Alrighty y'all so I've recently acquired a 1995 F150 cab n 1/2 with the 4.9L & 4spd+overdrive trans (that's the ZF5 right?) it had just turned 164000mi after I got it, now I've just got some kind of general tech questions so here goes,
How often do y'all use the dual tanks, being that it's winter I use my rear tank to let her warm up for cold starts, also if I'm idling for a good amount of time (I.e. Sitting in a drive thru waiting for food) other wise I use the front tank for actual driving.
So next, Does any one run their trucks on the 93oct. Or use the regular fuel, Or use a fuel additive?
Also what's y'all's average fuel mileage? This last time I filled up I put the super/premium (93 oct.) and I've only got 155mi off of it and I have 1/4 tank left, also I don't know what gears I have, I was told to look on the diff cover of the rear axle and I couldn't find any markings stating my gears.
I hate to be such a newbie, but I've spent most my time learning bout the IDI's so now I'm starting to watch these forums more thanks for any help y'all!
I'm proud to the owner of a ford!

 

Most likely NOT a ZF transmission. The F150's got the mazda 5spd.

I use both tanks. Run the front down, use the back. Then fill both.

I typically run mid grade. Never ran well with 87, as I bumped my timing a few degrees and it would rattle under load.

The door tag should have a number in the axle column to tell you what the truck came with. There is also a small metal tag that is attached to one of the rear cover bolts that will also have the gear ratio on it. Might have rusted off by now?

 

Should be M5OD not ZF.

I use both tanks at different times, depends on complete randomness.

Unless you have a high compression engine premium is a waste of money. Premium burns dirtier and slower than regular. Don't believe it just poor a teaspoon of each in a white saucer and burn it. Premium resists burning better than regular and has more additives. It is not a better performer in most engines and will lead to more crud build up on valves, pistons and combustion chambers.

My daughter and FIL both have 4.9 trucks and 15-17MPG is normal.

Should be a tag on the diff cover. You may can get the ratio by codes on the jamb sticker.

Good luck with your truck. The 300 is a solid engine with good torque and will run a long time.

 

Yeah I saw there was a little tag behind one of the diff cover bolts I didn't really take a good look, just a quick glance too see if it was obvious,
I noticed she liked the premium over the regular, how ever I'll give the midgrade a try this time I fill up
I guess since she hit 164k any maintenance I should check up on? Or preventative maintenance and stuff?

 

What do you mean it liked it better? Is it pinging or did the mileage improve? I doubt you felt it seat of pants.

Change coolant, plugs, diffs, t-case. Look for axle seal leaks. Are hoses original?

 

I'd believe that the hose are original and the "seat of pants" feeling is what made me decide that she like premium more than regular, also thx for the good luck ponykilr I noticed your new, welcome aboard the ford train hah

 

New registered. Lurked a long time. Retired GM master tech from a Ford family, lover of all things mechanical and purveyor of advice LOL. Thanks for the welcome.

 

So having been around both, which do you think is better overall, General Motors or Ford Motor Co.?

 

Familiarity breeds contempt. I saw so many underhanded and and idiotic things from GM and from the dealership that I don't want anything to do with the General. I think performance wise the LS engines are unmatched and mechanical art. They are a nearly perfect street engine. My last GM car was a 2002 Camaro SS that went 12.97@108.5 stone stock on factory tires and with the paper air filter still in it. Hard to touch that. I love Ford trucks because of the durability and that sense of absolute ruggedness GM trucks don't have. I love that Ford did not take bail out money like GM and Chrysler even when the Gov tried to intimidate them into it. I hate how GMs quality is so low that over the years I saw loyal owners quit the brand that I had absolute pride in when I first started.

Better overall, no question in my mind. I have 4 Fords in my yard and zero GM.

 

So in lieu of what you just said, why did yo sell the 'maro?

 

I run 87 in my truck (same engine/trans as yours), with chevron injector cleaner. I average 14-16 mpg

 

Bought a 2005 Jeep Rubicon

 

Fwiw, you stand to lose low end torque running 93 in your low compression engine. Bump the timing a bit and run 89; that I think is reasonable. If you insist on running 93, you might as well time it on 93 also so you can actually utilize some of the benefits higher octane has to offer.