Me again. Dealer tryin to talk me into the sweet '97 F-350 powerstroke diesel sez I'll get 20-22 mpg with this engine... is this in the ballpark?

Btw, it also has a nifty device below the console that adjusts the rpm for driving conditions or idling. Dealer thinks previous owner was probably a commercial driver... hmmm, mebbe

 

Have a crew cab 97 F-350 auto, do not get less than 17 mpg running around local and hwy combine........only have 17,000 miles in 5 years, so have it "about" broke in.....still has a stock air filter, but will change over to the K & N soon.....it's a pulling machine, tow 6 ton of hay per load into the barn, also tow a 30'sailboat that is 10,000# plus trailer weight...plenty of power at max towing weight range. I would say maybe 19-20 mpg is about the best I can recall. Good luck.

Dave

 

Claims of mpg over 20 are pretty rare. Most of the guys I know with similar trucks get 14-16 around town, and up to 18-19 on the road when running empty. I suppose a standard cab, 2wd could get up to 22, but I'm real happy with my mileage of 16 around town, and 19+ on the road.

Quadzilla
'95 F-350XLT Crew Cab SRW 4X4 PSD, 35X12.50X16.5's, Limited slip 4.10's, Hypermax downpipe, gutted EBPV, "Catless" in Seattle, "Renegade" 4" exhaust system, CTFD sticker, Air bags, TYMAR intake, shimmed fpr, Diablo chip, Fumoto valve, Autometer pyrometer, Sonnax valve, Tricumulator springs, Tru-Cool, HX mod, Magnefine, 4R100 pan.
And a wish list that gets longer every day.
(Thank God for a wife that likes big trucks.)

 

That's a pretty big brag to make on mileage altho it can be done. I get around 18.5 average on my 95 model and around 17 on my 03 model. My driving hurts my average mileage. I usually run 75 to 80 mph on the interstate. A lot of my driving is interstate and I know if you hold your speed back to 65 mph or less the mileage improves a good bit.
One thing to note though. No other truck that I know of this size will even come close to compare with the Powerstroke in fuel economy, power or longivity. (My opinion)

Good luck, Sam

 

I hear alot of guys (especially the Dodge boys) bragging about mileage in the low 20's. I'm convinced I need to use their calculator to figure MY checkbook....anyway, best I could get on my '96 4x4 250 extended cab was a rare 19 mpg, usually 17 or 18 on the highway.

On my '99 350 extended cab 4x4, usually get 16 and occasionally 17 on the hwy with 33x12.5x16.5s. And 9mpg pulling a 8500# bobcat around. I have a Hypertech programmable in it and am seriously thinking about going to Diablo.

For what its worth....Don

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Nov-02 AT 09:21 PM (EST)]I have a 2000 F-350 SC Dually Auto with 4.10 rearend. I get about 16 tops on the highway 11-12 with my camper on it and around 13-14 in town.

This seems low compared to everyone else. But I dunno.

I usually tach about 2300-2500 at 65-70 MPH in OD

 

The dealer is probably embellishing a tad, but all your #'s sound good compared to my old gas eng truck. Admittedly there's lots of variables, 17-19 hiwy would tickle me silly. Then I can justify payin' bux for a new-2-me truck. Fish: your dually's probably a factor ? Awesome Dave, sounds like you got the same truck I'm looking at, w/a lot less mileage. Am I a goof for gettin' a '97 w/95000 miles? Thanx all for your info.

~June
Excited 'bout gettin' a REAL truck.

 

Dually's get worse mileage?

 

The assumption is probably being made that duallies have more tires on the ground, therefore more rolling resistance.

Quadzilla
'95 F-350XLT Crew Cab SRW 4X4 PSD, 35X12.50X16.5's, Limited slip 4.10's, Hypermax downpipe, gutted EBPV, "Catless" in Seattle, "Renegade" 4" exhaust system, CTFD sticker, Air bags, TYMAR intake, shimmed fpr, Diablo chip, Fumoto valve, Autometer pyrometer, Sonnax valve, Tricumulator springs, Tru-Cool, HX mod, Magnefine, 4R100 pan.
And a wish list that gets longer every day.
(Thank God for a wife that likes big trucks.)

 

My 96 4x4, SC, 3.55 rear LS, with manual tranny gets 20 or better around town on a regular basis. On the highway, under 80, it will do 22 to 24. 80 and over drops the mileage to 17+/-. I've noticed that the quality of fuel and winter fuel does affect the mileage some, too. Pulling a load of 6-8000 lbs up into the mountains will drop the mileage to the high teens.

 

I have a 2000 model 7.3L 4x4 Power Stroke with 4 speed auto trans...the best I have ever done is 15.8 mpg and worst 12 mpg...I track it each fillup.

By the way 95% of this is on the Hwy mileage.

 

>Claims of mpg over 20 are pretty rare. Most of the guys I
>know with similar trucks get 14-16 around town, and up to
>18-19 on the road when running empty. I suppose a standard
>cab, 2wd could get up to 22, but I'm real happy with my
>mileage of 16 around town, and 19+ on the road.
>

I've got exactly the truck your talking about (2wd, standard cab, stick) and the mileage that the dealer is talking about is dead on. Highway mileage doesn't drop below 20 until I get close to 80mph (empty of course).

rplett

 

 

"No other truck that I know of this size will even come close to compare with the Powerstroke in fuel economy, power or longivity.
(My opinion)"

I was nearly indifferent between buying a used PowerStroke or a used Cummins powered pickup when I bought this latest one. I think the other parts of the truck are significantly better on Fords than Dodges, and that tipped the scales toward PowerStrokes.

But I can't agree with some parts of your opinion. Just looking at fuel economy and power, I think typical Cummins powered pickups are very close to PowerStrokes. But there are a lot of Dodge pickups with the Cummins which have 3.08 Dana 70 differentials. Those owners typically get mileage well into the 20s and they love talking about it since they know it's better than Dodges with the "lower" or numerically higher axle ratios. The option of buying a 3.08 axle ring and pinion set exists for 10.25 inch Sterling differentials, but they cost about $300 plus shipping from Randy's Ring & Gear. I know of only one person who says he has the 3.08 in his PowerStroke, and he reports regulary getting 24 mpg running empty at highway speed. I could post the internal friction curve for the 7.3 liter Navistar and if you understand how to read it, you'd instantly see why taller gears result in less wasted horsepower. I think that if you fairly compare PowerStrokes with Cummins B6 engines, the mpg differences become very small. Tall tires OFTEN have so much more friction that they loose more to internal heat and added drag to cause loss rather than gain in mpg. Look at Bonneville speed record attempt pickups. No extra tall tires.

 

Looks like you have an assortment of mileage replies but I thought I would add my experience. I have an F250 extended cab long bed with an aluminum cab height cap on the bed, 3.55 gears and the five speed, two wheel drive. Mix of half interstate half surface streets I get 18 - 18.5 on summer fuel, 17.5 or so on winter blend. Cruising 75 on the interstate I get 19.5.

As for that thing under your dash, that is a useless device I think you should take out and immediately send to me for disposal.:7 Actually, it is an idle controller that can set the idle up for extended idling, can be set to keep your batteries charged and such. It is a neat piece, they sell on eBay for a couple or three hundred dollars if I am not mistaken. I was being sarcastic about pulling it out and sending it to me but if you don't want it in your way......

Dave / Believer45