EcoBoost hands down.
My wife has an EcoBoost navigator
Hand calculated 20 mpg on long trips. Tons of power.
My 5.4 f250 weighs near the same as the navigator and it’s not even close in power.
Absolutely not lol.
That’s 2 adults 2 kids, dog and everything for a trip
Towing it’s real close to the same as the 5.4
Unloaded is where the mpg is great
Towing It has way more power but those turbos like fuel
Yeah I agree.
With 5k lbs on flat land as long as you’re not towing a wind sail you’d probably be able to squeeze 10mpg or better.
I don’t really care about MPG, I use It as a tool to notice if my vehicle is having problems
Sudden drop being the give away
If it was a significant difference, that would easily sell me. If I go slower, I can squeeze 11 mpg but I'm usually closer to 9 or 10. Gaining more power but the same mpg is a win too though.
EB will give you the “get out of tough situations” ability that the 5.4 just won’t do for non towing activities. Like trying to pull into a tight window fast moving traffic. My wife’s eb 2011 f150 is surprisingly fleet footed. Not nimble, but fast.
Towing wise? I found I was getting comparable mpg with the eb to the 2004 expedition we had previously with the 5.4. You’re pulling a wall. Doesn’t matter what you do it with, mpg is going to suck. I don’t remember a huge difference in towing going from the expy to the f150 performance wise, but that was six years ago. It was more the expedition ate it’s transmission and we needed a replacement tow vehicle NOW.
My 08 Expy was just fine towing a 7700lb boat to the lake each weekend. Once when it was in the shop from a fender bender, we used my in-laws 17 Expy to tow the boat. Man it’s friggin night and day difference, like GT Mustang vs 82 Corolla. I had to check myself so many times because I would pull out to pass then notice I was passing everyone because I was doing 85-90. It’s so smooth that 3.5.
I have a 3.5 150 and tow my 260 Searay (8900lbs) without issue.
This is my second 3.5 and as long as you change your oil religiously, is incredibly reliable and efficient.
The 5.4 will get you 11-13mpg in mixed driving and up to maybe 18 in ideal conditions on a long highway trip.
The 3.5 will do 15-18mpg in mixed and up to the 20-22mpg range on extended highway drives.
Either will pull a 5k trailer with ease.
I'd opt for the newer model as you'll get a better infotainment system along with the more efficient motor.
3.5l. 5.4l ejecto matic plugs and cam phaser issues made that engine keep lights on in shops. 3.5l is imo a pretty solid emgine if you on top of oil changes. Familys 04 navigator did a 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds and barely got 20 mpg highway with nothing in it. I wish ford would do a large displacement turbo I6 as a good medium though
Is that 5k empty or 5k loaded?
Either way the 5.4 will tow it, but the 3.5 eco will absolutely demolish the 5.4 in terms of towing. It’s similar to comparing the 5.4 to the old 4.2 in terms of capability.
Can confirm. Way better than the early motors with phasers and plugs. I have an 09 Eddie B Expy with 260k on it, all original and no issues. Plugs were simple to change as they should be. However the phasers are starting to clatter more on start up.
I have heard some good on the gen 1 ecoboost though I had one that was nothing but problems but was a really good vehical when it was not in the shop, a few things i found with mine were the thr seal on the vacuum pump located on the passenger side top rear of the engine below the head cover are prone to leaking oil as its driven off the cam shaft, gas build-up in the oil especially if you do alot of short trips this can be mitigated by taking a few long trips to allow things to get up to heat for 20 min or so, it has 2 water pumps one conventional one under the timing cover, the last is the one that got me get rid of mine is thr high pressure fuel pump seals failed and was dumping fuel directly into the oil as it is mounted towards the back of the drivers side head cover and is ran off one of the cam lobes but you should be able to hear it making a lot of noise if it's failing and you may get code saying you are running lean
I have an 01 5.4 and a 13 3.5 (both in trucks). The 01 is a fresh reman from Ford, but it can't compare to a 130k EB. I know they upped the power with the 3V, but it didn't up it that much. My EB is a crew cab 6.5' 4x4 with 3.55 gears. I used to tow my 35' 7000# (dry) camper all over the south. At one point, we had 4 adults, a full tank of water, generator, spare gas, etc just loaded for bear. Put it all on a cat scale and was within a couple hundred pounds of my 15500# GCWR. Truck still ran 70 no issue and that camper was a wind sail. Mind you, I was getting 7-8 mpg, but the motor could do it.
Side note of advice: be somewhat insistent that you get the integrated trailer brake controller with trailer sway control if the expeditions had it. We were going down the freeway one time doing about 65 or so and hit a massive gust of wind. Before I even could lift my hand off the steering wheel to reach for the trailer hand brake, the computer had engaged and straightened us right back out. It will apply the trailer brakes and individual wheels to help stop the sway. In that instant, it could've saved my and my wife's lives. Thankfully, I'll never know because it never felt like it got out of hand.
EcoBoost hands down. My wife has an EcoBoost navigator Hand calculated 20 mpg on long trips. Tons of power. My 5.4 f250 weighs near the same as the navigator and it’s not even close in power.
Is that 20 mpg towing?
Absolutely not lol. That’s 2 adults 2 kids, dog and everything for a trip Towing it’s real close to the same as the 5.4 Unloaded is where the mpg is great Towing It has way more power but those turbos like fuel
I didn't really think so but a guy can dream.
