Which Option would be more effective?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Ok I bought caliper pins and pads for the rear brakes and took them apart. The lower pin on the drivers side is fused to the caliper bracket. While working to release it, I discovered that the parts store gave me incorrect pins, pads and boots. Grrr. Being that I live on an island, this effectively stopped me dead in my tracks. Tomorrow, my wife will exchange the parts and I'll hopefully get the rear brakes un-stuck.
I'm hopeful that this is going to positively effect the gas mileage. Also sourced an aftermarket front chin spoiler (or lower front valance). If I get squeeze the cash out for that one, I'll do it before our trip next weekend.
I'm hopeful that this is going to positively effect the gas mileage. Also sourced an aftermarket front chin spoiler (or lower front valance). If I get squeeze the cash out for that one, I'll do it before our trip next weekend.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Just my 2 cents worth 5.4 f250 10mpg or less 6.8 3.73 10mpg 4.10 13 / 14 4.30 dont know but will smoke tires and pull any thing don't know why 6.8 with the 4.10 32" tires get the best but thats just my experience.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Ok, proper parts came in and I started the back brakes yesterday. On both sides, the bottom caliper pin was seized in the bracket. Had to drill the passenger side one out.
Got dark before I could tackle the drivers side stuck pin.
Also checked the tire pressure. Three of the four were at 40 pounds warm. The fourth was 50 warm. I filled all of them to 65 warm. I'm hoping the additional pressure will help in the mileage quest. May bump it up to 80 later.
Got dark before I could tackle the drivers side stuck pin.
Also checked the tire pressure. Three of the four were at 40 pounds warm. The fourth was 50 warm. I filled all of them to 65 warm. I'm hoping the additional pressure will help in the mileage quest. May bump it up to 80 later.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Darien
I did the front calipers on mine Friday. I wouldn't doubt this is going to have a positive impact on fuel usage. Them breaks were dragging considerably. Next will be the rears, but I have to wait till I get paid next.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,562
Likes: 424
From: Long Island USA
3.73's will help highway mileage MAYBE. They will HURT around town.
Other than that, I think everyone's got you covered
Other than that, I think everyone's got you covered
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Ok finished up the brakes today. Greased the pins on the front brakes and installed new pads, pins and boots on the drivers side rear. Had to drill out the lower pin on this one as well.
Next is to change the oil. Picked up 10 liters of 5w20 full synthetic and a new filter. Would like to do the plugs before we leave on Friday, but I'm nervous about having a problem and finishing in time.
Also, found a guy selling the front valance air deflector off of his wrecked truck so hoping to pick that up before we go as well.
Next is to change the oil. Picked up 10 liters of 5w20 full synthetic and a new filter. Would like to do the plugs before we leave on Friday, but I'm nervous about having a problem and finishing in time.
Also, found a guy selling the front valance air deflector off of his wrecked truck so hoping to pick that up before we go as well.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Darien
All the plugs are super easy except for the back cylinders. With a little fiance they aren't too bad either. I forget how long it took me, but it wasn't long. I had a harder time putting the cop and boot on them back plugs.
Hard to say what mileage might be. In and out of 4x4, plowing, and wicked weather now. I however feel them brakes where my down fall in fuel mileage. At Least I can't physically see the gauge drop in a blink of an eye.
Hard to say what mileage might be. In and out of 4x4, plowing, and wicked weather now. I however feel them brakes where my down fall in fuel mileage. At Least I can't physically see the gauge drop in a blink of an eye.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Ordinarily, changing plugs is a quick easy job, but I'm worried about the famous stripped plug hole problem. If that happens, I won't have time to hit the mainland, get a repair kit and fix it before its time to go. Also, I have a full set of replacement boots but no extra COPs so if one needs to be replaced I'm again in the same boat.
And, I used up the last of my Fluid Film on those damn caliper pins.
And, I used up the last of my Fluid Film on those damn caliper pins.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
The cops are not usually the problem, just coming off and back on for the change. Normally the plug threads are not either, unless someone has already fixed some from previous and you have issues with that one. Some have reported fixed ones giving them issues on their plug exchanges. Hard call on that one, but I would probably leave them till after your trip, when you have more time and peace of mind.
After all the other parts and cleaning, you should unhook the battery for a bit so the computer can relearn the fuel stategies with all the cleaned stuff. The sticking calipers would probably be your fuel consumers as much as the under inflated tires. I check and relube the caliper pins on my tire change overs from winter to summer and vise versa. I found it an easy time to do it with the tires all off any ways and know that the brakes are all working right. And honestly it only takes a little bit longer than just a tire exchange.
