A Ford F-150 Diesel???

[Dl5treez]

That little diesel has been a decent engine for us; find your local fleet dealer and you will always have a decent tech. By fleet dealer, I mean take a peek in the service dept. parking lot and see if there are any gov vehicles, ambulances, company trucks, etc back there. In my area there are four Ford dealers very well known as the go-to for those kind of rigs, and they do a great job.

 

[Regcabguy]

It tows! Spent last weekend servicing my trailer hubs. Found my tires had dry rotted. So many choices but only a few load range “D” tires are available for 14” rims. When I bought this trailer the manufacturer had put load range C tires on it. They lasted one trip to Fla before they came apart. I don’t take chances anymore. So off to the local Mr. Tire store. My first chance to see what this Baby Power Stroke can do. My trailer tips the scales around 7250 lbs. it’s got torsion axles. I had everything set up for my old Ram. The Ram never knew the trailer was behind it. 345 Hp and 800 ft/lbs of torque. The Ford has 250 Hp and they say 410 ft/lbs of torque. So how did it do? It’s not a rocket ship but kit did really well. Granted roads here are mostly flat. 0 to 50 while not as fast as the Ram was it wasn’t slow. I had no trouble getting up to 70 mph. And in tow haul mode it found 9th gear and at one point it even found 10th. I’m very impressed with this little engine. Ford really got this package right.
I’m now at 2500 miles. Day to day it’s settled in around 25.6 mpg. Mostly back roads on my commute. One long trip it delivered 29.1 for the tank. I normally do the first oil change around 1000 miles. I let this one slide to 2500. Was strange draining only 6.5 quarts and the filter is a cartridge. A lot easier than the Ram was to do. But it requires special oil. So price almost the same. Ok I used Ford oil and filters.

I’d like to say that I miss my Ram but after this weekend it’s getting had to miss it.
On the calendar a road trip with trailer to Fla. until then Keep trucking.

That's great fuel economy.

 

[Regcabguy]

Story to that topic.
We had a rental Impala in Canada in 2016, it had a switch for the S/S to disable it.
In 2017 I rented the same car in California - there was no switch to disable the S/S function.
That why I think I could be laws and regulations.

My former employer has newer Hino medium duty diesel trucks and they have the ss crap. Maybe it's a California thing. It's nuts. I retired 12 years ago and my Hino truck that I beat to death for 240K is still going strong. Never smoked,no cat 14 mpg every tank and the non-electronic Allison is still original and shifting normally.

 

[EDankievitch]

10,000 mile report, well 9675 miles. I’m still pleasantly surprised and pleased with this truck. There are now 3 recalls on it. 1- has to do with the trailer brake controller it might turn off when you need it, software update. 2- has to deal with a bad batch of windshield wiper arms, they could fall off new hood arms coming out soon. 3 just out has to deal with an un intended opening of the tailgate. Ram must have supplied the tailgate latch parts. Lol
Daily driving mostly backroads it’s delivering 26.5 Mpg each tank full. That’s hand calculated. It’s used 3/4 of a quart of oil since it’s first oil change back at 2500 miles. Still No Check Engine lights! My 2013 Ram had practically burned out the CE lamp and went into limp mode once at this mileage. DEF fluid use is way less than I’m use to. The Ram was roughly a gallon every thousand miles. And a gallon every 500 miles towing. This truck uses about 1/2 a gallon every 1500 miles not towing and a gallon every 350-400 miles towing.
My biggest complaint is the tires, they installed SUV tires on this truck. Yes the ride is better when empty. But loaded or towing there is a lot of sway. Sucks these tires wouldn’t fit on my wife’s Honda CRV . I had to put a set on that car last weekend.
I miss having an engine brake. But in towing mode the transmission does down shift and the variable vane turbo does try to hold her back. Just it’s not a true system like Cummins has on the Rams.
Only time I had an issue with the radio/ information system was when I had plugged in my phone to charge it before the Bluetooth connected. Things got strange. Unplug the phone shut the truck down waited 3 min and everything went back to normal.
I need to get the inside of the bed Rhyno lined. I got a rubber bed mat just like I’ve had in all my trucks but the bed is getting scuffed up. The tailgate was really nasty. I tried a weather Tec tailgate protector but it’s a joke. There is no substitute for a spray in bed liner.
Speaking of the bed and using it I did get a 1/4 pallet of pavers two weeks ago. I expected the truck to complain like the 1500 Ram I had as a loaner did a few years ago with the much the same load. The Ram was on the bump stops and screamed for mercy. This F150 squatted but was nowhere near the bump stops and even accepted 4 80 lb bags of compost mulch my wife needed for her garden. I only went 3 miles but the truck just did it’s thing. The tires they not happy. Lol
I was a Dodge guy since 1990. 3 Dodge and 2 Rams in all. If Ram had gotten the last two that I owned just half as good as this Ford has been I’d still be driving a Ram. But my last two were junk. I’m sad to say. Team F really got this F150 diesel right. So far it just works. And that is all anyone expects from their ride.
The Adventure continues.

