The biggest deal is for body shops. It hurts the small shops. However, this isn't anything all that new, but it could be the last straw for some. If you look at the trends, lots of the small shops are either closing their doors or being bought up by the huge natl shops.
I don't have a problem with this. It's not like it was sprung on these small shops with no notice. As we've already mentioned, aluminum body panels are not a new thing. "Lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way." -Lee Iacocca.
Correct - some of the body-on-frame models had aluminum bodies to keep the COG low. They weren't doing it to make the vehicle light necessarily, more to focus the weight in the correct place for its purpose.
I have a hard time getting my head around such a tiny motor in such a big truck.
"No replacement for displacement" --- horseshit - forced induction is the replacement for displacement. If you can double the amount of air and fuel shoved into a 2.7L it essentially becomes a 5.4L. If you can triple it, you suddenly have an 8.1L. Clearly we don't get the perfect multipliers due to various forms of loss, but we get a good bit of them. GM and Dodge are shutting down cylinders in larger engines for "displacement on demand," but forced induction on a smaller engine accomplishes the same thing. There's a reason turbo diesels are WAAAAY more well regarded than bare diesels - it won't take long before gas truck owners catch on.
This new medicine has turned you into a fawking genius!
After driving the 3.5l Ecoboost quite a bit, it grew on me and I liked it. They feel really strong. However, there are three issues with it, I get worse mpg than the gas trucks when I drive them (I drive with a heavy foot), I want a fullsized truck to have a V8 growl, and I keep reading about them having major cooling issues when towing. The latter I've only read about. Maybe ford has even addressed it?
My estimator's brand new Chevy 1500 shuts down cylinders and there's a noticeable jerk/shudder when this happens. Brought it back in for service, "That's perfectly normal, Steve," was the answer. I told him that's what they'd say. He's pissed. Lol.
My in-laws tow with their 3.5L EcoBoost in the NC mountains. Usually 5-7k pounds. It tows that without issue and way better than the previous 5.4L motor. The 2.7L isn't meant to be a workhorse. It's meant to be a weekend warrior motor. I'd bet nearly all the contractors stick with the 3.5L.
If you can't stay out of the boost, you'll always get shit mileage. However it's too damn fun. EcoBoost can sound decent with the right exhaust.
That's why I only asked about a moderate load. I know that this tiny little engine won't be able to tow a ton, but 600 lbs of crap in the bed, and four dudes should be about right. I'm not trying to say that it won't be able to do it well either. I'd kinda like for it to be a decent little engine. But I am curious as to how it will fare.
Like what? Engines are insanely powerful for much less displacement these days. I don't know why everyone is so stuck on old engine tech, it wasn't for shit compared to what's available these days. I remember driving a 4.9 straight six around here. I had to drive it in first gear in the mountains. Can you imagine 5 liters of displacement and the thing could barely climb a standard mountain road around here.
