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Discussion Forum

Whats your gas mileage?

m2akita | Posted in General Discussion on May 29, 2003 07:08am

Its come to the time for me to either put a fair amount of money in repairs into my truck of buy something new ( my mech. said to give him a few days to come up with an estimate….oh joy!!).  I like the truck I have except for the gas mileage, so Im wondering what other people get from their vehicles.  This will be a deciding factor in what I do.

It would be helpful if people would include what they drive with specs (engine, auto or manual, 4×2 or 4×4), how loaded down the truck is, and how they drive (lead foot or grandpa, etc.), and what they get for gas mileage.

Thanxs in advance, Ill start

1988 Ford F250 Ext cab

351 (5.8L) engine, 5 spd, 4×2

Gas mileage = 8.5 – 12.5 mpg

I have a topper and external heavy duty ladder rack ( thing is massive).  Truck is just about always loaded with all carp hand tools ( power and other wise), compressor, miter saw, table saw.  50/50 whether or not I have a ladder loaded on top.

Im a pretty average driver, maybe more on the grandpa end as Im usually loaded down with the tools and have my dogs with me (they dont like it too much when I take the corners to fast).

 

M2akita

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Replies

  1. friendlyguy | May 29, 2003 07:54pm | #1

    My truck is a regular cab 1994 F150, 4.9 litre 6 cylinder automatic 4X4. I try not to keep it loaded, because it's such a light duty truck. I pull a two axle trailer with it sometimes for debris and bulky items. It has 235,000 Km, (~150,000 U.S. miles) on it, and surprisingly still looks like new from about 10 feet away. It burns natural gas and regular fuel as well, but I try to get CNG whenever I can because its tax free in Ontario Canada. Up here, that fuel comes from Alberta, not the middle east.

    I get about 20 mpg. I've gotten as high as 24 on the open road, but that's not your question. I drive mostly in rural areas, so my truck doesn't idle much. As for driving style, I'd say I'm your "watch the world go by", grandfather type. The countryside is just too beautiful not to enjoy it while your passing by.

    All the young guys at the gas station want me to sell them my truck. I might, if Ford comes out with a new 6 cylinder diesel in 2004 -05 like I heard they were planning.

    enjoy the day! h.  

    1. User avater
      IMERC | May 29, 2003 10:23pm | #2

      The six banger is out. It is junk.

      Gunner started a thread a bit ago and a comentary was made on the six banger. Might want to give a llok see. 

  2. rody | May 29, 2003 10:39pm | #3

    94 Ford F-250 IDI turbodiesel 4X4  5-spd. I get 18 mpg highway and 14 or so towing a trailerload of whatever. No complaints about the power or mileage after 106,000. Its good for another 10 yrs. of abuse.

    Lefty - Lurker without an attitude or a clue
  3. User avater
    NickNukeEm | May 29, 2003 10:40pm | #4

    Two trucks:

    1987 Chevy Custom Deluxe 20, 454 V-8 2WD automatic, 8 - 10 mpg.  It has a Harbor Utility back with 6 lockboxes, the back is fully enclosed and loaded with tools.  I recently went to Maine in the downpour and was grateful for the enclosed back.  I drive sedately.  Although I highly recommend the enclosed back, the truck is rudimentary at best, with comfort level near zero.

    1998 F-150 long bed, V-6 2WD 5-speed, about 18-20 mpg.  I love this truck for its ride and long bed.  If I could morph the two trucks into an F-250 2WD with the enclosed utility back, I'd be in heaven.

    I never met a tool I didn't like!
    1. rebuilder | May 29, 2003 10:56pm | #5

      '97 F-250 diesel 4x4 5spd

      16mpg around town( mtn. roads)  22 highway

      '88 F-150 straight six 5spd 4x4

      12-14- ish town?  gauges don't work!

      1. oasis2500 | Jun 02, 2003 09:29pm | #71

        I just bought a 1988 4 spd straight 6- I get about 16 mpg and no, the gauges don't work on this truck either.  Guy next door to me is parts manager for a Ford dealership and he says don't even bother replacing the gauges- they all go bad sooner or later.  Chip

  4. WorkshopJon | May 29, 2003 11:34pm | #6

    '98 Chevy K2500 C6P (the HD 4X4 3/4 ton package) 454 (TPSEFI) and 5 speed manual overdrive, gets 12 to 14MPG around town, 16.7MPG highway (4.10 rear gears). Rated to tow 12,500 lbs.

    Great truck, Towing, it's hard to tell there is a load in back.

    Paid $19,200 new on a $26,900+ sticker in October '97.

