Buying Advice (2024 3.5L Ecoboost)

[Highway 11]

I've recently posted about how my 2023 XLT was built by the same people that built the Boeing 737 Max 8.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/when-is-enough-enough-buyback.24945/

My dealer's service department was top-notch and got my transmission going again... only for my humidity sensor to break. Then my APIM started freezing and crashing daily. We have no lemon laws in Canada, so I went to look at the price of an extended warranty and found it was cheaper to get into a new truck than to buy a warranty for the same length of time or buyback via binding arbitration.

I've ruled out GM and Ram and I really do like what Ford's been doing with their trucks... apart from the lemon I got (The 17K discount doesn't hurt). So I'm back looking at a 2024 F150 and found the perfect truck, but with a 3.5 Ecoboost.

3.5 Ecoboost owners - how do you like it? How easy is it to change the oil? What's the fuel economy like? I really like my 2.7L but admittedly it doesn't have much overtaking on the highway.

Additionally for 2024 owners, how do you like your truck so far? Any issues?

This is also the first truck I'm looking at with adaptive cruise control. For those with it equipped, how do you like it?

Thanks in advance.

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[Ricksc]

Love my 22 eco 3.5. Traded my 17 eco with 98,000 miles on it. No issues other than the crap factory battery. Mine is 4wd getting 16 in town

 

[RickDawgFL]

I have a Powerboost and can't speak to the 3.5 Eco, but I do have the adaptive cruise control. For me it is a game changer if you are in stop and go traffic on the highway. I do not use it when there is traffic and traffic is up to speed. The distance it puts between you and the car in front is too much and encourages drivers to cut in front of you. When that happens the truck hits the brakes too aggressively for me and I have to hope the guy behind me is paying attention.

 

[12Lariat21]

The 3.5L EB will have all the power you need for just about anything. Not sure how that 2.7 was but the 3.5L is definitely ECO or BOOST. If you have a lot of hills, or accelerate even moderately aggressive, you'll be in the turbos and probably get in the 16-17 mpg range. If you have mostly flat terrain, and run out on the highway at <75mph you should see 18-20 mpg.

I had it in my 2012 @ 140,000 miles traded it in on my 2021 currently at 45,000 miles and both engines have been great for me. Change oil often (sooner than the truck tells you to) and that will help save you from any turbo issues. Once the oil life monitor dips below 50%, I look for my next most convenient time to change it.

I run 87 in my truck most of the time. I'll switch it over to 91 when I'm going to tow our camper.

As far as the adaptive cruise, it's definitely aggressive on the brake and the throttle so I typically don't run cruise in city limit area's or in congested traffic, but it is a really nice feature out on the open road. Biggest issue I ever have is I'll have cruise set at 75mph and come up to someone doing 65mph and the truck will just slow down and follow at 65mph, won't even realize it's running you that slow until someone goes flying by, then you look down at the Speedo and realize what's going on .

 

[Highway 11]

No issues other than the crap factory battery.

Great thing about going from one F150 to another is I can just swap my H8 out of my current truck and throw it back into the new truck if the OEM battery starts acting up again.

The 3.5L EB will have all the power you need for just about anything. Not sure how that 2.7 was but the 3.5L is definitely ECO or BOOST. If you have a lot of hills, or accelerate even moderately aggressive, you'll be in the turbos and probably get in the 16-17 mpg range. If you have mostly flat terrain, and run out on the highway at <75mph you should see 18-20 mpg.

I had it in my 2012 @ 140,000 miles traded it in on my 2021 currently at 45,000 miles and both engines have been great for me. Change oil often (sooner than the truck tells you to) and that will help save you from any turbo issues. Once the oil life monitor dips below 50%, I look for my next most convenient time to change it.

I run 87 in my truck most of the time. I'll switch it over to 91 when I'm going to tow our camper.

