NFR F150 & Ecoboost

[JayB]

It's basic engine physics and economics. A boosted motor is subject to higher manifold pressures. To further get performance we up the compression as well. We then use aluminum and other materials for weight savings and econress to some degree. After that we have a motor with high performance, short lifespan, and likely to consume a few parts especially if not maintained regularly and thoroughly. Oh, and that maintainable nature of the old motors by garage guys? No longer. You don't even get a dipstick for the oil or trans fluid. It's a mystery as to what's up in there. You have no clue on oil level, quality, color, viscosity in the hand at all. You have to go to the dealership or qualified mechanic. But hey at least you're eco while you haul your boat half way across the state to chase a bite report right?

The modern auto is built around recurring revenue. Not quality. If I were a rich man I would be stockpiling older highly reliable rigs in a heated area and teaching kids how to work on them so they were maintained and driven. Then I would have my doomsday army and fleet of artillery at the ready. Probably even build a killdozer or two. I would be like a benevolent shop teacher version of a Bond Villain.

The greatest irony of all is that using these motors in actual truck mode (towing, hauling, ascending steep grades, etc) drops the fuel economy to the same level or below higher displacement, naturally aspirated engines and seems to dramatically accelerate or trigger engine faults - at least with the new Tundras.

Prior to the advent of the new Tundra engine I had no idea what a "main bearing" was, because having a main bearing fail was just nothing you ever heard about. Now YouTube is full of people talking about the epidemic of main-bearing failures on the first production year of Tundras with the new engine ('22) and why it's still happening 2-3 and maybe 4 model years later. Amazing.

If I had the money and space I'd think about picking-up a crate-engine for my '17 Tundra, but they're so reliable who knows if I'd ever need it.

 

[Clean Willy]

Think I'll keep my Tacoma.....

 

[Dustin Chromers]

The greatest irony of all is that using these motors in actual truck mode (towing, hauling, ascending steep grades, etc) drops the fuel economy to the same level or below higher displacement, naturally aspirated engines and seems to dramatically accelerate or trigger engine faults - at least with the new Tundras.

Prior to the advent of the new Tundra engine I had no idea what a "main bearing" was, because having a main bearing fail was just nothing you ever heard about. Now YouTube is full of people talking about the epidemic of main-bearing failures on the first production year of Tundras with the new engine ('22) and why it's still happening 2-3 and maybe 4 model years later. Amazing.

If I had the money and space I'd think about picking-up a crate-engine for my '17 Tundra, but they're so reliable who knows if I'd ever need it.

Bearings became more commonly sourced from China during COVID. The supply chain remained sourcing there due to price. Other machines of various sorts are suffering crank and main bearing failures because of this.

For all the useless shit on new trucks at least give me some level of reliability.

Yeah and all the eco vehicle nonsense including the ethanol fuel and the climate taxes are just that. Total nonsense. Anybody with any critical thinking skills at all can see it. But feeling trump thinking critically every time so here we are. Shit fuel at stupid cost and the illusion of changing anything along with shit trucks with the illusion that retiring them in a third the use is also somehow green. And you're right. My 7.3 gets far better mileage than my Ecoboost in any condition. It's all a well marketed illusion that people are buying into.

 

[Evan B]

Should we start ranting about replacing physical buttons with touch screen menus for everything yet? That's the next major thing that makes me want to have nothing to do with new vehicles.

 

[Eastside]

If I had the money and space I'd think about picking-up a crate-engine for my '17 Tundra, but they're so reliable who knows if I'd ever need it.

You won’t ever need it. When my 2021 GMC half ton diesel failed, I replaced it with a 2021 Tundra. The flywheel stripped on the GMC at 43K miles. Everything was covered by warranty but we were concerned about the long-term reliability. There also were a lot of touch screen menus and electronics to fail as well. The Tundra is a proven platform. We had a 2001 Sequoia that we drove for 300K miles before we gifted it to our nephew. It’s still running strong and has had zero engine or power train issues.

 

[Dustin Chromers]

Should we start ranting about replacing physical buttons with touch screen menus for everything yet? That's the next major thing that makes me want to have nothing to do with new vehicles.

I'll go further. When did we decide that you should control your volume on the radio with two tiny buttons instead of a dial? I can't modulate my NPR at high speed accurately at all! Complete bullshit! I want to throttle Terry Gross accurately while I'm careening down a logging road with caffeine shakes in the hand. Can't do that with a touchscreen or tiny buttons. BRING BACK THE DIAL! Not all of us have hands of a tiny proctologist. Some of us have meat hooks and paws not suited for such delicate work while considering All Things Considered!

