Need better MPG
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Need better MPG
I am interested in getting better mileage along with a bit more power. I don't want to mess with exhaust and really don't want gauges. The truck has a K&N air filter, otherwise is stock and has been since new. What are my best options out there. This truck will get 16 mpg if driving in the 55 to 65 range on the highway otherwise is drops to 13. Pretty respectable given the size of the vehicle. I am hearing it can do better.
2000 F250 w/ 7.3 diesel
4WD
191,000 miles
Crew Cab/short box
2000 F250 w/ 7.3 diesel
4WD
191,000 miles
Crew Cab/short box
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
It can do a whole lot better. First thing to toss is that K&N. Go to the 6637, get a tuner, I don't have Jody's because of lack of funds but what I have does the job. Get rid of the OEM exhaust and go to a straight no muffler 4". Plenty to choose from. You will get lots of suggetions here, I am just getting the ball rolling for you. I can get 23 mpg highway with very little effort. 19 mpg around town is commonplace for me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
welcome to FTE
few thing you can check for MPG..all though K&N is not the best air filter for a diesel ..make sure it is clean..look at the up pipes going to the back of the turbo for any soot..you will need to get under the truck and look up at them as well..also look where they bolt to the exhaust manifolds..any sine of soot is an exhaust leak..any loss of exhaust before the turbo will kill performance..also make sure all 4 boots from turbo to inter cooler are tight, clean and in good shape..also the 2 boots under the spider pipe going down into the valley....you can also use this link to make sure the EBPS tube is clean and free of soot..
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/ebps.html
taking the cat and muffler off will free up some back pressure and give you more power and better MPG..also getting rid of that K&N and doing the 6637 filter for around $50 will help it breather better..giving you more power and MPG as well.. after that you can add a chip..but gauges really should be instaled before the chip..
few thing you can check for MPG..all though K&N is not the best air filter for a diesel ..make sure it is clean..look at the up pipes going to the back of the turbo for any soot..you will need to get under the truck and look up at them as well..also look where they bolt to the exhaust manifolds..any sine of soot is an exhaust leak..any loss of exhaust before the turbo will kill performance..also make sure all 4 boots from turbo to inter cooler are tight, clean and in good shape..also the 2 boots under the spider pipe going down into the valley....you can also use this link to make sure the EBPS tube is clean and free of soot..
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/ebps.html
taking the cat and muffler off will free up some back pressure and give you more power and better MPG..also getting rid of that K&N and doing the 6637 filter for around $50 will help it breather better..giving you more power and MPG as well.. after that you can add a chip..but gauges really should be instaled before the chip..
Last edited by ron's power stoke; Dec 28, 2007 at 06:46 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 1
From: house springs,mo
Originally Posted by evan2000
I am interested in getting better mileage along with a bit more power. I don't want to mess with exhaust and really don't want gauges. The truck has a K&N air filter, otherwise is stock and has been since new. What are my best options out there. This truck will get 16 mpg if driving in the 55 to 65 range on the highway otherwise is drops to 13. Pretty respectable given the size of the vehicle. I am hearing it can do better.
2000 F250 w/ 7.3 diesel
4WD
191,000 miles
Crew Cab/short box
2000 F250 w/ 7.3 diesel
4WD
191,000 miles
Crew Cab/short box
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Union Grove, Wisconsin
Make sure your tire air pressure is correct. Check your sticker inside the drivers door jamb - that's the pressure you should be running. I know I had to add air to my tires once the Wisconsin cold winter came.
It looks like your in South Dakota so I'm assuming you have the winter blend diesel. You'll lose a couple MPG's with that stuff. My fuel mileage drops approx. 2 - 4 mpg in winter.
It looks like your in South Dakota so I'm assuming you have the winter blend diesel. You'll lose a couple MPG's with that stuff. My fuel mileage drops approx. 2 - 4 mpg in winter.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Originally Posted by skibender
Make sure your tire air pressure is correct. Check your sticker inside the drivers door jamb - that's the pressure you should be running. I know I had to add air to my tires once the Wisconsin cold winter came.
It looks like your in South Dakota so I'm assuming you have the winter blend diesel. You'll lose a couple MPG's with that stuff. My fuel mileage drops approx. 2 - 4 mpg in winter.
It looks like your in South Dakota so I'm assuming you have the winter blend diesel. You'll lose a couple MPG's with that stuff. My fuel mileage drops approx. 2 - 4 mpg in winter.
winter blend fuel BLOWS
coupled with lower temperatures, stiffer driveline fluids; you guys in warmer climates ain't got no clue what whe go through up here...
if you want to read my ongoing diary of my fuel economy fight... https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ss-a-rant.html
I can trace my fuel economy drop to two days... nearly 16 down to around 13.. the day the bio-refiner went **** up..