    Jon

    Oh, BTW, load doesn't seem to make much of a difference in MPG  except when trailering my boat, then (~4500 lbs with trailer), down about 1 to 1.5MPG.



    Edited 5/29/2003 6:26:40 PM ET by WorkshopJon

  5. xMikeSmith | May 29, 2003 11:56pm | #7

    '91 F150.. 206,000 miles.. 2d engine... V8  300 towing package long bed 4x2... 12.7 mpg

    Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

    1. brownbagg | May 30, 2003 12:04am | #8

      27 city.   85 toyota 2wd 5speed 385,000 miles

  6. Brudoggie | May 30, 2003 12:08am | #9

    '96 F-250 4x4 super cab, 351 fi., 4 speed aod tranny, loaded crosover box, plus back seat usually full of tools. Mostly rural driving, at a normal pace. 13 Mpg. 2000 F-350 4x4 dually dump truck. V-10 engine, AOD tranny, reg. cab. Same driving style and locations. As of last check, 11 MPG. Doesn't seem to vary if loaded or unloaded.

      Brudoggie

  7. steve | May 30, 2003 12:14am | #10

    88 chevy or gmc van (depending where you look!!)

    350 gas fuel injected, auto 2wd

    1 ton van with massive truck tires(16.5 dia wheel)

    370000 kilometers(200000 miles about) origanal engine, passed e test easy

    mileage: awful about 8-10 mpg, but its always loaded with lots of tools and materials(probably at least a ton of stuff)

    other than fuel mileage its been a great van, hauls my 7000 pound trailer no problem

  8. RW | May 30, 2003 12:42am | #11

    01 F350 diesel, 14-15 city, 18-20 hwy. LWB, topper, carry about a ton.

    "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

  9. JohnSprung | May 30, 2003 01:35am | #12

    1985 F-350 Dually, long bed, standard cab.  460 V-8,  4.10 rear end, I don't like to take it faster than 55 or 60.  135,000 miles, recently overhauled.  It gets about 8.5 MPG.  I use the Saturn for any round trip that doesn't involve a large or heavy load, so it generally runs empty to wherever I'm going and lightly to heavily loaded on the trip back.

    -- J.S.

  10. FramerJay | May 30, 2003 01:40am | #13

    1999 Chevy Z71 4x4, 5.3L V8, 4-spd. auto tranny, reg cab, 3" body lift and 33x12.50x16 AT's. I noticed increased air drag, acceleration drag, and decreased fuel mileage after lift and tires, but added dual exhaust and a K&N air filter and returned to near stock performance wise. About 12-13 in town and maybe 15 on highway at best. I normally carry a truck box full of tools and a couple boxes of extra stuff in the bed. Driving style is sometimes grandpa-ish, sometimes  haul azz.

    Quality before Quantity

  11. nigelUsa | May 30, 2003 01:50am | #14

    1997 F150 XLT super-cab 8' bed leer cap. 4.6 V8 auto 3.55 ls rear. to date 93000 miles and counting. winter 11 mpg late spring and summer 13 mpg. Most trips central NJ and into Philly.  Parts replaced, wiper switch, front grill (chrome failing). brakes last for: front 15-20k rear 75k. Only other stuff replaced is normal service items. More mpg would be very welcome..............

  12. jontobey | May 30, 2003 02:20am | #15

    My truck is a Dodge Turbo Diesel three quarter ton, 4WD club cab and stock it gets about 20mpg, better than my Subaru. I think I saw somewhere that the savings in fuel will pay for a diesel in a very short period of time, but I couldn't find a link for the study at the moment. Plus, the things run forever. And it's no slouch either, my girlfriend turns 13.69s quarter mile times with her nearly identical truck.

    1. TrimButcher | Jun 01, 2003 05:59pm | #60

      Are you sure that isn't 13.69 in 1/8 mile?  Below 14 sec in the quarter means a trap speed of around 100mph and, for a 6000 lb. vehicle, I'd SWAG at least 500 horse.  Sounds a little optimistic to me. 

      Regards,

      Tim

      1. jc21 | Jun 01, 2003 09:51pm | #61

        Stock Cummins runnin' 13 second quarters?- no way but the Cummins is built h*ll for stout and it wouldn't take too many mods to do it.  