As far as the adaptive cruise, it's definitely aggressive on the brake and the throttle so I typically don't run cruise in city limit area's or in congested traffic, but it is a really nice feature out on the open road. Biggest issue I ever have is I'll have cruise set at 75mph and come up to someone doing 65mph and the truck will just slow down and follow at 65mph, won't even realize it's running you that slow until someone goes flying by, then you look down at the Speedo and realize what's going on .

The 2.7 was quick to spool up from a stop and I had no complaints with its ability to get up and go. I guess my only issue was the 6600 GVWR it had - I maxed that out a couple of times. I drive pretty conservatively so it's good to know that I'm not sacrificing that much economy.

That's good to know about the adaptive cruise. It was one of my bigger regrets when I ordered my current truck.

 

[the_swd]

You sound like me. My '23 2.7 3.55 gears, 145wb was built in March 2023 at the Dearborn plant. Not 2 weeks after I leased it, had issues with wind noise, vibrations, misaligned panels and other little gremlins.

I got fed up enough that I recently turned in my lease 2 years early and leased a '23 3.5 3.31 gears 157wb built in Oct 2023 in KC. Except for the fact that I didn't realize it came with the dinky 26 gal tank (every 157wb I've seen elsewhere had the 36gal tank) the truck has been flawless so far.

Even the negative equity on the lease wasn't bad ($2900), especially considering I turned it in 2 years early...

Now as far as the 2.7 and 3.5 itself... I was averaging ~20.2mpg with the 2.7 and am at 17.2 with the 3.5. As far as driving experience, off the line they're about the same. Maybe a slight advantage to the 2.7 as the turbos kick in quicker. However, my new truck is heavier so that has to be taken into account. Once moving though, the 3.5 is a rocket ship; you'll be going 10-15 over the speed limit before you even realize what's going on. And for highway passing? Yea, you'll want the 3.5 for sure.

 

[Highway 11]

You sound like me. My '23 2.7 3.55 gears, 145wb was built in March 2023 at the Dearborn plant. Not 2 weeks after I leased it, had issues with wind noise, vibrations, misaligned panels and other little gremlins.

I got fed up enough that I recently turned in my lease 2 years early and leased a '23 3.5 3.31 gears 157wb built in Oct 2023 in KC. Except for the fact that I didn't realize it came with the dinky 26 gal tank (every 157wb I've seen elsewhere had the 36gal tank) the truck has been flawless so far.

Even the negative equity on the lease wasn't bad ($2900), especially considering I turned it in 2 years early...

Now as far as the 2.7 and 3.5 itself... I was averaging ~20.2mpg with the 2.7 and am at 17.2 with the 3.5. As far as driving experience, off the line they're about the same. Maybe a slight advantage to the 2.7 as the turbos kick in quicker. However, my new truck is heavier so that has to be taken into account. Once moving though, the 3.5 is a rocket ship; you'll be going 10-15 over the speed limit before you even realize what's going on. And for highway passing? Yea, you'll want the 3.5 for sure.

Mine was a November 22 build and it was a literal Monday car. You can't put a price on peace of mind though. Every time something gets fixed I'm already thinking about when the next problem is going to surface. That's what killed this truck for me.

 

[redline]

overall my 3.5L ecoboost gets better milage then my v8,

things that effect milage... cold weather, wind and hills, basically if the turbos kick in the milage suffers.

I would totally buy another... infact i just bought a 3.5L eco in a transit for my business.

i would also buy another f150 eco

 

[Calson]

I disable the adaptive cruise control as it is dangerous. Twice my 2022 truck slowed abruptly when vehicle in the next lane over slowed to exit the freeway. I was lucky not to get rear-ended as there is no warning with no brake lights on for following driver.

My 2022 came with the H6 battery which is too low a capacity battery and I replaced it at my expense with an Optima Yellow Top H7 battery and my truck is attached to a battery maintainer when it is parked at my house.