The tuner will gain you some, only if you can keep off the go pedal. I found you tend to step into it more in town, but on the highway you do gain a little. More your gaining better and cleaner shifts.
After all the other parts and cleaning, you should unhook the battery for a bit so the computer can relearn the fuel stategies with all the cleaned stuff. The sticking calipers would probably be your fuel consumers as much as the under inflated tires. I check and relube the caliper pins on my tire change overs from winter to summer and vise versa. I found it an easy time to do it with the tires all off any ways and know that the brakes are all working right. And honestly it only takes a little bit longer than just a tire exchange.
The tuner will gain you some, only if you can keep off the go pedal. I found you tend to step into it more in town, but on the highway you do gain a little. More your gaining better and cleaner shifts.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Ok, just returned today from our trip. First off, truck ran great, other than a problem with the ujoint and hub on the drivers front axle. The 6.8 is incredible. Effortlessly handled every grade.
Mileage on the tank before the trip, mostly local shorter trips was 9 mpg. Total trip was 760 km (456 miles) round trip. Mileage was only calculated for one part of the trip (347km or 208 miles). This stretch was all mountains over the Coquihalla Highway which has an elevation at the summit of 4000 feet. Filled up in Chilliwack on the way out, set the cruise for 108km/h (approx. 65mph) and then filled up in Merritt on the way back. Mileage for this part of the trip was 13.44 mpg. Given the below freezing temperatures, big change in elevation, and terrible, blizzard conditions on the way back, I am very pleased with the improvement in mileage.
Before this summer, I want to change the plugs, install a front airdam and get a 5 star tune. Combined with the warmer temperatures, I'm hopeful that 15 mpg is possible. What do you think?
Mileage on the tank before the trip, mostly local shorter trips was 9 mpg. Total trip was 760 km (456 miles) round trip. Mileage was only calculated for one part of the trip (347km or 208 miles). This stretch was all mountains over the Coquihalla Highway which has an elevation at the summit of 4000 feet. Filled up in Chilliwack on the way out, set the cruise for 108km/h (approx. 65mph) and then filled up in Merritt on the way back. Mileage for this part of the trip was 13.44 mpg. Given the below freezing temperatures, big change in elevation, and terrible, blizzard conditions on the way back, I am very pleased with the improvement in mileage.
Before this summer, I want to change the plugs, install a front airdam and get a 5 star tune. Combined with the warmer temperatures, I'm hopeful that 15 mpg is possible. What do you think?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
Good to hear that all was good on the trip.
I have seen 15, even 16 on some short instances with the proper conditions. Tail wind, flat and in no hurry to get there.
The front u joints I would say are more of a cause of not using 4x4 thru the long summers, even for a bit to lube the front end, and stuff gets rusted.
I have seen 15, even 16 on some short instances with the proper conditions. Tail wind, flat and in no hurry to get there.
The front u joints I would say are more of a cause of not using 4x4 thru the long summers, even for a bit to lube the front end, and stuff gets rusted.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Options for better mpgs and trip results
Thought I would update this thread for comparison. Since last years trip, I have replaced all of the spark plugs, replaced both o2 sensors, and replaced the stuck-open 185 thermostat with a 195. Also, since last year the bald stock-size AT tires were replaced with brand new stock-size winter tires.
We just completed the exact same trip, did the same route and drove approximately the same speed using cruise control. The final mileage tally's were 10.94 mpg there and 13.74 back. Filled up in Abbotsford, drove up from sea level through 4000' and then filled up in Merritt for the drive home. On the way back I filled up again in Abbotsford. Strangely, I got better mileage on the trip there last year: 13.44 on the way up versus 10.94 this year. I can't compare the return mileage from last year as I didn't check the return mpg last year, but the 13.74 basically matches the going mpg.
Makes me wonder if the warmer thermostat HURT my mpgs. Unfortunately, I couldn't monitor my scanguage 2 as the wife plugged in her laptop into the cig lighter and blew the fuse just as we hit the highway, so no power to the guage
We just completed the exact same trip, did the same route and drove approximately the same speed using cruise control. The final mileage tally's were 10.94 mpg there and 13.74 back. Filled up in Abbotsford, drove up from sea level through 4000' and then filled up in Merritt for the drive home. On the way back I filled up again in Abbotsford. Strangely, I got better mileage on the trip there last year: 13.44 on the way up versus 10.94 this year. I can't compare the return mileage from last year as I didn't check the return mpg last year, but the 13.74 basically matches the going mpg.
Makes me wonder if the warmer thermostat HURT my mpgs. Unfortunately, I couldn't monitor my scanguage 2 as the wife plugged in her laptop into the cig lighter and blew the fuse just as we hit the highway, so no power to the guage
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