'11 or '13 Ecoboost

[RM-Plains]

I do believe there were a large amount of problems with the on the 11's. How do I know? Sold them. Lotsa horror stories about them going into limp mode when the power was needed, in example, pulling out on a 2 lane highway to pass a semi and bam, limp mode. Or snow getting up in the middle bottom bumper opening, which you can buy a cover for.

Go 12 or newer. If you're after the pickup and just want an F-150 just get the 5.0 If you must have the Eco try n go as new as possible. Personally I'd go Eco and mod er up. Lotsa fun to be had with em. Beware, the mileage ain't there but the power is. As per towing, you'll be running through a lot less gears when going up n down hills with the Eco.

They have spark plug issues , not a major fix but still.... Ruined opening day of elk(MT) for a friend of mine who didn't make it to camp (he had to stay home fix truck) ... IE truck was sold after plugs were replaced..... good luck

 

[Sluggo]

As a manager of a fleet of these, I would not recommend them, have two crap out recently. One turbo let go $4200 and the other shredded a motor $10,429. Not happy with junk

Which truck in the 1/2 ton variety would you recommend? Mainly interested in something dependable and with good pulling power. Thanks.

 

[deleted member]

You could always look at Dodge Ram. Got two that have never let me down with 104,000mi on my 2500 and 235,000mi on my 1500. Neither have anything real major aside form normal maintenance.
;:;popcorn

i got 280,000. but, who is counting?

 

[johnr]

I am bias, and own nothing but Fords. I did own a 06 6Liter diesel, that about turned me into a dodge queer, but I sold it for a 6.7 ltr diesel and absolutely love that pickup. Mrs johnr has a 2015 Explorer with the eco boost, thing is a rocket with power to spare.
I run a 06 Taurus as my work vehicle beboping around to my clients offices, etc.

I think my love of Fords comes from my insane hatred of snakes, especially rattlers.

You really cant go wrong with any of the big 3 American vehicles, however it just boils down to preference and options.

 

[k9guy82]

I drive a 14 Ecoboost....I will say I don't know what fuel economy they are talking about. Id day it gets just as good as a modern V8 gets. The power is definitely there if you need it.......The turbos sound cool too!

 

[Enslow]

every brand of vehicles have their issues. just hit some forums on trucks and you'll see. buy the one you want and be happy with it. If your concerned buy an extended warranty.

True but some have many less issues like toyota pickups for example.

 

[Ericb]

All three make nice trucks. I bought a 14 with the eco a year ago. The actual milage is a little less then just hoped but on par with the V8's. I bought a fx4 with the Waldoch extras, leveled bigger tires. I'll get 16- 19 in town but usually 15 on the interstate doing 75. I drove all the half tons several times and tried to go with the Dodge. The power and comfort of the F150 eco blew them all away. It's nice to spend 8hrs in a truck and get out with no ringing in your ears. I'd get what ever your most comfortable in. Shit may brake on any vehicle, just hope it's not yours!

 

[7mmMag]

I do believe there were a large amount of problems with the on the 11's. How do I know? Sold them. Lotsa horror stories about them going into limp mode when the power was needed, in example, pulling out on a 2 lane highway to pass a semi and bam, limp mode. Or snow getting up in the middle bottom bumper opening, which you can buy a cover for.

This problem is due to condensation. So it happens when its raining/snowing/really humid out. Moisture sits into the intake tube and when you quickly accelerate the motor sucks it up quick causing the pickup to go into limp mode to protect itself. Installing a slotted grille over the intercooler opening solves this problem though. And yes its only on 2011s

 

[eyexer]

True but some have many less issues like toyota pickups for example.

If I recall I've heard some bad things about those too.

 

[Racer66]

I have fords, Chevys and dodges in my fleet, lost two ecos and two 5.0 liters. I personally run diesels and have had all 3 in the last 10 years. I Wundt touch a ford diesel as I had 2010 and 2011 in the fleet, one went through 3 fuel injection pumps, the 11 dropped a valve and ruined motor, both had lemon law claims. I wud stay away from any Eco boost under a 2014, and still wud be wary

 

[johnr]

I had a dodge once, almost turned me full on queer. I became more virile immediately once sold.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I had a dodge once, almost turn me full on queer. I became more viral immediately once sold.

You caught the monkey virus, did jya?

- - - Updated - - -

Ha ha, I'm pretty sure you were going for "virile". Eh?

 

[SDMF]

Being in Fargo and having dealt with service issues on Dodge, Toyota, Ford, and Chevy dealers for personal and work vehicles the Ford dealer in town (Luther) wins the service dept competency handily. Toyota dealer is 2nd, Dodge dealer 3rd, and Gateway is a 10,000mi in the rear distant 4th.

Based on the above experience, Ford and Toyota are the only 2 I'd consider if buying today.