 

[AH64ID]

Higher DEF mileage means it likely uses more EGR at low loads than the Ram.

 

[jgillott]

10,000 mile report, well 9675 miles. I’m still pleasantly surprised and pleased with this truck. There are now 3 recalls on it. 1- has to do with the trailer brake controller it might turn off when you need it, software update. 2- has to deal with a bad batch of windshield wiper arms, they could fall off new hood arms coming out soon. 3 just out has to deal with an un intended opening of the tailgate. Ram must have supplied the tailgate latch parts. Lol
Daily driving mostly backroads it’s delivering 26.5 Mpg each tank full. That’s hand calculated. It’s used 3/4 of a quart of oil since it’s first oil change back at 2500 miles. Still No Check Engine lights! My 2013 Ram had practically burned out the CE lamp and went into limp mode once at this mileage. DEF fluid use is way less than I’m use to. The Ram was roughly a gallon every thousand miles. And a gallon every 500 miles towing. This truck uses about 1/2 a gallon every 1500 miles not towing and a gallon every 350-400 miles towing.
My biggest complaint is the tires, they installed SUV tires on this truck. Yes the ride is better when empty. But loaded or towing there is a lot of sway. Sucks these tires wouldn’t fit on my wife’s Honda CRV . I had to put a set on that car last weekend.
I miss having an engine brake. But in towing mode the transmission does down shift and the variable vane turbo does try to hold her back. Just it’s not a true system like Cummins has on the Rams.
Only time I had an issue with the radio/ information system was when I had plugged in my phone to charge it before the Bluetooth connected. Things got strange. Unplug the phone shut the truck down waited 3 min and everything went back to normal.
I need to get the inside of the bed Rhyno lined. I got a rubber bed mat just like I’ve had in all my trucks but the bed is getting scuffed up. The tailgate was really nasty. I tried a weather Tec tailgate protector but it’s a joke. There is no substitute for a spray in bed liner.
Speaking of the bed and using it I did get a 1/4 pallet of pavers two weeks ago. I expected the truck to complain like the 1500 Ram I had as a loaner did a few years ago with the much the same load. The Ram was on the bump stops and screamed for mercy. This F150 squatted but was nowhere near the bump stops and even accepted 4 80 lb bags of compost mulch my wife needed for her garden. I only went 3 miles but the truck just did it’s thing. The tires they not happy. Lol
I was a Dodge guy since 1990. 3 Dodge and 2 Rams in all. If Ram had gotten the last two that I owned just half as good as this Ford has been I’d still be driving a Ram. But my last two were junk. I’m sad to say. Team F really got this F150 diesel right. So far it just works. And that is all anyone expects from their ride.
The Adventure continues.

I have to agree with you on the tires. My F150 was delivered with the same Michelin Primacy XC's that you have and they had to have been one of the worst excuses for a tire that I ever experienced. I replaced them at 30K and frankly they should have been thrown out long before that.

 

[EDankievitch]

I would agree about the more EGR at light loads but the oil is staying much cleaner than it was in my Ram. No, not as clean as it would come out on my 02 Cummins that oil was always clear. But it’s not coal black like my 12 or 13 was.

