mpg Q's

[Brauap]

Hey guys.. I'm looking to trade my 98 Silverado K2500 for a buddy's 97-02ish F150. His truck is a:

Regular Cab
Short Bed
4wd
5spd.
4.6 Triton

If I were to take it easy, what kind of gas mileage could I hope to see? I would ask him, but the engine is currently out of his truck at the moment.

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by Brauap
Hey guys.. I'm looking to trade my 98 Silverado K2500 for a buddy's 97-02ish F150. His truck is a:

Regular Cab
Short Bed
4wd
5spd.
4.6 Triton

If I were to take it easy, what kind of gas mileage could I hope to see? I would ask him, but the engine is currently out of his truck at the moment.

Maybe 19... but seriously those F-150's are pieces.... I have a buddy with that exact same setup... it sits in the shop more than it does being driving.

[beastlywarrior]

Probably 17

[CJM]

4.6L NOT WORTH IT. 1-2mpg better than the 5.4L (avg 13-14mpg) and NO power. Plus the 5 speed isnt that strong either.

Im not a chevy man but the K2500 is a better truck.

[Brauap]

But the Chevy gets about 12mpg. I am 17 with a part time job as a dish washer and I can't afford to drive it!!

[CJM]

Originally posted by Brauap
But the Chevy gets about 12mpg. I am 17 with a part time job as a dish washer and I can't afford to drive it!!

13-14mpg aint gonna cut it either I take it?

Ford Ranger? Toyota? Nissan? Expect At least 16mpg or better for a ranger and 15-18mpg for the toyota/nissan.

Or buy crappy honda for mpg and use truck when needed?

[Brauap]

Well, another reason I was looking to trade is he is a hardcore Chevy lover and I prefer Fords. His truck has about 105K on it when the 4.6 went. He had it rebuilt and it has just been sitting in the back of his shop for years now. My truck has 175K and the engine has 215K on it and I was really wanting a smaller manual truck... you don't think this would be a good trade? What if I could get money on the trade?

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by Brauap
Well, another reason I was looking to trade is he is a hardcore Chevy lover and I prefer Fords. His truck has about 105K on it when the 4.6 went. He had it rebuilt and it has just been sitting in the back of his shop for years now. My truck has 175K and the engine has 215K on it and I was really wanting a smaller manual truck... you don't think this would be a good trade? What if I could get money on the trade?

a Ford with 100k is a trusty as a Chevy with 300,000k... seriously. DON'T DO IT!!! I have a '03 Chevy 2500HD that has well over 400,000K and its never left me stranded. But i wash it everytime i drive it, and change the oil and fluids like its fun.

[Brauap]

Well.. I mean I just had to change the motor out on the Chevy at 175k. It dropped the entire main bearing into the oil pan on cyl. number 6......

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by trailrider894
a Ford with 100k is a trusty as a Chevy with 300,000k... seriously. DON'T DO IT!!! I have a '03 Chevy 2500HD that has well over 400,000K and its never left me stranded. But i wash it everytime i drive it, and change the oil and fluids like its fun.

very credible :rolleyes:


Colton- it honestly seems like the f150 has a few red flags that would make me steer clear of it. also, i agree with CJM. the 4.6's really get about the same mileage as 5.4's because they are struggling just to move the truck.

[CJM]

Honestly I still say you either need a smaller truck or buy a small commuter car.

That or work more..

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
very credible :rolleyes:


Colton- it honestly seems like the f150 has a few red flags that would make me steer clear of it. also, i agree with CJM. the 4.6's really get about the same mileage as 5.4's because they are struggling just to move the truck. So why am i not credible???

[CJM]

Originally posted by trailrider894
So why am i not credible???

IDK. But I will tell you that a I used to fix ALOT of chevys, many many more dodges than both ford or chevy and fords the least. It is also in how the vehicle was cared for its life, abused and beat on or just generally not repaired right it wont last.

