So to 55 mph and watch the MPG increase

For every so many mph over 55 there is a increase of fuel consumption by 10%.

I can't remember if it is 10 mph ,12 mph.

I have no problem driving 10 mph less than the MAXIMUM posted speed limit on a highway.

There is no law against it.

 

Ok...I fold. Anyone got any fishing stories (I'm from Alaska, mine are true!)

 

It doesnt have to be emmisions laden (provided you can get away with it).
-Chris

 

My first truck was a 77 F-150 with either a 351M or 400 and 3:25 (I think) rearend. It got 17-18 mpg pretty regularly then (being a dumb kid) I figured all that emission stuff was BS so I disconnected it all and I started gettin 12-13 mpg. I think these trucks run best when everything is hooked up like it came from the factory. And remember they are designed to run at 55 mph on the highway so anything over that will kill mpg.

 

Our 76 F250 weighs over 2 tons (net), has a monster 460 engine, a front aspect that is like a barn door. It is in decent tune but gets about 8mpg at best around town (I have never driven it on the highway in the 2 years of ownership). I hope it is possible to get 25 highway mpg if everything is ideal but must admit it is difficult to accept. If you consider all the improvements that have occured in F series trucks over the last 30 years, a 2006 F250 should be able to get even better fuel economy. How many miles per gallon can you get on one of these new rigs? (I would guess that less than 25 would be normal???)

The point is that these big pickups are gas-guzzlers and I find it difficult to rationalize using our F250, which we enjoy, for regular daily transport. She has become a driveway ornament.

 

Mine are true as well .

Remember the Imperial Gallon in Canada in 20% Larger than the US gallon

 

these are some impressive results y'all, i was looking to start a project to get mileage like that (300 i6, 5spd and a 3.08 w/whatever i determine is the best size tire to get at the time) but i think back to my 79 f150 ranger lariat trailer special (460 w/motorcraft 2100 thanks to an adapter c6 3.55 w/31x10.5 all terrains) i got 18 mpg from detroit to cleveland @ 65mph.. i was definately surprised since my milage round town was around 10 to 12....

 

You know what they say; If seems too good to be true it probably is. I don't even get 25 mpg in my 2000 diesel pickup; although it has acheived around 20 unloaded and that is only driving 50 mph in very special situations: meaning flat with no wind. My 90 Bronco with a EFI 5.0 with a 5 speed would only get 18 going 60 mph on the flat. I suppose if you had a two wheel drive you should get a couple more MPG just due to the extra weight, decreased aerodynamics, and increased friction from the t-case that 4x4s deal with. My friend in the Army has a 92 f150 with a 300 6 in a 2 wheel drive that regularly get 18-20 on the open road going 55 to 60.

Additionally, I am certain that there are a situation or two in life that you can get some good gas mileage readings that you can look back and be really proud of - granted you are in need of a reality check. For instance, my diesel pickup gets 36 mpg going from Chickaloon, AK to Sutton, AK on a regular basis. However, you need to know that most of that is significantly downhill. Personally, I don't take any mileage figures seriously unless you repeat them over thousands of miles. You aren't going to get 25 MPG very often with a full sized pickup. In fact, I would have bought a lottery ticket that day - it was your one of your lucky ones. Of course, if you had and your won the lottery, we all would be asking you for loans for our gas hogs

 

That is all i could think of while reading this thread....im sorry, im usually pretty optimistic with my 460 and others, but you must have miscalculated or somehow more gas was added to your truck without you knowing (gotta love the gas fairy) because if Ford cant make one get that kinda mileage in a new truck thats tuned and fuel injected, then there is no way anyone could get that from a carb.....im not trying to shoot you down, but id have to see those results with my own eyes a few times before i could believe it.....

 

I have to agree, the only way you are getting 25 MPG is if you are dreaming it. Honestly, think about what you are saying. I have a 1973 with a completely rebuilt engine and driven at 65 MPH on the highway I get almost 13 MPG.

 

hey i can get 20+ mpgs easy- while hauling- on my '76. If you're hauling a truck out back and getting 10 mpgs on the pullin truck...that's kinda like 20 mpgs...right?!?!

 

I regulary get at least 25 or more with my 04 F150...but thats only a 4.6 and it is lighter than my 350. But like I said I was able to get 22 highway and 16-17 city on my 350 and its a 390 w/ a 2bbl. Itd be interesting to do the math and figure out if horse power to weight and so on on the older trucks helps or hurts them.
-Chris
PS
Im not aruging with anyone at all just to be clear. I just would like to know how other people are getting as good or better than myself so I can be up there with em

 

Are you figurin Kms/g? Cuz 25 is a whole lot on these new sleds. Is your 04 a heritage or new body? Because my 01 flareside reg cab v6 5 spd is heavier than you think, almost 4000 with out me in. Now put the new body trucks with full bed and the huge body panels and full box frame ford advertises i guarantee more than 5000 lbs. My 76 DOES NOT way 5000 lbs. Nor does my 79 and it's a 4x4. My 75 probably does, but that's only 1 out of the three I own. My 01 only gets in the 15 mpg range, but it seldom sees highway miles.

 

ah i see that your 04 is the heritage edition.

 

Apples and oranges. The truck in question has a 302 not a 460 and its a 2wd. For the most part I dont think trucks have "come a long way" in the milage department. My 99 F-150 4x4 with a 4.2 V6 only gets 15-16 mpg on a regular basis. I had a best of 20 mpg only once. Ive had the truck for over 100k miles and its been consistant. I can get the same numbers out of my 79 F-150 with a 302 and that has better power and worse aerodynamics.