So what did you do with your truck today?
- Thread starter GOOSE
- Start date
IDIBRONCO
IDIBRONCO
The 460 in my last Dent Side (79 F150, Ex cab, 4x2, C6) would easily get better than 10 while empty. The last time that I checked, I was low on money but needed to make a drive to get another radiator for my Mustang. I was easy on the throttle, let speed bleed off while going up hills, would manually shift the transmission, and basically didn't get into a hurry going down the road. I don't know the exact mileage that I had to drive since the highway was under construction and had to take some dirt roads to go around it, but as close as I could figure it, I got about 13. It also was running a jetted down 2v carb, full length headers, and a true dual exhaust with free flowing mufflers. The biggest secret about the gas mileage was told to me by the same old guy who told me about steering free play and tightening the steering box (I mentioned those in another thread). He told me that with a 460, you had to change the spark plugs every 8000-10,000 miles. After that, it would run fine with plenty of power, but would drink a lot of gas. Since I didn't drive the truck very much, I just changed spark plugs once a year and put new wires, cap and rotor on it every other year. That sure did the trick for me.
I had a 2000 Dodge Durango, the first, rounder body. It had the 360 V-8 in it. It would get 15ish, empty, on my mixed commute. If I was towing my 21’ Coachmen Camper that weighed ~4500lbs it would get 9, maybe.
The worst it ever got was towing after a get together in Northern Indiana.. We left later than I should have (I really didn’t want to leave) so I was beating feet back. I filled up at the exit we were staying down the road at, got on the interstate (I-69 in Indiana) and headed south. I was bucking a fairly goo headwind (wind from the southwest, and I was heading southwest). I was running ~65-70 in 3rd gear, didn’t tow in OD(it was much happier at 55-60 towing) and as I was a few miles from my exit, the gas light came on..... I got on a the 348, and my exit was the 222 - 126 miles... The Durango had a 25 gallon tank.. so let’s say that light came on at 5 gallons left so 126/20=6.3mpg....
Every V-8 Dodge I have been around were always thirsty. My 2000 was EFI and all... but it was still the 60’s designed 360.... so an older less efficient design to begin with.
I replaced the Durango with the Excursion in my signature and it would get 15-16 TOWING and better empty.
Now, get into a modern design V-6 or V-8... Dad had a 5.0 in a 2012 F-150 and would get 18 from it empty. My 2 11’s will get 20+.... (well the 3.5 doesn’t get 20 with me driving... because well, TURBOS!!!!!! That is a fun, fairly fast truck.
Farmer Rock
just a fella' without a 10mm socket
My dad has an 04 ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi. That thing only gets 10-12 mpg empty around town, and 14-15 on the highway. I admit that truck is fast, but incapable of passing a gas station,lol
Rock
Rock
I have been getting about 13mpg for quite a while. Usually a little less. Sometimes as little as 10.5 But averaging slightly under 13.
Recently got water with my new tank. Didn't need all of it in my storage tank at home, so I left the rest in there.
I guesstimate roughly 1000 pounds of water left in the tank.
Made several trips to town. Usual stuff. I was afraid I was going to see my mpg go down.
More go pedal to get up hills, and that sort of stuff going on...
Got 13.5mpg!!!
She is going to sit for a while now.
I can't afford a tire to replace the bad one. And that thing is getting mighty scary. It could blow up at any time.
So she will sit now, until I can figure out a way to get some good tires.
Also need to figure out what is wrong with the front passenger side axle or bearings or whatever, anyway.
Recently got water with my new tank. Didn't need all of it in my storage tank at home, so I left the rest in there.
I guesstimate roughly 1000 pounds of water left in the tank.
Made several trips to town. Usual stuff. I was afraid I was going to see my mpg go down.
More go pedal to get up hills, and that sort of stuff going on...
Got 13.5mpg!!!
She is going to sit for a while now.
I can't afford a tire to replace the bad one. And that thing is getting mighty scary. It could blow up at any time.
So she will sit now, until I can figure out a way to get some good tires.
Also need to figure out what is wrong with the front passenger side axle or bearings or whatever, anyway.
Farmer Rock
just a fella' without a 10mm socket
Look for guys parting out trucks with good tires on craigslist or facebook marketplace. I have come across lots of good tires that way.
