DieselJeepLuvr wrote:
I was looking into the Ford Explorer with the 3.5L Ecoboost to replace my Libby that tows my boat but I found on the freeway where my Libby would never come out of 5th gear with the torque converter locked, the Ecoboost would always unlock the TC and occasionally drop down a gear meaning poorer fuel economy and shorter engine life. I have friends that own them and absolutely love them commuting though. If you compare the torque and power numbers at highway RPM's (2000-2200) They are both similar but the little VM just out pulls it in an apples to apples to comparison.
Seeing as your Jeep is tuned, you should also consider a tune for the Explorer for a true apples to apples comparison. I have a tuned 6200 lb F150 Ecoboost on 33" Duratracs and it out torques my GDE Hot Tuned Jeep on 31's at any RPM you want. Now put that same tune in a 5000 lb SUV on smaller/lighter street tires and it will annihilate the jeep. Towing wont even be close. I cruise at 70mph in 6th here in utah towing a 5500 lb travel trailed like its not there. It can hold 6th on 2-3% grades. 7% grades it never exceeds 3250 rpms still doing 70.
It also is likely the transmission tuning. While my truck will hold 6th gear locked all day long, the couple of Expeditions I have rented with the 3.5L Ecoboost have VERY different transmission tuning. Its clear they tuned them for comfort. I had one this weekend up at Whistler and I noticed it unlocked the converter all the time. it was obnoxious. Tuning will fix this as well. Its not like the Jeep where it's a separate TCM with limited tuning available. Its all done through the PCM so every tuner is likely adjusting the transmission as well as the engine. Most of them will make custom tunes for you so that you get it exactly how you want it, not just a one size fits all. I've gone back to my tuner multiple times with small tweaks I wanted done as I noticed things I didnt like.
Also, the ecoboost's do not always act like you expect. Downshifting to 5th does not mean its getting worse MPG's. I know a lot of guys with F150 Ecoboosts swear that towing in 5th yields better MPG's even though they have plenty of power to tow in 6th. When it downshifts it means it doesnt need to make as much boost for the same power.