Gas mileage?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
No way I'm selling this old truck. There's just something about this era truck that makes me have to have one in my garage.
I think the first two upgrades I'll make to it will be to give it dual exhaust and an upgraded msd ignition. I would upgrade the rear end to a lower gear ratio, but I like my immense pulling power.
Side thought: I know of a 1978 ford f250 4x4 that gets 9mpg and has a 400. Why would my 2wd truck get the same mileage as a full time 4x4?
I think the first two upgrades I'll make to it will be to give it dual exhaust and an upgraded msd ignition. I would upgrade the rear end to a lower gear ratio, but I like my immense pulling power.
Side thought: I know of a 1978 ford f250 4x4 that gets 9mpg and has a 400. Why would my 2wd truck get the same mileage as a full time 4x4?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
I agree with the others. Get yourself a beater. I was in the same boat as you with my 79. I wanted to DD it, but 7 mpg out of my 460 wasn't feasible. Depending on what kind of mileage you are looking for, you could probably find yourself a newer 2wd 1/2 ton, efi 300, and M5OD 5 speed. With a decent rear end you could probably get close to 20. Or you could go diesel. I did that, got myself a n/a 6.9 truck with a 5 speed and 3.55 gears. 18 mpg daily.
If you're looking for even better, find yourself a small car. Stay away from Geo's, rust problems. A good reliable small car made by Ford? Check out the late 80's early 90's festiva. My buddy has one, and I've driven it. Gutless as hell, but he gets 43 mpg.
-Jameson
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 515
Likes: 8
Mileage? With that truck? Lol!
I daily drove it about 3 miles to and from school for like a month so it was the hardest driving you could do mpg wise and I pulled like 6 or 8 miles to the gallon. I never really took it on the highway, but I had it up to 80 mph once and that thing SCREAMS in the upper end with the gearing and no overdrive. I would definitely regear, go down to 3.73's or 3.50's. And that's a Dana 60 in there btw if you didn't know, so yeah she pulls nice. But yeah, if you regear and really make sure it's all tuned up, you could see 10 or 11 I'd say with the driving you described.
I daily drove it about 3 miles to and from school for like a month so it was the hardest driving you could do mpg wise and I pulled like 6 or 8 miles to the gallon. I never really took it on the highway, but I had it up to 80 mph once and that thing SCREAMS in the upper end with the gearing and no overdrive. I would definitely regear, go down to 3.73's or 3.50's. And that's a Dana 60 in there btw if you didn't know, so yeah she pulls nice. But yeah, if you regear and really make sure it's all tuned up, you could see 10 or 11 I'd say with the driving you described.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 5
From: Burlington, WI
Im currently 18 and still a senior in high school, but I am graduating in a couple of weeks which is when I'll be starting my full time job.
Currently in regards to the truck, its had a recent tune up and has no vacuum leaks at all. Timing is correct and so is everything else on the truck too.
Currently in regards to the truck, its had a recent tune up and has no vacuum leaks at all. Timing is correct and so is everything else on the truck too.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
What are you averaging now?
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 724
Likes: 26
From: Southeast Salt Lake, UT
I haven't done a accurate check lately but it's going to be about 8-10.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Paducah, KY
sounds like me and you have the same truck. except mine is 4wd. I have an Edelbrock 4bbl carb. Custom Machined intake, with true dual exhaust and mufflers. also my truck has a very small comp cam. If i can keep my foot out of it i get around 10-12 mpg. When i accelerate quickly and hold the engine at high rpm i get about 6
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
Sure is nice looking truck, love those shortbed 4x4s. Dont know what you have for power but you might consider a 300 six if you have a V-8. I'm sure youre aware of that; you might could do the swap cheaply and still be able to keep the ride. Or buy the $400 beater 4 cyl mentioned earlier....
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 724
Likes: 26
From: Southeast Salt Lake, UT
Sure is nice looking truck, love those shortbed 4x4s. Dont know what you have for power but you might consider a 300 six if you have a V-8. I'm sure youre aware of that; you might could do the swap cheaply and still be able to keep the ride. Or by the $400 beater 4 cyl mentioned earlier....
A reliable, running beater will run about 500-1k around here which I could swing but I'd have to sell the truck soon after to make up for the $ and the space. I'll then have to wait until I get in a better situation and location before I picked up another dent.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
It's a 400 4spd. I don't have the resources to do a 'cheap' swap. I don't have the room for another vehicle either so I'm sink or swim.
A reliable, running beater will run about 500-1k around here which I could swing but I'd have to sell the truck soon after to make up for the $ and the space. I'll then have to wait until I get in a better situation and location before I picked up another dent.
A reliable, running beater will run about 500-1k around here which I could swing but I'd have to sell the truck soon after to make up for the $ and the space. I'll then have to wait until I get in a better situation and location before I picked up another dent.
New User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
On my first tank of gas I drove as gas-friendly as I possibly could with my 460 with a 4bbl carb. I was hoping for around 10-12 mpg. Boy was I wrong. I was barely at 8 mpg 
. I am now going to do a motor tune up. (spark plugs, carb tuning etc.)
. I am now going to do a motor tune up. (spark plugs, carb tuning etc.)