I had lost one of the key fobs for the old Expedition. It was right around Christmas and while waiting for the parts desk lineup to clear I wandered around the showroom to see what was happening. And what seemed to be happening was there were some good deals on trucks with really low interest rates. I had test driven a nice little 2.7 Ecoboost Supercab during the summer and I liked the way it drove. I especially liked that with the aluminum body, a new vehicle had actually gotten lighter than its predecessor. So we spent a cold December 31st test driving a few F-150s. I knew I didn’t need a great big long 3.5 Ecoboost powered monster. But since the deal was right I guess I’d take one in a pinch.
For some reason I’m drawn to Ford vehicles when the company makes a bold move. So often of course with Ford, these bold moves go a bit sideways. From my readings on the internet, it seems somewhere between 130% and 140% of F-150 Ecoboosts will either; suffer catastrophic failure, not perform like a real truck or cause infertility in all those who drive them. Anyways, despite some concerns, we drove two nearly identical trucks back to back. One had the Coyote V8 and one had the 3.5 EB. The V8 one had the absolute nerve to downshift on a slight upgrade just like the old Expedition would do. The Ecoboost had a lot more low end grunt and that’s what I want in a truck, so twin turbo V-6 it was. The truck had a bunch of good equipment on it: skid plates, rear locker, max tow package, heavy springs, trailer backup assist, navigation and all the other XLT stuff. There was dumb stuff too like the twenty-inch wheels and black vinyl stripes that I maybe should have peeled off, but I’m used to them now and they help me figure out which truck is mine in the Superstore parking lot. These things are some popular in Canada.
This truck is close enough to a current offering that I suppose driving impressions might matter to some people. The ride is a bit jiggly on the highway but other than that it’s pleasant enough, if not as comfy as the old Expedition was. The ride off road and unladen is heinous. Any coffee in the cupholders will be all over the place at the first bump if not securely lidded. I guess that’s what happens with the extra payload and low profile tires. I can’t imagine too many people haven’t driven an EcoBoost F-150 as they have been around for quite a while, but for those who have not, the power available at any speed is quite a bit more than adequate and available very low down in the tach. It spends a lot of its time at 1500 RPM in 6th gear. Boot it at 40 miles an hour and the tires will chirp on the downshift. If you are feeling relaxed and taking your time, fuel economy is reasonable, especially considering the capability on hand. I had an hour in slow traffic and got 8.6 l/100 or so according to the readout which is I believe 27 mpg US. Also note the tach down at 1400 where it should be.
I pretty much treat it like a diesel in terms of usage when I have the luxury. No short trips, plenty of oil changes, and plug it in on cold days, so I have not had the timing chain and fuel dilution issues that some experience with this engine. The sum total of what has been replaced in 7 years is one wheel bearing and some front brake pads. One rear electric door lock is temperamental and I should change it.
It’s been off road a bit which means that I should count front air deflectors (Part Number FL3Z-17626-AA) as things replaced, they cost $48.96 each time they get removed by terrain. I’d leave them off but I’ve read they help with cooling.
Most of this truck’s miles are connected with skiing and winter activities. I wasn’t too happy with its icy road performance. I put on Studded Nokian Hakkapellita winter tires on it which tamed some of its habits. As it’s part time 4×4 it really pushes the front out and won’t steer in 4WD or the back spins out in 2WD. It’s been at most of the major slopes in Western Canada at various ski races and spent more than half its miles on ice and snow so in the big scheme of things it is good enough in winter. And a better choice for hitting an elk.
Having all the room a full size crew cab offers is good for multitasking type days on the mountain.
Although it isn’t fantastic on an icy road, all the traction technology means it doesn’t get stuck easily. Lock the rear differential and floor it in high range with the traction control on and only one wheel has to find traction to extricate the truck from any ditch-type misadventure. Of which there have been several.
And if all else fails there are tire chains in the well-equipped toolbox.
In the summer it goes on camping trips. Since my camper trailer is so small there is plenty of capacity left over for other things like a motorcycle.
And if there is a bigger trailer to pull, that’s no problem either.
I’ve decided that desk work is slowly killing me and so in the last few years have gotten a bit more serious about hiking again. Back in the day, I did quite a few epic hikes and one thing I did not do was take enough pictures.
I decided to rectify my lack of hiking photographs by starting to carry a proper camera again. So I have been on a mission to hit all the old spots and a few new ones while my knees and I are young enough to still come down the steep trails. It’s always the downhills that get me.
