Tremor versus Regular F150

[CAMDENN]

Technicians say that, but I doubt they are looking at the bigger picture. The fact is, the 2.7L EcoBoost is the base engine and the 3.5L EcoBoost is the only choice on upper level trims. The V8's are being offered in fewer and fewer trucks, so naturally when there are more 2.7L and 3.5L trucks out there, that's going to make up the bulk of what the technicians see.

Secondly, there is this idea that turbocharged engines are more complicated and therefore more prone to failure. While this makes sense, its not like turbochargers are a new and revolutionary technology. They have literally been around for decades in automotive applications. I'm 46 and they've been around longer than I've been alive. Turbos aren't that complicated when you get down to it. The principles they operate under are well understood.

Also, people seem to forget that a V8 engine has more rods and pistons than a V6 engine does. Not only that, but Ford has had the cylinder deactivation system in the F-150 since 2021. There are a lot of additional parts to make that work. While I don't have a parts count for both, the V8 Ford uses is vastly more complex than a GM LSx or LTx type engine. (Save for the DOHC engines in the Corvette.)

I'm not sure why you think you'd need to baby an EcoBoost engine or that you need to do anything with the turbos. Yes, its a potential point of failure but its not as if they are going to take dirt strait into the impeller or anything. Don't forget turbochargers are used in the base Raptors and other applications.

Sure, there are occasional anecdotes about someone's turbo going out but the fact is forums like this are where you will find the vocal minority complaining about issues. I've seen some pretty old EcoBoost trucks still on the road out there. Not only that, but we had a dude on the forum with a porous engine block on his V8's. He needed an engine replaced at 134 miles. Not 134k, but 134 miles. (If memory serves.)

Anecdotes aren't evidence.

The Torsen itself can be had from Ford Performance for about $700. Labor shouldn't be in the thousands. Dealerships are a rip off. They are basically thieves.

CD is accomplished by electronics not mechanical parts and 2 additional rods and pistons over the 3.5 EB.

 

[ApolloChurchill]

CD is accomplished by electronics not mechanical parts and 2 additional rods and pistons over the 3.5 EB.

CD is a mechanically controlled system. There are unique rocker arms that are disconnected physically by a hydraulic solenoid

 

[CAMDENN]

CD is a mechanically controlled system. There are unique rocker arms that are disconnected physically by a hydraulic solenoid

Interesting.
I figured it would only be controlled via no spark going to 4 cylinders.

 

[Machine]

After a year with no disaster deployments, we're deploying to do route clearing with this upcoming winter storm... now that I only have the '01 Yukon at 244,000+ miles, which has no lockable 4wd and only AWD, with two studded snow tires on the rear wheels and two bald regular tires up front. (Yes, I know it's not good for the truck, but have no choice at the moment.) Fun times!

 

[TCU34]

There are lots more V6 used Tremors for sale because Ford sells waaaaaaaay more ecoboosts engines than anything else. Having owned 4 ecoboosts I will personally never go back to the V8. Only thing “better” is sound, and I prefer a quieter vehicle these days now anyways. More power and torque from the ecoboosts, and they are just as reliable. We run them in our F150 fleet vehicles and have seen many go over 200k with zero issues.

Definitely not worth stepping down to a 401a to get a V8

I agree on the 5.0. I've had the older 3.5 eco w/ the 6 speed. The 5.0 with the 10 speed. The Powerboost hybrid, and now my Tremor is a 3.5. I had zero interest getting back in the 5.0. It's not a bad motor, but when you drive it back to back with the EcoBoost, it feels like an absolute dog. Okay, sure you can supercharge it, but who's really spending $7-$10k doing that? If I ever need more power I'll tune my 3.5 eco.

 

[TCU34]

I fixed that for accuracy.

A lot of you have never driven around with headlights like these and it shows.
View attachment 43458
The headlights are LED based on all trim levels of the F-150 including the XL. They all work fine. A lot of people with this specific criticism act like its unsafe to drive a vehicle at night unless your headlights are bright enough to fry the retinas of the other drivers.

That said, I do agree that its bizarre that Ford downgraded the headlamps on the TREMOR given how expensive they all are. Obviously its cost cutting at its finest. Of course, the upside is that the 24-26 TREMOR looks better than the 21-23 TREMOR does. (In my opinion.)

I came from a 2023 lariat high package with the LED projectors. Yeah they were nice, but I'm honestly not seeing much of a difference in the 2025 tremor LED's in night driving. Okay they dont turn when I turn my steering wheel. Neither have any other car's lights I've ever driven in the 25 years prior to this.

Also, unpopular opinion. The LED projectors on the 2024+ are fuggggly. I did like the way they looked on the 2021-2023, but whatever they did on the 24+ looks very off to me.