IE: I see landscapers driving around F150s with the rear almost dragging on the ground from 3-4 mowers and gear and an insane looking trailer thats way heavier than needed and 4 guys packed into a single cab..how long do ya think something like thats gonna last?

Personally speaking I been working for my old boss doing AAA work again. My old work van (02 E250HD) STILL is going and runs pretty dang good for over 300k, 3rd trans but thats what happens when you put idiots in the truck (I never had a failure till 100k of abused hard miles). Another 98 E350 has over 350k and its still going but was abused by the guys son, it runs but it isnt pretty. Also had dodges..lets just say the only thing worth mentioning is they couldnt handle the abuse and died quick, now the guy runs chevy vans. They are ok and seem to hold up good.

Anyways: Braup if your looking for MPG outta a truck your gonna be quite sorry. They are about as aerodynamic as a brick. Only way to gain mpg is to downside to a truck that weighs less and has a small 6 or 4cyl. Id suggest an older F150 six cylinder circa 87-96 but they arent exactly up to todays standards with how nice the overall truck is. Its designer to be a work truck and that it is-spartan. But it will get 15mpg or better with the right gears.

[trailrider894]

Well, my old man is a GM Master Tech, and if you do the right maintenance then you'll never have an issue. I'm not saying they are perfect, because most of those trucks have weak trannys... But to me, the chevy was the most sturdy.

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by CJM
IDK. But I will tell you that a I used to fix ALOT of chevys, many many more dodges than both ford or chevy and fords the least. It is also in how the vehicle was cared for its life, abused and beat on or just generally not repaired right it wont last.

IE: I see landscapers driving around F150s with the rear almost dragging on the ground from 3-4 mowers and gear and an insane looking trailer thats way heavier than needed and 4 guys packed into a single cab..how long do ya think something like thats gonna last?

Personally speaking I been working for my old boss doing AAA work again. My old work van (02 E250HD) STILL is going and runs pretty dang good for over 300k, 3rd trans but thats what happens when you put idiots in the truck (I never had a failure till 100k of abused hard miles). Another 98 E350 has over 350k and its still going but was abused by the guys son, it runs but it isnt pretty. Also had dodges..lets just say the only thing worth mentioning is they couldnt handle the abuse and died quick, now the guy runs chevy vans. They are ok and seem to hold up good.

Anyways: Braup if your looking for MPG outta a truck your gonna be quite sorry. They are about as aerodynamic as a brick. Only way to gain mpg is to downside to a truck that weighs less and has a small 6 or 4cyl. Id suggest an older F150 six cylinder circa 87-96 but they arent exactly up to todays standards with how nice the overall truck is. Its designer to be a work truck and that it is-spartan. But it will get 15mpg or better with the right gears. f150 with a straight 6 (300) with a 5spd is a super reliable truck! decent milage too.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by trailrider894
So why am i not credible???

saying that a chevy with 300,000 miles is like a ford with 100,000 miles is a ridiculous statement to make. i could say the same thing, but i wouldn't have any proof to back it up. don't let your own bias sway somebody else.

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by trailrider894
a Ford with 100k is a trusty as a Chevy with 300,000k... 1996 ford explorer..138,000 miles still going strong since 1996. my friends dads duramax not sure on year but its a 2000 somthing...way less milage only used for hunting and towing..always having gauge problems and it just dropped a tranny too. all it tows/hauls is there in bed camper and an aluminum salmon boat...

[Pipeless416]

yes, no reason to turn it into a fanboy match.. people all have their preferences, and everybody has had or knows somebody who has had negative experiences with all brands. so let's not let biased opinions get in the way of the original question..

[beastlywarrior]

My silverado 350 got 15 and the 08 silverado with the v6 is getting 17 but yet my tracker gets 18 wtf

[ridehonda400ex]

I bought a 1996 chevy c1500 a couple weeks ago. 4.3 v6 vortec 5 speed tranny. I get pretty decent mileage it seems. Ive never been to picky about brands, as long as its running. But it does much better than my dads 2005 f150 5.4L v8. Im 16 working at the local car shop doing whatever they want me too and I can afford to fill it up and still have plenty of cash left for a while. But I work all the hours i possibly can haha

[smr]

as you can tell you will get a lot of different answers.

