Opinions Wanted

[jhelrey]

I'm driving a 2021 F150 Platinum FX4 5.0 3.73 6.5. I'm struggling with the fact that a 6.5 bed is a pain, fuel mileage isn't great as I'm seeing 16MPG, and the turning radius is terrible. I've been eyeing up a 2022 F150 PB FX4 3.73 5.5. It would cost me approximately $5-$7K to get into it. The truck is a year newer with half the miles.

Opinions? Thoughts?

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[Buyer2021]

You probably know how to do a strictly economic 'payback' WAG assuming future gas price, differential MPG, miles driven/year, and years you would keep the truck.

Only you can estimate the 'value' of the daily enjoyment of the shorter bed truck for you.

Only you know what $5-7k means to your financial picture.

My bottom-line thought is:

Life is short ..... if you can get more life enjoyment at whatever dollar-cost that doesn't adversely affect other aspects of your current and future lifestyle, I always say "go for it".​

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

If you're not pulling a trailer, and looking for better fuel mileage, find a truck with a 3.31 rear in it. My 5.0 Lariat Xcab with 145" wb and a 3.31, has no problem obtaining 21 to 22 mpg. at 75 to 85 mph on the interstates. At that speed the engine rpm runs about 1700 rpm

 

[fordhouston]

3.73

this is why your fuel economy isn’t great.

 

[Kodiak]

Unless you are regularly hauling stuff with the truck, or plan on sleeping back there, I found that the 5.5 bed is more than enough. It allowed me to get the SCREW cab and still keep the 145" wheel base. I came from a 6' bed Tacoma and I doubt there were 3 times in about 13 years I used the entire 6'.

With the SCREW the interior space with the back seats up is enormous, so you do have capacity with a 5.5 plus interior. I do not know if the 2022 you are looking at is a SCREW but that will help.

I have the 3.73 rear with the PB and an ARE topper and I average about 19.5 mpg with mostly short trips and a lot of stopping and starting so I could do even better if my driving situation was better for a hybrid.

If that PB you are looking at has the 7.2k (which it should) and it is not problematic, you will be thrilled with it. 2022's were a sweet year for the Gen 14's. Good luck with your decision.

 

[mxwrk]

I have a 22 PB w/ 3.73 gears and the 5.5 bed. My lifetime average MPG is about 19-20. Keep in mind I have BFG KO2's and Fox coilovers. I also only drive about 7 miles to work and back so not ideal. When I'm camping I fill up the bed with gear and thought a 6 foot bed would be better initially, but being able to fit in the garage, have more space in the back seat, and maintain a decent turning radius (especially on trails) far outweighs the larger bed. No complaints with my decision. Good luck!

 

[My 2ND Ford]

I agree the 6.5 bed is a pain, but I find it advantageous when my wife and I travel south. The bed is loaded with totes and bags and it all fits under the tonneau. I have a 21 Platinum, 3.5, 3.31 rear and my milage over the past 3000 miles is approximately 21. I don't have a moonroof or FX4 package, so I do have a lighter truck. It's up to you to decide if you can afford the price difference and be happy with the new truck. Good luck with the decision.

 

[12Lariat21]

I don't have a PB, but I would caution the change from the 5.0 to the 3.5. Depending on your drives, and if you are only getting 16 with the 5.0, you may not fare any better with the 3.5. The only 'efficiency' the 3.5 has is cruising, when you are not into the turbo, any hill, wind or load will pull those turbo's into go-mode and you'll be right back to 16 mpg. With the PB you will at least gain that in-town, stop/go full electric driving which will help out a lot, it just doesn't help any at highway speeds.

My truck, 21 Lariat 6.5bed 3.5L 3.55 I average around 16-17mpg winter commute, 17-19mpg summer commute

CoWorker, 23 Tremor 5.5bed 5.0L 3.73 he averages around 19-21mpg commuting from WI, which also seems like the winter fuel/air don't effect his mileage as much as mine.

Also you need to consider every truck/engine is different, some are great others are not, you could very well have a not so great 5.0 and that is the only reason you see 16mpg. For this the only advice I can give is to pick a 10 mile 'test drive trip' take your truck, reset your Avg MPG gage and make the drive, then repeat with the potential replacement truck. It's not a perfect test, but it might give you an idea of what level of gains you may see...Best of luck to you!