 

[SnoKing]

10,000 mile report, well 9675 miles. I’m still pleasantly surprised and pleased with this truck. There are now 3 recalls on it. 1- has to do with the trailer brake controller it might turn off when you need it, software update. 2- has to deal with a bad batch of windshield wiper arms, they could fall off new hood arms coming out soon. 3 just out has to deal with an un intended opening of the tailgate. Ram must have supplied the tailgate latch parts. Lol
Daily driving mostly backroads it’s delivering 26.5 Mpg each tank full. That’s hand calculated. It’s used 3/4 of a quart of oil since it’s first oil change back at 2500 miles. Still No Check Engine lights! My 2013 Ram had practically burned out the CE lamp and went into limp mode once at this mileage. DEF fluid use is way less than I’m use to. The Ram was roughly a gallon every thousand miles. And a gallon every 500 miles towing. This truck uses about 1/2 a gallon every 1500 miles not towing and a gallon every 350-400 miles towing.
My biggest complaint is the tires, they installed SUV tires on this truck. Yes the ride is better when empty. But loaded or towing there is a lot of sway. Sucks these tires wouldn’t fit on my wife’s Honda CRV . I had to put a set on that car last weekend.
I miss having an engine brake. But in towing mode the transmission does down shift and the variable vane turbo does try to hold her back. Just it’s not a true system like Cummins has on the Rams.
Only time I had an issue with the radio/ information system was when I had plugged in my phone to charge it before the Bluetooth connected. Things got strange. Unplug the phone shut the truck down waited 3 min and everything went back to normal.
I need to get the inside of the bed Rhyno lined. I got a rubber bed mat just like I’ve had in all my trucks but the bed is getting scuffed up. The tailgate was really nasty. I tried a weather Tec tailgate protector but it’s a joke. There is no substitute for a spray in bed liner.
Speaking of the bed and using it I did get a 1/4 pallet of pavers two weeks ago. I expected the truck to complain like the 1500 Ram I had as a loaner did a few years ago with the much the same load. The Ram was on the bump stops and screamed for mercy. This F150 squatted but was nowhere near the bump stops and even accepted 4 80 lb bags of compost mulch my wife needed for her garden. I only went 3 miles but the truck just did it’s thing. The tires they not happy. Lol
I was a Dodge guy since 1990. 3 Dodge and 2 Rams in all. If Ram had gotten the last two that I owned just half as good as this Ford has been I’d still be driving a Ram. But my last two were junk. I’m sad to say. Team F really got this F150 diesel right. So far it just works. And that is all anyone expects from their ride.
The Adventure continues.

Tailgate is a CSP Campaign 21M08, it is not a recall. My 2021 XLT 302A has all three items listed.

 

[slowmover]

Scaled it? Max fuel with driver and permanent gear aboard only? (CAT Scale has a phone app).

Power-to-Weight Ratio versus a CTD is a useful metric for discussion.

My 555 ordinary weight is 7,940-lbs.
26-lbs per HP.
14-lbs per LB/FT.

Sorty about your poor Dodge experience. Mines been at the other end of the spectrum (my first vehicle to be tops).

I think it’s possible you’re leaving some MPG on the table. Your boat towing MPG might be closer to 16. (Assuming bunks adjusted for 5-7% tongue weight and no axle align or trailer brake drag issues). Idle time is the other culprit I’d suspect.

I pull my 35’ TT at an average 15-MPG. It’s a little south of 9k weight, and I’m using numbers from flatland Texas & surrounding as the comp. (58-62/mph). I’ve a dozen other similar comps with early HPCR and same trailer design. (I’m actually a little low).

A Bimini top is an item I’ve heard getting heavy wind rattle as boaters pass me while I’m on the FL Interstates in the KW. (Level? Could forward tilt? No parachute drag).

Good luck!
.

 

[EDankievitch]

My boat has a fiberglass T too. It’s a wind drag nightmare. Lol. Not much I can do to change it except cut it off. But it’s too large and heavy. Still I can’t complain this truck has preformed well.

 

[EDankievitch]