        1. JerryAlbrech | Jun 02, 2003 12:11am | #62

          I have a 92 GMC Safari Extended 228,000 US miles.  I drive it like my tail is on fire (being self employed time is money).  I've run it so loaded the stock tires nearly blew had to switch to truck tires, then I cracked one of the fiberglass springs.  Had to rebuild the rear end at 150k and added posi and the tranny at 200k.  The tranny was stupid, I knew for the loads I was hauling, 16' double axle trailer, I should have added a large tranny cooler.  Too busy to be smart cost me $1400.00.  I run Mobil One and change every 5000, compression check is like brand new.  I get 15-16mpg city and 18-20 hwy.  It could sure use more power but I can't knock the fuel economy.

          1. rez | Jun 02, 2003 01:07am | #63

            I find I get the best mileage out of Cajun beans and rice.

             

             

          2. JerryAlbrech | Jun 02, 2003 02:18am | #64

            Do you run that in your diesel?

          3. jc21 | Jun 02, 2003 02:21am | #65

            Red beans and rice......... now you're talkin'!! Real tasty but a little hard on the fabric because of the excellent gas production.

      2. jontobey | Jun 02, 2003 04:31pm | #67

        Nope. 1/4 mile, close to 100 in the trap, and that's in 4WD.  And it's not quite 500HP, but you can get incredible power increases out of these trucks with little more than a screwdriver. You can even see it on the Web: http://www.horsepowerheaven.com/features_all/2003features/03mrpapr18/03mrpapr18a.html

        2nd vehicle down, this was a week or two before she cracked 13.69.

        1. TrimButcher | Jun 02, 2003 07:18pm | #68

          No offence on questioning your number, but you know how it is with drag racers...more BS spewing forth than in fishing tales.  Especially from the guys who've never even seen a timing slip.

          I did see a truck show where they got 600HP from a Dodge Cummins with pretty minor mods.  Can't remember exactly how big an exhaust they put on it, 3 or 4"? 

          I take it you're out in B.C.   That HH site you linked makes it look like you guys take your racing pretty serious.  Nice site.  It's been years since I've been to a track, but it was a ton of fun.  I ran my bone-stock Kawi ZX-10 11.21 @ 127mph.  You know those numbers are real because that's pretty f'in slow for that bike.

          Regards,

          Tim Ruttan

          1. jontobey | Jun 02, 2003 08:40pm | #70

            Well, she bracket races that at 13.7, so that time is pretty consistent.  It's not our site, that guy just posted a picture because people love that truck.  Stock exhaust is 3", so one popular mod is to go to 4 or even 5".

            Did you hear about the guys that drove to Bonneville in a Dakota with a Cummins engine, towing their support trailer, unhooked, swapped rear-ends and ran 222MPH? I think they were the only vehicle there without a push car.

  13. EllenVic | May 30, 2003 02:32am | #16

    2003 Toyota Prius, hauls everything I need for 1/12 scale work.  About 52 mpg.

    I know, you're only asking about trucks. 

    1. caseyr | May 30, 2003 03:02am | #17

      I have two pickups, a '93 Nissan 4x4 and a '94 Chevy 2500 X-cab Longbed.  They both get about 17mpg.  The difference being that the '94 Chevy has the 6.5L diesel engine.  The mileage on both of these is very dependent on how fast they are driven, more so than any other vehicles I have owned (I had a 69 Chevy Suburban with 350 V-8 that got 12 mpg no matter if I drove 30 or 70).  I could probably get over 20 on either if I had the patience to drive under 55.

      Of possible interest from the Diesel Page,

      http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/mileage.htm :

      "A typical 6.5TD with 3.08 or 3.42 gearing will get in excess of 20 mpg at 65 mph because the engine rpm at that speed is right at the engine's torque peak of about 1700-1800 rpm. A truck with 4.10 gearing is running at about 2250 rpm at the same speed and typically gets 15 mpg. A 500 rpm difference might not sound like much, but in a diesel, that's about half of the useable rpm range.

      6.5TD engine rpm (4L80E transmission) and typical fuel mileage at 65 mph:

      3.08 gearing 1690 rpm (23 mpg)

      3.42 gearing 1880 rpm (21 mpg)

      3.73 gearing 2050 rpm (17 mpg)

      4.10 gearing 2250 rpm (15 mpg)"

  14. TommyB12 | May 30, 2003 03:14am | #18

    2000 f150 v-6 35k reg cab  ladder racks 2wd,  16 avg. mpg in work mode with side boxes and 1000 # load.

    2003 f350  diesel 7k crew cab, cap  8' bed 4wd, 12.5 mpg avg. over life of truck.  Have recorded 18 mpg highway empty, 13.5 mpg highway pulling probably 8-10k.

    I think alot of diesel owners are optimistic about their mileage, but you will definitely get better than a gas motor with the same torqe and horsepower.  Factor in the higher cost of diesel over regular,  3 gallon oil changes, and 5-8k for the motor and transmission and I not sure where you saving money.  Maybe at sell time.  But if you pull big loads, or carry alot of tools, its the way to go.

