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It varies. I would not buy one of the 7.3 IDIs, unless you are talking about getting one of the first gen Powerstrokes, forget about it. The IDIs suck unless they have been turboed. Turbo setups are expensive, most IDIs did not come with a turbo, and most trucks for sale with an aftermarket turbo have been beat on pretty hard and are all but worn out.
What year is your truck? What condition is the motor in? What tranny do you have? What gears do you have? My dad has a '97 Super cab, long box, F250HD 4x4 with the 460, E4OD, and 4.10s. It gets about 9-10 mpg city and about 14 highway. If you are getting less than this, I would run the codes, unless you have big-*** tires, no overdrive, super low gears, or a poorly tuned motor.
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1994 F250 XLT 4x4: Regular Cab, Long Box, 351W, C6, 4.10 gears, D50 Front, Sterling 10.25" Trac Lok Rear
1991 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4: 4.0, 5 Speed, 3.55 Gears
I agree. My 460 (1997 F250 crew cab, auto, 4x4) was getting around 15 going to and from the better halfs parents 250 mi round trip all freeway.
Ive had 2 7.3's a 89 F350 dually that got around 15-16 freeway (i have been told some got more mpg)
and i have a 1996 F350 2x4 crew cab that gets almost 21 mpg going to texas. I got better mileage in my 1996 than my brother 04 6.0 when we went down south. He however gets better mileage than i do pulllin a load
Yeah, not having overdrive I don't see that you will get much better than 10-12, depending on what gear ratio you are running.
I have a '94 F250 4x4 with a 351, C6, 4.10s, and 32s. It gets around 13 to 15 mpg on the highway. Usually right about 14. With a 460 you are going to do a little worse, probably 10-12 mpg. My biggest recomendation would be to slow down, esspecially if you have 4.10s. Try driving 55 mph instead of 65 or 70. My truck gets 14 at 55 but it goes down to about 11 or 12 at 60 and around 10 between 65 and 70.
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1994 F250 XLT 4x4: Regular Cab, Long Box, 351W, C6, 4.10 gears, D50 Front, Sterling 10.25" Trac Lok Rear
1991 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4: 4.0, 5 Speed, 3.55 Gears
I have a 96 CC 4x4 3.55 short box 7.3 powerstroke, also the powerstroke means it is turboed, and I see 15-17 mpg on short drives, 20-30 minute at varied speeds from 55 to some stop and go. I have seen 20+ a few times but those were hour plus drive on mainly 50-55 mph roads.
If you could find a used gear vendors od unit that would help a lot. The big benefit to deisels is you can add a lot of power pretty easy and sometimes increase fuel mileage at the same time. And they will run on almost anything
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Jim- Slackmaster #22, I'll get to it someday BS'er #6. 1996 F250 CC Shorty 4X4 E4OD 7.3L Diesel
Mods: 6637 air filter,203 F t-stat from Diesel Site-finally heat! HPX line, Tymar 3-4 dp to 4" exhaust, E4OD "The Cure" 30K mod for now, 140IDM mod, ISSPRO ev1 egt, trans temp, boost, adrenaline HPOP med-oil, superduty rear springs, 91 D60, 01 excursion 7.3 4x4
the 93 7.3 idi NON TURBO i have gets 18 in the city and probably 20 in the highway. i dont lay into it and i pull a 36 foot camper with it and yes a powerstroke will be nice but hey for a grand, what do you get.
I have a 96 CC 4x4 3.55 short box 7.3 powerstroke, also the powerstroke means it is turboed, and I see 15-17 mpg on short drives, 20-30 minute at varied speeds from 55 to some stop and go. I have seen 20+ a few times but those were hour plus drive on mainly 50-55 mph roads.
If you could find a used gear vendors od unit that would help a lot. The big benefit to deisels is you can add a lot of power pretty easy and sometimes increase fuel mileage at the same time. And they will run on almost anything
The Powerstroke is a whole different animal than the 7.3 IDI, they have direct injection, electronic controls, and the all important turbo.
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1994 F250 XLT 4x4: Regular Cab, Long Box, 351W, C6, 4.10 gears, D50 Front, Sterling 10.25" Trac Lok Rear
1991 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4: 4.0, 5 Speed, 3.55 Gears
I get 19 in the summer with my chip, 18 without it. automatic and 3.55 gears. only 15-16 in the winter though.
__________________ -Phil
-1996 F-250 7.3L Powerstroke, HD Auto Tranny, 4x4 Auto-Locking, 3.55 gears, TC lock-up, Amsoil EaAU4095 Air Filter, EBPV gutted, 3" DP, Straight Pipe, FPR Shimmed, 203° T-stat, 1.0 A/R Turbine Housing, 280,000 Miles
-2007 Ford Fusion SE 92,000 Miles
Looking for a Rust Free 7.3 PSD 4x4 <150k mi, if you know of any please PM me.
Nothing is wrong with the 7.3 IDI, they may not be the fastest buy you'll always make it there.
My 88 only gets 12, but thats because I have a C6 and 4.10's, now I'm seen some IDI's get in the low 20's
The 95 PSD truck I drive at the ranch I work at with an E40D and 3.55's gets roughly 15-17
My only beef with the 7.3 IDI is the lack of power, you are absolutely right about the dependability. I would rather have an IDI than a 6.BLOW or a 6.4 Flame Thrower!
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1994 F250 XLT 4x4: Regular Cab, Long Box, 351W, C6, 4.10 gears, D50 Front, Sterling 10.25" Trac Lok Rear
1991 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4: 4.0, 5 Speed, 3.55 Gears
my 86 6.9 N/A 3:55s 315s(35") and 4spd gets 16-17
my 97 F350 reg cab powerstroke 4:10s 315s(35") 5spd got a high of 19 hwy but a consistant 15 around town
my 96 F350 Crew cab 460 5spd 3:55s and 33" tires got all time high of 13.5 on hwy trip from NJ to VA doing 60-65mph, Now w lift, tires, supercharger it gets 6mpg
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-Phil 
