Ford PS 6.4 mileage

[Todd_C]

John Bud,

I don't know how your concept would work, but I have found myself, who is new at driving a diesel pickup treating the accelerator pedal like a hot poker. I have noticed that my diesel does all I need to maintain speed at 1400-1600 rpms around the house. The truck climbs a steep grade that is a little over two miles long without lugging in top gear at 1500 rpms. I'm getting a bit over 20mpg driving a 325hp engine. My gasoline truck which I loved would always change gears a couple of times and run over 2,000 rpms to do the same speed. I agree with you. If you aren't towing then why do you need 300+hp for a daily commute.

 

[jcmseven]

Builder, You are correct--in context. Unfortunately, I do not drive that much. To me, there is a big difference between a fleet of trucks constantly driving and my usage. Sure, an econo-box would get better economy than my truck (or yours) does. The point I was making--which I feel may have been lost--is that for the average consumer who drives 15,000 miles per year; trading or selling a vehicle and taking a substantial loss on that rarely pays back in fuel economy, especially now. I know many people locally who with the increased fuel prices ditched their "gas-guzzlers" for a song and bought something not what they really needed in hopes of saving some on gas and recouping losses. It almost never happens. Now in the commericial world, things are different and I realize this was your point. For our OP my POINT was that buying a personal truck and having a deal-breaker be 1-2 mpg probably should not prevent him from buying something he would otherwise want. My adage if one can buy it, one can fuel it, applies. DMc- as for the comparison between the 7.3 and the 6.4 I can only personally attest to my numbers. I have owned both and in my style driving where I live, there was very little difference in fuel economy.

John M

 

[dmccarty]

John,

What kinds of mpg are you getting on both?

Is it while towing or just driving?

Its good you are seeing the same mpg on the two engines.

Later,
Dan

 

[Builder]

Builder, You are correct--in context. Unfortunately, I do not drive that much. To me, there is a big difference between a fleet of trucks constantly driving and my usage. Sure, an econo-box would get better economy than my truck (or yours) does. The point I was making--which I feel may have been lost--is that for the average consumer who drives 15,000 miles per year; trading or selling a vehicle and taking a substantial loss on that rarely pays back in fuel economy, especially now. I know many people locally who with the increased fuel prices ditched their "gas-guzzlers" for a song and bought something not what they really needed in hopes of saving some on gas and recouping losses. It almost never happens. Now in the commericial world, things are different and I realize this was your point. For our OP my POINT was that buying a personal truck and having a deal-breaker be 1-2 mpg probably should not prevent him from buying something he would otherwise want. My adage if one can buy it, one can fuel it, applies. DMc- as for the comparison between the 7.3 and the 6.4 I can only personally attest to my numbers. I have owned both and in my style driving where I live, there was very little difference in fuel economy.

John M

The single biggest complaint I hear from the Ford guys and my friends that own them is their poor fuel economy compared to GM & Dodge.

Even 1MPG less at these ridiculous fuel prices is a lot of money lost if you drive 20-25K per year.

I would steer clear of the 6.4L since it's all but discontinued anyway. In a timespan of 7-8 years, Ford will have offered an unheard of 4 different diesel engines. Just the logistics of keeping track of parts for 4 different diesel engines in that short timespan sounds like an awesome challenge for Ford parts departments.

 

[ccsial]

I know that there are diesel hot rodders that make programs to jack up the power to really stupid levels. Why can't they jack DOWN the power for maximum fuel economy? Lack of interest??

jb

That is starting to happen John. My last issue of TDR talked about the economy stuff being offered for the Cummins.

 

[dmccarty]

The November issue of Diesel World had an article mentioning the 6.4 owner complaining about mpg. They mentioned mpg at low as 15mpg and worse for city driving.

The mag had a quote from Ford saying that they planned to put diesels into the F150 and large SUVs. They mentioned a 330HP 4.4L diesel for the F150 and Expedition. Maybe in 2010/2011.

Dodge is going to get a new oil burner that is supposed to get 22mpg. Looks like this will be in 1500 models.

Shall we all hold our breath?

Later,
Dan