    I had a 2000 f250 v8 that I used the same way and averaged 11 mpg.   The motor blew at 35k.  I don't think I exceed the advertised capacities but thats not enough engine to even pull a truck that ways 3 tons, never mind the 10 k in trailer.

    Tom

    1. FrankB89 | May 30, 2003 04:49am | #24

      "...I think a lot of diesel owners are optimistic about their mileage..."

      I agree...but I prefer a diesel because of the reliability, the torque and the ability to pack or pull a load with indifference.

      Currently have '98 Dodge 4X4 with Cummins....bought it new and have consistently gotten 17mpg around town and local rural backroads and up to 22 on long highway trips (I'm past the age of trying to spin my tires or squeal around corners). 

      Mileage dropped off suddenly a year or so ago after the truck had been idle for a few days...A packrat had built a nest in the air intake, (ahead of the K&N filter, thank God)...Diesel engine performance is sensitive to air and fuel filter restriction.

      I've had Ford (International) diesels in the past and always got better mileage than a gas rig.

      I don't know that a diesel, economically, has an advantage over gas in the long run, but with the kind of work I do and the places I have to go sometimes, with frequent heavy loads, I wouldn't go any other way.

      And overall operating costs being perhaps neutral in the gas/diesel discussion, diesel, being a lubricating fuel and being burned in a much more heavily built engine, is going to serve up a much longer lasting engine.

      I once owned a Ford with a 460V8, and while it had great power, it never saw a gas station it didn't like.

      Now, with a 36 gallon tank, I can travel 700 or so miles, if need be, on a fill-up.

      I used to be pretty hard-core Ford....anymore, from talking to my Ford?Chevy/Dodge friends, I believe that any of the full-size trucks are fine.  Shop for price, how it fits you and treat it right.

      I never thought I'd have a Dodge...but it's been a great truck. 

      1. junkhound | May 30, 2003 07:05am | #28

        '71 Datsun with 360K mi on it, rebuilt L16 engine, 42 mpg city, 40 road  --  lots of hills here, turn off engine when going down hill locally. 

        '64 GMC 4x4 w/4.10 re, get 10.5 road, 10.1 city with a rebuilt  '74 350 in it, got 13 mpg on the old pre '65 6 cyl engine with weber carb before the old engine valves totally crapped out (one of the classic bad engine designs on valves). Auto tranny on the 350, 235 had 4sp manual. Not too depressed now after putting in the 350 hearing some other 8. 5 mpg quotes <G>

      2. WorkshopJon | May 30, 2003 11:43pm | #35

        "Diesel engine performance is sensitive to air and fuel filter restriction."

        Notchman

        Just to those who don't know the difference in the physics of a gas vs. diesel engine. Gas engines are (more or less) constant fuel ratio/ variable airflow engines. Engine speed and power is controlled by butterfly valves that regulate airflow, and the correct amount (ratio) of fuel is added to the air.

        Diesels on the other hand are constant airflow (relative to engine RPM)/ variable fuel ratio. That's why they are so sensitive to the situation Notchman described. Block air flow and the engine will make up the difference by adding more fuel, killing mileage and limiting power. Restricting fuel flow (to a limit) just kills power, not mileage.

        Jon

        Jon

        1. FrankB89 | May 31, 2003 02:24am | #38

          Thanks! 

          One thing I don't profess to be is an internal Combustion engine expert...These tidbits help in the general symptom/troubleshooting arena.

          (While I understand the airflow importance to a diesel, I had never given much thought to the fuel flow/restriction relationship) 

  15. rasconc | May 30, 2003 03:18am | #19

    91 Chevy Silverado short-wide bed.  350 with cat back duals, no mufflers, surprisingly quiet.  Usually get around 12 mpg but do not think an egg would make it on the gas pedal.  It is 2 wheel drive but I have B F Goodrich Sport Truck radials LT285-70-15's that make it look like 4wd.  Those tires really fill the wheel wells and look great.  An occasional light rub if a bad bump.  A bit pricy but should outlast me.

    I built a ladder rack and slide out platform out of pt 5/4 decking and love it.  I keep two Contico 37 inch boxes in the front and can slide the whole thing back to work off of or haul long stuff. 

    1. User avater
      Dinosaur | May 30, 2003 06:39am | #27

      1990 GMC 1500 4x4 KING CAB LONG BED, Gas engine 5.7 liter--1st engine got about 10mpg; 2nd engine got about 15 mpg highway 13 rural/local

      She's in the shop now, getting her second heart transplant in less than a year.

