535 miles / 29.921 gallons of diesel = 17.880 mpg on our 2nd tank fillup.

I'm pleasantly surprised and hoping for more!!

My wife and I sold our '06 Acura MDX last month and bought a '03 F250 7.3L CC SB 2WD. We were averaging 16.50 mpg in the Acura that was rated to get between 17/23mpg cty/hwy. We have a newborn son and it was absolutely neccessary to get the Crew Cab. I'm a ford guy for life but with the gas and fuel prices nowadays I was a little nervous about getting a bigger sized truck and getting way less mileage.

Needless to say, after our 2nd fillup (filled both times to the neck) I was able to get a very close calculation of our mileage and was surprised to see better mileage and almost doubling the amount of miles driven on one tank compared to the Acura MDX (~275mpt)!! WOW!! 535 miles and that's when the fuel light lit. I wanted to press it to 600 miles knowing I had at least 5 gallons left (based on reports here with guys doing the harpoon/hutch mod) but didn't want to push my luck being this is my first fillup. Driving style was 65mph will some daydreaming miles at 70mph and mild off-stop acceleration around town.

I just added a tonneau so I hope that helps even more. Last night I pulled the air filter out of curiosity and it was a plugged K&N!! crap!! I can confirm the K&N leaks dust as the outer rim of the topside of the filter had dirt on it. Ordered the Fleetguard combo of Fuel, Air and Venturi Oil filters last night from PSS. Also added Stanadyne to this 2nd fillup. We'll see how much of a difference a good maintenance tune-up will do!!

I'm stoked to say the least. I fully justified the purchase and tradeoff of the Acura MDX based on mileage alone!! And I have much more storage to boot. This is my wifes new primary vehicle and I get to drive it on family outings and when I need to pull my boat but I don't give a hoot, I have another ford in the stable even if my wife drives it more than me!!

FWIW, it only has 51,000 miles and the factory warranty doesn't expire until Apr of 2008 so I'll be holding back on any mods until then.

Erik

 

And your newborn will be much safer in the backseat of that CC.

 

one thing I noticed,he put almost 30 gallon in what is supose to be a 28 gallon tank
modded already???

 

His signature says longbed, that's more than 28 gallons?

 

that is a '92 in his sig

 

I guess his new 03 7.3 sb, is 28 gallons. I missed that. Not to be funny but I have gotten more than 28 gallons in my 7.3 SB. I think the tank stretches out or something. I've put 30.2 in it. I wonder if its really 28 gallons like the specs say.

 

If you have a short bed, and no auxilary installed tanks, you have a 28 or 29 (IIRC) gallon tank as stated above. Ive personally put 31 gallons into my short bed tank, I was on fumes and scared, and that was filled to the rim. Now that I have my transfer flow tank, I average 42 gallon fill ups. I personally wouldnt try for 600 miles if you actually have a short bed, I think youll find yourself calling for a 5 gallon diesel fuel can delivery along side the road...... Congrats on the 17.8 mpg though, i have a record high of 15.9

 

Speaking of MPG, how accurate is the console that tells you the MPG and how many miles of fuel you have left?

 

Thanks Rebel I was starting to wonder if I was the only one, to over pump. I knew the neck didn't hold that much extra. The miles to empty gauge works pretty well until you alter your stance, then it looses track quickly. I don't depend on mine any more.

 

I once put 7.2 gals gas in my bike with a 5.5 gal tank. I asked the clerk about it but got nowhere. Just have to watch where you fill up.

 

Im sure its regulated accross the US, but here in PA we have a sticker and pumps get I think an annual or semi annual inspection, and it has to be shown at each pump. I also believe theres a phone number you can call about it listed on it. Im pretty sure you can put 31 gallons in a realllllllllllly empty ford short bed if you have enough patience to overcome the foam, and fill to the top of the neck. But your really on fumes by that point.

 

What you need to do is check it by hand, and compare. On a pretty much stock truck some are close, some arent. This is why people call them the "lie-o-meters" If you find it to be consistant with your hand calcs your probably ok in using it from there out. Once you start to mod your truck, it gets outa whack.

 

Sorry guys, I forgot to update my signature. It's a 2003 F250 Short Bed Crew Cab.

Yes, both times I filled it right to the filler neck. No harpoon or hutch mods yet. I just sat there slow filling the last 5 gallons. I had a long line of pickups behind me that weren't too happy about that, but whatever. This was important to me! And yes it was calculated by hand. I know too much about the lie-o-meter to rely on it, plus my truck doesn't have one!

I will get 600 mpt (miles per tank) one of these days!!

 

i got 99' f350 long box think its the 38 or 39 gallon if i fill the neck i can cen get a touch over 41 gallons that makes me cry on an airmans salary lol but it lasts me dang near a month if i just stick to driving around base and town around here

 

Thanks, I'll have to keep track of it.