redneckfromnb

i got a 97 f150 with a 4.2 with a automatic and overdrive in it,the truck works good but the job i have has me putting a lot of km on it in a week,would a mini van give me any better mileage,i hate to get rid of my truck,whats everybodys opinion on this

zap

When I first got my 02 4.2 it got 19 mpg. Now, 60k miles later it only gets 14... It got 19 with the front bumper on it. Dropped to 17 when I put different tires on it, but otherwise weight has been taken out to balance what I have added and it only gets 14 on the highway.

pickupsrule

If you get a van that gets 10 MPG more (not likely, more like half of that) and you drive 15,000 miles a year, you will only save less than $100.00 a month in gas for the year with the van. If you go with a 23 MPG (highway) van (which is the norm for vans) you will save less than $50.00 or so a month. Only you know if it is worth it to you to swap for $50.00 a month.

zap

It all depends on how much you drive. Take me for example, in the 9 months I was enjoying my freshman year of college, I put 20K miles on the truck getting 15 mpg or less, all highway. Now I recently compared new 1/2 ton's versus just broken in diesels. For roughly the same price you could end up with a nice used 6.6 Duramax that gets about 22 on the highway (if you treat it right) or a 5.9 Cummins that gets 27 mpg on the highway. But you really won't start making money on the diesels until after you get about 50K miles down the road. Yes you pay more for fuel, but you make it up with the higher mileage of a lot of the other trucks. i can't afford buying a just broken in diesel and have said that I will never buy another gasser cause they just don't compare for what I use the truck for. Until I can afford a new vehicle I have two options, save all my money into a newer vehicle (which I don't really want) or swap engines to a mechanically injected small diesel which can easily out perform my 4.2 in both the performance aspect as well as the mileage. This is a great option because I don't want a new vehicle, I love everything about my truck except for the engine, I drive enough to make money on swapping to a more efficient engine, and I want to drive my truck til the wheels fall off, put them back on and drive it some more.

pickupsrule

Well you got the cost of the engine swap, then the additional .40+ a gallon or more for diesel, so it will take about 8 years to break even. Not all gas stations sell diesel so you will have to shop around when you travel and that uses fuel. But I do agree diesels are the best engines for anything, truck or car.

zap

Diesel is only .20 more a gallon where I live. Most places have diesel wherever I go, plus you increase the range from my current 300 miles to 600.

pickupsrule

"but the diesel will still maintain a 10-30% fuel mileage advantage in identically geared trucks." (General Motors Duramax tec bulletin).
"42% of fueling stations sell diesel fuel" ( EPA - Dieselforum.org)
But YOU are going to get a 100% mileage advantage in your special diesel truck, most of your gas stations sell diesel, and the diesel where you are never goes up in the winter when the demand for heating oil increases, like it does everywhere else in the US.
I am done with this foolishness.

zachlow

Plus if your talking about putting a diesel into your f150, like a 4bt or something.... there is alot more than just the engine. You would need engine, transmission, clutch and all if your going with standard. Then on top of that new wiring harness if you get a newer diesel. Even if you stick with an older diesel you still have to tie in all your coolant and oil sensors and what not. Alot of money to just get another 4-5 mpg. My 4.6 f150 gets 15.5 mpg and i have 33's and 150k. Be cheaper just to buy a used 3/4 or 1 ton and go from there.

zap

Nother 12mpg. but the B3.9 4BT is 4 wires to hook it up. The Ford 1/2 ton tranny's actually bolt right up and the M5R2 5-spd (which I have) can handle the torque put out by a slightly modded 3.9 (190cc injectors and a 3200 gov spring) and would just need a better clutch. Then I also have that internal peace of mind where I trust the B series Cummins way more than my fairly low mileage 4.2 that has been plagued with problems. There are many guys out there running 4BTs in stock drivetrain F150's. It's all about doing the research to get your information straight.

zachlow

I still think it would be further ahead to get a 3/4 or 1 ton. Only so much you could do with a half ton. I know your doing it for mileage and the wow factor, which it would be cool. But if your that worried about mileage get a diesel jetta or something.... they get like 45-50 and save the truck for work stuff.