This is coming from a guy that owned one.

I bought a 97 F150 with the 4.6 motor. Like others have said it's not a power house but it did get the job done. I put over 200,000 miles on this truck and the only repaire I ever had was the rearend and tune up.

Now as for gas millage. On the open road empty the best it would do is around 18 to 19 MPG.

[crownandmonster]

Originally posted by beastlywarrior
My silverado 350 got 15 and the 08 silverado with the v6 is getting 17 but yet my tracker gets 18 wtf


Do you just drive the ball bad off the silverado V6 or what? I've got an 08 with the 5.3l, extended cab and 4x4 and I average 17.2MPG and i drive about 90% city. Out on the open road she flirts with 22 MPG.

[ridehonda400ex]

my boss bought a 1926 franklin car with a straight 6. It gets 6 mpg....

[TGW_400ex]

Originally posted by ridehonda400ex
my boss bought a 1926 franklin car with a straight 6. It gets 6 mpg....

Now that's good a gas milage.

[beastlywarrior]

Originally posted by crownandmonster
Do you just drive the ball bad off the silverado V6 or what? I've got an 08 with the 5.3l, extended cab and 4x4 and I average 17.2MPG and i drive about 90% city. Out on the open road she flirts with 22 MPG.
Na we bought it new as an 08

[Scro]

Originally posted by smr
as you can tell you will get a lot of different answers.

This is coming from a guy that owned one.

I bought a 97 F150 with the 4.6 motor. Like others have said it's not a power house but it did get the job done. I put over 200,000 miles on this truck and the only repaire I ever had was the rearend and tune up.

Now as for gas millage. On the open road empty the best it would do is around 18 to 19 MPG.

I was getting the same mileage out my '97 4.6 with over 300,000 miles. I bought it from my familys company at just over 200,000. It was a delivery truck that was beat to hell and back (backroad burnouts, dirt road drifts, etc :p). It never gave me any trouble except for a couple sensors, and it's still running strong for the guy I sold it to.

[slightlybent47]

Gas millage is going to depend on where you drive and how you drive.
Sounds like you would be trading one problem for another. If you need a full size truck for pulling trailers or hauling, then you’re just going to have to live with poor gas millage.
If you need a truck and need millage then look at a Toyota pre runner, there small enough to get good millage and still give you some hauling area in the back.
I have a 94 Silverado step side short bed with a 350 automatic and it gets around 18-20 empty and about 10-12 pulling a 5000lb trailer.

At least with the truck you have now, you know how it has been driven and for me that means a lot. I would stay with the Chevy for now.

Paying insurance on 2 cars would cost as much as driving just one that gets low millage.

[witech]

Originally posted by Brauap
Hey guys.. I'm looking to trade my 98 Silverado K2500 for a buddy's 97-02ish F150. His truck is a:

Regular Cab
Short Bed
4wd
5spd.
4.6 Triton

If I were to take it easy, what kind of gas mileage could I hope to see? I would ask him, but the engine is currently out of his truck at the moment.
I think if you look into your truck you might find a problem that is keeping you from getting as good if not better fuel economy that the truck you are looking at. You should be able to get close to 20mpg hyway. 15 city.
Many times its a fuel regulator leaking inside the manifold or a bad 02 sensor.

[CJM]

Originally posted by witech
I think if you look into your truck you might find a problem that is keeping you from getting as good if not better fuel economy that the truck you are looking at. You should be able to get close to 20mpg hyway. 15 city.
Many times its a fuel regulator leaking inside the manifold or a bad 02 sensor.

You realize hes driving a 3/4 ton truck with a 350 and probably very tall gears..right? The mpg he gets is to be expected.

[witech]

Yep of course if towing it will be around 8 to 12 like most others.

[CJM]

Originally posted by witech
Yep of course if towing it will be around 8 to 12 like most others.