 

[TCU34]

Technicians say that, but I doubt they are looking at the bigger picture. The fact is, the 2.7L EcoBoost is the base engine and the 3.5L EcoBoost is the only choice on upper level trims. The V8's are being offered in fewer and fewer trucks, so naturally when there are more 2.7L and 3.5L trucks out there, that's going to make up the bulk of what the technicians see.

Secondly, there is this idea that turbocharged engines are more complicated and therefore more prone to failure. While this makes sense, its not like turbochargers are a new and revolutionary technology. They have literally been around for decades in automotive applications. I'm 46 and they've been around longer than I've been alive. Turbos aren't that complicated when you get down to it. The principles they operate under are well understood.

Also, people seem to forget that a V8 engine has more rods and pistons than a V6 engine does. Not only that, but Ford has had the cylinder deactivation system in the F-150 since 2021. There are a lot of additional parts to make that work. While I don't have a parts count for both, the V8 Ford uses is vastly more complex than a GM LSx or LTx type engine. (Save for the DOHC engines in the Corvette.)

I'm not sure why you think you'd need to baby an EcoBoost engine or that you need to do anything with the turbos. Yes, its a potential point of failure but its not as if they are going to take dirt strait into the impeller or anything. Don't forget turbochargers are used in the base Raptors and other applications.

Sure, there are occasional anecdotes about someone's turbo going out but the fact is forums like this are where you will find the vocal minority complaining about issues. I've seen some pretty old EcoBoost trucks still on the road out there. Not only that, but we had a dude on the forum with a porous engine block on his V8's. He needed an engine replaced at 134 miles. Not 134k, but 134 miles. (If memory serves.)

Anecdotes aren't evidence.

The Torsen itself can be had from Ford Performance for about $700. Labor shouldn't be in the thousands. Dealerships are a rip off. They are basically thieves.

I love those videos of all these 22 year old Ford tech's who make $16/ hr (with all due respect to them) saying how much they love the V8, but when pressed, it's because "it can make more power". Okay buddy.

I've spent 100's of thousands of miles behind the wheel of F150s. V6's and V8's. I'm going V6 every single time.

 

[Rikracer]

I've got the 2025 f150 Tremor 402a trim with the 5.0 and am happy with it.

My decision...
1. Better tow/haul than the Raptor
2. I wanted the 5.0
3. The like the blacked out Lariat look but the following features pushed me to the Tremor.

1. Torsen front differential
2. Torque on demand transfer case
3. Modular bumper and running boards (similar to Raptor)
4. (Modes) Trail Control with One Pedal Drive, Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist

I think the 2023 Tremor is the sweet spot, but finding a 5.0 is tough.

I just got the exact same truck, and OMG! I love it!

 

[BillfLang]

I agree on the 5.0. I've had the older 3.5 eco w/ the 6 speed. The 5.0 with the 10 speed. The Powerboost hybrid, and now my Tremor is a 3.5. I had zero interest getting back in the 5.0. It's not a bad motor, but when you drive it back to back with the EcoBoost, it feels like an absolute dog. Okay, sure you can supercharge it, but who's really spending $7-$10k doing that? If I ever need more power I'll tune my 3.5 eco.

I agree with you 100%. I think my 24 Tremor V-6 sounds as good or maybe even better than the V-8 , But that’s me. To each his own.

 

[Spamslurpee]

I agree with you 100%. I think my 24 Tremor V-6 sounds as good or maybe even better than the V-8 , But that’s me. To each his own.

I couldn't disagree more. At best the 3.5L sounds good for a V6. The V8 sounds so much better in my opinion. There really is no comparison. I don't think anything with fewer than 8 cylinders sounds remotely appealing. To me, the V6's sound have a sound somewhere between Fran Drescher singing and a box of sheet metal screws banging around inside a washing machine while trying to herd screaming cats. Compared to a V8, every V6 I've ever heard sound like ass. Truth be told the 5.0L Coyote is far from my favorite sounding V8 either. I prefer larger displacement V8's to the sound of the 5.0L.

It's likely because of the era I grew up in the late 1970's throughout the 1980's. Muscle cars, trucks etc. all had that V8 sound and the surviving cars from the 1960's that were still around (in fair abundance) had great sounding, larger displacement V8's which sound "right" to me. Big block engines sound better than small blocks. Higher revving engines, lower displacement engines, and turbocharged 4 and 6 cylinder engines sound somewhere between "OK" and pissed off lawn equipment to me.

To me, putting an exhaust on a V8 sounds great. On most 4 and 6 cylinder engines, I want it to shut the fuck up and do its job. It's better to be seen and not heard.

I love those videos of all these 22 year old Ford tech's who make $16/ hr (with all due respect to them) saying how much they love the V8, but when pressed, it's because "it can make more power". Okay buddy.

I've spent 100's of thousands of miles behind the wheel of F150s. V6's and V8's. I'm going V6 every single time.

