Looking for most longevity/reliability f150 build?

[huhner5]

To say the 5.0 is more reliable is nothing but opinion.. not factual.. I personally know of 3 people that have had new 5.0 engines installed.. anywhere from 60k to 130k miles.. 1 2014'.. 1 2018'.. 1 2019...

Also personally have a good friend that just turned 335k on his 2011 3.5 Ecoboost.. did timing chains at 260k.. everything else original

Maintenance matters

Ford has 4 great engine choices

I myself choose low end torque (3.5)..I don't need 3:73 gears

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[dochawk]

Also send those electrons in for analysis and make sure they aren't degrading the motor.

You're kind of spinning this . . .

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[PowerBoostSoCal]

Shorter gearing (bigger number) gives up a little MPG in return for better "put of the hole" or easier to get a heavy load (trailering or hauling) moving. The shorter gearing gets the engine into its torque curve sooner.

Taller gearing (smaller number) gets you the opposite: Better MPGs but not as much "oomph" when taking off or starting to pull/haul.

That doesn't mean towing with taller gearing is bad nor that MPGs with shorter gearing sucks.

I've got taller gearing (3.31:1) with a 5.0L V8 and I occasionally tow a big old SXS on an open trailer and a truck bed full of crap no problem. If I was towing a really heavy load all the time, it would likely behoove me to have gone with shorter gearing in the rear end (3.73:1). Ford offers the 3.55:1, which sits right in the middle.

If you rarely or never tow/haul, then a taller gear will squeak out a little better MPG than a shorter gear. On the F150s I've ordered over the past couple of decades, I've put the 3.55:1 in them. The one I have now was on the lot, which is why it doesn't have the 3.55:1 in it.

Plus the 10 speed transmission will keep the engine in the right RPM band anyway ... 3.31 does seem to give a bit better mileage and when I tow (in tow haul mode) it seems to pull just fine (8000 pound trailer and load).

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