Half-ton Truck Engine Comparison / Best to Worst

[JExpedition07]

I’d agree overall with his opinions and ratings, the 5.0L is the best drama free all rounder imo and if you want to make serious power it’s the best choice. The stock short block on the 4th gen is stronger than what is comparable in the fleet now that they’ve gone to a closed deck with steam holes with the big 12mm head bolts.

The 2.7 has a very stout block with the compacted graphite iron and again, a closed deck. The 2.7 and 5.0 are similar in that they both have closed decks with very beefy head bolts which is a great recipe for holding big power or lasting forever when left stock.

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[Aonarch]

PB has all max tow features sans the axle. Springs / larger rad / and the strongest F150 frame.

Does PB has the HDPP frame, .11" steel versus .10" or something?

 

[Aonarch]

My 2023 5.0 has averaged 19.2 MPG mixed since new. The 5.0 is rated 16 City/24 HWY, unless you are on a 12” lift I don’t see 14 MPG as a possibility.

Agreed. That is wild.

Stock I would get 21-25 hwy.

25 highway was my best result, I did 300 mile or so trip and hand calculated. That was me intentionally trying to get the best MPG I could. Basically, going the speed limit the whole way.

Now with 1,000 lbs payload, 34s, lift, roof top tent, bed rack, etc I am still getting high teens.

My 2 door Bronco 2.7l on just 33s would do 15-18 highway, but its boxy'ness could cause it to go as low as 11 mpg highway with higher winds.

 

[HammaMan]

Does PB has the HDPP frame, 11mm steel versus 10mm or something?

PB has it's own frame
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/the-pbs-franken-frame-and-gimped-gvwr-sticker.13070/

 

[Samson16]

I think that this comment isn't honest. As you have amply demonstrated elsewhere with real world data, the PB can output 740+ lb-ft, and is limited by the computer to protect a transmission which was designed for lower torque options such as the rest of the engines listed. I think that is an important point.

Agreed. The PB hybrid power plant is so powerful it has to be driven with care in order to protect components and not outpace the cooling system. It provides that best in class power while providing top tier fuel efficiency and unrivaled utility. It’s the best half ton truck ever made.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

I agree with most of it actually, except the hemi is a boat anchor, I'd take the 3.5 hybrid or non hybrid all day over that thing.

boat anchor sure, but dependable if up keep is good.

 

[TopOMichXL]

I’ve thought for some time now, the 2.7 is a sleeper.
I can remember listening to the Lions on the radio, in 2015, and the guy yelling about a 2.7 liter engine and the incredible torque numbers. This while I was out in the woods, loading firewood into my ‘04’ regular cab Tacoma with an eleven year old 2.7 that had been absolutely trouble free.
I thought was hearing things,,,,a 2.7??? In a Ford full size? It took most of the season to actually get it through my head.
Flash forward to 2016, I’m testing a RCLB 4x4 with a 2.7, and am blown away by the power. I questioned a 2.7 engine in a full size truck. My sales guy stated, “Google 2.7 Ecoboost.”.
That evening I read all that I could find, and these engines are really put together. Ford really put a lot of development into them.
Bought a 16 2.6 SCAB, updated to a second gen 2.7 for the port induction in a ‘19’ RCSB. 3.73’s A real fun truck to drive. Great performance in regular driving situations, with tons of torque at civilized RPM’s.
My current rig, a ‘24’ RCSB, 5.0, 3.73’s, is also a lot fun to drive. It feels like more of a truck for some reason. You can actually recognize the motor, when under the hood.
The 5.0 is a pleasure, my first V8 since the mid 80’s, when they were bigger and made half the horsepower.
I like that this guys opinion on engines match mine. He makes good points, but I’m sure the Hemi and GM V8 guys are not too happy.

 

[Yason84]

PB has all max tow features sans the axle. Springs / larger rad / and the strongest F150 frame.

Well ackthwully, the Raptor has the heaviest and strongest frame. ??

 

[fassford]

Eh, a bit of a shite comparison. Compares some motors w/ issues they're having now while simultaneously doc'n others that previous generations had and no longer have.
Typical low-effort YTer content. GM in trouble though w/ their engines on multiple fronts. AFM + its current iteration I believe they renamed, and then of course the random throwing a rod through the block issue. Lack of PB was dumb too. 600ftlbs of torque in a half ton will spoil ya.

Ya I think it’s kinda truck politics. But they let every platform take home the trophy at some point. I don’t know how much to swear by this video I saw but it was a ford service writer and he owned a 5.0 because he liked the sound but he said with cylinder deactivation on coyotes that last couple years they getting more warranty work on the 5.0 than the 14th gen 3.5

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