Mileage
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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Mileage
What are some of the best things to do to make your diesel dollars go further?
I get around 15-16 MPG, completely stock truck with 288,000 miles. No engine work ever done, other than basic repairs.
I get around 15-16 MPG, completely stock truck with 288,000 miles. No engine work ever done, other than basic repairs.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
I've been struggling with poor mileage too. I'm hoping that cleaning the little screen in the fuel bowl will help, it sure sounds and runs different. I haven't had a chance to drive it very far yet. I'll let you know after this weekend. I just put a dominator 66 turbo(my fins were torn and jagged on the original) and 3"dp on before driving from phoenix to chicago and back thinking that it would be better, but it was only barely better. best was 12mpg, worst was 8.5mpg. with a cabover and trailer(5x14) with 6 dirtbikes. it's a stock motor other than those 2 mods and a k&n and superchip. it got 18mpg empty when I got it in '98.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 475
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From: Pugetopolis
Upgrade intake/exhaust as mentioned.
No boost or exhaust leaks.
No fuel leaks.
Lubricate your fuel.
Don't put a lift kit on your truck.
Don't put big tires on your truck.
Put in higher gear ratios.
Put in a manual transmission.
Air up the tires to max pressure. Mine are at 65psi. Harsher ride, but she rolls easier.
Keep RPM's under 2000 whenever possible.
Anticipate traffic. No hurry up then brake type driving. Let none of the effort be wasted.
The "perfect" econo 7.3 would be a standard cab, 2x4, SRW, no lift, no large tires, manual transmission, and 3.55 gears. This truck, driven with an egg under the go-pedal should get low 20's.
I get 16 around town (19+ HWY), which I consider pretty good given that I have a big truck with the basic power mods. I drive the car more around town though.
There is a guy on one of the other forums that can get 28MPG with his (modded) SD. No lie.
No boost or exhaust leaks.
No fuel leaks.
Lubricate your fuel.
Don't put a lift kit on your truck.
Don't put big tires on your truck.
Put in higher gear ratios.
Put in a manual transmission.
Air up the tires to max pressure. Mine are at 65psi. Harsher ride, but she rolls easier.
Keep RPM's under 2000 whenever possible.
Anticipate traffic. No hurry up then brake type driving. Let none of the effort be wasted.
The "perfect" econo 7.3 would be a standard cab, 2x4, SRW, no lift, no large tires, manual transmission, and 3.55 gears. This truck, driven with an egg under the go-pedal should get low 20's.
I get 16 around town (19+ HWY), which I consider pretty good given that I have a big truck with the basic power mods. I drive the car more around town though.
There is a guy on one of the other forums that can get 28MPG with his (modded) SD. No lie.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If you want good fuel economy, you need to adjust the nut behind the steering wheel.
As mentioned, driving habits will play the biggest factor. Maintenance and fixing any leaks will help also. Beyond that, it becomes very hard to see a savings in fuel economy by spending money on upgrades unless you put a lot of miles on the vehicle.
As mentioned, driving habits will play the biggest factor. Maintenance and fixing any leaks will help also. Beyond that, it becomes very hard to see a savings in fuel economy by spending money on upgrades unless you put a lot of miles on the vehicle.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
just wanted to report-I have a 96 cc, longbed, 4" lift, 33s, a superchip, dominator66 turbo, and a k&n. I just cleaned the screen in the fuel bowl, and put a bb in the fpr and finally drove my truck w/o the camper and got 22.6 miles per gallon. I went 52 miles at about 68 mph for most of it and about 4 miles of stop and go. I'm thrilled, been struggling with poor mileage for years.
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FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
just wanted to report-I have a 96 cc, longbed, 4" lift, 33s, a superchip, dominator66 turbo, and a k&n. I just cleaned the screen in the fuel bowl, and put a bb in the fpr and finally drove my truck w/o the camper and got 22.6 miles per gallon. I went 52 miles at about 68 mph for most of it and about 4 miles of stop and go. I'm thrilled, been struggling with poor mileage for years.
BTW ditch that K&N.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
I have not. How do you do that? I'm about to get new tires and wheels. I have 16.5s and they've been telling me for years that they're(tires) gettting harder to get. So far they've been in stock or in town. And, I know about the K&N, i need to order the 6637 from riffraff.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
I feel like a ******* now, I just went 60 miles, drove really light to see how much better mileage I could get, remeasured it and got 11.7mpg. (5.1 gallons) so scratch the 22.6, it must not have been all the way full. I'll have to check it on a longer trip where I get gas several times.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,408
Likes: 75
From: Plankinton, SD
I just checked mine today. 123.1 mile round trip at 65mph, made 17.7. 10 miles of town driving, rest highway. Pushing a pretty good headwind by the time I came home. Filled up till it clicked at the same station, same pump, before I left and after I got back. In 140 tune. Not great but not bad, I did have to get after it a few times to pass some vehicles.
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
I have not. How do you do that? I'm about to get new tires and wheels. I have 16.5s and they've been telling me for years that they're(tires) gettting harder to get. So far they've been in stock or in town. And, I know about the K&N, i need to order the 6637 from riffraff.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...libration.html
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I have read dozens of MPG threads and there are so many factors that affect truck to truck, tank to tank. Tire size, speedo/odometer error, how full the tank was and how full you think you got it on the refill, gearing, driving habbits. I think for us uncorrected tire size/speedo and whether the tank is as full are two big factors when trying to compare truck to truck that are otherwise comparable. Claims of a CC 4x4 with 33s or even 35s getting upward of the 20s just seems like a stretch to me. I keep trying though. 17.5 is the best I can do on my stock truck with 33s.