Hi Folks, this is my first real post on this forum aside from introductory.

I have the 4,6 V8 and it's the first V8 I've in many years. This V8 has power to spare. A real thrill when you haven't driven one for some time. That said, my driving habits are sensible and I don't tromp it down as it might apear. When driving along at the usual 60MPH, I'm finding that my gas mileage sucks in a major way and I know it's not my driving. I know 4x4s don't delvier the greatest fuel economy at best, but this is really bad. I just bought it from a long term Ford dealer with a good reputation. The sales guy knows me from the past and would not sell any bad vehicle. In fact he steered me away from one vehicle.

Is there a gearing thing I could change to enhance my fuel economy? While the power is fun, I don't really require that much power. Why did I get a V8? because I want to run a dual set of Flowmaster just for the sound of it when I go to crusies. I'll sacrifice power any day for fuel economy, especially on a daily driver.

Also, any ideas of how much HP this 4.6V8 actaully has? I've had mixed reports and still not sure of its ratings. The manual does not say anything.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

 

HP is 239; torque is 282 (you can also check under "SPECS" in upper right-hand corner of this page).

You COULD change gearing to try and get better mpg, but it would take many years before you broke even 'cause re-gearing ain't cheap.

Have you priced dual exhausts? I don't think any kits are available so duals would have to be custom-made (also illegal here in CA but I don't know about Ontario).

I had an '02 with the SOHC V6, and the mpg wasn't much better than what I'm getting with the '04 V8.

Steve

 

Thanks Steina. Duals are not illegal here but we have a gas guzzler tax.

I might just go for one FlowMaster and leave it at that just for fun. I might onl;y have the truck for a year anyway. At the price of gas I can't seeing pay that for years to come. I'm just having my thrill, then might downsize to an esacpe for economy. Just the wife and I anyway.

 

Yeah, but you're gonna miss that V8!!! BTW, I have a FlowMaster on my '04 and it sounds good.

Steve

 

i'd give my wisdom teeth for a V-8 but they were out of my price range. My 96 4wd 4L explorer averaged 20mpg and now my 03 2wd 4L explorer sport averages 20mpg and that's what i expected. if i wanted better gas mileage i'd have gotten a Yugo. my 03 explorer gets up and goes like a scared rabbit and i really like that when i have to get out of a tight spot.
anyway... my son in law put over size tires (taller not wider) tires on his GMC V-6 pickup and gets improved gas mileage. improved enough to make me think of doing the samething some time in the near future. he lost some low end tourque but since he uses his P-U for mostly hiway travel it's not a big loss and the better gas mileage seems to make it worth it. since you have a V-8 you might not notice the loss. of course you speedometer will be off a little. the question is which is cheaper four tires or a flowmaster? that will be your coin to flip. good luck