MPG Thread
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: SGV SoCal
When I first picked up this beast at the end of last year, the tires were shot, so new rubber and an alignment were the very first items that I addressed. For my last trip, I did not have the a the logger set correctly and I only captured GPS data.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I'd love to have that mileage! That's what I average unloaded. 
Remember that you are driving a (nearly) 4 ton non-aerodynamic brick. I don't think that fuel economy was anywhere on Ford's top 1000 list when they designed and built these.
Remember that you are driving a (nearly) 4 ton non-aerodynamic brick. I don't think that fuel economy was anywhere on Ford's top 1000 list when they designed and built these.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: SGV SoCal
Oh, it's not that, if everyone was getting 14-15MPG on the freeway at 60MPH who would I be to complain? Some of you are doing a lot better than me and Steve. Some of the upgrades must of done some good. It looks like we could be closer to 18 mpg! That would be some Tacoma Pre-runner mileage (yea I know but all of my vehicles get crappy mpg)! I could jack it up and give the wheels a spin to see if anything is dragging, but if it were I would expect you could smell it!
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 9
From: Alaska (not Anchorage)
It is frustrating trying to suss out exactly what the factor is that is pulling down mileage. A dragging brake, bad EBP sensor, injector probs, etc. I've just been cross referencing my MPG numbers with maintenance/mods in the logbook. My very best MPGs were in August/September 2008 shortly after I got the rig. I swapped out the old cracked E99 air filter + housing for an AIS style intake in between some of these trips, and did not replace my rusted shut EBP tube until later in that fall. Also I did the HP crossover in between these trips as well. Shouldn't therefore have been any of these items. Maybe it was just fresh pavement? Sampling error?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I gave up analyzing my mileage years ago. I've read of guys getting 18mpg (not just Sous) and others that can't get above 12mpg no matter what they do. While the 7.3L is a great engine, they seem to acquire individual characteristics on the production line. Whether it is the nuances during assembly (there are tolerances for a reason) or if Ford injected personalities into them at the factory I don't know. I get about 14.5mpg overall and I use that as my benchmark. If I start noticeably deviating from that I know something is going on.
My truck was bone stock when I bought it and was getting 16mpg overall. With all I've done to it (repaired, replaced, and upgraded) it is getting 14.5mpg overall. After 10 years and 160K miles (it has 306K now) I've lost less than 10% fuel economy. I consider that a win in my book IMHO.
My truck was bone stock when I bought it and was getting 16mpg overall. With all I've done to it (repaired, replaced, and upgraded) it is getting 14.5mpg overall. After 10 years and 160K miles (it has 306K now) I've lost less than 10% fuel economy. I consider that a win in my book IMHO.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,344
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I do get great MPG's for my truck and am very grateful for that. I do have a manual transmission too, as well as (what I think anyway) a very smooth running engine with the right balance of power and reliability.
When I upgrade to single shot 160/80 injectors and a KC38R, all of my MPG figures may go out the window.
Despite getting 18.5 MPG's unloaded, that is not why I bought the truck. I do appreciate the MPG's, but know that it is an oddity. Enjoy the truck, enjoy that you own one of the last good ones.
When I upgrade to single shot 160/80 injectors and a KC38R, all of my MPG figures may go out the window.
Despite getting 18.5 MPG's unloaded, that is not why I bought the truck. I do appreciate the MPG's, but know that it is an oddity. Enjoy the truck, enjoy that you own one of the last good ones.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,263
Likes: 148
From: In the field...
An acquaintance I know claims he gets 23 MPG. His truck is a 2WD with a cap/topper. He talks real slow and I'm guessing he drives real slow too.
Best I've ever accomplished is 17.6 MPG, I usually get 13-14 around town and 11-12 MPG towing my TT, it's not that heavy but the sail will effect MPG more than the weight IMHO.
If you really want good MPG get a 6.0 they get great fuel economy on the flatbed.
Best I've ever accomplished is 17.6 MPG, I usually get 13-14 around town and 11-12 MPG towing my TT, it's not that heavy but the sail will effect MPG more than the weight IMHO.
If you really want good MPG get a 6.0 they get great fuel economy on the flatbed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
An acquaintance I know claims he gets 23 MPG. His truck is a 2WD with a cap/topper. He talks real slow and I'm guessing he drives real slow too.
Best I've ever accomplished is 17.6 MPG, I usually get 13-14 around town and 11-12 MPG towing my TT, it's not that heavy but the sail will effect MPG more than the weight IMHO.
Best I've ever accomplished is 17.6 MPG, I usually get 13-14 around town and 11-12 MPG towing my TT, it's not that heavy but the sail will effect MPG more than the weight IMHO.
Reps sent! 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
Believe it or not I just ran into a plumber this week who has a 6.0 that went 1,165,000 miles before any major work. He was in Cali with that truck so probably a lot of highway miles, he said he didn't tow anything though. He rebuilt it and has it in Arizona now.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 545
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From: SGV SoCal
I went camping at lake Skinner w/o a boat. It did 16.5MPG at 65MPH and some stop an go in both directions. FYI, if you step on it a bit it will produce 20 psig of boost. It was also running super tunes Safe tow. I checked the rotors when I stopped, non seem to be hotter. They were all about the same temp.
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