The truck itself gets lower mpg than a 1/2 ton even when not towing anyways, its much heavier than a 1/2 ton.

[slightlybent47]

Originally posted by CJM
You realize hes driving a 3/4 ton truck with a 350 and probably very tall gears..right? The mpg he gets is to be expected.

That is the down side of getting a ¾ or 1 ton truck. Low gears mean low millage.

[Brauap]

I was just reading through it and alot of it was true, thanks for all the help! ;)

I was, as a matter of fact, looking to sell my truck and look into a 1980-1996 F150 with a 302, manual of course. Wouldn't this offer better gas milage?

Oh, and I did the gas milage test at the pump, currently I am getting 8-9 miles to the gallon. I am putting my entire weekly paycheck straight into my tank, thats not working out.

[CJM]

The 302 in that era of F150 is just plain trash. It revs out like crazy to make any real power and if you get 12-14mpg your lucky at best. Most get 10-12 in town. The 302 is, was and SHOULD NEVER have been put into a truck. you want mpg, he old for inline 6 from 80-97 is where its at. nearly the same torque as the 302 and not too much horsepower less, all the while your entire power is between 1000 and 3000rpm (302 revs much higher) and you get decent mpg.

Personally I think 8-9mpg is low even for your truck. Whens the last time you tuned it up and do you drive like a maniac? The 6.0 big block chevy vans I drive at work get 12 loaded down.

I still say the money you spend on all of this wouldnt offset the gas for the truck you got now.

[Brauap]

I just dropped the new motor in so the entire motor is fresh:
Plugs & Wires
Cleaned intake
New exhaust gaskets/doughnuts
New fluids/fliters

The motor is fresh.

And I try when driving it to never get the tach above 2 grand. Yea, it takes me awhile to get to the posted speed limit. hahah







And to what was mentioned earlier, I am not worried about towing. This truck was given to my by my uncle (who blew it up) and that is the only reason I have the 3/4 ton. I'd personally feel that I would be fine with a Ranger, but I would like to have atleast an f150.

My friend has the 300-6. He loves it! Personally, I feel that it my be a little too much of a dog for me, but I don't know to be honest.

[CJM]

Then the gearin is what kills you, whts your rpm at 60mph-2500?

The 300 compared to driving a V8 will be a different ball game. It drives differently, as I mentioned its power curve is vastly different than a V8 will be. But it will haul with the rest of them.

Truly if you want mpg a ranger, toyota or nissan is what you need to look for-cause any fullsize truck is an aerodynamic heavy brick going down the road and will get about 12mpg or so usually.

[Brauap]

I run about 2500 at 65ish, 70.


What kind of gas milage would I see with this truck:

1994 F150 4x4 4.9 5spd
Regular cab, short bed
33x12.50-15" tires

If driven how I am driving now, easily?

[witech]

Originally posted by CJM
The truck itself gets lower mpg than a 1/2 ton even when not towing anyways, its much heavier than a 1/2 ton.

As a comparison Timbomooses 1995 2500 4wd extended cab longbed with 290,000miles hauling 2 quads in the box , his family on a 1600 mile round trip to mile house averaged 17mpg. My 2004 avalanche hauling a quad and bike with just me and my wife on a 4600 mile round trip to the dunes averaged 18.8 . Although I drove markedly faster(80 plus) and through the rockies its not that much different. I did reach a high of 22.3 mpg on a trip with a sled on back going 55mph with a very good tailwind.
One other tip for getting better mileage is use ethanol free fuel when you can. Its usually the same price and has tested to give 3/4 to 2 mpg better economy on my truck.

[CJM]

What gears are in your truck? ^

Compare this:

Truck 1 is a chevy 350 3/4 ton with say 4.10s and cranks out an easy 3000rpm at 65mph on highway

Truck 2 is also a 350 3/4 ton chevy with 3.54 gears will only spin to say 2200rpm at 65mph.

The engines working harder at higher RPM's on truck 1, but of course has way more power b/c of the gearing.

I can almost guarantee that his truck has at least 3.73s in it.

