Tundra vs ecoboost f150

Question for you guys. Currently looking at 2 trucks, 2014 tss tundra and a 2011 ecoboost fx4

both have high mileage, f150 has 200k and the tundra has 230k

The tundra is owned by a friend and has been well taken care of and serviced, records to prove it. I’ve been a ford guy for a while and own 2 ecoboosts currently.

am I dumb for trying to purchase a tundra with 230k? I know if well taken care of they last a while, same with the ecoboost. I just see the ecoboost failing long before the tundra though

 

You know what you will get in the ecoboost. You wonder about the tundra. I would try the tundra. It sounds like have a great opportunity on a very well maintained example.

 

Trying to B U Y a Tundra with high mileage wouldn't concern me, especially since it's been well maintained. Our 04 Pilot we B O U G H T new has 368,000 miles on it. Original engine, trans, radiator and exhaust system! The used 09 Pilot we have(that was supposed to replace the 04) will NEVER be the vehicle the 04 is. It's been our experience that maintaining them is the key....every time.

 

FWIW I sold my 2012 F150 3.5 ecoboost and got my 2018 Tundra because the ecoboost was starting to develop leaks from the cooling system and from the timing cover. It only had 79k miles on it. I’m not convinced that smaller capacity turbo charged engines are a good idea in a truck that does any sort of work. That and I no longer trust Ford to build a vehicle that will last past it’s warranty period.

 

Is there any known weak points or areas of concern on the tundra that I should look for? I’m going to look at it today

 

I have a 2010, Son has a 2014, Brother has a 2007, I haven't heard any issues from any of 'em...me included!

 

I think you are in a unique position since you know the owner of the Tundra. Ask your friend what his top 3 issues are with the Tundra, or whatever top number of problems you choose. If all 3 are more manageable/less severe than what you've experienced with the Ford of comparable mileage, then you got your answer. If not, then I would stick with what you know or rethink your strategy/purchase. In my opinion, it's never a light decision in buying a vehicle since they can either reinforce your decision or make you regret it. I've never seen anyone in the middle.

 

There have been issues over the years with rust, front differential needle bearing failures, and engine oil consumption. I've heard rear wheel bearings are a pain in the ass to replace. Other than that, they hold up well if the lower payload suits your needs. The 1st gen ecoboost has a litany of additional issues that would never be found on a Tundra. The 2014 should have the factory transmission cooler installed, and my guess is if there were any front diff issues, they've been fixed by now. Only concerns I'd have on that truck is rust and oil consumption.

 

For me, I'd lean towards the one I know has been well taken care of vs an unknown truck, especially at that mileage. You likely have a good idea how your friend drives and how he/she treats things in general. That is great info to have on this decision.

 

Very true, that’s what got me leaning toward the tundra in the first place

only thing I think the tundra is lacking is a level kit which I don’t know much about those for the tundra. I’m assuming pretty simple like the f150

 

Very simple to level. I did Bilstein 5100’s on mid setting.

 

Tundra 100%

The Tundra has only 30k more miles and it is also 3 years newer. Those two cancel eachother out IMO. Vehicles getting old causes just as many issues as mileage. I bought my 2015 with 155k on it and haven't had any issues so far. Tundras are known to be reliable even with high mileage. I don't have any experience with ecoboosts, but I haven't heard good things.

You know the guy with the Tundra and it has service records. That is worth a LOT when buying something used. If the prices are equal the Tundra is a better value. Toyotas hold value better and sell for more on the used market. Hence why you see 25 year old Tacomas for 15k

You can get Bilstein 5100s for a 129.79 each on Rockauto (so 260) or you can get some

$45 Dynofit 2" Leveling Lift Kit for Tundra & Sequoia, 2" Front Raise Suspension Strut Spacers for 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Tundra

spacers on Amazon for 42.99 to level.

 

Went and checked it out today, clean as a whistle. Runs really good and trans shifts nice and clean. Truck really is in great shape and has been well taken care of. Plan to make an offer on it.

only thing I didn’t like was the stance, thinking of leveling with 3 inch in the front and 2 in the rear

 

I had a 2013 ecoboost prior to my 2018 Tundra. With the ecoboost; replaced throttle body, warped exhaust manifolds, transmission module, plug changes every 20 - 30k miles or you get a miss. I put 150k miles on it prior to getting rid of it.

I had a Lariat and feel the seats are more comfortable than my Tundra Platinum seats. The Ford has better creature comforts; better seats with real cooling, plugs, cup holders, ect. It was also fast. Very fast. When towing, you have to run premium gas or you will get a miss or overheat the exhaust manifolds. It was a good truck but the ticky tack repairs and plug changes wore on me. It was also cheaper than the comparable Tundra.