      Talk about bad luck--Bought the truck 3 years ago, and as soon as I changed the oil the first time, noticed she drank 3 quarts oil/1 tank gas. The guy who sold it to me had 6 cans of Motor Honey in it so it wouldn't smoke when he was selling it.

      Then a month later, the tranny blew. Couldn't get her up the mountain to our house. $$$1500$$$. So I figure I'll buy cheap motor oil by the case for a while and rebuild the motor next year.

      Following fall went in for a couple of tires and 4 new shocks. Came out with new battery, new starter, rebuilt rad, and minus the oil cooler. Plus the tires & shocks, of course. $$$$1700$$$$. Well, keep buying that cheap motor oil.

      Last Feb I blew a Y pipe to the exhaust manifolds, and didn't really have any choice but to take her in for that. While I Was At It...hey Jean-Yves, says I, she's leaking a little Prestone, check it out...?

      Head gasket.

      Good bye old oil sucker (also good bye $$$$3600$$$). Yahoo! Brand-new truck! Nothin' else left to blow (don't even THINK about the transfer-case....). I'm good for 5 yrs.

      Left on Vac. in April for a back-country skiing trip with my 4-year old XC skiing star; got about 100k away and noticed the tranny slipping bad on the autoroute. Hardest part was telling my son that we had to turn back. Made it home over the mountains by the god of grace and a very delicate touch on the right foot. Back to the same tranny shop--he didn't understand it, but the guarantee was up, so he gave me a break--$$$$1100$$$$.

      Took off again for the back woods with my boy. We made it! Truck drove like a charm--except for that damned 'Service Engine Soon' lite that kept flashing on and off for the first couple of hundred k--then it went out and I forgot about it. Probably a loose sensor wire; there's about 80 of the darn things.  What the hell--engine's guaranteed parts labour towing 1YR.

      Back at home on local roads, I noticed her lugging a little when she shifted into lockout; went to the tranny guy, said 'Hey man, she's shifting up too soon.' Nope. That's OBC controlled. Go see your engine mechanic. So we ran a comp test. I was there, and saw the figures. #1 145; #6 73. Ooops! Well, it's guaranteed.

      The engine supplier was a jobber; he'd re-sub-jobbed the heads to another outfit; my mechanic had to pull the heads to ship to him for verification. About 4 hours after I left the truck there, the phone rings. It's the garage's owner. 'Sorry dude; when your old tranny blew, you musta overheated her bad limping back home. The heads are warped and there's visible overheating damage. Guarantee's void. They won't pay me. Sorry.'

      Estimate 1500$$ to re-do the heads; the owner cuts his labour rate from 59 to 40 for me and gets it down around 1000$. Bite the bullet.

      Phone rings next morning at 805. 'We're gonna put in just a gasket kit and button her up. You've got scoring in four out of 8 cylinders. Cracked rings.'

      $600.

      I finally pick her up. Jean-Yves looks at me and says, 'Sell it, man. Might hold a week, might hold a year. No way to tell.' Drove home; almost had to get out and push to get her up the mountain to the house.

      So, she's back in the shop for her third major surgery in less than 6 months.

      Ahhh, what's a little maintenance from time to time, right? At least she got me and my champ out to the Gaspé and back (See below: Ryan, 4½ years old, climbing the trail up Mont-Albert in the Chic Choc mountains. On his new TÉLÉBLADES with climbing skins!). Maybe we should'a stayed there....

      Dinosaur

      'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?

      1. junkhound | May 30, 2003 07:11am | #29

        Gotta add a footnote after plowing thru your experiences. 

        Had never had a torque converter fail in 35 years and maybe 15 rewbuilds, when the '64 GMC was rebuilt, kept the torque conveter with 190 K on it, big mistake - failed at a $300 towing bill away from home -

        Rebuilders of auto trannys - always replace the TC! too!!!

      2. User avater
        Qtrmeg | May 31, 2003 12:00am | #36

        Dang it Dino, if it wasn't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all. I've had 4 of that vintage, if you need to know anything, I have repaired it all.

        Anyhow, 91 GMC std cab, 1/2 ton, 4x4, 350, 5 spd, 3:73 posi, 15-16 mpg average.

        92 GMC Sub, 1/2 ton, 4x4, 350, auto, 3:73 open, 16-17 average, but I swear that thing could get close to 20mpg steady highway.

        I don't get it, the sub is heavier, and always loaded, but it is like a perpetual motion machine. The pick up is a lot more fun to drive, maybe I need to keep my foot out of it.