Your avalanche could easily have 3.42 gears too. He could also only be talking about city driving, could be using crappy ethanol gas-more than likely the winter mix is out which drops mpg 2-4mpg in most vehicles, could be using a really nice powerful crate motor vs just a stock setup, etc, etc. The trans is also different in a HD 3/4 ton truck as well, it will drag out the shifts b/c its designed for towing.

Also is your friends a real 3/4 ton? Chevy made plenty of "3/4" ton trucks that were nothing more than beefed up 6 lug 1/2 tons. What did they do-higher rate torsion bars and a bigger bumpstop with different springs in the rear-otherwise its a half ton.

Like I said as aerodynamic as a brick. Truck and mpg do not go together.

Look at it like this: I have a 96 x-cab toyota t100. It weighs in at 5300lbs (thats with me, full tank and such at a scale). Now add to the fact that that era of T100 (basically a predecessor to a tundra) has the V6 and a HD trans setup as well as very low numerical gears such as 4.10 and in my case 4.30. Combined that gear combo with a HD trans with very long shift ratios thats only a 4 speed and doesnt use OD all that much with LT tires which weigh more than P tires and my foot-I get about 14mpg. Now understand his truck easily weighs at least 2000lbs more than mine. Weight = less mpg.

[Brauap]

You're right, CJM. I have the true K2500HD (8-lug with the 4L80E) and I do have 3.73 with a locker in the rear.

Any MPG estimate on the truck I am looking at I posted above, CJM?

[CJM]

Drop the 33's and do 31's and you can expect to see about 12-13mpg in town and 15-17hwy.

33's may make mpg drop 1-3mpg or more b/c they are heavy and take more power to turn.

Gearing will also play a role, some of the trucks of that era get really good mpg but have little power b/c they had insane 2.73 and 3.08 gears. Most came with 3.55s which is a good city/hwy combo.

[Brauap]

That's it, even with the 300-6??

So, I drove my buddy's 94 with the 300-6, 5spd. What a blast that truck is to drive!! ;)

[CJM]

Braup, thats what a fullsize truck gets be it any make or model lol. Avg 12-14mpg city and maybe 15-18hwy at utter best depending on engine and gearing combos lol. 2wd ford ranger or toyota might eek out over 20mpg tho. But dont expect to be able to haul 4 quads with it all that easy lol.

What kinda mpg are you expecting?

Remember i said aerodynamic as a brick lol? :blah:

[Brauap]

Well, I was hoping somewhere around 30...... :/

















jk :blah:

But yea I know what your getting at..

I can't determine if I either want to:

A) Sell my truck and get that truck I mentioned earlier

or

B) Sell my truck and by my old man's S-dime. It's a 1997 2wd Auto 2.2 4cyl. :ermm:

Do I either go for the cool factor or do I get the s10 and have about 2500 left over to save??? haha

[Brauap]

More I think about it, I feel that that S10 might be best for me at the moment. It only has 80K on it but the damn thing dropped the main bearing once so it has a 'new' motor in it at the moment.

What kind of gas mileage would something like that get?

1997 Chevy S10, 2x4, 2.2 4cyl, Automatic
Regular Cab, Short Bed, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, No AC?

[CJM]

Originally posted by Brauap
More I think about it, I feel that that S10 might be best for me at the moment. It only has 80K on it but the damn thing dropped the main bearing once so it has a 'new' motor in it at the moment.

What kind of gas mileage would something like that get?

1997 Chevy S10, 2x4, 2.2 4cyl, Automatic
Regular Cab, Short Bed, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, No AC?

Easy 22+ mpg. But dont expect to be able to do much besides tow a quad and put one in the bed.

[Brauap]

To be completely honest, that is more than I'd have to do. And if I would need something heavier hauled, I'd just use dad's Cummins. Plus I don't own a quad anymore, just a dirt bike so I should be fine then!

[CJM]

Then that might be the ticket.

Me, if I could swing it I would keep both trucks-but only because I often need a heavier truck.