The Tundra I bought used with 18k miles a year ago. Zero issues and now have 41k miles on it. It's been exactly what I expected. I never worry about it starting or leaving me stranded.

On both the Ford and the Toyota I ran Icon coilovers with 295's on 18in wheels. That was/is a great setup on both trucks.

With that type of mileage, I would choose the Toyota over the Ford. Unless the service records show otherwise.

 

Just hesitant buying a truck with 230k. But it has been well maintained and it’s very clean. I guess that’s worth it vs buying one that I don’t know a thing about

 

IMO, maintenance records are key. Certain items will need to have been replaced and proof of regular fluid changes will ease worry. You could also do a PPI. If you do, get a compression check and leakdown test. Then you'll at least know on the motor.

 

200k+ on a 2nd gen tundra ain't shit. I put a supercharger on around that mileage replace all the fluids, filters, plugs, and it'll run forever.

 

I've heard this is fairly common on 1st gen EBs...Ford decided it was a good idea to mount the turbos on the exhaust manifolds. It can also lead to broken manifold bolts. With the hood up and engine running, you'll hear what sounds like a lifter ticking on one or both sides of the engine. Except it's not lifter tick–it's an exhaust leak from a broken manifold bolt. GENIUS design!

 

I wouldn't touch an ecoboost with a 10' pole. If your friend has changed ALL the fluids regularly it's a no brainer-Tundra.

 

I keep trying to talk myself out of the tundra. The carfax shows the service records and the truck has been very well taken care of, the mileage just worries me, but I’ve looked at several others with 170-190k, just never anything over 200k.

 

Then you should wait for the right tundra. Markets tanked and prices of used cars is coming back to normal. If you can wait you’ll probably find something less miles and better condition.

 

The challenging part for OP is to be able to find a lower mileage Tundra with detailed service records.

It'll be out there @Michealmyers99 Unless you're in a hurry or need a truck asap, it may not be bad to hold off and keep looking until you find something you're more comfortable with.

 

Yeah gonna be tough to find one as nice as this. It's very well taken care of as I said, but the value of it really takes a hit with the mileage.

 

Trust your gut but you shouldn't have any issues with your friend's Tundra. That kind of mileage isn't too bad.

 

suspension wear will probably be your main issue with those miles. If you are going to be doing trucky things with it, you will most likely have to do the rear leafs at some point since they are weak to begin with. Ive heard rear axle bearings are annoying on these trucks, MAYBE secondary air injection, but thats about it.

 

Ford = oil leaks, coolant leaks, constant spark plugs, replace turbos, exhaust manifolds, timing chains. No thanks.

 

Toyota 5.7 is pretty bullet proof. Ford ecoboost engines are open deck designs and seem to suffer coolant intrusion issues particularly their 4 bangers. The 3.5 has been plagued with coolant leaks at the turbos on the trucks. I’m not a Ford fan but they are loved by lots and the F150 is the most popular vehicle in the US.

 

As a 2014 F150 Ecoboost owner myself, I would be leary of buying a high mileage 2011 like that unless you knew the service history and use case very well. 2011 was the first year it was in the F150 and it had some growing pains and the Ecoboosts are just more sensitive to maintenance due to being direct injected and turbo'd.

Frequent oil changes and hard use are honestly the best thing for an Ecoboost. You dont want a high mileage one that was used for light commuting and grocery getting. In my experience, the highest mileage ecoboosts with the least issues were used for towing and get used.

 

With the exception of turbos(which are cheap and easy to replace) and timing chains, you just described a Toyota. I've never owned a car or been part of a forum/group with as many cooling system issues as Toyota's and I have owned Fords, GM's, Hondas, Subarus, and Jeeps. I literally see people replace radiators as preventative maintenance on the GX groups because they know its coming.

The 4.7L is notorious for killing manifolds.

 

from a guy who has a 2004 F250 powerstroke at only 109K miles sitting on lawn beside garage with coolant dripping out the exhaust and down the block, with a new-to-me 2021 Tundra in the garage where the F250 used to be ... I say go with the Tundra that you know history and have confidence. We are literally downgrading our needs, selling a 4 horse gooseneck to buy a small light bumper pull ... so we can make what we think is the far better and more reliable truck do what we need.

With all that said, I did spend more to get newer, low mileage, still under factory warranty and with certified pre owned warranty ... save money versus new but have enough warranty to work out any issues before warranty runs out.