'95 4.9L

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Nov 13, 2011 | 12:40 PM

Diesel Fiend

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Joined: Mar 2006

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'95 4.9L

Hi folks.
I'm currently using an '88 F-250 diesel as my business truck. I'm in landscaping and do mostly maintenance, so I'm not really hauling heavy loads too often, at the most, a 4x8 trailer with some equipment in it, probably about 750 KGs max. I do occationaly pick up a ton of gravel or soil but not that often. It's getting old and I'm thinking about something a little newer. I want to know what you guys think of the 4.9L F150s, the one I'm looking at has 250,000 KM, 5 speed manual, is a standard cab, short box, with a tow package, 2 wheel drive.
What kind of mileage can I expect from this truck? Opinions?
Alternatively, I'm looking at a ranger but might need to do the odd bit of hauling.

Thanks guys

Nov 13, 2011 | 01:55 PM

rikard

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 1,208

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From: North Reading Mass

I have had a 94 and a 95 F150 4x2 with the 4.9 and 5 speed. The 94 XL was a reg cab shorty and had 3.55 gears and would get about 16-20 mpg. I only hauled about 500 lbs in the bed and a 2000 lb trailer and it did fine. My 95 XLT is a supercab shorty and gets about the same gas mileage as the 94 and it has 3.08s. This truck has hauled a 4500 lb fifth wheeler RV which has a 800 lb pin wieght. The 4.9 did very well but the Mazda tranny is geared wrong for this ratio. The reverse and first are too high. The ZF found in many F 250s has better gears and is supposed to be more durable. The reason I bought the 94 and 95 was because of the 4.9 engine.
regards
rikard

Nov 13, 2011 | 03:44 PM

Cheggie

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Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 559

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From: South Carolina

I have a 95 F150 with the 4.9/ mazda trans. The axle ratio makes all the difference with this transmission - my 95 has a 2.73 - very sluggish, but great on the highway. My 96 had 3.55 gears, about perfect for light hauling. On the 95, my around town mileage is about 16, but I recently recorded 20.5 mpg on a highway trip to Illinois. It's not bad - no worse than the new expensive trucks! Parts availability is excellent, and the 4.9 is as reliable as a diesel. In fact, now that most diesels have electronic injectors, they're no more reliable than gas engines when they get into higher mileage, and much more expensive to fix. I think it's very smart to consider a reasonable sized gas engine over a diesel. IF you look at an F250 in the 92-97 range, you should be able to find a 4.9/ zf trans if you want commercial grade driveline parts. I think a properly cared for F150 would suit the bill too, just budget for transmission and axle repairs in the long term.