It is not meant for going off road as it lacks the option of a low range with a two-speed transfer case. To get that with Ford you need to spend $80,000. With Chevy their WT and RST trucks start at $47,000 and $54,000 respectively and the $945 Z71 off-road package adds hill descent control, a locking rear differential, a heavy duty air filter, and a two-speed transfer case. These two Chevy models also ship from the factory with 36-gallon gas tanks.

A two-speed transfer case and being able to shift into Low Range is very important when crawling up loose rock and scree. I needed it for the trails in Death Valley and fortunately the Suzuki I was using had this important capability. Stand 4WD is OK for dirt roads and snow but not for rocky sections of road.

Saving $35,000 is not trivial and my next truck is going to be a Chevy or GM 1500 pickup.

 

[the_swd]

Mine was a November 22 build and it was a literal Monday car. You can't put a price on peace of mind though. Every time something gets fixed I'm already thinking about when the next problem is going to surface. That's what killed this truck for me.

You've certainly got that right! I came from a GM 3.0 Diesel that had nothing but emissions issues. I had seriously thought about buying it but then got yet another check engine light, so I literally dropped that off at the Chevy dealer, walked next door and leased my first F-150 thinking I'd be good. Nope. Hopefully this time around I'm good.

 

[azdub1]

Mine was a November 22 build and it was a literal Monday car. You can't put a price on peace of mind though. Every time something gets fixed I'm already thinking about when the next problem is going to surface. That's what killed this truck for me.

I feel the same way...every time I get in my 2021 Plat, I wonder what will go wrong today. LOL
Pretty sad for a $75k truck. I've been a Ford truck girl for 15 years so definitely never driving a Ram or Tundra. Have a great day guys & girls!!

 

[redline]

I disable the adaptive cruise control as it is dangerous. Twice my 2022 truck slowed abruptly when vehicle in the next lane over slowed to exit the freeway. I was lucky not to get rear-ended as there is no warning with no brake lights on for following driver.

that happened to me couple times when new... some OTA has fixed that issue cause i have not had it happen in a long time and i use cruise every day.

 

[Kanuck]

@Highway 11

I had a 2011 3.5 Eb in my Supercab with 46k KM when I bought it used in February of 2015 and 245k KM when I sold it in May of 2021 and I had no problems at all with a average of 13.8 L/100KM over the 7 years I had it. I now have a 2021 Supercab with the 3.5 EB and 46k KM and averaging 13.3 L /100KM since I bought it new in May 2021. It has all the get up and go I need. I don't tow alot but when I have I have found it has not short on pulling power. I don't think you will be sorry you have a 3.5 EB in the truck.

The only thing I would recommend is installing an Oil Catch Can.

 

[WalterMitty]

I've recently posted about how my 2023 XLT was built by the same people that built the Boeing 737 Max 8.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/when-is-enough-enough-buyback.24945/

My dealer's service department was top-notch and got my transmission going again... only for my humidity sensor to break. Then my APIM started freezing and crashing daily. We have no lemon laws in Canada, so I went to look at the price of an extended warranty and found it was cheaper to get into a new truck than to buy a warranty for the same length of time or buyback via binding arbitration.

I've ruled out GM and Ram and I really do like what Ford's been doing with their trucks... apart from the lemon I got (The 17K discount doesn't hurt). So I'm back looking at a 2024 F150 and found the perfect truck, but with a 3.5 Ecoboost.

3.5 Ecoboost owners - how do you like it? How easy is it to change the oil? What's the fuel economy like? I really like my 2.7L but admittedly it doesn't have much overtaking on the highway.

Additionally for 2024 owners, how do you like your truck so far? Any issues?

This is also the first truck I'm looking at with adaptive cruise control. For those with it equipped, how do you like it?

Thanks in advance.

Get the 5.0 V8.

You're welcome.

 

[Highway 11]

Get the 5.0 V8.

You're welcome.

I would love to. But there are almost none up here and they're all being sold at MSRP (Which is 17K CAD more than this 3.5)

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