And to get to these spots it’s nice to have a truck that can get me there. The pack is a classic Trapper Nelson from 1972. Totally superseded by modern packs and for good reasons, but there is still some satisfaction to be gained in taking it to the top of a mountain.
I like knowing that when I get back to the truck it will just start and there will be no drama. And the seat heaters will dry out my clothes a bit on the way home.
And some days you just feel like getting out and getting away for a drive looking for berries, rock hounding or just poking around in the truck to see what you can see.
Blue is an easy colour to work with when I’m practicing photo effects.
This F-150 has been as far North as Dawson City Yukon, pulling the little camper trailer behind. It was nice on the Alaska Highway having the giant 136 litre tank so I could avoid the more expensive places to fuel up. Despite the preparations people take, I think the ideal car for an Alaska trip would be a Lincoln Town Car or maybe a Toyota Camry. I think there are a lot of old guidebooks out there or something as people seem to really take their preparing for that road quite seriously.
On that subject I have an observation. One hot day last year out in the bush I remember a couple of older smaller trucks prepped for overlanding; the big tires, the traction mats, hundreds of pounds of steel fancy racks and guards, spare fuel etc. What they really needed was less weight and a better cooling system as one was seriously overheating with the load and steep grade. I figured that was probably me back in the day, and that maybe I was getting smarter with this big powerful truck.
I’m not afraid to do work with the Ford, though I don’t push the limits as hard as I did with the old white F-150.
It’s very hard to picture not having a truck in my life. I am always moving heavy and dirty things.
Thirty five years after the first picture, still hauling mountain bikes in a blue Ford truck. Time passes so quickly.
On the subject of time passing too quickly and getting older. When I was young my Dad would often take me for a ride out in his F-250 crummy, sometimes over Premier Ridge, which is a great place to see wildlife. We would bounce along looking up at the mountains and he would talk about the mountains he had climbed and the ones we would soon be climbing together. We would stop at Ta Ta Creek store for a Tiger ice cream on the way home.
Shortly after I had purchased this blue truck, my dad who appeared in a lot of these adventures of mine, sadly developed dementia and eventually had to live in a care home. But every once in a while, I was able to get him out of there and we used that time to have an adventure or two.
The roles had now been reversed. I helped put him in my crummy, a distant descendant of his old 1970 Crew Cab, put some 1960s music on, so he could listen to something familiar, as we bumped along the same roads at Premier Ridge that he had driven a lifetime ago. We talked as we looked up at the mountains he had climbed when he was a younger man. He was pretty content to do this and was happily planning for the next day’s hike that in his somewhat malfunctioning brain he thought we were going on. That is when he wasn’t asking about which of the Beatles was still alive. Paul and Ringo I kept telling him. And telling him. And telling him. Then we stopped for an ice cream.
Eventually the dementia got worse as it does as it runs its course. He passed away a year and a half ago now. When we went to spread his ashes he took his last motorcycle ride, on a Harley, as BSAs are thin on the ground around here.
Once we hit the bush he was in the truck for a final ride and then finished his journey on his old Trapper Nelson Pack board so we could spread his ashes at a place he loved.
I miss you Dad.
Returning to the F-150. Both my teenagers drove it, one quite intensively for a while developing their winter driving and especially their parking skills, which this very large pick up demands a bit more of than the Fiesta. Even for me, there is one glaring issue with a truck like this, it’s a rascal to turn around in the forest. It’s alright if I know exactly where I’m going. But sometimes exploring for new hikes a surprise bad spot can result in some long backups or a 57 point turn. It is enough of an annoyance that I decided that I should think about looking for a small off roader again. No point getting rid of the truck as it is paid for, the cost of a new one is stupid and it still does truck things well. Every old truck was a new one once, so I guess this one will be my old truck eventually. I filled it up a month ago in Alberta where the gas is cheap, drove 300 miles home and still have a quarter tank left today. I expect this truck will last me a long time.
Next week, I find myself about to be an empty nester and experiencing an acute household car shortage, which leaves me with one of two vehicle options, one of which actually happens. It comes down to a 7 speed manual off roader which has absolutely caught my eye, or six horizontally arranged cylinders in a very big departure from anything I have bought before.
I’m in awe of your concise yet evocative writing style. Being able to edit oneself down to just the meaningful, interesting bits is a difficult skill to master, and your images frost the cake. I enjoyed this tremendously.
Good job, sir.
+1
+2
Another great story, thanks for covering so much life ground in addition to your vehicle stories.