 

[Graygoose2021]

If your not happy with your current truck, you may never be. You only live once.

 

[22Platinum]

I have the shortbed and the turning radius is still poor.

 

[skohler]

I have the shortbed and the turning radius is still poor.

Agreed.

 

[MJG44]

I'd trade in for a 5.0 5.5' bed truck with 3:31 as noted previously.

That's the truck set up I have and very happy with it.

I don't tow much, I haul on occasion, no need for pro power, don't like the PB and I drive my 5.0 hard.

Without even trying, I average 18.5 mpg on winter gas. Summer, about 20 mpg with a pedal commander set aggressively, tune and 24" wheels.

 

[JJSnell]

I'm driving a 2021 F150 Platinum FX4 5.0 3.73 6.5. I'm struggling with the fact that a 6.5 bed is a pain, fuel mileage isn't great as I'm seeing 16MPG, and the turning radius is terrible. I've been eyeing up a 2022 F150 PB FX4 3.73 5.5. It would cost me approximately $5-$7K to get into it. The truck is a year newer with half the miles.

Opinions? Thoughts?

Your rearend is what's hurting your MPG. The new truck with the same rear won't give you remarkable difference even if it's a PB.

You're in a Plat now, what is the new truck?

Do you tow? I personally won't own another 143" because my boat pushes it around and I white knuckle towing it. The 157" feels so much more confident in towing.

Kudos to you though, I think this is the first time since Al Gore invented the internet that I've read, "I want your opinion."

 

[FirstFord]

Opinions? Thoughts?

Wow! I'm not use to this! You actually want my opinion? This is a real treat for me - I'm used to be being told my opinion isn't wanted ("just shut the f*** up!)

So, your primary complaints are fuel mileage and turning radius? Let me ask you this: why did you get a truck? I'm not trying to be a smart ass - it is a genuine question. Do you regularly (or semi-regularly) haul stuff? Tow stuff? Or is it primarily your daily transportation? Trucks have exploded in popularity over the last 15-20 years, and their roles have changed. They've gone from being pretty much just a work vehicle, to nowadays, the family vehicle. The thing is, no one vehicle can be all things to all people, and a truck is not ideal for some roles. If fuel mileage and parking lot maneuverability is a priority, perhaps you'd be better suited in a car?

Otherwise, I'd have to agree with what others have said - that 3.73 rear gear ratio is terrific for towing, but it is a fuel mileage killer. As for me, I do a fair amount of towing and hauling, so that 3.73 would work better for me perhaps, than for you. However, also like you, fuel mileage was on my mind at least to some degree, so I didn't want the 3.73. So for me, the compromise was a 3.55, and it hit the sweet spot. Again, different strokes for different folks.

6.5 bed is a pain? I've had a number of trucks, and my current truck is the first truck that was not a standard cab and 8' bed. Don't get me wrong, overall, I'm very happy with my extended cab and 6.5 bed, but it was, again, a compromise. There are many times I miss having that 8 ft bed!

All of us have different needs and demands for our trucks, so what may be ideal for Joe Blow (or me!), may not work out so well for you.

 

[wessermgm]

It really depends a lot of how you drive your truck. I have a 3.5L EB with 3.55 gears. My gas mileage lifetime isn't much better than yours: 17 mpg. However, I have a TON of idle hours sitting waiting on three kids to emerge from their athletic or band activities. I also tow a moderate amount. I also slapped 35" KO2s on it (no regrets). If you are like me and just sit in your truck with the A/C on because it's Texas, your fuel mileage will suck. That is why I have a PB on order. With the PB you can just idle on electric mode for about 30 minutes and use no gas at all. That mere fact alone will give me a significant bump in fuel economy.

Sounds like you just want a 5.5 bed, so that would probably be reason enough to get it for me. I imagine that unless you idle a ton like I do, a PB with 3.73 gears will probably get you about 2-2.5mpg better than your 5.0. Depends on how much you drive if that will become a money saver or not I suppose. I guess you can look at it a different way, the fuel you save will help finance your newer truck.

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