Rock
ISPKI
Welding/metallurgical engineer/Metalsmith
Good idea, my super duty has a punctured sidewall on an outer tire that needs replacing. Standard 235/85 size, about 200$ new but id rather just get a used one for cheap.
Laine D
Full Access Member
I don’t know what you have for tire shops up in your area but down here in California there are a ton of little shops with like 2 employees. I always go to this middle eastern guy, small shops are usually a lot cheaper and carry used tires for super cheap. Sometimes you can negotiate with them too.
IDIBRONCO
IDIBRONCO
That's pretty good. I haven't heard of anyone around here getting more than about 12-13 out of their empty Durangos/Dakotas. The 318 ones will get 15 or so pretty regularly if they're in good condition with a good tune up on them. I knew a guy with a 98(?) Ram 1500 with a 360 in it. He though he was getting 16-17 out of it, but his math wasn't very good. The one time he actually said how much gas he used on a certain trip, I figured that he was getting around 9. He took that same truck and I rode with an older guy who was driving a 1975 F250 Ex cab, 4X2, with a 460 that I built. We were going to get the last bit of the older guy's things from when he moved. every time that we stopped for gas with empty trailers, the Dodge always took 1-2 more gallons that the F250 did. When they were loaded, the Dodge usually took 4-5 more gallons to fill it up. The Dodge owner said that at least he kept up with it. The old guy told him that that was just because I wasn't driving the F250 instead of him. I haven't seen or heard (from a reliable source) anything impressive out of those Dodges.
79jasper
Chickenhawk
My 06 300c (same engine) averages 8...... I'm sure the cam and slower drives around post don't help.
Straight highway I have hit 21 though.
Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk
Farmer Rock
just a fella' without a 10mm socket
I didn't know that Chrysler put the hemi
I didn't even know that chrysler had the hemi in 300s. That car must get up and go!
Rock
Dane Rickford
Full Access Member
I just timed my engine with a meter for the first time, and it was at 18* advanced 
no wonder I keep blowing glow plugs 
no wonder I keep blowing glow plugs 
Its another run to my house but got a stowaway this time that cut my grass for free.
When on the run found a blue crew cab brick sitting higher than mine on I think 37-39 tires 3 times, it was diesel and I think wanted to play 3rd time.
When on the run found a blue crew cab brick sitting higher than mine on I think 37-39 tires 3 times, it was diesel and I think wanted to play 3rd time.
You must be registered for see images attach
Last edited:
Farmer Rock
just a fella' without a 10mm socket
I finally got around to replacing a brake line on the 88 f250 that blew when I was unloading it off the trailer. I was kind of in a hurry so I went to a napa machine shop (big mistake), and when it was finished, I asked " how much do I owe you", and he said " it comes to $49" I asked " why?", and he responded with "$4 for materials, $42 dollars in labor. and $3 for tax....................." What, $42 in labor" i said. He said " it took 15 minutes to make it".............I left, and I ain't going back!
Anyhow, I got the line in, and after the pain of bleeding brakes by myself, took it for a spin and took some pics.
yeah, it's a little smokey, but between the truck sitting for 2 years with old fuel, the GPs not working, and the air intrusion, why shouldn't it smoke a little bit?lol
I really wish the truck was a manual, I really like it!
The mysterious object under the tarp is another spare 6.9 I got with the truck. The PO rebuilt it 30k miles ago. I am probably going to pull it apart to see what kind of shape it is in compared to the 6.9 I am going to swap in the f superduty. Which ever is in better shape I guess.
Rock
You must be registered for see images attach
Anyhow, I got the line in, and after the pain of bleeding brakes by myself, took it for a spin and took some pics.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
yeah, it's a little smokey, but between the truck sitting for 2 years with old fuel, the GPs not working, and the air intrusion, why shouldn't it smoke a little bit?lol
I really wish the truck was a manual, I really like it!
The mysterious object under the tarp is another spare 6.9 I got with the truck. The PO rebuilt it 30k miles ago. I am probably going to pull it apart to see what kind of shape it is in compared to the 6.9 I am going to swap in the f superduty. Which ever is in better shape I guess.
Rock
Last edited:
Damn, $164/hr????
I hate brake work but I'd do whatever you want for that kind of money