 

[Evan B]

I'll go further. When did we decide that you should control your volume on the radio with two tiny buttons instead of a dial? I can't modulate my NPR at high speed accurately at all! Complete bullshit! I want to throttle Terry Gross accurately while I'm careening down a logging road with caffeine shakes in the hand. Can't do that with a touchscreen or tiny buttons. BRING BACK THE DIAL! Not all of us have hands of a tiny proctologist. Some of us have meat hooks and paws not suited for such delicate work while considering All Things Considered!

Yeah buying a replacement dual din stereo for my 7.3 was a struggle. Couldn't really find much of anything in my price range with physical knobs.

I my F150 daily driver I was able to find a 10" screen unit with physical knobs and I'm glad I coughed up the extra money for it. I'll deal with the tiny side buttons on the cheap unit in my 7.3L for now, but will probably swap it with something more sensible when I can.

 

[flybill]

Should we start ranting about replacing physical buttons with touch screen menus for everything yet? That's the next major thing that makes me want to have nothing to do with new vehicles.

I want no knobs.. Just let me think what to do and it does it! Switch to sports radio.. play usher. Play my list on Spotify! Well maybe that not a good idea. And no, I won't share what popped up in this old man's mind!

 

[Evan B]

I'll say I don't mind screens on their own. I don't want to need the screen to control anything though. I want to control volume with a knob, skip tracks with a button, and control my A/C and heater with a physical switch or knob. Screens require me to take my eyes off the road to see where to touch vs just feeling for the knob.

 

[Clean Willy]

Well since this thread has drifted into technology, I have to share an Uber experience I had last week in Phoenix.

I had never been in a Tesla before and couldn't own one for numerous reasons but I was blown away by the 'traffic visualization' screen. Being blind in my right eye and having an actual blind spot to the right, this would be a game changer. It's incredibly accurate, down to the size of car or truck, and location of traffic around you. Even before I lost my vision I'd had a couple of close calls with pedestrians hidden behind the A pillar while turning in an intersection. This screen would eliminate that since pedestrians and even a dog walking with them are clearly shown.

I don't miss my '65 Dodge Dart. Put me firmly in the technology good camp.

 

[Evan B]

Well since this thread has drifted into technology, I have to share an Uber experience I had last week in Phoenix.

I had never been in a Tesla before and couldn't own one for numerous reasons but I was blown away by the 'traffic visualization' screen. Being blind in my right eye and having an actual blind spot to the right, this would be a game changer. It's incredibly accurate, down to the size of car or truck, and location of traffic around you. Even before I lost my vision I'd had a couple of close calls with pedestrians hidden behind the A pillar while turning in an intersection. This screen would eliminate that since pedestrians and even a dog walking with them are clearly shown.

I don't miss my '65 Dodge Dart. Put me firmly in the technology good camp.

View attachment 179298

That one particular thing is probably my favorite Tesla feature. I think other cars have this now as well. I just don't know which ones.

 

[up2nogood]

Exactly why I'm collecting old ones now I'm having thoughts about hydra chipping my 7.3 or keeping it in grandpa / tractor mode.
View attachment 178874

Probably the best truck I have had , Early 99 F350 7.3 Powerstroke . Drove it for nearly 16 years , although the 4R100 transmission was getting a little funny on shifting , most likely a valve body , thats about it . I did just about everything to improve performance other than turbo , and injectors . 4"turbo back exhaust ,AIS intake ,DP tuner . 6.0 transmission cooler , as well as the 6.0 intercooler . It did run better , but just didn't have the tongue ,and horse power when I went to a bigger fifth wheel . If I didn't tow here in the mountain west , I would probably still have that truck . It still looked like it came off the showroom floor after 16 years when I traded it at 130,000 miles . Low miles for sure for that old of a truck . My new truck I got after this Ford is about the same getting 7-8K miles per year .

 

[Dustin Chromers]

Probably the best truck I have had , Early 99 F350 7.3 Powerstroke . Drove it for nearly 16 years , although the 4R100 transmission was getting a little funny on shifting , most likely a valve body , thats about it . I did just about everything to improve performance other than turbo , and injectors . 4"turbo back exhaust ,AIS intake ,DP tuner . 6.0 transmission cooler , as well as the 6.0 intercooler . It did run better , but just didn't have the tongue ,and horse power when I went to a bigger fifth wheel . If I didn't tow here in the mountain west , I would probably still have that truck . It still looked like it came off the showroom floor after 16 years when I traded it at 130,000 miles . Low miles for sure for that old of a truck . My new truck I got after this Ford is about the same getting 7-8K miles per year .

