Anyone have some ball park numbers on fuel economy for an 02 f350 with the 5.4 L engine in it? thanks alot guys

 

My 01 250 CC 4x4 5.4 gets 10-14 depending on driving conditions and ethanol content.

Usually get 12 with 50/50 city/hway. 12 when towing our BBQ on long trips. 14 when I can get 100% gas on hway.

 

After my tune-up 12,000 miles ago (now have 117,500), I am getting between 15.5 and 16 mpg. Mostly highway-type driving. My work is 35 miles from home, mostly up a freeway where I can hold a steady (cruise controlled) 65mph. That's with a 4.30 rear-end also. I get around 8.5 - 9.5 when towing either my boat or travel trailer.

 

right now im looking at an 02 f350 with the 5.4 and im also looking at an 02 f350 with the 7.3L. obviously i want the 7.3. One question i have is how do the electronic 4x4 swtiches hold up, do they break alot, do they have common failures in the electronic 4x4 setup? i would prefer the handle on the floor but finding a reasonably priced diesel is hard enough as it is

 

yea the 7.3 was beat to hell with only 50 k on it... honestly some people just kill trucks, but the 02 f350 with the 5.4 looks like new, im kind of up in the air between diesel and gas, right now i have a subaru that gets 22 mpg on premium so im kinda thinking the regular unleaded f350 may be the way to go, i figured per week i may end up being around the same in general cost because i would only have to fill the truck once every week and a half where as i fill my subaru up twice a week for the most part

 

I usually get 14-15 in mine with my normal driving style and location. My record high so far is 17.6 and my record low is 10.3.

Not sure how much cost savings there would be compared to the Subaru but remember you don't have to run premium in the SD's.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

yea see not having to run premium is definately a major plus considering where i am premium is about .30 cents more per gallon the regular

 

Mike,

If it was me (and it's not), I'd have to ask what you intend to use the truck for. For towing and hauling, I'd recommend the diesel. If you're just wanting to have a truck, the gasser may be better for you. There are a ton of guys out here who WANT a diesel, but don't really need it. I'm one of those guys, so I'm speaking from experience.

Consider this...what'a an oil change in your Subaru cost you now? The oil filter for my 6.0 costs me $18...and I buy it at Wally world. Then add 13 quarts of oil. An oil change is just the beginning. Take a real hard look at why you want which truck...especially if you're looking at cost of ownership as a big factor.

For me it's still an easy decision. I still have my 92 F150 (351 ci) because I knew I wouldn't get anything trading it in when I bought the diesel. The 92 gets 10 mpg on a good day. The diesel gets 15 to 17 mpg day in and day out...

Joe

 

yea my main purpose for buy a truck is one i do a fair amount of construction, also my family owns a stove shop so we sell pellets and our pellet delivery trailer weighs approx 8-10000 pounds fully loaded, i would also like to plow on the side, so im kinda thinking the diesel would be the best way to go

 

Yeah Dude...for that kind of towing work...my personal choice would be the diesel.

Now....I don't remember where you are...you might want to check and see if the diesel has the plug around the passenger side front towing hook. In the winters, you get a much easier start on the diesels if you plug them in overnight on really cold nights.

Joe

 

Ok...I see you're in Taxachuesetts, so that advice on the block heater plug will apply to you.

Joe

 

Get the gasser, if its in that good a shape you wont be getting into a truck that the last guy beat hell out of and hid the problems really well.

... the mention of Taxachusetts in the quoted post caught my eye, Williamstown, Mass is a kinda high end college town in the berkshires, their sales tax was 5% (just went to 6.25) and property taxes last I read in the paper went up to $12.35 per $1,000 of value

compared to searsburg, vt,which is about as polar opposite as you can get, we pay 6% sales tax, about to go up, and higher in the towns that see tourists( manchester is , our property tax is $17.75 per $1,000 assessed.

tops states for taxes NJ, NH, then VT are the highest taxed states on property, Mass is a steal on property tax compared to Vermont, NY or NH, MAss ranked 9th and they still are called Taxachusetts from back in the 70s....If they honored the US Constitution down there I'd move there and save some money!

Property taxes: Where does your state rank? - MSN Money

 

yea i already knew about the block heaters, all diesels come with them standard dont they?

 

Well...yes and no. They all have the block heater installed...but not all of them have the cord from the engine block to the front bumper! If the original owner didn't pay for the option, they simply didn't install the cord.

You'll need to check.

Joe

 

Get at least the V-10 if you get a 350. If you load that up and have the 5.4 good luck going up a hill.. -Just my opinion. I had a 250 5.4 and now have a 350 V10. No comparison. Gas milage will be a little worse city driving w/ V10 but not that much worse. Pulling a load their is no comparison and your mileage will be better than the 5.4 w/ same load.. Just my opinion because i owned both.. V10 all the way. Diesel if you tow ALL the time.