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Ok so I bought a 95 f150 recently which is 4×4 and has the 302 in it. It only has 118000 miles on it so I figured I would buy it. Well come to find out… the thing is getting 10 mpg! This was after I removed the muffler and replaced with a piece of pipe (which I can definitely feel a difference). But getting to the point I was just wondering if any of you guys had some ideas for better mileage. I’m considering some long tube headers and possibly a rear end gear swap. Just as a side note, there are not any emissions tests where I live so I am open to anything 😛 . Any help is appreciated! If I can’t get decent mileage from this motor a 4bt cummins swap is looking pretty tempting. banana: haha!
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First off a diesel swap is never worth it because it would take too long to see any savings from the mileage difference and the maintenance is a lot more expensive.
Then on to your problem I would try the easiest things first plugs, wires, filters, fluids etc.. Then get the truck on a diagnostic machine and see what is going on in the engine/transmission. Finally get the brakes gone through to make sure they are not dragging and have an alignment done.Like broke said a diesel swap is VERY costly.
And like he said always start with the simple stuff, inspect the plugs,wires cap rotor. Also check to see if the timing chain has to much slack check to make sure EGR valve is not stuck slightly open.
Also that truck is rated at about 14mpg in the city. Due to the 4wd part your mileage is never going to be very good in that particular truck.
[quote=”wysetech” post=75656]Yep…10 MPG is about average for that truck, but it’s quiet, smooth and doesn’t stink like hell.[/quote]
Oh I like ’em also, but many people buy one without researching the costs to operate them and than get upset. My son-in-law did that, went out and bought the biggest 4wd gas truck he could afford. A few days later he was at the shop asking how to get better mileage with it. All I honestly could say was “Don’t drive it”.
That’s why I have two, a old Toyota Corolla to do the general running around and the truck for taking parts to get machined or picking parts up.
I don’t know what mileage to expect with that kind of truck in that kind of driving.
Firs make sure that there isn’t anything that is faulty and is causing higher fuel consumption.
Only modifications worth doing to vehicle for fuel economy are instrumentation, aerodynamics, weight, and gearing.
-Instrumentation helps you drive more economically.
-Aerodynamic mods that are effective are noticeable and/or make it harder to use, maybe not including grill block, small air damn, or aerodynamic tunnel cover http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/truck-bed-cap-470-0608.jpg normal tunnel covers don’t work for aerodynamics.
-Weight can’t normally be taken down from what it was from factory without making it less useful.
-Chancing gearing is normally too costly, but maybe it can be done cheaply enough with those old types of rear ends. It will make your speedometer incorrect. EDIT:Its 4×4 so forget it.
-Don’t install bigger wheels to it they will increase fuel consumption![quote=”Raistian77″ post=75660]That’s why I have two, a old Toyota Corolla to do the general running around and the truck for taking parts to get machined or picking parts up.[/quote]
How much does it take just to own a car? Like for taxes and insurances and that kind of stuff.The 4×4 hardware adds a good 250 pounds to the vehicle weight, which you’re carrying around all the time.
The fuel economy rating is an optimistic 12 to 14 MPG, so you’re not that far off, especially for an engine with a few miles on it.
Try filling up the tires up to their rated max (and not a bit more). Check the engine timing. Check the plugs. Anything else is likely to cost much more than the return on investment.
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