I use the maintance program that's offered on this site and keep close track of my mpg since Oct when I started the program I have averaged 18.66 mpg mostly running empty back and forth to work some trailer time but nothing over 7000 lbs. My 96 has 205000 miles 3:55 gears , auto , 2wheel drive with just a few mods . On trip not towing I regularly get over 22 mpg if I keep it at about 70 mph.

Dave

 

The truck I am looking at is 4x4 crew cab short box with I believe 3.55 rear. Sounds like diesel is the only way to go for a fullsize, it sucks that it costs more per gallon.

 

Wildstang, my milage would compare to northern climates since Gunnison is the coldest place in the lower 48. -32F at my house this morning w/ a high of 2F. The average year round temp here is 35F. The altitude here ranges between 7800 and 14000 ft. (Most people live between 7800 and 10,000 ft.) That milage also includes climbing some steep passes frequently, and with the powerstroke you don't notice the climb or the altitude. It's nice to pull a 7,000 lb trailer and pass a struggling (empy) full sized Ford gasser on the pass with no effort... Watching the boost guage and keeping off the throtle definatly improves milage. The price of fuel these days does suck, it was much better in years past when diesel was less than gas. I've driven diesels for the last 25 years and it has only been the last 4 years or so that diesel caught up with gas. And for those past few years it has switched back and forfth, with diesel usually being a few cents higher than regular more than not...Oh well, lots more power and efficiency with the diesel. The V10 gasser doesn't compare in power to my powerstroke for towing and I get more than twice the milage. Even with diesel more expensive, it is still a better value for me, and the engine will far outlast a gasser...I find it far easier to work on too than a modern gasser with all that emisions crap crammed into the engine compartment. Alot less complicated too..

 

Thank you Fridgeddiesel, that is pretty impressive. Diesels are definitely the way to go.

 

I just bought a 96 F350 Crew Cab 4x4 longbed from a dealer here in Indiana that came from Texas. It has 230,000 and is running real good. Plus there's no rust!! I only paid 10,000 for it. 12,000 seems a bit high. I can get you the name of this dealer and then you could buy it from them (all they deal in is diesels, very knowledgable) and only have to drive to Indiana instead of Texas! I get 14 mpg which is what I got in my F150 302 truck. And I have a ton more room and pulling power!!

 

prettygt2, do they have a website, I would like their number. I do really like the one on ebay and may see if I could get a loan for that much. The dealer that is selling it is looking to get at least in the 13's. Does the dealer you are talking about have any short box crew cab 4x4's?

 

Well, that's the fun part, their inventory changes all the time. Their number is (260)496-9997. They are super nice and helpful. But they do have website, it's dieseltrux.com. He has a 97 Crew cab long bed 4x4 Maroon that will be ready Friday but he didn't tell me a price. He says he tends to get long beds because those are the work horses that are getting traded in. So maybe this won't help you much. He's got an 02 crew cab short bed 4x4 coming Friday that sounds gorgeous! But I don't know if you want to go that new. It's got 170,000. Should be on the website this weekend. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks, this is helpful. I like the 97 or older style. I will give them a call.