    2. MisterT | May 30, 2003 10:22pm | #34

      98 F-150, super cab, long bed, 4.6 liter V-8, 4sp auto w/OD.

      12-14 mpg aroun town, 6-18 highway.

      Have a 6x12 single axle trailer that is maxed out when all my tools are on board.

      Withthe trailer and on the bosses time, I take it easy around town especially in residential areas.

      But on the Highway when I got some place to gooooo the foot gets a little heavy!!

      Just had the fuel filter replaced today so we'll see if milage improves.

      Also I only burn plus or super, the 87 octane stuff makes the valves rattle on hills and under load.

      Some times if I park next to a chevy it will eat it for lunch and spit out the tires!!!:)Mr T

      Do not try this at home!

      I am an Experienced Professional!

    3. daddoo | Jun 02, 2003 02:41am | #66

      While I have all you truck people's attention, I am looking for a used truck.

      Must be 250 or 350, crew cab, diesel, manual shift, long bed, the more goodies the better. No cap, boxes, or racks. Willing to spend up to $20,000. Central New Jersey area.

      I'm not asking for too much, am I?When all else fails, use duct tape!

      1. migraine | Jun 02, 2003 07:35pm | #69

        I'll let mine go for $23,000. (firm) It will have about 67k miles on it .

        2000 F350XL crewcab powestroke diesel, 4x4, dually, with lonbed and spray-in-liner, auto trans, A/C, 30k left on tires, white ext/grey int cruise, tilt

        Good to very good condition

        Only problem... I'm in So. Calif.

  16. Shep | May 30, 2003 03:30am | #20

    I have a 1998 GMC Savana 3500 van with the 5.7L (350 c.i.) , auto trans, AC, and towing package( I've never pulled anything with it). I get between 12-13 mpg under normal conditions. I got 14 mpg once on a trip down south. Its great being able to keep everything dry and secure . I was robbed out of two different pick-ups I previously owned.

  17. RussellAssoc | May 30, 2003 03:34am | #21

    '01 F350 V10 w/35x12's, 10.8 mpg @ 35 @ 55, @105, it makes no difference.

    1. User avater
      Luka | May 30, 2003 03:55am | #22

      Hey, you guys got to be careful in this thread.

      I just got stung in another thread because of the canukian/muricin exchange rate.

      You should post where you live, and whether the mileage is in muricin miles or canukian kilomiles... A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

      Quittin' Time

      1. User avater
        ProBozo | May 30, 2003 05:16am | #26

        new truck is too new.  Last truck 99 F250 4x4 longbed standard cab 5.4 auto, 4.10 gears.  about 10-12 city, 16-16.5 hiway.  Keep revs down, drive slow like granny.  No more than 65mph on hiway, getting up to 75 costs about 3mpg.

        actually gets better mileage if you calculate it right.  A quick conversion, and mileage comes out at 30.  (Light years per cubic mile of gasoline).

  18. McDonnel3 | May 30, 2003 04:01am | #23

    1- 1976 aluminum body 1 ton step van, rebuilt everything, from the suspension up. 350 chev, 4 barrel w/ 350 auto.........8 mpg. Take my time getting there. Always loaded. At least one of everything on it, one lock. Always outta the rain. 3rd engine,  3rd tranny, set of tires every year. I had it for the last 800,000 miles. I love it. Call it the "Beast".  I've tried every kinda rig there ever was made. Trucks with boxes, vans, trailers....The Beast ain't stylish, but I never have to run to get this or that.

    2- '96 chevy  2wd, extended cab, 350. 17 mpg. Heavy foot. Almost always empty except for paperwork. Very smooth.

  19. jc21 | May 30, 2003 05:02am | #25

    2002 Ford Ranger XLT regular cab 4x2, 2.3L four, 5 speed manual, cap (topper) w/ rack.  22-28 mpg. Definitely not full size but more capable than you might think.

    1. steve | May 31, 2003 02:48am | #39

      like to see that with table saw chop saw compressor and a whole lift of half inch ply sheathing

      1. jc21 | May 31, 2003 04:23pm | #48

        "a whole lift of half inch ply sheathing" .......... not sure I'd put a whole lift in a half ton anything.  That's why they have delivery trucks.

        1. steve | May 31, 2003 09:27pm | #51

          actually its a one ton van and carried it easily

          have no idea of the weight

          it was handy in the van, we drove around the site as needed to un load,saved a lot of carrying

  20. migraine | May 30, 2003 07:52am | #30

    2000 F350 Powerstroke 4x4 dually crewcab long wheel base w/ 4:10 rear end.  13 1/2 to 15mpg city/highway average 70mph on highway.  Pulling 10,000lb travel trailer     8 1/2-10mpg, pulling 7,000lb trailer 10-11mpg.

