cdbarnes

So I have an stock 07 F150 Lariat 4X4 with an 5.4L, tow package, leveling kit, flow master exhaust, and 33's. Other than that completely stock.


Question: How do I improve my gas mileage, and if so what can I do? I have heard about changing the gear ration, to an higher gear, and possible but an supper charger on it. I off-road occasionally mostly hunting, but nothing to extreme. What I am looking for is the best way of doing this.


Should I start with the gear ratio, then move to the motor (custom intake and such) or the opposite.


Any suggestions would be great.

grss429

get a edge evo tuner convert it to a gryphon... then get a custom tune... then enjoy 15 mpg.

powerranger262

They aren't just giving superchargers away you know, right? You may see a 2-3mpg increase with one, if you can keep your foot out of the throttle. But what's the fun in that?
Like said above, get a tuner. There are plenty of threads around here, to figure out which one you want.
Other things that will help, and just need to be done anyways, would be a new fuel filter, air filter, and clean your MAF and throttle body. Run a can of sea foam through your tank. If you are due for plugs, start doing your research on what it takes to change them as well.

Kevinpmac

I'll third the tuner with custom tunes. My 08 5.4 gets much better mileage with MPT performance tunes than it did stock. No trouble stroking 20 mpg on the highway if I drive it easy...

cdbarnes

Ok, so a tuner seems to be the way to go, but I have never messed around with a vehicle computer before. The edge evo seems pretty simple, but will it improve the MPG. Also I seen quite a few negative reviews, and the jest of them is they actual don't improve MPG.
After looking into it my gears are 3.73 limited slip, should I go with I higher gear ratio and would that improve the mpg?

Toshbar

Constrict your intake tube. Less air = less fuel.

haha

I have a Hypertech tune in my truck for the last 5 years. The best MPG's I have gotten is 17 mpg all highway driving.
Avg MPG's around town/highway in the summer is 14 and with winter gas is 11.

Our trucks suck on gas. Just something you have to live with.

Mod (Ret.)

Drop the 33's. The weight and mass of those tires are why you are seeing below average mileage. And going with a higher rear gear will lower your mileage, not improve it.

Dirttracker18

Even if changing gears or adding a S/C improved mpg, you would never recoup the cost of parts and installation in gas savings.

Drop to stock sized tires, loss an extra weight you are carrying in the truck or buy a newer F150. With what you were thinking of spending on a S/C and instal you could sell your truck and buy a much newer one that gets better mpg.

650NutKase

The tire size is what's killing your fuel economy. A tuner may help get you 1-2 mpg if you keep you foot off the throttle. Honestly, IMO the best thing to do is get a little car to drive around for better mileage. You're looking at spending close to 2-3 grand for a s/c anyways + all the install costs + the new additional maintenance/wear that comes with a forced induction system. you can get a cheap little craigslist car for 1500 and save the gas. Remember, you bought a truck, not a Nissan Leaf LOL