Only 13 MPG
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,903
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From: Wyoming
YOur driving habits, type of driving (city, hwy, off-road), mods (big tires, tonneau cover, etc). 13's don't sound great, but well within the range for these trucks. Heavy truck with the aerodynamics of a cinder block........hey, at least you can say you're driving a FORD. I got 14's on my '81 F-150 4x4 with a 300 I-6.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
its not that great, you have a new FI engine with overdrive.
on my truck(see sig) i get high 13 to low 14 during the warm months with 70-80% highway driving.
just because your not getting any codes doesnt mean some sensor is getting lazy but is still acceptable.
on my truck(see sig) i get high 13 to low 14 during the warm months with 70-80% highway driving.
just because your not getting any codes doesnt mean some sensor is getting lazy but is still acceptable.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 752
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From: Kalispell, MT
w/ my 84 f-150 4x4, i avg about 8 mpg, but it's partly due to a worn out carb and a few other things that need some attention....but either way, anything over 10, i'd love it....lol....
MontanaFord
MontanaFord
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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From: Wyanet, Ill.
I bought an '86 F-150 fleetside 4x4 with 302 auto(no overdrive) awhile back. In the glovebox was the original window sticker. EPA rated at 14 city 19 hwy. Your doing good. These trucks were never meant to be driven very far at today's gas prices. Remember when these trucks came out in the early '70's gas was 60 cents or less. Yeah kids, I know you can't believe it, but it's true.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,789
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From: Connecticut
I swear somthing just aint right. Hot Start or cold start, She fires up and steadily the idle drops to stall, Start it again, and feather the pedal and she's good.
At 60-70, It feels like somthings out-of-round type of vibration, I just can't tell if the ignition is breaking up, or the tries are suffering radial-run-on. The engine appears to have to "work" to hold a steady speed.
IS there any way to adjust the shift pionts, It feels like it's in O.D. way too long. Lots of speed loss before downshifting.
At 60-70, It feels like somthings out-of-round type of vibration, I just can't tell if the ignition is breaking up, or the tries are suffering radial-run-on. The engine appears to have to "work" to hold a steady speed.
IS there any way to adjust the shift pionts, It feels like it's in O.D. way too long. Lots of speed loss before downshifting.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Mobile, Alabama
The first add on I installed to my 80 F-350 4X4 400 V8 auto 4.10 was a vacuum guage back when it was brand new and regular gas was going for a buck 20 in Northern Virginia. I learned to coordinate my foot pressure on the gas pedal with the good readings on the vacuum guage from the get go, and even here in Utah at high altitude, I'm able to get 10 MPG highway and 6 to 8 hauling a heavy load...
Hot Rod a Ford truck and you might as well install an underground petrol tank in your garage...
Hot Rod a Ford truck and you might as well install an underground petrol tank in your garage...
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Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
It's an AOD not EOD trans, it has a TV cable that HAS to be adjusted correctly or it will cause all sorts of problems, inlcuding transmission failure. I'd check the timing, and the TV cable adjustment.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
That sounds about right. 13 - 14 mpg is what I am getting now with my 86 302 FI 4x4 
.
It was alot worse until I replaced my spark plugs and O2 sensor. They were not to bad in shape at all but I did notice a major difference in the spark gap.
At first I used one of those .99 cent key chain gapper jobbers and this time I spent the extra $4.00 for the pocket knife size sleeve ones. Come to find out my gapping was alot different and my truck runs a lot smoother and about 1 - 2 more mpg.
.It was alot worse until I replaced my spark plugs and O2 sensor. They were not to bad in shape at all but I did notice a major difference in the spark gap.
At first I used one of those .99 cent key chain gapper jobbers and this time I spent the extra $4.00 for the pocket knife size sleeve ones. Come to find out my gapping was alot different and my truck runs a lot smoother and about 1 - 2 more mpg.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 97
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From: Near St.Paul
Many of you aren't saying what motor/tranny/axle ratio you have. The terrain you are driving in,, flat/hilly/city/highway/mixed?
Two different people with 80s Ford crew cab duallys with 460s told me they get 8 mpg no matter how they are driving.
F150s from the 80s came with anything from a 2.47 rear axle ratio to a 4.11. My 85 F150: 300, 4 sp manual (overdrive) 2.47 rear, 1,250 rpm at 60 mph.
My 81 F150: 300, C6 automatic and 4.11 rear, about 3,000 rpm at 60 mph.
Both of them are project trucks and will be running soon. I'm guessing the 85 should get much better mileage on the highway than the 81. Lookup the axle code on the sticker of you cab and/or axle tag. I have an 85 owners manual. I'll try to post the list of codes/ratios in the next few days.
Two different people with 80s Ford crew cab duallys with 460s told me they get 8 mpg no matter how they are driving.
F150s from the 80s came with anything from a 2.47 rear axle ratio to a 4.11. My 85 F150: 300, 4 sp manual (overdrive) 2.47 rear, 1,250 rpm at 60 mph.
My 81 F150: 300, C6 automatic and 4.11 rear, about 3,000 rpm at 60 mph.
Both of them are project trucks and will be running soon. I'm guessing the 85 should get much better mileage on the highway than the 81. Lookup the axle code on the sticker of you cab and/or axle tag. I have an 85 owners manual. I'll try to post the list of codes/ratios in the next few days.
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