Fuel Mileage

[vegas39]

Well I see you live in Texas. That means you drive what...like 120mph? Sorry its a joke I have with some people I know there. Speed kills these trucks. My truck lately has been getting 18.5mpg...I just really wish I had an overdrive of some sort, I'm sure I could get into the low 20's if I did. But I dont go over 65mph

Nice truck Justin. I'm looking for another truck at the moment, because I told my son he could have my 86 when he starts driving.
He just saw the pic of your truck and is planning a way for me to have mine repainted before I give it to him. I told him to get a job!

 

[FordGuy100]

Sounds like a smart kid .

 

[david85]

...I told my son he could have my 86 when he starts driving.
He just saw the pic of your truck and is planning a way for me to have mine repainted before I give it to him. I told him to get a job!

Keep your son away from us. We are a bad influence

 

[spencergt66]

O for a second there i thought you were talking about my paint job you had me worried

 

[Fozz]

Not to be a downer, but I'm gonna go against everybody's mileage expectations and say that I wouldn't expect your mileage to improve too much. You're a crewcab 4x4 that probably weighs in at 7500lbs or so with I'd bet a 4:10 gear. I've got the same truck but 4x2 and automatic (weighs 6700lbs). I get 13.25ish in town and 14 freeway unloaded (but freeway is 70mph). My injectors are new, but I do have a DPS pump (could be room for improvement there).

 

[spencergt66]

Well I mean I'm not expecting for this thing to get 20mpg Its just not going to happen but i just want to get the best mileage I can I'm going to order some new nozzles on Monday so i can rebuild my injectors so I know that those are good then we shall see what happens hopefully that will help

 

[spencergt66]

Ok so i burnt through another tank of fuel and refilled and the mileage comes out to 13.3 mpg. Thats driving like a grand pa keeping rpms below 2000 in town and driving the speed limit on the hwy (65) kinda hoping that the mileage goes up with some new injectors

 

[david85]

I agree fozz, expecting 20 MPG at 70 MPH is asking a lot for a truck this size and weight. However, dropping to 65 will already make a noticable difference. 60 is better, but that can be "demoralizing".

How much does it cost to get those nozzles?.....or is that sensitive information?

 

[Diesel JD]

Get over 65 and wind resistance becomes killer, below that its the engine RPM that has the lion's share of the effect. I think you should get 15 in town and 17 on the highway with that setup, anything beyond that would be gravy.

 

[spencergt66]

O I'm not expecting 20 that would be kinda odd I think. I don't want anyone to think I'm too picky by doing my own injectors I just like doing things my self that way I have no one to blame if things go wrong. As far as the parts go I'm not 100% sure on the price I think they were around 12 dollars a nozzle plus my time so we shall see ill let you know after I order them if you'd like

 

[opusd2]

I would definitely say that there is a lot to expect from these old machines. I tested mine this weekend and with at least 1000lbs in the truck I averaged at least 15 mpg. Not too bad for a truck with leaking o-rings on the return line, old injectors and IP, and a front end so loose it's like riding an old shopping cart with that one wobbly wheel up front. I am confident I can get a bit more out of it since the truck is pretty much stock except for the soup bowl cut out, synthetic oil in the engine but dino oils elsewhere, and my quart of secret concoction I run every tank full that includes ATF. Otherwise it's all stock with 4.10 gears out back and the cruise set at 57 mph.

 

[opusd2]

I like riding the truck at 55-60 mph. It's a nice ride and I have a stereo that I pulled from an OLD Chrysler that get's great reception. Since I just fixed the cruise control, why be in a hurry if you don't have to be. Plus it makes the cars that want to pass me work for it when the limit is 65. I don't care, I like to drive relaxed. But when I want to crank it up, it will run like a bat out of hell, with a dark case of flatulence of course...

 

[Diesel JD]

You are getting all you can out of that setup Opusd2, 15 with 4.10 and C6 and questionable fuel system is very, very good. I think with taller gearing and everything else in good shape 20 is very obtainable. I can't prove it by my own experiences though.

 

[punkmechanic]

just to throw some fuel on the fire. I have a crew cab 4x4 that weighs 7200 pounds with me, my tools, and 25 gallons of fuel on board ( I checked to be sure the scrap scales are straight). My last long trip I kept track of mileage via gps and fill till I can see the fuel in the neck. I got 21 mpg down with an empty trailer in tow, up and down mountains, and rolling coal (my motor is getting worn out, I think), running 55-60 mph. The return trip was with a 4000 pound car on the trailer and stuff in the bed, got 17 mpg. Havent noticed a change with the flat bed install. Im running a zf5, stock tires, and 3.55 gears. Its slow but at least the mileage is good. 20 mpg in a 7000 lb rig is possible.

around town empty I get 16-18 depending on traffic and idle time. Im gonna make the same run labor day weekend with no trailer and skinnier tires. I will go down faster and come back slower and see what happens.

punk

 

[spencergt66]

well why cant I get that figgures someone on here would have the one truck that gets freekish mileage compared to its size owell what can you do