I agree, I would've gotten the EB but I wanted the Raptor and the 6.2 is all you can get.

There have been some rumors of a 400hp EB for the Raptor which would be a blast!

SOLDIER,

By the looks of your post (#3 of this thread) you've done the math. I haven't run the numbers like you have but I know for a fact that my 10 Dodge dually is overkill for what I use it for which is why I'm also looking to down-size. There's no doubt that the dually pulls my 34' Hustler (10,800 lbs on CAT scales fully loaded w/ fuel and gear) with ease but at 13.5 actual mpg non-towing and 11 mpg towing an average of 10 miles round trip approximately a dozen times a year plus a 300 mile round trip once a year (maybe) just doesn't justify paying an extra 30 cents per gallon at the pump.

I read an article about a year ago that broke down the numbers like you did which concluded that after calculating the higher purchase price, higher price at the pump, maintenance/service, registration, insurance, etc a diesel would only be economically benefitial over a gas vehicle if you towed #15,000 a minimum of 7,500 miles per year.

With the economy the way it is right now it only makes sense to cut costs where feasible. Good luck with whichever vehicle you choose.

Plus your getting a truck that will be waaaay more comfortable and smoother. I love diesels but there's a place for everything, unless your towing 11k+ every day, nothing wrong with a half ton. And the F-150 line is hands down best overall from fit/finish (Ram is nice too now with their updates), suspension, chassis, transmission, engines etc. But I hate the pos gearing in the Ram 5 speed, and GM's suspensions always feel mushy wobbly/wobbly to me. Drive a 1500 over a railroad track that's at an angle here and there's a night/day difference to how solid and controlled the F-150 feels in comparison, where the Chevy 1500 feels like the rear is gonna kick out.

Is the ram still a 5 speed? Pretty lame in this day and age.

In 04 the titan debuted 5, and the F150 had 4 as did the Chevy.

Uncle Dave

Yeh, I don't mind that it's a 5 speed, it's just Chrysler uses retarded gearing ratio's on that 5 speed across the line (from the 300c cars, Jeeps GC etc). It's geared too short or tall depending on what speed and gear your in. Ford's 6 speed is slick and geared perfectly and that trans can hold a good amount of power. I think Chrysler has a 6 speed in the works for the Hemi engines (since their upcoming 8 speed will only be for V6's cars and Jeeps) but knowing them it'll still be geared out of wack

agreed on the Ford box.

Im pretty happy with the Titans 5 speed box, although towing anything beyond half rated load really means you tow in 4th- its held up well, but I basically do a drain and fill every 5K on it
so there isn't anything in there to build varnish.

UD

UD

Thanks yeah the math I did was pretty solid and based off of todays gas prices, so obivously up or down will sway it. But I havent even factored in insurance will probably be cheaper on an F150. Like you said I do about 10k a year on the truck out of that maybe 1000mi towing. Makes no sense any longer. And every $1000 savings right now is big. thats a mortgage payment, couple car payments. If I had the 08 100% paid off I would probably look to a DPF delete. But my getting this truck Im adding maybe 2 grand in debt and year in payments. Which after the first year or two the truck will have paid that off.

Not running a EB, but is a 09 f150 with the new 6 speed (the first year of increased towing cap.). Love it. After driving 3/4 tons for several years it was a great change. The 1500-2000 miles a year that i do tow are not as easy as before, but the other 14,000 miles I drive each year are much better. I'm getting 17 on the hiway running 80mph. 36 gallon tank make for some long runs with out stopping. I have done over 600 miles on a tank before. I do not have one regret with 150. My boat and trailer + gear are in the 8500# range. I get 9-10 with the 5.4 and 3.73. ALL of my boat trips are less than 100 miles one way, most of them 40 or less, The F150 gets the job done.

Last fall I pulled a Jeep on a trailer (6000#) 3000 miles round trip (KY to Utah) and averaged 10.7 - hand calculated. I could out pull, in the mountains, a buddy in a chevy 1/2 ton with 6.2 and spent less money on fuel than another buddy in a cummings towing the similar load.

The EB is an interesting concept. I think it makes more HP than my 09 with 5.4 in it.

Does anyone have knowledge about the 3.15 axle ratio ?... I realize towing capacity is reduced......However, by reducing engine revs/mile, fuel mileage may benefit, reduce miles of piston travel and etc... Rear tire wear may or may not be a consideration.

A lower ratio would increase towing capacity, increase acceleration, reduce strain on the transmission and reduce risk of detonation.

I'm currently truckless and had to tow my Cat 246 skidloader
and 7' bucket with 1/2 ton Ford 5.4 service truck today to a jobsite to drop off the both of them.
I'd guess the weight at 10k plus or minus.
Even though I had trailer brakes I didn't like it and it was only 15 miles. I was going to take a GMC 1 ton stakebed but may be taking my daughter to the lake to ride ski's tomorrow after church and I hate being seen in ugly workbed trucks.
I'm certainly biased 'cause I've run diesel duallies for well over 20 years as my work/personal ride.
If you don't tow your rig often and you drive smart you'll do fine with the 1/2 ton, they sound like they're well engineered to get max performance and fuel economy.

See ya,
Kelly