are not correct. I have tried v6 Nissan Frontier, I5 Colorado, and my sons I4 Tacoma(all 2wd). NONE of them get better mileage than this new F150 3.7, and have to sacrifice ride quality, quiet cabin, not to mention size comfort.

I tried to convince myself that I was saving money on gas, but when Ford came out with their engine line up for 2011, it won me over.

Wife's car was a 2009 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L I4/M5. I started talking to some guys online with the new 3.7 in their new Mustangs, about the mileage and performance. This past June we got her a new 2012 Mustang Prem/Pony 3.7/M6, it gets about 1-2 MPG better than the 4 cyl/M5 Honda. Much smoother ride and much quieter cabin.

 

No I am not because I was not comparing like engines in other brands. My only thought is if your towing much over 5k than this engine might not be for you. The engine is very capable and probably the option for many light duty is their game. But try loading up 5k with 4-5 people and gear and I think you would be pushing it. By the numbers a 4x4 version with 3.73 can tow 5700 with a 1500lb payload Considering the carring weight is 10,900 which means with a 600lb tongue weight you realitisically tow 5700lbs by your self and no gear. so that is why i said anything over 5k your pushing it. A lot of people look at towing capacity and get blinded by the truth. You got to look at all number and not just towing capacity

 

I completely agree with you. For most, this sounds like a solid engine that might be slightly overlooked

 

I think another big thing one needs to look at is the regular cab vs. extended cab configuration. Wittom (and I) have regular cab / short box trucks. That's the absolute lightest configuration offered by Ford. Although I have the older 3 valve 4.6, I have absolutley no complaints on its performance - and I regularly tow a 22' high performance boat behind it. Based on my experience and Wittom's writings, I will very seriously consider the 3.7 next time around.

Now, if you move up to an extended cab truck, the extra weight is going to start to negatively affect both performance and mileage. That said, I was very pleasantly surpised with the performace of an extended cab 4x4 with the 3.7 that I test drove a few weeks ago. Not bad at all!

 

Again nothing against this engine if it fits your life style then cool. And dont try to compare this with a Nissan thats not what I am doing. You just would be sadly mistaken to tow much over a utiliity trailer, smaller travel trailer, etc with it, which is fine.

Another thought in comparative models and trim whether it be Xl or XLT or STX your talking an extra grand for the 5.0 and 2200 for the EB, both of which get the same MPG dang near, is it worth the premium I would think so. For a 1000 bucks you almost get the same MPG and for a grand you never have to worry about can I tow it or not.

 

Update - 14.8 mpg towing 12' utility trailer with Ranger (about 3,000 lbs total) at 65 mph. Did fine up and down roads in Texas Hill Country. Will work fine for the occassional towing I have.

 

Exactly, I love my 5.4 and people said that suffered on power. Ask 100 you'll hear 100 different responses

 

Hey, I am really happy that the truck meets your needs. If there was no other choice but the 3.7L, would I have purchased the 3.7L...Most likely...I had researched it alot and it gets good reviews. But on the test drive, that motor was was working hard and not accelerating that much... I am not use to that... it seemed like it was suffering. The sounds were harsh, and it keep needing to drop back to keep pace in Calgary traffic. Maybe I could have grown use to it.
The tow capacity is 5500 and I was also wondering about the possibility I would out grow it with a big camper or something. I am planning to keep the truck for a long time.

I couldnt imagine that truck towing 5000 lb up a hill. But I never tried so I cant knock it. It may have alot to do with the different torque curve of the two engines. And I would imagine... at least for me...
that engine working like that will burn more gas than its estimated MPG. I wasnt willing to take the chance.

But it did have a cool sound and it definitely feels/ shifts like a V6. I did like that aspect - more than a V8. But Ive driven a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a V6 4.0L for the past three years and that had more response and torque. Too use to it I guess. I have kept the gas costs down by cutting back on the speed and quick accelerations. Well except for those times where you get off work and want to rip it for a bit...
Lets say I bought the V6 second hand and it was the only choice...I am sure I would be happy with it in the end..you learn to love what you are use to.. but on this new truck purchase, the gut instinct was to go bigger...
If you are enjoying the V6, that is the best case scenario... because you paid less ( I paid 1050 CAD for that engine and I am a guy who appreciates being able to save some money) and potentially have much more fuel economy. As I said, I desperately hoped it would work out with the 3.7L, but it didnt go that way.
Cheers.