Hello all, long time reader first time post. I have 2003 F-250 super duty regular cab XLT 4x4 manual, auto trans.5.4. It gets really crappy mileage 10-11 mpg regardless of how I drive it. It currently has 10,000 miles on it. I'm mulling the idea of trading for '05 power stroke but not sure if they would be any better on mileage and would be worth the difference. I was wondering is there anything I could do to mine to get better mileage.

 

I've had a Powerstroke for the last 6 years, great pullers but the overall cost to maintain can be a bit after awhile and the '05 6.0L PSD overall cost are even higher than the 7.3L PSD's. Your mpg sounds about right for the size of truck that you have & with the 5.4L. You could install a free-flow exhaust system on your '03 but it may only improve your mpg by a gallon. Also, as you put more miles on, your mpg may improve slightly & again it may not.
The 6.0L PSD will get better mpg, maybe as much as 8+mpg, all depends on what your driving habits are & what you are doing with the truck. The downfall to the 6.0L PSD is how long it takes to pay for the Diesel engine option, after adding in all of the cost for oil changes/fuel filters & even better mpg, it still takes 120,000 miles to break even. If you go with the '05 PSD, then by all means get the Exhaust Temperture guage installed, as this will help you get the max for better fuel mpg.
If you tow on a daily basis, then by all means opt for the PSD or if you clock up allot of miles per year, then you will reach that 120k figure much earlier and the PSD's do keep a high resale value.
For myself, this time I am going with the V10/4:10s 5-speed auto & I already know not to get my hopes up on the great mpg that my '99 PSD did but that is Ok, as this '05 F350 is not a everyday vehicle and the overall miles per/year will be low.

 

i run a 02 sd with the 5.4l.(73000miles)i put a k+n snorkle on and run synthedic oil (pennzoil). didn't seem to do anything.still 10-11 miles per gallon.

 

Like 2005 V10 said if you are not doing a lot of towing you probably would not see an over cash flow advantage by going with 6.0 (I love mine BTW). I am getting 13.5 MPG city 16.5 - 17.0 MPG Hywy pushing a long bed SC 4x4.

If you are getting 10-11 MPG out of a 5.4 now and you just gotta have a new truck then go for the V-10. As I understand it, it gets about the same MPGs as you are now but it's gotta be a whole lot more fun.

 

go for the v10 man. its the best 600 clams i have ever spent. my last tank was 12 mpg but the bseg i have all the time makes up for it.

 

A buddy of mine got a 2004 f-250 cc swb 5.4 before i got my psd. He gets 10-11 mpg, but seemed to be ok with it. When I got my truck(identical except for the motors) he was kicking himself in the butt. Then I told the maintenance costs and he is glad he did't get one. It all has a way of evening out.

Rob

 

My brother in law only gets 16mpg in his 6.0 CC LB.. Not much better considering the cost..

 

'05' mileage (see signature) bought 12/10/04,I record all miles driven and all fuel fill up at what miles. The truck is used for work and weighs almost 9000# with tools,full tank of gas and me.75% highway driving, try to keep it at about 70.

3676 miles 13.65
6571 miles 14.97( took 700# out of truck)
9185 miles 14.78(snow storm slower driving conditions,weight back in truck)
9700 miles 13.15(speed of 75mph on trip home)

But I figure not to bad for the new 5.4 3v engine 300hp. My '99' 5.4 230hp averaged 14mpg w/220,000 miles on it.