If you want to get technical, I think the V8 does have potential to make more power than the 3.5L EcoBoost generally does. However, that potential is extremely costly to realize, regardless of the methods chosen to get there. Heads, cams and tune will cost thousands. Superchargers cost thousands. Bolt ons, while they may provide some improvement won't really effectively make the 5.0L match the 3.5L EcoBoost in its stock form. Also, swapping cams, heads and things like that on the Coyote sucks. It's a very complex engine and not a lot of fun to work on.

Not to mention, the 3.5L EcoBoost with a tune is a monster in itself and this can be done cheaply. The 3.5L EcoBoost is the way to go if you want the most power out of these trucks off the showroom floor (Raptor-R not withstanding). Bang for buck, the 3.5L is still the leader for making power cheaply and efficiently.

I agree on the 5.0. I've had the older 3.5 eco w/ the 6 speed. The 5.0 with the 10 speed. The Powerboost hybrid, and now my Tremor is a 3.5. I had zero interest getting back in the 5.0. It's not a bad motor, but when you drive it back to back with the EcoBoost, it feels like an absolute dog. Okay, sure you can supercharge it, but who's really spending $7-$10k doing that? If I ever need more power I'll tune my 3.5 eco.

For me its not about "need" for more power. I certainly want more power. I'd like to supercharge my 5.0L, and that's the plan. Whether or not I do it is another matter entirely. I have a lot of other things going on so we'll see. Also, you'd be surprised how many people add superchargers to these trucks and the 5.0L Mustangs. I know at least one forum member here has added a supercharger to their TREMOR.

700 plus horsepower out of a 5.0L V8 sounds a shit tone better and makes far more power than a tuned 3.5L EcoBoost ever would. Of course, you can upgrade turbos and do all the other things to make power on the 3.5L EcoBoost as well, but cost wise your probably not that far off of the cost of just adding a supercharger to the 5.0L.

In my opinion........

As far as I am concerned. The 3.5L engine is the way to go for most people. It will be more fun to drive in stock form. It makes more power and torque than the 5.0L does. It will pull a trailer better, especially at altitude. If you aren't the kind of person to modify your engine, its the best option. If you want even more power with a simple and relatively cheap tune, the 3.5L has the 5.0L beat all the way.

However, if your an old fashioned bastard like me. The 5.0L sound has a nostalgic value all its own. Additionally, if you want to go with a maximum effort build, you'll probably be far better served by the 5.0L in the long run. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay to play in that arena. Modding the 5.0L Coyote engines isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Skeeter]

I came from a 2023 lariat high package with the LED projectors. Yeah they were nice, but I'm honestly not seeing much of a difference in the 2025 tremor LED's in night driving. Okay they dont turn when I turn my steering wheel. Neither have any other car's lights I've ever driven in the 25 years prior to this.

Also, unpopular opinion. The LED projectors on the 2024+ are fuggggly. I did like the way they looked on the 2021-2023, but whatever they did on the 24+ looks very off to me.

I guess I'm on the opposite of you. I wanted a Tremor vs the Lariat, but those LED Reflectors were a hard pass for me. I ended up with a 2025 Lariat 502A and I'd have to say of all the cars and trucks I've ever owned in my lifetime {I'm 64} those Lariat LED Projectors are the best for night time driving I've ever had. Even the Raptor has these same headlights, but with amber instead of white DRL's. I find the Lariat and above headlights much more appealing vs the reflectors. I just don't understand why Ford did this to the Tremor for '24 and up. They should have just kept the premium projectors it had in '23. Sort of a let down for a specialty truck such as the Tremor. But, it is what it is. We all know Ford does stupid things. I'll see what the upcoming next gen Tremor looks like and maybe I'll trade in a few years. I'm not bashing the current Tremor and it's a beautiful and very capable truck.

 

[EgoBoost]

I came from a 2023 lariat high package with the LED projectors. Yeah they were nice, but I'm honestly not seeing much of a difference in the 2025 tremor LED's in night driving. Okay they dont turn when I turn my steering wheel. Neither have any other car's lights I've ever driven in the 25 years prior to this.

Also, unpopular opinion. The LED projectors on the 2024+ are fuggggly. I did like the way they looked on the 2021-2023, but whatever they did on the 24+ looks very off to me.

I think the 2021-2023 was peak F150 design. All changes made for the 2024 refresh were steps in the wrong direction.
-Taillights, just look busy and less cohesive.
-grille and new ford emblem look like cheap cost cutting.
- flat black bumpers look like shit compared to paint matched
- stupid over engineered tailgate looks gross and lost its sleekness.

Just looks like cost saving all around.