I’ve not needed a truck since we got rid of the wee Ranger in 2003:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/coal-1988-ford-ranger-the-wee-truck/
The Grand Caravan handles all our hauling needs, and for motorcycles or other really big stuff I can borrow a utility trailer. Good to see someone who actually uses all the truckish capabilities, that’s rare in suburban Ontario.
And I affirm you that desk work is killing us. I’ve got over 30 years of flying a desk, trekking poles really save my knees on the down part of a hike. I’m hoping to make it to Galatea Lakes in the next year or two, never been there but it was my Alberta uncle’s favourite spot.
And good on you for taking your father on further adventures. He really had quite a life, and an excellent immigrant experience being able to build the life he wanted in the new country on his own terms. Well done!
I am sorry for your loss.
Dementia is the worst kind of theft of all. It takes everything from the people you love and prolongs the sad witnessing of that loss. And cruelly, peeks of awareness tease loved ones into thinking, maybe, just maybe, the fog will lift and he or she will come back to us.
But it is surely terminal.
My paternal grandmother, my father, and three years ago, my dear sister. All stolen long before they died. I saw it in their eyes and heard it in their voices before it became obvious to others. It was fear; they knew what was happening.
______
Now, about the F150. It is so good to hear that the 3.5 EB F150 lives up to your expectations. I always cheer for the home truck team even if I did choose an 6 foot bed import. And while the home teams [mostly] only make trucks and SUVs, it is comforting to know they’re doing it right.
“treat it like a diesel in terms of usage when I have the luxury. No short trips, plenty of oil changes, and plug it in on cold day…”.
This sounds like the secret to success in EB engines.
Excellent post, as always! Your dusty road action shot is SO good! Love that pic.
Wonderful story and beautiful pictures!
Wonderful read from start to finish. And I am so sorry about your dad – may his memory forever be a blessing. My paternal grandmother developed dementia after my dad passed in 2016 – it is a horrific disease and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
My brother in law has the extended cab short bed version of your truck – he loves it, and much like you is good about maintenance.
I am going to be sorry when this series ends. A truck like this is pretty irrelevant to my current needs, so it is fun to read about yours and how it has fit into your life.
A parent with dementia is a difficult road to travel, for both the parent and the child. I had to learn to just go in whatever direction my mother’s thoughts would take her in our conversations. I particularly enjoyed the visit when we discussed the current state of the family business, how my sister and I were running separate divisions in two different cities, and how wealthy we all were. Leaving the care home was easy because she was content to wait for her regular driver who was due any time. Those times are both terribly sad, but could be incredibly funny (because there was never, ever any kind of business like the one she was sure we had).
Another fine chapter; I’m going to miss these.
Thanks for a proper look at one of these trucks. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular.
As to the hard ride off-road, I’m convinced that most modern cars and trucks are sprung on the stiff side as that gives them great handling on paved roads, but a harsh ride off them. That’s why I softened up the suspension on my xB; yes, it’s not quite as much as a canyon carver, but the trade off is well worth it.
Some great hiking shots; good to see you’re taking full advantage of your beautiful surroundings. Keep moving!
I’m sorry for your loss; it’s hard.
Superb bit of writing about your dad. Quite beautiful.
It would take someone pretty clever to come up with a cosmic reason for the cruelty of Alzheimers, and even then, it would only be a mirror trick of words. The thing not only takes the old victim by hand into fear, it then takes with it part of those who love the person as they recede into what we fool ourselves to be a bit of peace before the end (which can take a while then to come). Miss you, mum.
These trucks are being seen hereabouts more these days. It seems there are quite a few middle-aged tradies-who’ve-done-alright prepared to spend the $180KAUD a RHD-converted one like yours costs. They have no role in our transport set-up, other than to be a nuisance (nothing fits them). But I presume they play that same very broad role in Canada as in the US: here, max was Ranger-size(ish), the job of anything bigger being done by Asian cab-over 4-6 tonners, then actual trucks, so they have no role beyond display.
I reckon I’d have one if I lived where you are, though, if only to get out into that exquisite scenery.
At $180 thousand I’d certainly find something else. This one was $45,000. A lot of truck for the money.
Another excellent chapter, and as many have commented, I too will miss reading these when you’re done. One or two of your pictures look like places I have not been in a long time, and it reminds me that sitting a desk is doing me no favours either.
Although I’ve always had diesels, I purchased the 2018 version of your truck for a company vehicle recently, although in slightly plainer-jane trim. I drove it for a few days – similar impressions, they are capable, nice enough to drive and really nothing bad to say.