  21. CAGIV | May 30, 2003 07:53am | #31

    I have a 96 Cheorkee, not exactly your perfect work vehicle, I average about 13 in the city, 15-16 highway

    Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.

    1. rebuilder | May 30, 2003 05:30pm | #32

      Any of you diesel fans ever use biodiesel? Or even heard of it? I've been looking in to it lately? Check this link out, if I can do this right.

      http://www.biodiesel.org

      1. caseyr | May 31, 2003 04:23am | #42

        Biodiesel is just so, like, yesterday...

        The new hot thing to shove into your diesel is straight vegetable oil - of course if you don't keep it warm enough it will congeal in the fuel line and ...

        http://www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html

      2. kostello | May 31, 2003 11:20am | #45

        you don't even need to use biodeisel.

        a deisel engine will work on a mixture of 97% useed cooking oil and 3% white spirit or similar.

        you need to let the oil settle so all the gunk comes out and then filter it and mix it with the solvent.

        and bingo.

        my uncle has done 100,000 miles in his fiat on this stuff.

        it is illegal in the uk unless you pay the government the fuel tax on it though.

        but they do have to catch you if you don't!!!!

        there has been quite alot in the news here over the past year about this since a supermarket in Wales started rationing cooking oil ( about10pence per litre) to customers.

        aleks

        1. User avater
          Luka | May 31, 2003 12:07pm | #46

          Vegetable oil here is about a dollar seventy-nine a quart. That would make a gallon of the stuff 7 dollars and sixteen cents. Then you add the cost of the thinner...

          A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

          Quittin' Time

          1. kostello | Jun 01, 2003 02:06am | #52

            the point is to use used oil from restaurants which you can get for FREE!!!!!

            they have to pay to dispose of it.

            therefore fuel it costs only pennies.

          2. User avater
            Luka | Jun 01, 2003 03:13am | #53

            That would be a good point. If I really thought I would be able to get the oil for free. Hmmmm

            Dangit ! Youse guys are making me consider a diesel. I've already got too many things on my plate. A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

            Quittin' Time

          3. Boxduh | Jun 01, 2003 05:47am | #54

            I've got *gas*, but since I live in a small town, and never really get "out" anywhere, the odo on my F150 doesn't change much over time, and therefore I don't know what *mileage* means.

          4. kostello | Jun 01, 2003 12:46pm | #56

            my van gets 25mpg around town fully loaded (about 3 tonnes)

            the onlyt other thing i would consider other than deisel next time around is LPG as in the UK it is half the price of regular gas.

            generally with LPG conversions it takes about 2 years to recovber the cost.

            LPG is better for the environment too

            aleks

          5. steve | Jun 01, 2003 02:30pm | #57

            re lpg, my truck(88 gmc 1 ton) used to be propane, converted back to gasoline when tank failed inspection, tank rusted out now has 3 inch hole in it

            propane was hopelessly underpowered, hard to start in winter

            next truck i get will be natural gas, its cheap, fill at home overnight, cleanest fuel available

          6. User avater
            Luka | Jun 01, 2003 02:41pm | #58

            If we had natural gas out here, that's the one I would be considering. It'll probably be a couple decades before we ever see city water, sewer, cable, gas, etc, out here. I have electricity and phone. That's the limit. You want water, dig for it. You want sewage..put in a septic.

            I am not sure that I would be able to get used veggy oil from any of the franchises out this way. Propane costs within pennies of what gasoline costs here.

            To fill up the natural gas at home, wouldn't you have to invest in a special compressor or somthing ?

            A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

            Quittin' Time

          7. steve | Jun 01, 2003 02:50pm | #59

            here in sw ontario canada, you can lease a compressor that pumps natural gas into a vehicle overnight, of course the tank on the vehicle is at 3000 psi so filling takes a while, but fuel is cheap, environmentally friendly and virtually limitless supply

            of course its artificially cheap because of no taxes

      3. migraine | May 31, 2003 07:40pm | #50

        try the website http://www.thedieselstop.com  You will find a wealth of info on this site.

  22. PhillGiles | May 30, 2003 05:44pm | #33

    96 Suburban, 4x4, 350, 120K

    12-14 mpg week-in/week-out; 75% stop&go rush-hour driving - 25% city streets in off-hours.

    18-20 on the highway, better on extended trips.

    gentle driving, but keep up with mainstream of traffic (in Southern Ontario, that's never "slow")

    NB, all expressed in US gals

    .