 

[PYLDRVR]

I think the 2021-2023 was peak F150 design. All changes made for the 2024 refresh. We steps in the wrong direction.
-Taillights, just look busy and less cohesive.
-grille and new ford emblem look like cheap cost cutting.
- flat black bumpers look like shit compared to paint matched
- stupid over engineered tailgate looks gross and lost its sleekness.

Just looks like cost saving all around.

Completely disagree. The grille on the 2024 looks much better, it's more aggressive and gives the truck a distinctive look. The modular bumper is a nice addition, and the pro access tailgate is super convenient.

 

[zx12-iowa]

I love those videos of all these 22 year old Ford tech's who make $16/ hr (with all due respect to them) saying how much they love the V8, but when pressed, it's because "it can make more power". Okay buddy.

I've spent 100's of thousands of miles behind the wheel of F150s. V6's and V8's. I'm going V6 every single time.

200%. Anyone charismatic with a cell phone can say anything. Yet, they’d never be qualified as an expert witness in anything. Lol

 

[EgoBoost]

Completely disagree. The grille on the 2024 looks much better, it's more aggressive and gives the truck a distinctive look. The modular bumper is a nice addition, and the pro access tailgate is super convenient.

In my subjective opinion. Matte black looks unfinished and cheap. With no clear coat it will get chalky and look like crap. They are essentially primed, unfinished bumpers.

The bumper is “modular” because it has predrilled holes.. so you can add better lights than the condensation filled XLT ones ford gives you.
The goofy tailgates are all gimmick
(goes for all manufacturers)
I have never been in a situation where I’d appreciate it. I’d feel silly using it to be honest and it messes up the design lines.
But if ford can save money and bamboozle consumers into paying more for it. Can’t argue with that.

I like the design of the new grill just not the unpainted finish/ wrap around the headlights look.

 

[EgoBoost]

I love those videos of all these 22 year old Ford tech's who make $16/ hr (with all due respect to them) saying how much they love the V8, but when pressed, it's because "it can make more power". Okay buddy.

I've spent 100's of thousands of miles behind the wheel of F150s. V6's and V8's. I'm going V6 every single time.

That video of them asking ford techs what engine they’d choose is 10 years old. Tables have turned. Third gen ecoboosts have excellent reliability and power.
That video is irrelevant.

 

[BillfLang]

I guess I'm on the opposite of you. I wanted a Tremor vs the Lariat, but those LED Reflectors were a hard pass for me. I ended up with a 2025 Lariat 502A and I'd have to say of all the cars and trucks I've ever owned in my lifetime {I'm 64} those Lariat LED Projectors are the best for night time driving I've ever had. Even the Raptor has these same headlights, but with amber instead of white DRL's. I find the Lariat and above headlights much more appealing vs the reflectors. I just don't understand why Ford did this to the Tremor for '24 and up. They should have just kept the premium projectors it had in '23. Sort of a let down for a specialty truck such as the Tremor. But, it is what it is. We all know Ford does stupid things. I'll see what the upcoming next gen Tremor looks like and maybe I'll trade in a few years. I'm not bashing the current Tremor and it's a beautiful and very capable truck.

Well I’m 75 and I don’t drive at night, or should I say , I don’t like to drive at night! My 24 Tremor I have no problem, driving and seeing at night anymore. !! I’m 75 but my mind thinks I’m 25.

 

[b-real]

I came from a 2023 lariat high package with the LED projectors. Yeah they were nice, but I'm honestly not seeing much of a difference in the 2025 tremor LED's in night driving. Okay they dont turn when I turn my steering wheel. Neither have any other car's lights I've ever driven in the 25 years prior to this.

Also, unpopular opinion. The LED projectors on the 2024+ are fuggggly. I did like the way they looked on the 2021-2023, but whatever they did on the 24+ looks very off to me.

You didn’t enable glare free on the 23 did you. That feature makes the 21-23 LED projectors hands down the best headlights ever put on a Ford.

 

[ThunderClap]

In my subjective opinion. Matte black looks unfinished and cheap. With no clear coat it will get chalky and look like crap. They are essentially primed, unfinished bumpers.

The bumper is “modular” because it has predrilled holes.. so you can add better lights than the condensation filled XLT ones ford gives you.
The goofy tailgates are all gimmick
(goes for all manufacturers)
I have never been in a situation where I’d appreciate it. I’d feel silly using it to be honest and it messes up the design lines.
But if ford can save money and bamboozle consumers into paying more for it. Can’t argue with that.

I like the design of the new grill just not the unpainted finish/ wrap around the headlights look.

I actually like the tailgate a lot more than I expected to. Definitely makes it easy to grab stuff out of the back without having to reach over the lowered tailgate, or can reach in farther without having to climb up.

 

[TCU34]

I actually like the tailgate a lot more than I expected to. Definitely makes it easy to grab stuff out of the back without having to reach over the lowered tailgate, or can reach in farther without having to climb up.

I’ve really come around on the tailgate too.