Currently driving a tired 2000 with a 5.4L with 3:55 rear end.

I can't really complain about the truck, as its served me well, but its rusting away, and well....its just time a new truck. I've owned it for 15 years.

I tow a 7K boat, and 4k enclosed trailer pretty much every weekend (we either go boating or racing pretty much every weekend)

Truck will be 75% daily driving, and 25% towing.

I borrowed a neighbors 2014 KR Screw with the 3.5, and Max tow package and that thing was a BEAST it could care less my boat was back there. It got about 18mpg empty, and about 11 towing my boat.

I've also driven a buddy's 2014 Screw with the 5.0 to tow my enclosed trailer. It pulled the trailer ok, but it was definitely not the same as the Eco.

As I am starting to look at trucks I see most of the ones I am looking are equipped with 3:31 ratios. Is this pretty common? Is 3:55 not an option any more? even a 3:73. I'm not to overly concerned with mileage, but a 3:31 ratio just seems little lacking to me. I'm assuming that's what the 5.0 had in it, when I borrowed it, which could be a big difference right there.

I guess what are the Rear end ratio options on the 14's and 15's? I'm trying to narrow it down to either of those 2 years, and really want at least a 3:55 ratio. Will I have to add all kinds of other crap I don't really need, just to get a decent tow rig? I'm not sure how all the packages work.

 

I have a 2 wheel drive 2014 Screw with the 5.0 and 3.55s. I get 20 to 22 on the highway running 75 mph. It has an overall average of 19.1 mpg for 23,000 miles. The 5.0 will get close to the mpg for the EB and will tow what you are towing just fine. However, the EB with it's low end torqe will tow better.

 

Most of the trucks on the lots have 3.31's, but 3.55's and 3.73's are optional still.

You will almost NEVER see a eco or 5.0 with a 3.73 that isnt either special ordered, or heavy duty payload package, or maybe max tow

the 3.5 non-eco's I think come with the 3.73 alot

gear ratios for both 14 and 15 are:
3.31
3.55
3.73

There was also a 3.13 available on eco's in 2014, but from what I gather not many came with it, and I dont think it was available in 2015

 

I got the 5.0 with max payload/towing package with the 3.73 locker, no regrets.

 

Look for a 3.5 EB with max tow, either year.

 

Know what you mean on a tired old truck I have a 2005 with the 5.4L. It will 10 years with this truck on November 5th and 192k+ miles on it. Been looking at either a new truck or a slightly used 2011 to 2014. Not too many with the 3.55 like I have now mostly the 3.31 gears.

 

If you keep them 15 years get a 5.0. I like the eco but with turbos and direct injection plus the extra money up front it might make more sense to get the 5.0 for the long run.
But that depends on your risk tolerance, think the 5.0 is just simpiler though.

The 2015s also make more power now.

 

x2

 

Can someone tell me what other options you have to get in order to get the max tow package?

 

Max tow with 3.5l ecoboost uses 3.55 gears. It also has a heavier rear bumper, and larger oil coolers.

 

Get on the ford website and play around with 'build and price'.

 

For towing I wouldn't use 3.31 gears. I would 3.55 or 3.73.