What's your fuel mileage

[bpence]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I drive a 2001 Ford Explorer AWD with the small 4.9L V-8 (302 equivalent). It gets about 17.5-18 mpg, when I'm able to keep my foot out of it. I kind of like the sound of that V-8 and can just as easily take the mileage down to 13-14 mpg. Oh yeah, it's equipped with the infamous Firestone Wilderness tires, too.

The 1998 F-150 2wd my wife drives has the V-6 motor, automatic, and she's able to squeeze 18-18.5 mpg out of it. When I drive it, I average around 16 mpg. But, I'm usually hauling stuff or pulling something.

The Kubota B7100HST is running about .8 gallons per hour when mowing, about 1.2 gallons per hour when bush-hogging, and about 1.5 gallons per hour pushing snow. When bush-hogging and pushing snow I use 4wd, so that probably accounts for a little bit of the increase.

Bob Pence

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I have a 95 Chevy 4x4, extended cab and 8 foot bed, manual 5 speed and the 6.9L turbo diesel. I get between 16-17 mpg. I have gotten as high as 19-20 when driving 55 mph. First gear is REAL low and I only use it when I have a load or slick conditions. If I had a higher 5th gear or a 6th gear I think I would get 20-22 mpg.

I have around 70,000 miles on the truck and plan on keeping it for at least 5 more years. When I was looking to get this truck I asked any diesel truck owners I could find what kiinda milage they got as well as how many miles they were getting on the vehicle. I was told to expect at least 300,000 to 500,000 miles on the truck before EVERYTHING but the engine fell apart. The engine would still be going good.

How many miles can one expect on a diesel pickup truck? What are you guys seeing?

Later...
Dan McCarty

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Dan,
Dodge Cummins is definitely the most bulletproof and longest lasting diesel out there. 400-500k is not uncommon on them. Next best is the powerstroke, probably around 300-400k. From everything I've heard and the mechanics and people driving them the Chevy is the worst. Least horsepower and torque of the big three and usually 200-300k average use on them. Problem with the Chevy motor is that it's basically a gas engine converted to diesel. The cummins and powerstroke are built from the ground up as a diesel. That's why Chevy discontinued that engine and went with the Isuzu diesel to try and catch some of the market that Dodge and Ford have run away with with regard to diesel pickups.

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I wanted a Dodge or a Ford when I was looking for a new truck. Dodge had some diesels but they were $32,000 and up. The Ford dealers had no diesels in stock. I messed up and forgot about the dealer that is in the town near my property but I looked all over for trucks and the only one I found with a manual and a diesel was a Chevy. If the dealership near my house give me a good price on a truck I'm sure the next one will be a Ford. But that had better be in another 5-10 years! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

BUT, I drove an Isuzu moving truck a few years ago and it really impressed me. It was the largest truck the rental place possessed but it got decent MPG and was very manouverable. One the new Isuzu diesel has few years on it I might buy a Chevy.

The only problem I have had with the Chevy diesel is the fuel pump. They replaced it under warrenty and actually extended the warrenty. I felt comfortable with the Chevy diesel since its the same engine in the Humvees. I had not heard of any problems with those engines so I felt safe. Then, a couple of months ago a motor pool LT in the Army at Ft. Stewart called in to the Car Talk show on PBS with the exact problem I had with the fuel pump! I knew the answer but the Car Talk Brothers did not! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I hope I get at least 200K on the truck. I have a JD loan to pay off! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Yes, you're right Dan they did have alot of problems with those fuel pumps. The reason that the army went with the chevy diesel is because chevy gave them such a good deal on the price. Back when you bought yours chevy was the cheapest diesel out there. Now with the new isuzu they're the most expensive. I wouldn't worry though you should go 200k easy. You are sure right about manuals and trucks though, they are very rare!!!

 

[bpence]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Did you call Click & Clack and let 'em know the answer about the fuel pump? They'd have probably given you a T-shirt for that one.

Bob Pence

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

That new Chevy is ONE expensive pickup. I saw one at the farm show with the new diesel, new tranny, four door, leather seats, etc. 42-43,000 dollars! OUCH! Heck of a profit margin for GM. I paid 27,000 for my 95. The new drive train is nice but it ain't 15K nicer!

I don't know the prices on real work/contractor trucks, the ones up from the pickups, but if I have to pay 40K+ for the next pickup I might look for a vehicle with more capability.

Later....
Dan McCarty

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

When I heard the show I was on the property and I only had a cell phone so I did not call. I think the call would have cost more than the shirt! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I did want to email them but never got around to it..... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Later....
Dan

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Mine was pretty close to that Dan. In 1996 I paid $26,100 for a supercab, 5 speed, XLT, powerstroke diesel Ford. I just priced out a new one, 2001, with the same configuration as mine and it was $35,300!!!

 

[scruffy]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Dan, a neighbor in California bought a new ton and half flatbed (to replace his totalled truck) with toolboxes down the sides, paid $52,000 + or - for it (don't remember what he said it was exactly). It was as plain as you could get....abolutely nothing fancy or extra, except for A/C, and the upgrade radio.