First of all, let me say I LOVE my truck. 1994 F-350 crew cab, single wheel turbo. That being said, diesel prices are making me think about another vehicle. I have read many threads about mileage and mine does not come close. My combo hwy/city stays around 13.3. I put a k&n filter, no gain. I cut a hole in the intake, ran stove pipe down to the front to get fresh air, no gain.
My next logical step, I guess, would be to increase the size of the downspout exhaust. More air in means more air out, right? Can I expect an increase with this modification? 1 or 2 mpg?
I used to get much better mileage. It seems it went down around the time the new low sulpher fuel came out. Did you notice a similar change? Do any of you notice a difference in what brand diesel you use? I am using Murphy Oil (Walmart). Maybe I need to change this also. Any suggestions are appreciated!
It could be the ultra low Fuel, but if you look around some places still sell the old stuff, at least in Alabama and Arkansas they do, I've seen some truck stops that advertise both, some pumps have old and some have new diesel. Try a new down pipe, those old engines had lots more problems with getting air out than in. You will know why when you get the old down pipe out, Ford has it squashed flat, they were trying to make it have less power so people would buy the Powerstroke.
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1997 F250 Crew Cab 4x4
1988 F350 7.3 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually C6 w/ GearVendors Overdrive currently in a deep sleep until motor overhaul is finished. 1984 F250 2 wheel drive 6.9 Extended cab 4 spd manual. (3) 1976 F250 Reg Cab 4x4 All 390, two C6 and one 4 spd.
Pickups just dont make good cars as the fuel mileage just isnt there.They were basically made for hauling or towing.My 91 F-350 stays hooked to a 25 ft gooseneck and often sits for months at a time..I use a 2000 Buick Regal that gets 25-29 MPG for everything else.Even its getting expensive to drive.The wife wants to replace her Toyota Highlander with a Toyota Prius.
I look for $6-7 diesel before the end of the year.Thats going to take lots of diesel pickups off the road including mine.
Ther is no way to get around it there is no realistic way to get better aerodynamics out of a pickup than a sedan The only way to get better fuel mileage if you have no fuel leaks or black smoke is to raise you right foot. It isn't as much fun but it does wonders for the gas mileage.
ULSD does not deliver the MPG or power that the stuff our engines were designed for did.
I have spreadsheets that have all my fuel use since 1995 with MPG numbers and all figured.
1995 with the old high sulphur fuel, 17,18,19 MPG.
Today...average this year 9.59 MPG
Max this year so far 12.7 MPG
Do be aware I plow snow in the winter and do work the crap ot of my truck and live in the mountains, so my MPG is always rather low.
Yeah, all that sulphur gave it more bang for the buck, no doubt...
Wonder if anyone has compared the reducuction of emmissions due to the removal of sulphur to the increased emmissions of burning more of it to go the same distance. Wonder how it pans out? We know how it pans out for the oil companies - they get to sell us more of it, and at a higher price per gallon too.
I vote for -- keep the truck but drive a car when appropriate.
My mileage seems to have gone down quite a bit too. I don't have a spreadsheet, though.
I think the really dirty emissions have gone down, but the carbon dioxide has gone up. It would be interesting to see a real study. Also, it would be interesting to see how much the sulphur removal process itself adds in overall emissions...
Well since mines already almost paid for, Im going to keep it but just fill it up and park it and drive my suzuki.
I am only going to use it just when I need it. I would keep it if its paid for. On the other hand if diesel never falles, will never be able to sell them for any mony.
Sorry but Im getting pritty depressed myself. I hope they never start banning older vehicles like germany has saying that the emissions are not compliant. Diesel has been cheap for so long and right, i mean right when I by the exact diesel truck that I WANT, the fuel goes up from 2.25 to over 4.50 in a year!!! Just like 3 years prier to that it was around 1.50. THATS A $3.00 INCREASE IN 4 YEARS!!!!!!!!!! OR 300% OR TRIPPLED
Well since mines already almost paid for, Im going to keep it but just fill it up and park it and drive my suzuki. I am only going to use it just when I need it. I would keep it if its paid for. On the other hand if diesel never falles, will never be able to sell them for any mony.
Sorry but Im getting pritty depressed myself. I hope they never start banning older vehicles like germany has saying that the emissions are not compliant. Diesel has been cheap for so long and right, i mean right when I by the exact diesel truck that I WANT, the fuel goes up from 2.25 to over 4.50 in a year!!! Just like 3 years prier to that it was around 1.50. THATS A $3.00 INCREASE IN 4 YEARS!!!!!!!!!! OR 300% OR TRIPPLED
remember that in the next election.
__________________ '79 f-250 7.3 idi,4x4,4.56 gears,4-speed,some rust,lots of fun
I have made extencive mods to my truck to get better MPG right before the ULSD came out (timing was not intentional). After everything, I gained maybe 1 or 2 MPG average. Makes me wonder what might have been possible before the LSD and ULSD came out.
Back in the 70s when leaded gas was phased out there was a similar hit that engine perfromance took. It looks like the time has come for diesels to take the same abuse by the EPA. If the 70s fuel crisis and emissions changes are any indication, it will probably be 5 years before we start to see a rise in MPGs again. Why the heck did they have to do this now when fuel prices are shooting up???
Having said all that, things are changing faster than they did before, and I have heard of some fuel suppliers that are adding their own additives to help compnesate for the loss in efficiency.
Please bear in mind that the IDIs from 1983-1994 are NON EMISSION controlles engines. By 2010, all diesels will require urea injection to meet emission standards. If you sell your IDIs now, you may never get them back. Your only diesel option will end up being one with an integrated tailpipe pisser, DPF and who knows what else. I'll park my diesel before I sell it.
midapo, what is your:
Axle ratio?
2wd or 4wd?
tire size?
lift kit? (if any)
Cruise speed?
Distance for commute?
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1986 F250HD Ex cab Fresh built up 6.9L diesel Lariat AC leather seats power everything w/full cluster, sterling rear 3.08LS gears, E4OD trans, ram intake ATS 088 turbo
1986 F150 Ex cab Lariat rollercam 5.0L on LPG AOD trans 3.55 gears 390 000Ks
1997 F250 Crew Cab 4x4 
until motor overhaul is finished. 1984 F250 2 wheel drive 6.9 Extended cab 4 spd manual. (3) 1976 F250 Reg Cab 4x4 All 390, two C6 and one 4 spd. 
I hope they never start banning older vehicles like germany has saying that the emissions are not compliant. Diesel has been cheap for so long and right, i mean right when I by the exact diesel truck that I WANT, the fuel goes up from 2.25 to over 4.50 in a year!!! Just like 3 years prier to that it was around 1.50. THATS A $3.00 INCREASE IN 4 YEARS!!!!!!!!!! OR 300% OR TRIPPLED
Lariat AC leather seats power everything w/full cluster, sterling rear 3.08LS gears, E4OD trans, ram intake ATS 088 turbo
