Its not ego its just a matter of my taste and likings, i like to be different. Driving a normal 6 cylinder honda aint gonna do it for me.

 

Teenagers know IT ALL, so there is no point in giving him REAL WORLD advice

 

When I was in tech school I was driving a Typhoon, and it was bad getting gas. 15mpg on premium, and where I was living (Glendale Heights, IL) it was roughly $4.80 a gallon at that time for premium. It had a 20 gallon tank too. Depending on what your winters are like where you're going to school, a dual sport motorcycle or enduro bike may be a better option. Parking is fairly easy, good mpg, and with bags you can haul textbooks and groceries. Otherwise I agree with what's said here: Get an economy car.

When I see people driving huge lifted trucks, I often think "must be nice to have money to throw away on gas". I've got larger tires on mine, but it's not my daily driver for the sole reason that mpg sucks, even with overdrive and 3.55s. It's not handing in your man card or admitting defeat to be driving an economical car, it's called being sensible. Insurance will also be much lower on an econo car than a truck, and managing crowded parking lots will be a breeze. I'm still holding on to my Mazda 323 in the event gas prices go ape*****. It's not fast, cool, or comfortable, but knocking down 35 mpg combined is worth it.

 

+1! You go!

 

Our family had an 88 Accord Stick. Carbureted. Drove like a breeze and got 30+ mpg all day. Sold it to a kid for 2 grand 12 years ago. He got a heck of a deal. I love my truck but I'd love to have my cheap, reliable accord back. Nothing wrong with practicality

 

welcome to adulthood.you'll soon learn you don't always get what you want.
if i had my way,you'd never see me in anything other than a classic muscle car sporting a decked out big block but some things in life are just not practical.
you've got got to ask yourself,do you want to be like the majority where more is always better and in debt so far high,you can't possibly climb back out,or do only what you can afford and remain debt free.possibly living in surplus rather than struggle like very few of us do? the choice is yours.living well inside your means,means going without many of life's wonderful pleasures and going with only what you need instead of want.not many can do it these days.

the basic answer to your question is another you won't like,but it costs nothing at all.
slow down.way down.just because semi trucks are passing you,doesn't mean you won't get there.there's no shame in living within your means.if driving slow helps you remain debt free then so be it.i have to do it too.im not ashamed of living without debt.i feel sorry for those who do.
if your hellbent on driving an old gas c6 truck,your only choice to save fuel with it,will be to drive just as slow as safely and lawfully posted at all times.
that's how you keep the rpms down.
tip;
at least for your hwy trips back to your folks,rig up a front air dam that matches closely the lowest portion of your undercarriage.that'll save ya a few bucks.

i know it,it could be a waste of effort.but it's tough not helping.you know some kids don't have parents to tech 'em much these days.what some are teaching,may be poor examples cus they don't know any better either.
..........
back to Shwan;
im not talking nor implying anything about your particular parent(s)/guardian(s) in that basic statement to Brad above of course.

 

X2 with the above!


I'm not one to talk, as I drive a truck, and have no real reason to, I just do because I love it, and right now I don't really care about fuel economy, I have a nice paying jobs, and long hours, and I have no dept or bills, so I take advantage of that while I can.

But when I do start having bills, a house, family etc or having to travel an extended amount of miles each day for work then I plan on downsizing to a Buick, preferably an early 90's Buick Century 3.3 V6, those things get over 30mpg witch would be good enough for me. I just don't see my self in a Honda.

But point is, trucks are fun...if you can afford it.

 

Guess I'm the weird hippie guy in the bunch that questions what you need a daily for in the first place. My pickup is my only vehicle, but its not a daily driver, more like twice a week driver to get groceries or if I have anywhere out of town to go. If you don't drive everyday, its not so bad to drive a thirsty pickup once in a while. I think this is an impossible topic for many, drive less. That's it. Driving a gas hog once in a while is cheaper than a buying another car and driving it everyday. Of course some places are too far away, but this kid is going to college,and that's the time in your life you need a bike!

 

Thank you john! lol

 

When did i EVER say i know it all? So wanting to drive only specific vehicles in my case a truck makes me know it all? No it doesnt, im not an idiot i know gas will be high which is why i posted this thread in the first place. I wanted to see what modifications i can do to maximize mpg in a lifted 351w

 

I'm gunna buck the trend here in this thread cause well I disagree, but I'd/did sleep in my truck. Drive what ya like, what's the point of anything if your not enjoying it. And I don't see how buying and insuring another vehicle saves money. Sure you save a little on gas but what do you spend insuring, maintaning, parking, etc. 2 vehicles. Toss on top all the advantages of driving the truck even if it costs more. For example one big advantage I think people under appreciate is safety. Chances are pretty good in a town full of drunk college kids your gunna get in a wreck. What is all that steel worth when it keeps ya in one piece?

Anyway, that's not what ya asked is it. Hell everyone is assuming the question is about money, maybe the kids parents are loaded and it's just about noise and RPM limiting overall speed. Sounds like it's about MPGs though. So;

First bigger tires are a no brainer, Conanski is right on point with that one. At todays highway speeds, 3.55 gears a C6 and stock tires just don't work. Don't worry so much about the truck bogging off the line or hauling, Yes it will be slower off the line but the C6 torque converter slips like crazy, it will handle it. Toss in that you want them anyway, it works with your future plans, and if done/chosen right will increase the value of the truck while increasing MPGs there is no reason not to.

Second, take a real honest assesment of what you really want, can really do (both money and skill), and if THIS is the right truck to invest both your time and money in. I know you love your truck, BUT with what it sounds like you want you'd likely be MUCH better off starting with one that was closer to what you ultimately want. This is the one place where I would agree in part with the others, if you decide this isn't the truck to invest in. Sell it, buy something cheap that saves $$$ while you work up to/shop for the right truck to begin with.

I'd suggest taking a look at what's out there in the form of a 4WD F350 with a 5 speed or E4OD and a deisel. You just might like that better and save a ton of money in the long run.

 

Front air dams, tall skinny tires, driving on the speed limit, clean air filters, and proper tire pressure will all help. The engine may not be spinning as fast as you think, however, exhaust, road, and wind noise can make it seem worse. Pick up a cheapo tach and hose-clamp it to the steering column, and see what it's spinning.

 

A lot of university do not even allow freshmen to drive cars. I know that most of my friends could not drive to their junior year just because there is not any space and parking is tight. Also if you have never driven a lifted truck as a daily let me tell you it is a pain. Multiple point u-turns, trashing it because you will be the guy they call to come pull them out, broken parts from pulling your friends out. Trying to get good miliage out of a lifted truck is not worth it anyways the money you will have in a overdrive will never be made back on your gas savings. BUT here is a link this was done to a 460 but most of the info will help your situation FOUR WHEELER Magazine's Project M.P.G.

 

I say do a ZF 5 speed conversion and wait to lift it, or get a decent beater car.

 

being a former college student myself bite the bullet, park the truck or sell it and get something cheaper on gas, you have a 3 speed 2wd and eventually want to do a 4wd swap?


Save the money sell the truck get what you want to start, these guy suggest getting a beater but you seem to be too good for that, what are you going to drive when you swap the 2wd for the 4wd?


You are right the beater doesnt seem as "cool" and whatnot but he being broke isnt cool either.