 

[johnr]

You caught the monkey virus, did jya?

- - - Updated - - -

Ha ha, I'm pretty sure you were going for "virile". Eh?

They taught me how to sell, not spell. Also i never learned how to read

 

[Auggie]

Tundra

Which truck in the 1/2 ton variety would you recommend? Mainly interested in something dependable and with good pulling power. Thanks.

 

[Racer66]

just my opinion but heres the list
1. Chevy
2. Dodge
3. Toyota
4. Ford

 

[Igotanotherone]

I owned the 11 when it came out. Traded it in after my third time with ignition coil. My brother has the 13 I believe and has had zero problems probably over 100 k on it now. They get good gas milage and pull like a 3/4. I've heard some people have had turbo problems but then you have to wonder how did they use them?

 

[Taylorman55]

This is probably one of the most negative, if not thee most negative overall thread I've seen in the last couple years on the Ecoboosts. Being out west in the oil patch we got to see alot of different pickups being used for different purposes.

The company I was with up until recently ran all GM products and a few Fords, and we paid out the ass for repairs. Most of our chevy half tons were rattle boxes after 20K of gravel roads. Electronic issues ALL the time!

Out of 60 duramax's in the fleet, we had replaced over 30 sets of injectors, 15-20 allison transmissions and about 500 headlights (all pickups under 80K). They are cheaply made. However, they do ride better on the highway than anything else. If you are pulling anything over 10K with them, the front end gets sloppy and loose. We ended up getting a few Fords, and towed heavy with them. 6.7's... one turbo issue, other than that, they have pulled twice the loads that our gms are doing and holding up better for that aspect. They dont get as good of mileage and dont ride as well, but thats expected.

Most guys will dog on the ecoboost because they probably cant afford one, or hate the fact that a V-6 absolutely destroys their 5.3 lifter ticker in about every aspect. 11's had a few issues, but nothing major. They do eat up spark plugs and those need to be changed every 40k otherwise other issues could arise. If you are serious about it, go talk to the mechanics that work on them for a living. Ive talked with the mechanics at Luther Ford in Fargo, and Parkway Ford in Dickinson.. most of them have praise to say about the pickup. For the guys that are blowing motors up, more than likely you dont know how to maintain them, and beat the piss out of them just because they are a company pickup, and they dont like Fords. Big difference when you bury the throttle on the Ford every single day, vs a slow acceleration on a gm, and you wonder why things break? Come on now boys... lol.

PS- My half ton GM was a 2012 that I drove everyday for 3 years. I put on 104,000 miles on it up until the time I left the company last month. I love the ride of GM pickups vs. Ford. Comfy beyond belief. Mileage was always good. The transmissions left something to be desired though, they are always searching for a gear. Ground clearance was always a major disappointment when a guy got into some rougher stuff getting out to frac locations. Towing was miserable at best, but thats what is expected with 3.42 gears. That pickup was essentially my baby, I was responsible for getting the maint. done and on time. If stuff wasnt done on time, we lost bonuses, overtime, etc. So needless to say I kept this pickup in perfect condition, or I tried to, and it rarely got ripped on, maybe if I pulled out in front of traffic. I can honestly say that thing saw over 75 mph maybe once or twice in 3 years, and got tached out a dozen times total since it was new. With all the good, the truck was a pile of shit. It rattled beyond belief, burnt out headlights monthly, had stabilitrak issues monthly. It was the little things on this pickup that made me realize how cheaply GM builds their pickups. If i am driving highway all the time, I would own a GM.. but for the hunting I do, they just wont hold up to the abuse day in and out. Also, I had a plug in computer thing that monitored my driving styles, accelerations, fuel mileage etc... so this program could pin point who was driving good/bad. Everyone in the company, 100+ vehicles had this system and had a specific code/employee id number so it knew who exactly was driving and when. Trust me, alot of these vehicles were treated like GOD's, and they still had issues ALL the time.

When you pull into that company parking lot you will find about 50-60 personal vehicles sitting there per day. 50% are Dodge, 40% are Ford, and the rest are mixed between Toyota and GM... I think that gives you an idea of how well guys trust GM when they are REALLY used day in and day out for work purposes...

I think Toyota makes a better product than most give them credit for... there is just too much of the old mentality that it "Isnt American".

So here is my take... Driving all highway? Get a GM for the ride quality and mileage. Towing a boat, doing some highway driving and some hunting off the beaten path? Grab a Ford or Toyota. Hauling big ass loads, camper and boat, and hunting, longer drives? Grab a Dodge Cummins or Ford Powerstroke.

Sorry for the long post, I was bored. K Bye.

 

[sweeney]

we have had shit luck with the 6.7 fords at work both engine and transmission problem in the last 3 years.

 

[johnr]

Who has the number one selling truck in America, for the last several years running?