It been a while since I’ve posted here, I’ve been busy working and enjoying summer racking up the miles on this truck. The odometer just just turned past 16500 miles.
The truck has settled into a good routine of steady 27 mpg around town and 32-33 mpg on long trips. It really likes 70 mph. But winding back roads around 40-45 with few stops she will deliver 36-38 mpg. Yes those are real hand calculations for mpg.
The truck does have a few strange things.. The active cruise is the most annoying. Traffic slows the truck slows awesome. Except when the car in front of you moved to an exit ramp and slows way down the truck will slam on the brakes! There is nothing in front of you and the truck’s computer is in full on panic stop mode. It’s very scary.
The transmission is as close to perfect as one can expect it always in the right gear even towing. The blue tooth works well unless you plug your phone into charge before it connects. If you do it does some strange things.
Regen cycle is set up for 20 min or 20 miles roughly every 300-400 miles. Even when towing long distance. I will say when towing the regen cycle is shorter. It’s way less than I experienced with my old 2013 Ram that regen seemed to last much longer though I could go closer to 800 miles between them and they almost never happened when towing.
DEF fluid consumption was really low at first but the truck received an auto flash update and it’s now more like the Ram’s consumption of a gal of DEF per 1000 miles. Not towing towing is higher at a gal of DEF every 350-400 miles.
I’ve had the it not find the key fob once only thing I think happened was I unlocked the truck got in but didn’t start it. The system seemed to go back into sleep mode . Only way to get it to wake up was to open and close the door, then everything came back to normal. Strange.
After my trip to Fla, it used a full quart of oil that trip oil consumption has dropped off to almost nothing. I guess the rings finally seated. I have settled in on a 5000 mile oil change cycle. Ford says 7500 miles for oil changes. I have switched over to Shell Rotella T6- 10-30 which meets Fords spec. Just because it’s easier to find. Filters have been an issue. It’s not just for this truck. Back orders across the board from Parker Raycor have been an issue lately. I’m glad I stocked up when I did. At the Ferry I had our wear house staff stock up and we made it through the summer with out running out. We had to supply some of our other divisions, they didn’t plan ahead.
Back to this truck… Another observation no brake dust on the wheels, I haven’t had to clean them once. The pads seem to be lasting.
I’m still very happy with it. It just works.

 

[SnoKing]

Having now owning my 2021 F150 XLT 302a packaged truck with 360 cameras, Pro Trailer backing, and a few other options for a year now I will chime in.

Mine has the 2.7L twin turbo V6 and 10 speed auto. It will get 24 MPG on a road trip and mid high teens towing the trailer with 3 wheel motor cycle back and forth the Arizona. This little gasser moves the 4800 lb truck along just fine, with a reported 0-60 of just over 6 seconds. Mine came with GY Wranglers.

Sync 4 on the 12" display is coming up to uconnect levels. And the display is well integrated into the dash. The fix for the brake controller was download OTA, and recently they did some other OTA changes that will allow more issues to be addressed with OTA updates.

Truck now has 12,713 miles on it, I just opened the Ford Pass app on my phone to check that! I did a first oil change at around 5K and have an appointment for oil and filter change before leaving for Arizona in 12 days. I have had a few strange problems with the sync 4 system and will try to follow ED's suggestion to not plug the phone in until wireless android auto makes it's connection.

I have had a couple false causes of the truck thinking that it was going to run into something while on adaptive cruise control. One of the things about adaptive cruise is that it maintains the same speed up and DOWN hills, so it is using it's brake automagically going down hills. Brake wear lingers in the back of my head. I may use normal cruise controller on my return to Arizona and see if I get better mileage.

I do miss my power folding mirrors that the RAM had as part of the Laramie package! I do not miss the current diesel prices in the NW, which is a dollar or more higher than regular gas.

 

[Ozymandias]

Having now owning my 2021 F150 XLT 302a packaged truck with 360 cameras, Pro Trailer backing, and a few other options for a year now I will chime in.

Mine has the 2.7L twin turbo V6 and 10 speed auto. It will get 24 MPG on a road trip and mid high teens towing the trailer with 3 wheel motor cycle back and forth the Arizona. This little gasser moves the 4800 lb truck along just fine, with a reported 0-60 of just over 6 seconds. Mine came with GY Wranglers.

Sync 4 on the 12" display is coming up to uconnect levels. And the display is well integrated into the dash. The fix for the brake controller was download OTA, and recently they did some other OTA changes that will allow more issues to be addressed with OTA updates.

Truck now has 12,713 miles on it, I just opened the Ford Pass app on my phone to check that! I did a first oil change at around 5K and have an appointment for oil and filter change before leaving for Arizona in 12 days. I have had a few strange problems with the sync 4 system and will try to follow ED's suggestion to not plug the phone in until wireless android auto makes it's connection.

I have had a couple false causes of the truck thinking that it was going to run into something while on adaptive cruise control. One on the things about adaptive cruise is that it maintains the same speed up and DOWN hills, so it is using it's brake automagically going down hills. Brake wear lingers in the back of my head. I may use normal cruise controller on my return to Arizona and see if I get better mileage.

