gas mileage?

[Kst8er]

I'm thinking about a 150 Supercrew 4x4...what kind of gas mileage are you guys getting?

(all models are welcome to chime in)

[landyacht]

2004 model:

5.4L V8 will get around 17mpg in the city and 24mpg on highway

4.6L V8 wll get the same as the 5.4L....so go for the bigger V8; Similar gas mileage and more power!!

1998-2003:

5.4L V8 will get around 18mpg in the city and 24mpg on highway

4.6L V8 will get roughly the same as the 5.4...again, get the bigger V8 cuz you get similar gas mileage and more power.

4.2L V6 isn't available in the supercrew as far as i know.


PLEASE NOTE:
These are figures based on ideal driving conditions. If you have a heavier right foot, or are pulling a trailer and such, you will NOT get this kind of gas mileage.

The new '04 F150 with the 5.4L V8 gets the best gas mileage of all the 1/2 tonne trucks out there. Ranked worst to best for gas mileage:

Dodge Ram with the Hemi
Chevy Silverado
Toyota Tundra
F150

I don't know what the Nissan Titan gets, but i know it's not as efficient as the F series.

Hope this help! Any more questions, please post a reply and i'll get back to you.

[Kst8er]

Those number are confusing....EPA numbers don't even come close to those numbers (15/19). I was looking for real life numbers. I know personally that every vehicle I have owned I've been able to squeeze 1-3 MPG more out on highway driving.

Are these the kind of numbers you guys are getting?

[ModMech]

Well, I am a VERY conservative driver and I typically get about EPA or EPA +1 or 2 MPG.

Our '99 F-150 SC (4.6L auto) would never even get TO the EPA estimates, city OR highway. The best it could get was about 17 highway, and 15 city. I am NOT impressed.

Now, the quality of the gasoline does play a very significant role here. If you live in an area where "oxygenated fuel" is used, you are lucky to even get to the EPA mileage, but if you don't have to use this type of fuel, then you *should* be able to meet or even better the EPA estimate by a mile per gallon or two.

Overall, mileage depends on three things:
1) Gearing. Steeper gears use more fuel, there is no getting around it.
2) Drag. Higher vehicles, add-on junk, and speed all reduce mileage.
3) Driving style. With most pickups being bought by younger males (who are typically on the aggressive side) it is no supprise that trucks don't often reach their MPG estimates. Also, the more power you need (or use), the lower your economy will be.

[landyacht]

Realistically, i can't tell you what you'd get cuz i don't know how you drive.

The EPA guide is the best guide as to what the trucks will get under ideal driving conditions. Take into account that there will be X number of people, X accessories, X luggage/load, and you like to drive at X speed.

Closest i can tell you from personal expereience is the 5.4L V8 in the gets around 20mpg on the highway with 4 people and their luggage. I only know this cuz i sold one to a guy who reported this his first weekend out with the truck.

Please keep in mind that most people will have different mileage numbers. I know guys with 1 tonne trucks that are basically identical other then colour; one with an empty truck, just he as the driver, is pulling off 22mpg while another guy i know is only getting 14.

They drive the same year, make, model, configuration and powertrain truck.

[ModMech]

If a 5.4L COULD get 20 MPG (at all), FORD would sell NO diesels, and Dodge and Chevy no "trucks" at all.

In our fleet of over 1000 total units, NONE get over 19 MPG highway, and we have trucks all over the country. How do I know? We get fuel use reports monthly, and we know how many miles are put on in that time from service and fuel records. Mileage is miles driven/gallons used, and NOT what the overhead information center says it is.

[landyacht]

How about this. Go to www.ford.ca and find out what they're rated for yourselves. i already know what they're rated for, i sold them for 2 years.

[Kst8er]

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was going to be getting into a p***ing match. I was simply looking for input on what others were experiencing as for as gas mileage on F150 supercrew's as compared to what the rated performance that is published.

FWIW...I did own a '95 Furd F150 & consistantly got 20-21 MPG highway driving. Again, that is for another discussion not for this thread.

[The ORIG. Dig. Oxy]

To landyacht: Did you know the new Hemi is not really a Hemi?

To Mod Mech: Even if FORD could pull 25 miles per gallon out of the 5.4, they would still sell a ton of diesels. You see, diesels make more power as compared to gasoline engines. (Sure, you could have a 500BB chevy with 2 turbos, and make more power than a stock diesel, but we're talking stock for stock.

[ModMech]

Even if FORD could pull 25 miles per gallon out of the 5.4, they would still sell a ton of diesels.

So you are telling me that people would pay a $6000 plus premium for a vehicle with similar power, more noise, significantly increased operating and repair costs, and WORSE economy?

Hmm, I guess that would explain the SUV "craze" now wouldn't it.

As for those *claiming* 20 plus MPG for a 2004 Ford F-150, well I have some info for you...

Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
6 cyl, 4.2 L, Man(5), Regular 15 19

Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
8 cyl, 4.6 L, Auto(4), Regular 14 18

Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
8 cyl, 5.4 L, Auto(4), 3-VALVE, Regular 14 18

Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
8 cyl, 5.4 L, Auto(4), Regular 12 16

Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
6 cyl, 4.2 L, Auto(4), Regular 16 19


Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
8 cyl, 4.6 L, Auto(4), Regular 15 19


Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
8 cyl, 5.4 L, Auto(4), Regular 15 19

Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
8 cyl, 5.4 L, Auto(4), SUPERCHRGD, Premium 13 16

This info from the EPA website, so it's "OFFICIAL", not made up sales hype, but estimates based upon REAL WORLD testing of the units in question operating on 100% gasoline.

[The ORIG. Dig. Oxy]

Mod,

Yes people would still buy them, because a 5.4 will never have the low end grunt (torque) or a diesel. Torque is what pulls loads up hills.

Why? because of it being a gas powered engine. Likewise, a gas powered engine will not last as long as a diesel. Wanna take a stab at why that is?

[faroff]

I would take a diesel over gasser any day ( In a truck). More torque, efficient, lasts a lot longer. Sure its loud, but some people actually like the sound, I would get some stacks my self Since when do diesels get worse economy anyway?


95’ F-150 Supercab
4.9L engine E4OD Trans 3.55 rear gear ratio 265,000 miles
Get about 17 MPG, I could drive with a little lighter foot and get better mileage but that’s not gona happen

Check out Ford-trucks.com there's been a few threads lately on this, just do a search. Some really great guys over there.

[ModMech]

Gas engines don't last as long???? Since when??

ALL the modular enignes we have in our FLEET, have over 100,000 miles on them and NONE have been opend up for anything. While the diesel certainly is a good engine (7.3L DIT, 6.0L DIT), we have found that most do require some repair around 100,000 miles if not earlier. Injectors, valve cover harnesses are common issues, as are fuel pumps.

If you pull heavy loads, or tow often then certainly a diesel is a better choice. But for MOST people, they are a total waste of money.

[The ORIG. Dig. Oxy]

Ok, this is turning into a pissing contest.

Now you're nitpicking....

Ofcourse you will need do do maintenance on a diesel. The injectors inject the fuel DIRECTLY into the cylinder, where compression ratios can reach 40:1. Gasser injectors inject fuel outside of the cylinder, on the back side of the intake valve. no pressure on them. The diesel injectors are also high voltage units.

You may not like/need a diesel, but that doesnt mean that other people dont like/need diesels either.

I am glad that your guy's fleet has over 100K on it. Do you all regularly pull 12Klb loads with those engines? You see, any engine will last if you keep up the maintenance and you dont work it hard.

Diesels last longer because they dont have to work as hard to make power. That translates in less wear on the engine.

I know of one Cummins in a dodge (not my favorite, but oh well) with over 1 million miles on it, pulling heavy stuff all its life. Never been apart. Why? Because even though it pulled (and probably still does) heavy loads all it's life, it doesnt have to work hard when its pulling them.

Is this the the norm for diesels? I'd be a fool to say yes. But it is faily commonplace for a diesel to get 500+ Kmiles before having to pull it apart.

Can you saw that about a lot of gassers?

[ModMech]

I'm not nit-picking, but I am accurately stating the FACTS.

There is not ONE SINGLE enigine sold in this country that has a CR of anything over 22.5:1, your ficticious number of 40:1 comes from where exactly?

Please keep you posts to facts or stated opinions, and refrain from posting totally made up BS like compression ratios of 40:1, Really now.....

Are you aware that the average length of time a "new" vehicle is actually owned by the original purchaser is UNDER 36 months? That is from industry data and readily available from many printed sources. How far can you drive in 36 months? Well 25,000 miles/year is a lot, most leases allow for only 12,000-15,000 miles/year. So that would be 75,000 miles in three years at 25K/yr. Hardly enough justifiaction for a diesel. As you said, if you are towing heavy loads, then it's a no-brainer that a diesel is the best choice. This may also be the case if you tow often (like a lawn service) but the loads are not that heavy.

You also stated that a diesel does not have "to work as hard". How's that? It takes "x" Torque, and "n" Hp to pull any given load. That does not change wether you have a gasoline or diesel engine, the power and Tq required are exactly the same. Therefor one does not work harder or less hard than the other. Granted, the gasoline engine is operating at closer to is maximum ratings, but that's not what you said.

Since I work on the Powerstroke, 4R100, Cummins 6BTA5.9, 6CTA8.3, and GM 6.2/6.5L stuff EVERY DAY, as well as the 350, 301, 300-6, 4.6/5.4/6.8L engines, I have a far better idea of the maintence requirements of each engine than most people do. You see, our firm owns over 1,000 power units, 250 or more are diesels listed above and there are over 100 Ford gasoline powered vans and pick-ups too. The rest are big-bore Cat, Cummins, and Detroits. We keep out stuff 10-15 years, and put on 350,000-500,000 miles in that time in pick-up and delivery service. The vehicles that get lighter loads (vans and P/Us) mostly have gasoline enignes because the life cost of the diesels is too high. When the loads get bigger (vehicles get to "1 tons"), then we run diesels because a) we run them longer because they cost more up-front, b) they get better fuel economy, c) they wouldn't be worth anything with a gas engine when we are done with them.