How much mpg?

[balljoint]

Looking at a truck. 1992 F350 supercab 2wd dually 5spd. 460 cid.

Looking at towing racecar in a 24' and 28' enclosed.

What kid of mpg do these get dry and towing?

Trips range from 700-2000 miles.

[dynoman14]

I currently own a 1995 F-350 with a 460 + AOD. I have put over 200K miles on it as I bought it in 2002 with 25K miles on it from a Police Chief in E.St.Louis. I think the FI makes a big difference. It has a hypertech chip in it and I have never taken it out because I don't have a stock one. It will boil the tires from idle but has wicked wheel hop.

Over that time I have averaged 11.4 mpg ( last tank was about 13mpg ) and almost nothing changes it running A/C, light oil, light tranny oils, slick rear gear oil. I run Michelin XPS Rib tires at about 50# pressure. I did purchase a new transmission & converter direct from Fred Jones ( 2005 ) and it automatically increased mileage 1mpg. I was told the newer converters were more efficient but I thought lock-up was lock-up??? About a year later I replaced the center section on the rear and had the rear gear rem'd and had some super tight springs installed in a LW Locker unit and R&P lash set to the loose side & that was almost 1mpg reducing oil temp in the rear over 50*F. I was planning on some aero effects on the hood, roof and under the truck as my next major improvement but have not gotten to it.

I have not driven the truck 100 miles in the last couple years as I drive my 95 Suburban 15mpg everywhere.

Anyway, the biggest gain in torque I ever made was +100 ft.# swapping from loud flowmasters to very quiet Dyno-flow mufflers. Mileage stayed the same but the pull from Idle was amazing.
I have also towed trailers with it 100K+ miles and MPG was from 9-10mpg. Once you start pulling over 70mph it starts guzzling gas.

[Egoracing]

Had a 1978 E seried 28ft motorhome with a 460 and it got right about 8-10 pulling an open trailer with an OWM and equipment for a weekend.

[balljoint]

Thats funny you say 62 mph. I drive my 99 GMC with the 6.0 at 63 mph for 16 mpg lol. I go over...and it sucks.

Truck is in great shape. New ribbed tires (rear are new, front 75%). New Monroe shocks etc. Front has never bottom out. No gravel.

Drove it today. steering wheel perfectly straight. didnt pull when I jabbed the brakes. I was amazed.

Looking at getting it for $3000. books at $3100-3500 at kbb. Sealed bids with only 2 bids so far. Closes on wednesday.

I dont think I can swing a $10,000+ diesel and still race a unsponsored pavement SLM. Next year.

[balljoint]

well if I can make it through this year i will look for that. But Im building a new car now. All new. So if I can make it with this beast for one year maybe next year I will have money. (yeah right)

With all the unemployment down in Vegas I bet a guy could get a nice 2wd there. 14-16? (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word).

[Egoracing]

I've got a 2000 F350 4x4 7.3 auto trans. single tire and pulled an open trailer from Florida to Kentucky when we moved with the wifes cavalier on it and it was loaded inside and in the trunk, and a bed full of stuff. I averaged 14 mpg and all I have done is a K&N cold air kit, 4 inch exhaust and a Bullydog programer. I have done a few more things now and pulling a 12 6' rolls of hay on a trailer a few weeks ago I got 15 loaded and 17 when empty. We had a 454 Surburban with 4:10 rear that did not care if it was pulling a trailer or not it got right at 10mpg.

[charlie11515]

what ever you do,,, dont buy the newer dodge,, great power but they stay in the shop more than on the road. i bought a brand new 4x4 dually deisel,, so far 3 turbos, 1 wiring harness, 3 updated brain boxes, mass airflow sensor, 4 egr valves,, they pull great,, i get 17 mpg loaded with 28 ft enclosed, 22 empty,, but at 113k miles it hasnt been worth it for me

[dynoman14]

I know this is not the classifieds but since a couple folks are looking for a good hauler...

This truck will pull anything you can hook up behind it and not even know it is there, and it has the braking system to slow down 40,000# without worrying about it.

