Finally upgrading the ranger to a full size and I'm narrowing it down to a f-150 DBP ( or Blue Flame - thats the wifes' pick... I may lose ) with the 3.5 or 5.0.

Today I test drove a 3.5 eco boost and a 5.0, both 4x4 xlt's one had some of the Lariet options like the a/c seats . both were nice and the wife liked them .

So no matter which I end up with she will be happy - in theory.

I liked the sound and responsiveness of the 5.0 and the fact that its more familiar than the 3.5 and has less moving parts. I didn't really notice a difference in the torque , but coming from a 4.0 ranger they both blew it out of the water so I can't really compare... I have no complaints on either motor.

I am really leaning towards the 5.0 and 4x4 or at a minimum a locking rear diff.

I will be towing a Jeep on a trailer approx. 5k ( depending on the trailer) on occasion and a 17 foot boat loaded weighing around 2.2k . The boat had a total of 3 run hours in the last 2 years so very occasional.

I don't plan on needing the 4wd but it may come in handy in the future. So I figured I'd go for it if the price was right. I plan on this being my last truck . I keep all of my vehicles for a minimum of 10 years.


I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone have any regrets about either their 5.0 or 3.5 eco and a 4wd ? Any pro's / con's ?

Guess I just needed to think this through my head and put it all down... ha...

Thanks, James...

 

Either is nice but I prefer the 5.0 because it isn't turbocharged (less to go wrong) and the sound.

 

Ended up with a 2012 XLT Lariat 4x4 Crew 5.0
All the bells and whistles except the nav screen and sunroof
Love the sound of the 5.0 and had to tell myself more than once to get off the skinny pedal. averaged 20.2 mpg over the 100+ mile trip home .
Love it...

 

Any pictures you can share?

 

Ha..... I was setting up an introduction with the photos when you replied... its up with a few pictures I will post more later today