13 to 10... the day the station down the road started winter blend fuel...
so, change your oil, change your driveline fluids (both diffs, t/c case, transmission), change your power steering fluid, make sure your tires are properly inflated, don't run it in hubs locked unless you have to, plug it in for a couple hours before you get going in the morning, put in clean filters (fuel, oil, air), change where you're buying your fuel, add a cetane booster and a quart of TCW3 on each tank (30 gallons)... ditch the ultra-agressive Gumbo Thornbird Terra Grapplers for something with less drag in the tread...
boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp cocktail, shrimp gumbo.. that's about it..
Last edited by JLDickmon; Dec 29, 2007 at 06:36 AM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Carlos, MN
I get better than that in the summer, but now that it's winter that's about the best you gonna get. The problem is that winter diesel doesn't get as good of mileage as straight number 2 that we get in the summer up here. Exhaust wise something you could do now cheap is cut out the muffler, it doesn't increase the noise in side that much, nor out side for that matter, unless you really stand on it. Make sure you add either diesel kleen white bottle, or schaffers winter blend fuel additive every tank that should increase your mileage a bit, plus your truck will run a lot better. Keep you foot of the gas pedal and keep the rpms below 2000rpm that's were you are going to get the best mileage. As far as the K&N goes get rid of it, they are well known for letting dust by and destroying your turbo. Get a 6637 or go back to stock anything is better than that K&N in turbo charged vehicle.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Originally Posted by evan2000
What is a 6637 and who sells it. Is it a complete air filter box change?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
Originally Posted by evan2000
What is a 6637 and who sells it. Is it a complete air filter box change?
just read this thread.. get the filter at napa part# 6637 and a 3"long piece of 4" exhaust pipe..do what the thread said and it shouldnt cost much more then $55..good luck..
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Carlos, MN
Here's some more help with the 6637: Linky
This will also show you how to add the filter minder, but the last pick pretty much shows you what it looks like and there are hundreds of posts on the 6637 if you search for it, also there are a couple of guys that have picks of it in there gallery. You may also think it would get wet, with snow or rain but it doesn't works great, plenty of airflow great filtration. You can also get one at fleetfilter.com they are a little cheaper than napa. These sites will also answer a lot of you questions.
Linky2
Linky3
Sort of
This will also show you how to add the filter minder, but the last pick pretty much shows you what it looks like and there are hundreds of posts on the 6637 if you search for it, also there are a couple of guys that have picks of it in there gallery. You may also think it would get wet, with snow or rain but it doesn't works great, plenty of airflow great filtration. You can also get one at fleetfilter.com they are a little cheaper than napa. These sites will also answer a lot of you questions.
Linky2
Linky3
Originally Posted by evan2000
Is it a complete air filter box change?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair, MO
If you decide to do the Kwik 6637 (I think he deserves props) you won't regreat it. You'll feel the added power and your truck and turbo will thank you. Just two notes so you don't freak out and post about this later; 1) yes that is the right filter, it's huge!, but it does fit and 2) there is a definate change in the noise you'll hear when accelerating... my wife says it sounds like Darth Vader under the hood. It's normal, just a lot more unrestricted air being pulled in. Read the posts, take your time. Here are some great links to add to your favorites:
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/
http://7point3.com/Mods.aspx
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/
http://7point3.com/Mods.aspx
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I completed the 6637 modification today with no problems. I mounted the filterminder in the end of the filter. All fits well. It is obvious that I need to look at exhaust and it won't be a problem and that when it comes to chip time that the DP-Tuner comes highly recommended. It looks like I will need a set of gauges. As long as I am doing this, I would also like to include tranny temp since my stock setup does not have that. Are there any favorites for gauge setups that are economical?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Washington
Originally Posted by evan2000
I completed the 6637 modification today with no problems. I mounted the filterminder in the end of the filter. All fits well. It is obvious that I need to look at exhaust and it won't be a problem and that when it comes to chip time that the DP-Tuner comes highly recommended. It looks like I will need a set of gauges. As long as I am doing this, I would also like to include tranny temp since my stock setup does not have that. Are there any favorites for gauge setups that are economical?
Let the PMS continue!!!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
i got autometers from pure diesel listed at the top of this page..many of our sponsors sell them as a pkg. the A piller pod with three gauges for around $300..you need the pyro,boost and trans temp...