New England B.S. Thread

It's an easy to get to button, it's front and center on the dash, above the radio. I test drove a 2018 Ecoboost and did a 10 mile loop with it, the last bit of it being stop and go. It was cold out but the truck was up to temperature and the start/stop never kicked in. There's a lot of criteria that has to be met in order for it to shut down. For example, if you have the max A/C on (compressor needs to be running), the engine will not shut off.

 

gotcha makes a lot of sense. I'm old school in the thinking that the starter only has so many cycles before it wears out so why have a feature that destroys a $200 starter and a bitch to replace versus a couple gallons of gas

 

The answer is simple and it's to meet an EPA mandate for fuel economy. The only reason they do it is to meet a combined MPG number for their fleet. All of these fuel saving 'features' are at the cost of dependability, notice none of them are on ANY of the HD trucks. If these features were so great, they'd be on all the engines across the board but notice once you no longer have to meet an MPG number, none of the manufacturers put these features on their engines (cylinder deactivation and start/stop).

 

I'm waiting to make sure I didn't miscalculate my taxes and end up owing something significant, then I'm probably ordering an XLT Sport 3.5 Extended Cab with just about every possible option. The diesel doesn't really appeal to me.

The trucks on the dealer lots are just stupid. No tow packages on them, lots of weird single options added individually instead of as part of a package which drives the price up too.

 

If I were to order one, I'd make sure it has the HD payload package. That will force it to come with the max tow package.

 

From what I found, I can't get that on a 3.5. Only on the 2.7, and then that restricts it from being a 302a.

The 3.5 has over a ton payload anyway, so that's plenty.

 

If you don't get the HD payload package, I don't think your payload will be that high. You can absolutely get the HD payload package with the 3.5 ecoboost. The HD payload package isn't tied to a specific engine, you can get it with at least the 5.0 for sure. You need a specific cab and box configuration and it limits options also. I've been playing with build options a lot. You have to get the 8' box with the extended cab to get the HD payload package but you're right, you lose the ability to get the 302a. The HD payload package seems to be like a damn unicorn but it's the only way I'd buy another half ton.

 

Oh, I don't want an 8' box. I'd barely fit it into my garage then. Plus I really want 302a. Payload on the Ext Cab 3.5, 6.5' box is 2150 without any payload package. Looks like if you get the 8' box it's 2470 or 2700 depending on wheel size with HD payload, 1980 without.

I want a 302a Sport XLT, Ext Cab/6.5', Max Tow, FX4, Sunroof, Subwoofer. That doesn't seem to exist anywhere, but I can build it so I think I'll have to special order it.

 

Awesome! I guess I wasn't taking into account that the new ones are so much lighter with the aluminum body. My payload is only 1,600 lbs or so but I've got the old body style. That's a pretty decent payload out of a half ton.

 

Anyone have an idea of how much additional lift I should see adding the OME Add-a-leaf to my Dakar leaf pack?

 

comes down to the engine choice as well I think if you can get the payload package... Ford likes playing the package game and makes it difficult to sometimes find on the lot exactly what you want. But if you get a good dealer they can force the order through and get you exact truck you want. I know you can order a platinum with a vinyl floor if you so choose, crap like that.

 

Why do you want to add it? Think you'll need it for the camper?

 

Half inch I think? Maybe more initially

 

How was the trip, Drew?? Fun times at the Philly cheese steak meet, and good drive back up?

 

It was very good, quite tiring as well. Philly cheesesteaks were delicious as usual, the drive back up was fine, better than the drive down for sure. I took the long way home (GSP to 87N to 90E) so I could stop in NY and grab @DoubleRGirl her stuff out of the FJ for her and some pics of the damage. Hung out with @The Hunter and he showed me a good time on Friday night with his buddies in Jersey. IDrove a ton on Saturday, Sunday I slept most of the day LOL. I appreciate you and your wife having me over for dinner on Thursday night as well man! Wish I could have stayed longer to chat more

 

Yeah, the camper was a bit much even with the weight distributing hitch was still sitting lower than I'd like, I'm thinking a little bit of help from the add-a-leaf would put me back to level while towing and not give me too much rake when empty.

 

Awesome. Glad to hear you had fun. And sorry for making you watch Mickey And The Roadster Racers... Lucas kinda "owns" the TV while he's awake. Kelsey just "tags" along on that and watches whatever he makes us watch. We're super glad you stopped by and took us up on the wife's offer to stay for dinner. Hope you had fun with our crazy kids. Lucas asked for you a little while after you left... he asked "daddy, where's Drew?".

Feel free to pop in anytime you're in the area. The wife enjoyed having you around as well since she got to host.

 

sounds like an awesome trip except for the weather

 

You sure you have the W/D hitch dialed in correctly? You want to make sure you are actually transferring enough weight to the truck's front axles, throwing an AAL or air bags just to bring the back up can be a cover up when it's really an adjustment that needs to be made to the W/D setup. I'd find a nearby CAT scale and make sure you have enough weight on the front axles with the camper in tow first. Just my $0.02.

 

Not a bad idea. I think there's a public scale not too far from me but no idea if it's set up to split the axles.