Real World Fuel Economy (not for lead foots)

[nc1500]

Hello everyone.


I commute over 100 miles a day and am trying not to go broke just getting to work. Though not too bad, fuel prices still hurt. I've thought about buying a new penatly box to commute in, but at around $16k for a fairly basic ride I can put that money into what I already own and have much better and safer ride with more economy to boot.

My current goal is to see what maximum economy number I'll get prior to installing any other mods. Along with the mod list I'll also include a running tab of associated costs.

Starting MPG: just under 16.

The mods so far:

DP F5 (bought used, don't know what tunes are loaded but keep in 1) ($100)
235/85 Falken Landair HT's, inflated to 70 with nitrogen ($400 for tires, $20 fill for all 4)
Homeade CAI (parts laying around the house, filter from friend)
Bed cover (came with truck)
Drier vent tube with lint trap air intake (found in house) and ZooDad
Synthetic Rotella ($50+filter)
Emtpy cab and bed, no extra crap (sweat)
Flag mirrors ($45)
Muffler delete ($20 for sawzall, $20 for pipe, $160 for labor)
Keep it under 65, light throttle around town, roll to stop lights
Rarely approach 2000 rpm
Keep A/C off as much as possible, drive with defrost on high (almost as good as A/C at higway speeds)

Sub total: $815

The reward so far: nearly 22 mpg in mixed driving (85% highway), which is a 28% improvement. Believe when you hear how you drive has the most impact on economy. I just filled the tires yesterday, so I'll see what the difference is after next fill.

Next steps:

Remove spare and tools, carry 12v compressor and plugs
Remove tailgate and rear bumper
Remove passenger mirror, cover hole with blank-off plate from cab chasis van
Block off most of front end/ seal seams around lights

Once I've experimented with all that, the expensive part comes in with the bolt ons. At this point my goal, and emphasis, will be on efficiency and longevity rather than raw power. The mods will include:

4" turbo back
Intake
John Wood valve body/overhaul if required
6.4 convertor
CNG system with tuning (being developed by Deluca Fuel Products)
4 3500# CNG bottles (6 gallon equivalent or more each)/custom rack
38R turbo/ upgraded cooler
Upgraded Stage 1's
ITP fuel system with bowl delete
FASS system
Hub conversion
Electric fans
Waterless coolant
Upgraded cooler

From talking with others who have these systems, and Marc at Deluca, it's possible to see hundreds of miles on a single gallon of fuel. I'll keep this going and continue to post my progress.

[thbd77]

good luck keep us posted

[Jarrod B]

what state are you in?

thats pretty good if you are getting 22mpg

[builder_one]

That's pretty good mileage so far. I'm currently getting 20.34 MPG out of my '02 F250 w/ 3.73 gears, hand checked by filling up to the cap each time (summer fuel seems to be much better than the winter blends as far as MPG is concerned). Stop and go style driving not much highway use. Very light on the throttle, mostly using cruise control and rolling up to stop signs. Only mod is a performance chip that was installed by the dealer when I bought the truck new, don't know what kind it is, but it's supposed to be a 70HP upgrade.

[tubular031]

22 is awesome. there is a guy over on PSN that gets high 20s but his truck is lowered, low gears, air dams, side skirts and a bunch other things.

I get 17 on the freeway and 14 to 15 in the city.

My best tank I got 400 ish miles per DIESEL gal. but that was burning veggie from my back tank I normally get about 30 to 40 miles per DIESEL gal on my daily drive to work (30 miles each way) Later this year I am going to drive to cali in the truck and should get about 1k miles per DIESEL gal

[dublniklz]

22mpg's is great. I'd kill to get that with mine, doubt that'll ever hapen though.

[Tick ST]

I just pulled my camper from Tx to Creed Co. 08,6.4. I got about 9 or less. Hate the REGEN.

[03_Turbo7.3]

i get around 650-700kms per fill of around 105 liters, diesel is 72.4cents a liter here right now..and thats driving nice..with just an intake..

[Tick ST]

2.19 a gal in Tx.

[Cj Ford]

I get 22-23mpg on the highway and with mixed city and highway I see 19mpg

7.3 6speed 3.73's