Thanks again everyone. I learn more information everytime I look on this site. So it sounds like 65-70 should be top speeds for cruising on the highway.

 

You can always put some bigger diameter tires on the rear for these trips.
I don't know what you have now, but if they are 28", then going to 31" (just an example) will reduce the engine revs by approx 270 rpm. @ 75mph.

Naturally, you will lose some performance.

 

If you look at the 1973, compared to the 1980, you can see they attempted to make an improvement.

Some of these are:

1: The Drip Rails don't wrap around the back of the door causing drag.
2: The front section of the 1980 is angled at both sides instead of totally flat like the 1973-1979... ( /---\ compared to ---- )
3: The slope of the windshield is a little less inclined...
4: ... hmmm....

So they at least tried to make improvements...


Ah yes the Air pillow that is formed with the tailgate up, so air will glide off the cab over the tailgate. The same air pillow that causes air to be forced into the cab with the rear slider window open. If the tailgate is left down, the air pillow doesn't form, and air is redirected hard into the down tailgate creating drag. So would that be 4 on that list, or just good luck on the design? Mythbusters proved it with wind tunnels so...

I do see where they tried to make improvements in areodynamics, however it's very primitive to let's say a 2013 F-150. Whether they succeeded or not, or if they didn't change certain things because of lack of technology, or because of fear of consumer backlash is debatable.


I do remember stories/rumors that Ford was worried that the 1980 may be too different to the 1979 and people wouldn't buy. After all if you were a farmer in 1979 looking for a new pickup, and the 1980 was designed like the 2013, you would probably say, what the $%^& is this spaceship looking thing?

 

ill give you a trans cooler next time I see ya. I have two brand new ones in the box

 

I guess its fair to say Ford made incremental changes...don't wanna scare people away with big changes. The biggest effort to increase fuel mileage had to be offering the 4 sp overdrive with the extra-load higher pressure tires. That combination with the 300 has me turning just 1600 rpm at 60 mph and getting 22 mpg....a sweet package. For those who are critical of the lower power in 4th, may I suggest putting it in 3rd....it's 1:1 ratio.