If you don't want to spend a fortune, I have an awesome that I have put about 5K miles on since I purchased in 2005... Cat 350HP marine engine ( Capable of 650HP with new star pump and Edge box approx $1500 for both ), Allison 4-Spd, sport truck bed for goose, 5th wheel or Big rig plate. Gets 15-driving and 11mpg pulling up to 40,000#. Big brakes ( air over hydraulic ), big frame, air ride suspension,Big Allcoas with Michelin XPS Re-Groovable tires, air ride seats, Leather interior 100% stock & Non-CDL. Built for GM exec that pulled a couple cutting horses locally. Less than 30,000 miles / Like new. $32K ( $350 kit available if you want to run air brakes on a big rig trailer ). I paid $45K for it and the build sheet on it was $68K.

I used it to pull show cars I built for Evernham, Hendrick and Vivid Marketing to Atlanta, Charlotte and Talladega.

This engine/transmission package usually goes 250K miles with no service issues.

[balljoint]

I found a 99 GMC 3500 dually 454, auto 160000 miles 2wd.

About $1000 more And tires are shot. Front has newer, but just normal tires not ribbed type. So $2000 more.

Would mpg be better or same?

[stockcar5]

if your wanting a big block i'd look into a newer truck with an 8.1 and allison transmission. the 8.1 is a much better engine (power and durability) and the allison is bulletproof. they started putting those in the gmcs and chevys in 2001 up until 2007. the mpg on those is slightly better. usually 13-14 unloaded and 8-12 loaded depending on trailer weight.

[balljoint]

My teammate had a 02 with 8.1 allison. 11 mpg towing an open Alumna. 8 mpg towing a 28' enclosed.

Right inline for what you said.

Thanks for the info guys.

Also found some at http://www.ford-trucks.com/

Basically said if you want good mileage, get a Fiesta. But my plan is to buy this truck for 2600-3000 and tow at 55 mph. Roads are straight. Not many stops. No traffic. It will be ok I hope. Going to look into a wind jammer or I could use the Alumna open again.

But I like having a clean car and when ever I use the open, nothing but rain. haha

You guys dont know how nice you have it living close to tracks.

[FLYNBRYAN]

we had a 1987 2wd extended cab ,F150 with a trans planted 460 with some good bolt on's
10mpg empty, 10mpg pulling. 3400 to 4300 feet above sea level.

[balljoint]

thanks flynbryan

When are they going to pave over that shutdown dirttrack?

[FLYNBRYAN]

Not sure about pavement, but if you got rid of 2 knotheads, we might have some place a little closers to race. I would still travel to Belgrade.

[balljoint]

I bought the pig. $2700. Has new ribbed tired etc. No seat wear. And atleast since its a gas, if the engine fails I can rebuild it!

Flyn---Could the area support a paved track? I think the next closest is CNS. or that little 1/5 mile.

[balljoint]

Closest for me is 48 miles Sat, next is 55 Fri, 68 Fri, 84 Wed , 96 Sun.

There are about 25 tracks within 3 hours, wed, fri, sat, sun multiple choices.

I usually race 3 hours or more from home at special events only. The local weekly tracks have the same 10-14 cars weekly.

Must be nice.

Last year it was 400, 650, 800, and 1000 to Twin Falls ID. One way....

[balljoint]

you can buy a lot of gas before you get to the 20k you would spend for a decent used diesel dually.

We'll see how it goes. Im a pretty good gas saver. Going to tow at 55 and hit the hills right.

I buy my vehicles with cash only. And just dont have that right now anyway.

[balljoint]

Yeah those arent weekly races. One was a 200 lap, one a 150 most 100-125 lap mains.

Though some tracks have 20+ for weekly shows


The 200 lapper paid $20k for 1st.....

[stock car driver]

Are you talking about Magic Valley? I lived in Spokane for 10 years but never made it down there. They said that track was a duplicate of Stateline Speedway.

[balljoint]

Yeah. It was a Rocky Mountain Challenge Series race. Jonathon Gomez won. It did look like Stateline. But better imo.

Another was the Idaho 200.

Another was the Montana 200...

And won one at Hermiston....