I do miss my power folding mirrors that the RAM had as part of the Laramie package! I do not miss the current diesel prices in the NW, which is a dollar or more higher than regular gas.

Does it down shift automatically for better Engine braking going downhill with the ACC on?
Does using T/H change something in that context?

I ask because the Expedition I had as a rental in 2016 did that.

 

[jgillott]

Does it down shift automatically for better Engine braking going downhill with the ACC on?
Does using T/H change something in that context?

I ask because the Expedition I had as a rental in 2016 did that.

I don't have the ACC in my 2018 F150. But, it will downshift in cruise as the expedition rental that you drove.

We also have a 2021 Ranger with the ACC. It will downshift in the same manner with the cruise control on. I would assume that the F150 would also. Hopefully one of the guys that have one will be able to confirm.

 

[EDankievitch]

It will down shift if needed on hills. The 10 speed transmission gears 8,9 and 10 are all overdrive. On a hill especially when towing it will drop down to 8th then work it’s way back up to 10th. Going down hill it will down shift and while the diesel does not have an engine brake a few times when towing it acted like it had one. Green diesel offers a tune that turns on the engine brake feature. The turbo is a variable vane design and can work as an engine brake like the Cummins Holeset. I’m not sure the flash is worth the $1500 that Green diesel wants even though it is EPA approved.
I did learn recently that Jaguar also uses this 3 ltr diesel and they have a twin turbo setup… I bet it makes this engine really more fun. Maybe when my warranty is done…

 

[SnoKing]

Does it down shift automatically for better Engine braking going downhill with the ACC on?
Does using T/H change something in that context?

I ask because the Expedition I had as a rental in 2016 did that.

Going down long grades, I tend to take command and manual select a gear that provides a speed I am comfortable without a lot of braking. Towhaul appears to keep in one down in the gear box, like 9th vs 10th. I would do the same on hills with the RAM at 24,500 combined on descents. I want to know how much I am using my service brakes vs not knowing how much the "truck" is using them. It is nice to have cool service brakes in an emergency situation.

 

[jgillott]

Going down long grades, I tend to take command and manual select a gear that provides a speed I am comfortable without a lot of braking. Towhaul appears to keep in one down in the gear box, like 9th vs 10th. I would do the same on hills with the RAM at 24,500 combined on descents. I want to know how much I am using my service brakes vs not knowing how much the "truck" is using them. It is nice to have cool service brakes in an emergency situation.

In tow/haul and while running cruise control, my truck will hold 8th gear until 64 mph where, it will allow it to shift to 9th. In manual mode and tow haul, I can force the upshift to 9th (or even 10th) at a lower speed. But, I have noticed a trans temp climb when I force it. It runs cooler when I let it shift itself while towing.

 

[Ozymandias]

Going down long grades, I tend to take command and manual select a gear that provides a speed I am comfortable without a lot of braking. Towhaul appears to keep in one down in the gear box, like 9th vs 10th. I would do the same on hills with the RAM at 24,500 combined on descents. I want to know how much I am using my service brakes vs not knowing how much the "truck" is using them. It is nice to have cool service brakes in an emergency situation.

Interesting
The Expi downshifted as many gears as needed to maintain downhill speed. RPM permitting of course. Downshifting one gear in ten speed transmission is pretty much useless.
From my feeling it didn't use the service brakes while doin so.

Which my Durango does, the Durango has a stupid Transmission programming and the Engines programming is even worse, shame on Dodge for this.

 

[slowmover]

I detest cruise control with the radar feature.
I’d disconnect it in a heartbeat (as I do in big trucks).

Expect that it will imperceptibly start to slow you 350’ out at highway speed. (Test; that’s the big truck number, but it’s also where one should get on it and get around).

Looks like that pickup is 6-MPG better than my 8,940-lb 555 city or highway. (I’m not at 70 on Hwy, so I’ll arrive 20” after you on a 250-mile trip).

NEW Ferd 1/2T diesel saves 10-gals per 1,000-miles City over an old 3/4T Dodge.

.

 

[Cummins12V98]

SnoKing, why are you are PAYING for an oil change??? Why not come by Ron's Shop and throw sum AMZ/OIL in it for I would guess the same $ you are going to pay to have it cone???