Hi guys. Been a while. We’ve retired the old 94, and I’m looking around at newer models.

I’m looking at F150s in the 2013-2014 range but I know nothing about these engines. I’m probably most comfortable with the pushrod V8, but my son has a 2017 with the turbo six and he seems to like it. But wow, what a lot of moving parts to fail.

Anyway, I’d like to hear opinions about your preferences in power plants. Mostly if there’s anything you’d avoid.

Also, I’d like to hear about things you love about the trucks, and what to look out for.

So here’s what I’m looking at getting:

Supercab XLT or Lariat (King Ranch if one falls in my lap)
FX4 or 4x4 (Don’t need it, just want it.)
Use: daily urban driver (less than 10,000 miles per year) with occasional 12’ tandem trailer pulling. Will probably also use it on roadtrips with the wife.

I’m not a slow driver, but I’m not hard on things either. (I’m 57 and fairly responsible.) I tend to drive vehicles a very, very, long time.

Mileage is a consideration, but I mean they’re F150s... I honestly don’t see much of an appreciable difference in the numbers if you compare EPA data. But I’d be interested in personal experience.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

I’m Jim

 

The 5.0 V8 is not a pushrod engine, it's a 4 valve DOHC with twin independent VCT based on the old 4.6/5.4 modular. It's just as complicated as the Ecoboost V6. You must be thinking about the old 5.0/302, that was a pushrod motor, last year for that in the F150 was 1996. It would be fine for your use. If you find one with the 6.2 that would also be a very good choice, but it's a gas hog.

Supercabs aren't all that common, most you find will be Supercrews.

 

If power is a concern, I'd recommend the V8. If not get one with the base V6, even though they have more hp than a 97 with a V8. Google some youtube videos about the reliability of those engines if you want. None of them are as reliable as the 97 V8.

 

Finding a 4x4 Supercab or Supercrew with the base V6 is not easy. Most of them were standard cab RWD XL work trucks.

 

Thanks so much. Yeah, thanks for the correction. I was thinking 5.0 but said pushrod. And I guess there’s a 5.4 also, but I’m not sure if that was offered in the gen 12s. The whole modular innovation vs pushrods is a pretty amazing leap forward. (Guess the days when my buddies and I could rebuild my Chevy 305 in a couple of weeks in my parents’ back yard are well past. But we couldn’t get 400 hp out of it either.)

I’m actually pretty curious about both the Ecoboost and Coyote for different reasons), both very smart technologies. However, I still kind of want the V8 rumble.

 

You know, I thought seriously of throwing 15 grand at a 79 with a small block, but somehow power seats and climate control are suddenly essential.

 

I learned on the first car I bought, a ragged 56 Chevrolet Convertible, that it's hard to bring one back to new condition. By the time I rebuilt almost everything about the car, I was tired of it and traded it for a low mileage newer car in good condition. The new vehicles are superior in almost every way to the old vehicles, hp, suspension, brakes, fuel economy, comfort, and QUIETNESS. They just cost a fortune to buy and sometimes cost a fortune to repair.

 

Last year of the 4.6 and 5.4 Triton modulars in the F150 was 2010.

The only engines available in the 2011-2014 F150 were the 3.7 Cyclone V6, 5.0 Coyote V8, 3.5 Ecoboost V6, and (very limited) 6.2 Boss V8.

 

According to this engine rebuilder, the 5.0 had rod bearing issues the first couple of years production. Don't believe what he says about oil.

 

2009 and 2010 - discontinued after that.
.

 

Don’t Lariats come with a 5 liter?

 

Yes, with the 3.5 and 6.2 optional.

 

Okay, thank you.

I have a dealer friend shopping auctions for me so I’m probably going to end up with an off-lease fleet vehicle, condition and maintenance are more important to me than the most upscale versions, so I’m probably going to end up with an XLT 4x4, and from what I’m picking up, there don’t seem to be any horror stories from any particular engines, so I’m comfortable. If a Lariat, etc., happens to show up, great, but I’ve been driving a jeep with no doors for 15 years and my brothers old 94 (sorry, not a 97. I’m slipping, guys... lol) and my FL car is an 07 but even that has manual windows.

My son is graduating, and I’ve got the wife a nice 2018 suv, so it’s daddy’s turn. I’m kind of excited about it.

 

Note that the 2015 and newer are quite different. The bodies are aluminum and the engine choices are different. The 5.0 V8 is still offered, but there are now 2 turbo V6's - a 2.7 and 3.5. The 6.2 was dropped and the base V6 is smaller. The 2017 3.5 and all 2018 and newer except the base V6 got a 10 speed transmission.

 

From what understand the base V6, the duratec, has the water pump inside the timing chain cover and it is driven by the timing chain such that if it leaks, the coolant goes into the oil and destroys the engine. Several other manufacturers did the same thing such as the 3.5 and 3.7 Nissan V6s. My wife's Infiniti EX37 has one of those. So, if you plan to drive it until it blows, that may not be as long as you expect.