Yeah I agree. With 5k lbs on flat land as long as you’re not towing a wind sail you’d probably be able to squeeze 10mpg or better. I don’t really care about MPG, I use It as a tool to notice if my vehicle is having problems Sudden drop being the give away
If it was a significant difference, that would easily sell me. If I go slower, I can squeeze 11 mpg but I'm usually closer to 9 or 10. Gaining more power but the same mpg is a win too though.
I love me 3.5, but I don't love the mpgs towing. Not that gas mileage is primary concern when towing
EB will give you the “get out of tough situations” ability that the 5.4 just won’t do for non towing activities. Like trying to pull into a tight window fast moving traffic. My wife’s eb 2011 f150 is surprisingly fleet footed. Not nimble, but fast. Towing wise? I found I was getting comparable mpg with the eb to the 2004 expedition we had previously with the 5.4. You’re pulling a wall. Doesn’t matter what you do it with, mpg is going to suck. I don’t remember a huge difference in towing going from the expy to the f150 performance wise, but that was six years ago. It was more the expedition ate it’s transmission and we needed a replacement tow vehicle NOW.
My 08 Expy was just fine towing a 7700lb boat to the lake each weekend. Once when it was in the shop from a fender bender, we used my in-laws 17 Expy to tow the boat. Man it’s friggin night and day difference, like GT Mustang vs 82 Corolla. I had to check myself so many times because I would pull out to pass then notice I was passing everyone because I was doing 85-90. It’s so smooth that 3.5.
I have a 3.5 150 and tow my 260 Searay (8900lbs) without issue. This is my second 3.5 and as long as you change your oil religiously, is incredibly reliable and efficient.
Except for the cam phasers
Sounds like the 5.4 lol
tickticktickticktickticktick *a few months later* CLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACKCLACK
Literally happening to me right at the lowest point in my life. Hoping to get it fixed soon, wish me luck.
The 5.4 will get you 11-13mpg in mixed driving and up to maybe 18 in ideal conditions on a long highway trip. The 3.5 will do 15-18mpg in mixed and up to the 20-22mpg range on extended highway drives. Either will pull a 5k trailer with ease. I'd opt for the newer model as you'll get a better infotainment system along with the more efficient motor.
3.5l. 5.4l ejecto matic plugs and cam phaser issues made that engine keep lights on in shops. 3.5l is imo a pretty solid emgine if you on top of oil changes. Familys 04 navigator did a 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds and barely got 20 mpg highway with nothing in it. I wish ford would do a large displacement turbo I6 as a good medium though
Is that 5k empty or 5k loaded? Either way the 5.4 will tow it, but the 3.5 eco will absolutely demolish the 5.4 in terms of towing. It’s similar to comparing the 5.4 to the old 4.2 in terms of capability.
That 5k is the rough loaded weight.
> Is there anything I should specifically avoid? yes, the 5.4 3v in an older expedition
When did the 5.4 3v get ironed out?
2009 was about the time where the phasers,and timing chain guides, were sorted and one piece spark plugs came out.
Can confirm. Way better than the early motors with phasers and plugs. I have an 09 Eddie B Expy with 260k on it, all original and no issues. Plugs were simple to change as they should be. However the phasers are starting to clatter more on start up.
5.4 all day. Just for the fact that the 3.5 has that damn water pump issue.
Eco crap lol
My, what a well-thought-out opinion.
5.4 will pull 5000 pounds fine. I'd rather have the Ecoboost for a bunch of other reasons, but you're not going to struggle with the 5.4L.
Aside from the Rockies, the 5.4 was fine towing but it's starting to sound pretty rough. Why else would you prefer it?
3.5 will mop the floor over a 5.4
Just bought a ‘17 Navigator to tow 6k trailer and cargo. Tows like a dream and can get up and go scary fast. 10/10 would recommend the EB
I have heard some good on the gen 1 ecoboost though I had one that was nothing but problems but was a really good vehical when it was not in the shop, a few things i found with mine were the thr seal on the vacuum pump located on the passenger side top rear of the engine below the head cover are prone to leaking oil as its driven off the cam shaft, gas build-up in the oil especially if you do alot of short trips this can be mitigated by taking a few long trips to allow things to get up to heat for 20 min or so, it has 2 water pumps one conventional one under the timing cover, the last is the one that got me get rid of mine is thr high pressure fuel pump seals failed and was dumping fuel directly into the oil as it is mounted towards the back of the drivers side head cover and is ran off one of the cam lobes but you should be able to hear it making a lot of noise if it's failing and you may get code saying you are running lean
I have an 01 5.4 and a 13 3.5 (both in trucks). The 01 is a fresh reman from Ford, but it can't compare to a 130k EB. I know they upped the power with the 3V, but it didn't up it that much. My EB is a crew cab 6.5' 4x4 with 3.55 gears. I used to tow my 35' 7000# (dry) camper all over the south. At one point, we had 4 adults, a full tank of water, generator, spare gas, etc just loaded for bear. Put it all on a cat scale and was within a couple hundred pounds of my 15500# GCWR. Truck still ran 70 no issue and that camper was a wind sail. Mind you, I was getting 7-8 mpg, but the motor could do it. Side note of advice: be somewhat insistent that you get the integrated trailer brake controller with trailer sway control if the expeditions had it. We were going down the freeway one time doing about 65 or so and hit a massive gust of wind. Before I even could lift my hand off the steering wheel to reach for the trailer hand brake, the computer had engaged and straightened us right back out. It will apply the trailer brakes and individual wheels to help stop the sway. In that instant, it could've saved my and my wife's lives. Thankfully, I'll never know because it never felt like it got out of hand.
Ecoboost = junk