The transmission is the weak link on those trucks. Folks wouldn't notice though unless they are towing and the rest of the truck lasts so long. They are better than the 10 speed units of today though and totally rebuildable. There is a coupler plate that allows a modern power stroke trans to be used as well. Lots of options for a vehicle that is actually worth putting money into and isn't essentially disposable though.

 

[Bugmeister]

(Clearing throat for rant on car tech….)

Ok I don’t know who designed the “tire pressure warning indicator” electronics but they should be tied up in the town square and pelted with rotten fruit and veggies.

This is my third vehicle (spanning two brands) where it will fire false warnings if you park our car outside overnight on a cool night, then refuse to recognize that the tires aren’t actually low. My current rig’s system is refusing to even let me reset it, again despite all the tires being exactly per spec on cold tire pressure psi.

Aaaargh!

 

[Clean Willy]

(Clearing throat for rant on car tech….)

Ok I don’t know who designed the “tire pressure warning indicator” electronics but they should be tied up in the town square and pelted with rotten fruit and veggies.

This is my third vehicle (spanning two brands) where it will fire false warnings if you park our car outside overnight on a cool night, then refuse to recognize that the tires aren’t actually low. My current rig’s system is refusing to even let me reset it, again despite all the tires being exactly per spec on cold tire pressure psi.

Aaaargh!

Vehicle dependent I suppose. My Tacoma's TPMS works flawlessly and if I select that screen it shows actual pressure for each tire. I run it when I'm driving on rocky forest roads in the middle of nowhere for a little peace of mind.

 

[up2nogood]

The transmission is the weak link on those trucks. Folks wouldn't notice though unless they are towing and the rest of the truck lasts so long. They are better than the 10 speed units of today though and totally rebuildable. There is a coupler plate that allows a modern power stroke trans to be used as well. Lots of options for a vehicle that is actually worth putting money into and isn't essentially disposable though.

The 4R100 was definitely the weak link , although installing the 6.0 transmission cooler helped a lot . Early on I had heating issues ,that 6.0 cooler definitely extended the life of it . Especially going slow , it was murder on that transmission towing . It was a good looking truck ,and ran well right up until I sold it .

 

[Clean Willy]

(Clearing throat for rant on car tech….)

Ok I don’t know who designed the “tire pressure warning indicator” electronics but they should be tied up in the town square and pelted with rotten fruit and veggies.

This is my third vehicle (spanning two brands) where it will fire false warnings if you park our car outside overnight on a cool night, then refuse to recognize that the tires aren’t actually low. My current rig’s system is refusing to even let me reset it, again despite all the tires being exactly per spec on cold tire pressure psi.

Aaaargh!

Electrical tape works to hide warning lights you know are not needed.

 

[fatbillybob]

Should we start ranting about replacing physical buttons with touch screen menus for everything yet? That's the next major thing that makes me want to have nothing to do with new vehicles.

those screens fail all the time. When there is the possibility replacing a screen with an aftermarket one I have yet to see one that can deal with the screen based HVAC controls. Manufacturers are exercising ever increasing control over their product and your wallet.

 

[Evan B]

those screens fail all the time. When there is the possibility replacing a screen with an aftermarket one I have yet to see one that can deal with the screen based HVAC controls. Manufacturers are exercising ever increasing control over their product and your wallet.

The aftermarket one in my F150 controls the seat warmers and hvac just fine. It's all run through the canbus system so the screen is just a front end for that. Thankfully I still have my knob controls so just use those instead either way.

 

[up2nogood]

those screens fail all the time. When there is the possibility replacing a screen with an aftermarket one I have yet to see one that can deal with the screen based HVAC controls. Manufacturers are exercising ever increasing control over their product and your wallet.

Yes , just bought a 2025 vehicle , a manufacturer buyback , the reason the touch screens started blinking ,then went black ,apparently was not able to get fixed within 30 days the law in some states ,so it's a buyback requested by the original owner . The money I saved , on basically a new car with 3548 miles I can live with the fact of a buyback. Plus at a pretty low cost , a bumper to bumper 10 year 100K warranty . Time will tell .