New(to me) truck, baseline found
 

Just bought my dad's '95 f150. He got a new '05.This one seems almost like new. My mom said he's already told her I got the better truck. 85,000 miles on a 300 I6/auto/2.73, all stock. I've still got my '94 300/manual apart, building engine. Dad always complained about the mileage, (his '82 I6 got 19-23). Ran through the first tank and got 15.8. That hurts right now, as the Escort I was driving got around 30. My stick got 16-18, so seems about right. I wanna squeeze out all I can, needless to say, so first, any suggestions for this particular combo? Also, this tank I've been trying to accelerate slower, drive slower on the I-state, time lights, less A/C (hard to do right now) etc. Ran some with the gate down. About to go fill up and see if it helped any. This tank I'm gonna try tire inflation, check/change air filter. Needs an oil change and tranny service soon. Any real benefit to synthetics in either or both? All input appreciated.

I'd leave the tailgate up. I've heard about tests that show that with the tailgate up the back pressure kind of forms a "ghost toneau" and with it down you lose that. check for gasoline myths and you'll find it. Also, be sure to change the fluids, but for a truck that old I wouldn't go with Synthetic. I hear that if you change over you can actually do more harm than good. The oil sludge ends up forming seals that the synthetic washes away and causes the engine to leak. A good product for higher mileage engines is called "Restore" it's sold at Wal-Mart and Advance Auto Parts here in Alabama. I used it in my old Ranger and loved it, always seemed to help the engine. You can try to run some cleaners through the gasoline system, and be sure to use a high quality (not octane) gas. Try Chevron, I've always had good results with that gas. Good luck!

Don't be afraid of synthetics. Though the motor oil will not show any mpg bennefit. Deffinetly change out the rear ax and use synthetic.

Plugs, wires, cap and rotor. K&N air filters seem to help a little, plus you'll only buy one. Check the timing with a good timing light, make sure it is where it is supposed to be. All of these together may give you 1 mpg better, synthetic in my PSD gave me a 1.5 MPG increase. Tire inflation, as stated makes a difference as well. Whiel Plugs can last up to a 100,000 miles, they are cheap, and relatively easy to change. MSD superconductor wires are my preference on gassers, they work better, and will last 4 times as long as the generic auto parts store brands.

Ryan