When I refer to a vehicle as a crummy many people look at me wondering what I just said; glad to see that term still in use. Sorry to hear about your father but he was lucky to have you get him out on some last adventures. Looking forward to the next one Jograd.
Who in their right mind would buy a Crummy truck?!? L0L
Actually I’ve ridden in these crummies back in 1973 when I was logging on Vancouver Island! (Zeballos, BC, CanaDUH)
Quite the excellent read, and a beautiful ode to your father. I now need to go back and read your other COALS!
Wonderful story, and love your words of wisdom and experience that out in the bush, it’s not necessarily advantageous to have something really big.
Your telling of your fathers’ passing and final journey was touching – sorry for your loss.
Sorry for the loss of your father. The photo of him exiting your truck reminds me so much of my dad; the exact same clothes, posture, physique…
Both of my parents had dementia. I usually went along with the things they believed were occurring but had to draw the line when they thought the other was having an affair even though they shared the same room in skilled nursing and were wheelchair bound. My father even thought I was complicit in this affair and covered for mom; he never “got over it” even after she passed.
Up the street from us is an F150 seemingly identical to yours, except it is around 5 years newer. Same configuration, same bright blue paint with stripe. It’s a handsome truck, and he always keeps it clean.
Yours has been a very enjoyable story, thanks for sharing it with us.
6 horizontally arranged cylinders – an H6 Scooby (not made any more?), or a Porsche, then! And if you wanrt to include off road capabilities….hmmm…there is but one choice –
a 911 Dakar!
This…
Another great chapter. I too will be sad to see this series end. But then again, you’ve left a lot of crumbs that can shirley be followed for many other future articles.
Thanks again for a good read. I’ve also owned a blue Ford 4wd V6 pickup (though mine was a Ranger almost 40 years ago), and we currently own a 3.5EB vehicle (though ours is in a Transit van which did quite a few KM’s on the Alaska Highway (and Cassiar, and Denali and more roads, many unpaved, in BC, Yukon and AK this summer). And like others who commented here, have lived through parental dementia …
As our EcoBoost van nears 50K miles, I’ve been meaning to switch to 5000 mile oil changes. Thanks for the reminder.
Today I helped an elderly friend of a friend cut up and haul 3 small truckloads of wood out of a ravine on his 20 acre property. I’m no woodcutter but my 40 year old Husky 61 saw was working well and my Tacoma was the only truck with 4wd to make the short but very steep grade out, and small enough to squeeze through the gaps between trees. Madrone and oak, I’m burning some now. It sure is nice to have a truck to haul stuff, even if folks like to make fun of these modern 4 door shortbed rigs.
One day we should do Chainsaws of a Lifetime. I spent a lot of time wielding a Husky 444 one season. Nicely built piece of equipment.
I’m a Stihl guy though.
It never sounds much the 6 inches in width difference between a Tacoma and a full size. But it sure seems to help in tight situations.
I can relate to your ride complaint. My old red F150 is a two wheel drive and has big fat tires so we can often drive faster than the Tacomas on potholed forest roads. Admittedly my truck has a miserly 1200lb payload because of the soft springs but I generally haul bulky objects or trailers so it’s not a major issue. Since I don’t commute and use our car for road trips mine is a bit of a homebody having left the county only 4 times almost 4 years.
I’m curious to see what your next vehicle is since 7 speeds points toward a medium truck and 6 horizontally opposed cylinders in a big departure sounds like a Gold Wing
Superlative as always.
The loss of a parent is still hits close, and now so does the decline of one. Life is sweet, and life is hard.
We have both 2.7 Ecoboosts and 5.0 V8s in the work fleet. I much prefer the Ecoboost power delivery, the V8 feels really weak at the low end, almost as if the ecu is programmed to deliver less-than-proportional response to throttle position.
As for durability concerns vs a big traditional V8…a coworker just had 4 thousand dollars in out-of-warranty engine repairs done on his 80K mile freeway-driven Sierra Denali with the dreaded 6.2liter lifter issue.
The V8 seems like it would be home in a street truck or Mustang. Maybe they can be programmed better. I know they get just as good mileage as an Eco.
I left it out of the story but I was leaning to a Toyota Tundra just to avoid the issues that seem to plague the big 3. But then I really liked the torque characteristics and big payload of the EcoBoost and figured if it breaks I’ll just get it fixed. The GM AFM issue worries me just as much as a turbo, maybe more.
And as long as I keep the frame clean I’m not too worried about rust.