In Feb. I lost my Dad to a heart attack, and inheritted his 95 model 3/4 ton Dodge Van. He had the van and a 99 F-150 and mom wanted me to take one of them so I left her the newer truck hoping it will last a while... it only has 100K on it where the Van has 174K. Anyway, on trips from OK to GA and back driving the 99 F-150 (5.4L V-8 auto trans with O.D.) I averaged about 12 mpg, which didn't seem that bad to me really... not with the mountains and foot hills in Tennessee and all. But on the last trip I drove the van back... a 3/4 ton, Dodge conversion Van, 360 V8 auto tranny with O.D. I thought I was really in trouble when I stopped to fill up in OK before I left and dropped $50 into that gas tank... but I drove clear to the other side of nashville on that tank and still had 1/4 left when I stopped to fill up. I got home here in GA and had better than a 1/2 a tank left. And if I did the numbers right I got 18.5 mpg. Gross weight alone the Van weighs 900 lbs. more than the truck, similair gearing in the rearends... and almost identical 70mph rpm's in O.D. The main difference is the fuel system... the van is throttle body where the truck is MP-EFI. I just can't seem to justify it though, the van seems to have plenty of power, especilly considering it's got another 74,000 miles on the truck... so why such crappy fuel economy out of the Fords now days? Even my 95 F-250 300 EFI Six got 15-16 mpg on the same trip, and I'm not sure that it's still hitting on all 6.

To top it off I pulled a trailer back with the pick-up on that last trip and now mom is having transmission troubles. (Yes I turned the O.D. off while I was towing) But after I got there and dropped the trailer I noticed the O.D. "Off" indicator light was flashing so before I headed back I dropped it off at the dealership to have it looked at. They said it was a small servo and easy to replace. Now she says the O.D. is fine, but in the mornings the truck won't shift into reverse until you drive it for a while, it just dies when you put it in reverse... so far I'm not too impressed with the new Truck. I've been disgruntal over the new trucks ever since they dropped my 300 six and the Bronco, this just add's fuel to the fire.

 

As for the MPG, i bet is has to do with aerodynamics more than anything, just like adding a topper to a truck will give it more MPG. As for the truck transmission, If it will just die, sounds like the torque ocnvertor is staying locked up for some reason. Do the shifts feels hard when cold?

 

So where is the technical comparison information with Ford ?

 

aerodynamics could play a part... but the pick-up would seem to do a litter better on the front wouldn't it?

As far as the tranny... that is kinda out of forum, my bad. But to answer your question no. I had no problems with shifting or slipping, just a little blinking light. Now that they replaced that servo it does shift a litter harder but only when you first pull it into gear, you have to have your foot on the brake or it will really take off. And shifting into reverse kills it sometimes.

Technical Comparison Information?

I made an educated comparison between the 2 vehicles as the forum rules request and gave all the info that I thought was pertinent to the comparison. I took the time to compare axle ratio's 3.55 in the Ford, 3.73 in the van - Engine Size, 5.4L V8 MPEFI on the Ford and 360 cu. Throttle Body Injection on the dodge, both have auto trans with O.D. and the Van has 900# on the F-150. Seems like a lighter truck, with a slightly taller gear ratio in the rear, would get the better economy, and not the 3/4 ton van.

When I drove from GA to OK in the truck I filled up in Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, and at the OK state line. It did have a smaller tank but that was still 70 gals of gas used for 850 miles @ 12.14 mpg

The Dodge van, I filled up before I left, and in Nashville. Total gas used for 850 miles was 46 gals or 18.47 mpg

I would be happy to give more info on either of the vehicles, just let tell me what you want to know.

99 Ford F-150 Extended Cab 5.4L V-8 auto Trans with O.D. - 3.55 ratio

95 Dodge 2500 Conversion Van 360 cu. V8 auto trans with O.D. - 3.73 ratio

 

Ease up fella, he was comparing fuel mileage between two different vehicles. One WAS a ford!! The subject may not be technically stimulating to you, but I think it has enough merit to survive in this thread, and doesn't really warrant moderation.

Hope i didn't offend you but it reminds me of the state trooper who will pull you over @ 1 in the morning on a saturday night when leaving work to investigate a liscence plate light out and give you a ticked. Meanwhile the local bar is letting out and 45 to 60 drunk drivers are headed down the road!!!
There are people breaking forum rules, just not here!!