What visual cues are there to distinguish between the two on a non-Raptor truck? I've not been able to figure this out.

 

6.2 has waste spark, goofy coil towers with extra spark plug wires coming off of them

5.0 has a pretty distinct intake manifold design as well.

 

I should have clarified, without opening up the hood. With the hood open it's a no brainer. The SOHC vs DOHC is a dead give away. Do the 6.2 trucks have the flex fuel badge on the tailgate? I know the Raptor has a badge on the door and a different exhaust tip. But I haven't seen anything else to tell them apart from the outside.

 

and in the trucks:
6.2L



5.0L



in the trucks its easiest to distinguish the two by the shape of the intake tube

 

Fair enough. Only the 3.7 and 5.0 are FF capable

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/2014...ations/engine/




I know in 2013 the only way to get 6.2 in XLT/FX was to order "max tow" and Non EB option. which gave you the huge mirrors, upgraded leafs etc.

2014 they loosened the ordering a little bit and allowed more configurations to help consume the inventory of extra 6.2L engines which are not being carried over into the 2015 redesign.

Generally speaking, Non EB, with "Max Tow" would indicate it is a 6.2L

 

Ok, so the Flex Fuel badge is the only way to tell them apart quickly when driving down the road. I figured the in tank pump might not have the flow for a thirsty 6.2 on corn juice so it might be a give away.

Basically, I wanted to know for sure the truck I was next to tonight was a 6.2. It sounded a different than any 5.0 I have heard and it didn't have the flex fuel badge on the tailgate. I do think it had the big mirrors too. So it seems like this might have been one. I know it wasn't an EB because of the sound and it lacked the EB badges.

 

6.2 is a bit more throaty deep rumble
5.0 is a bit more mid range hum sound if that make sense

 

It does. The 6.2 in a Lariat Limited sounded a lot like a big 5.4L. A little bit deeper though. The 5.0 has a completely different sound than other Fords. It is closer to an Audi 4.2 or Merc.

I was 90% sure it was a 6.2 truck but wanted to see if there was any dead giveaway when sitting next to one. The other thing that made me pretty sure was he was doing a much better job of keeping up than any other non EB Ford I have run. Stock we would have been neck and neck but I was running a 5* 87 tune and was able to pull on him once I really got into it. There was no doubt he was deep into the throttle because his truck was screaming.

 

if you go buy the sticker on the gate remember they do all come off and go on with the owners tastes