    Phill Giles

    The Unionville Woodwright

    Unionville, Ontario



    Edited 5/30/2003 10:47:10 AM ET by Phill Giles

    1. steve | May 31, 2003 02:52am | #40

      hey phil, wheres unionville?

      im in sarnia

      1. PhillGiles | May 31, 2003 05:44am | #43

        It's the restored village in Markham (Highway 7, a couple of klicks east of the 404), part of York region sitting a little north of Scarbourough (Toronto)..

        Phill Giles

        The Unionville Woodwright

        Unionville, Ontario

        1. skids | May 31, 2003 06:17am | #44

          i just wanted to weigh in here with a few comments about my neighbor, a retired general contractor and wwII vet. he has a recipe for making his own diesel from used vegetable oil he gets from mcdonalds etc. he says it is a fairly simple recipe and after tweaking with it for a few years he says his cost is down to under 40 cents a gallon. i am certainly going to get a diesel when it comes time to replace my current gas vehicle. i dont have the details of this but there should be some info online?

  23. fdampier5 | May 31, 2003 12:49am | #37

    I have a 97 Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 with a 350 and automatic..  average milage for the past 195,000 miles is 19.3  with a high of 23.4 and a low of 12.7 (towing a tandem trailer over the rockys at about 5 + the speed limit) 

           Maintinance for the truck other than routine has consisted of

              waterpump @$65.00

     and a few sets of front brake pads..

  24. Graybeard | May 31, 2003 04:15am | #41

      My preference, with remodeling work, is my 1996 F-150 6 cyl, with 3/4 ton springs and 205,000 miles @ 12 mpg, but I am running a 2000 7' Ranger, 4 cyl with a contractors cap @ 18 to 20 mpg, 94800 miles. Both trucks are 2 WD & bought new. I don't carry a compressor (Plaslode's) but the dang thing has everything else in it, from rough framing to drywall tools. I do adjust the type of tools for the job, such as adding plumbing or electrical tool boxes when needed. I had to beef up the springs on both trucks and both trucks have trailer hitches. All my supplies are either loaded on top of the cap or delivered. Not the best in foul weather. I installed the springs from used purchased parts, cost was minimal.

      My dream truck would be a 7' Ranger, 4 Liter, 4 WD, and a 5' X 8' or possibly a 6' X 10' single axle enclosed trailer. Ford doesn't make this version anymore, you have to go with the Supercab. I have been looking at a Nissan Crew Cab long bed, which is the bed off a King Cab and 74" long. I could put more of my delicate or moisture prone tools in the back seat, have a longer rack on the truck and still pull a  good size trailer with their 3.5L engine. Both Ranger and Nissan prices are comparable.

     Now this truck doesn't always lend itself to easy access, I have a 3' shelf that is the width of the truck and at truck rail height, so when I open the side doors of the cap, most of my hand/power tools are available. Under the shelf is "Rubbermaid" containers, one with screws, one with nails and another with various other must have's. I also store my sliding compound chop saw there, I have 2 sets of the folding steel saw horses, 3, 5 gal. buckets with other tools and supplies, a 12 gal vacuum and a 10" contractor type table saw mounted on a HD hand cart for mobility. The key item is an old coal stove hook, 3' long for pulling out the chop saw and "Rubbermaid" containers so that I don't have to climb into the back end.

      Just a long story to a short question, sorry to all, we are all tired after a long day in spring.

     Hey, where were all these people that want everything NOW last January when I had no work? Just, make hay while the sun shines!

  25. User avater
    jonblakemore | May 31, 2003 03:34pm | #47

    '91 F150.  AOD, 302 V8.  187k miles.

    Averaging about 11.5 over the past 10,000 miles.

     

    Jon Blakemore

  26. Stonedevel | May 31, 2003 07:32pm | #49

    I have had several different work vehicles over the past 6 yrs and this is how they rated.

    1994 gmc z71 4x4 w/ 350 v8 loaded w/ 500lbs 13 mpg

    1996 ford e350 van w/ 460 v8 loaded or unloaded city or freeway 10mpg

    1998 f150 4x4 long bed no load. 13 mpg city 20mpg freeway.

    Waiting for Honda to come out w/ a 30mpg full size truck.

  27. pz | Jun 01, 2003 05:58am | #55

    2003 (bought in 2002) Ford F250, xcab, 8' bed, turbo-diesel.  Weatherguard saddle box (not often full) and cab protector.  Stock tires, not very aggressive driver.  Honest 15.5 mpg if just city driving, bump it up to 16.5/17 if I toss in some highways.

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