Newbie to the site.
I just bought an 08 F-350 Lariat w/ 51k, 6.4, 4wd, auto CC. Boy does this sucker love the dead dinosaurs
11-13 mpg combo and I drive around 850 miles per week.
Give it too me straight, do I have to live with my choice or can I make "adjustments" and improve the mileage substantially?
I've read some post's about "tuners" and "delete pipes". If it helps, great.
But I want to do it right and not loud.
I appreciate y'all's input.

 

Well from what I've heard that 4WD trucks 11-13 is pretty common. A tuner will get you a little better, say 10-15%. My 2WD judiciously gets 17MPG city/highway.
A tuner will help with the other issues you might encounter with the emissions on this beast, but it makes this thing run! You don't even need to run more than a stock tune to feel the large power difference.
You should read up on maintenance on your truck, lot's of little items this truck needs you to keep an eye on.
Oh!! Welcome to the 6.4!!!

 

Yep, what bubba said. welcome aboard. Hang here and read up on these trucks, you will be glad you did. The 08 model year was the first year of a drastic emissions change for all diesel trucks. It will be very much in your best interest to read and learn about it.

 

Slow down and stay off the boost. Keep your rpms 2K or less.

With mine I can get 13 running around the house and I have gotten 17 on the hwy unloaded.

 

I am new to the world of Ford and I appreciate the site, I am using it to learn, learn, and learn. I hear the newer 6.4s get better fuel mileage, can anyone affirm that for me?

 

2011 and up is a ford in-house motor. Not a Navistar sourced one.

Ford's in house motor is a 6.7. I also uses SCR technology whereas the 6.4 does not.

Scr allows for less EGR and different temps to allow for passive regens. End result is overall better fuel economy.

 

Better than what, a 7.3, no not stock.

 

I really appreciate all the input. I called the Dealership Service Dept. where I bought the truck and asked about the effect of mods. to the warranty and (surprise, surprise) they emphatically discouraged me from doing anything motor wise. The reason being the warranty co. will look for any excuse to deny a claim and blame the mods for the problem. From prior experience I tend to agree. I'll check my warranty for specific disclaimers and go from there.
And yes it does appear that less foot equals better mpg. Just like a gasser. I'll be sure to check out maintenance issues and fixes for them.

 

Read up on making oil and keep the degaus bottle in the cold fill aeea when cold. Make those two item's a weekly check and drain the lower fuel filter once a month and thats half the battle.

 

bubbasz1
What exactly is a degaus bottle in the cold fill aeea when cold?

 

Listen to this wise man

Especially 2,000 rpm or less getting up to speed.

This will help More than any tuner or de-smogging

I don't see Any 6.4 getting better than these stated mpg, by hand calculating NOT the Lie-O-Meter.

6.0 6.7 & 7.3 all gets better mpg than the 6.4

But I still Love mine

 

Only downhill

Actually one time I got 18.5 but since I don't travel empty very often..that is about it.

 

Thanks Brown Dog. I guess it is what it is. I'm anxious to try it this summer with my 5th wheel. That ought to get great mileage...ha!

Sooo do the mods or don't do the mods?
DPF delete pipe and programmer, etc.

 

I get 7-9 towing my high profile 5er.

Stanley gets better towing his.

 

The Degas bottle is the antifreeze coolant bottle. Just what it's called, there is also a fuel cooler just to the right of the turbo's standing in front of the engine. That has a little sight glass on it, it takes the same as the engine coolant but is a completely separate system. Use only Ford Gold antifreeze!!
When I got mine last year it was overwhelming, read, read, read, it's a hell of a truck once you get used to it's ticks.