I'm giving my truck to my son next year so I need to prepare for it to be a daily driver. What is the best bang for your buck for fuel economy? Programmer? Exhaust? Tune up? K&N intake?

I have some maintenance that I have to do as well. Valve cover gaskets, tranny pan gasket, rear axle seals for sure. I have only used it for hunting since I bought it.

Thanks in advance.

2001 5.4 246k miles

 

Everything you mentioned except for the Programmer, Exhaust and definitely not the the K&N. That should keep it where it should be as far as economy. Meaning, -it won't suck even more.

 

Don't they make a programmer with an economy option for these models?

 

Yes, a economy tune.

 

You said no to the programmer though. Lol

 

One of the reasons for not getting a tuner is even in economy mode, it would take forever to get the cost of the tuner back in fuel savings. Now, when fuel gets to 4-5 bucks a gallon next year, then it might make a bit more difference, yet it would still take forever to recoup the costs.

 

Lot of variables ...
How old is your son?
16-18 .... tune-up, tow strap, and save $$ for a trans rebuild LOL
That truck is just begging to go wheeling !
Late 20s with a couple kids.... tune-up, and some smaller tires...


I put a tuner on my 5.4 superduty never saw any increase in mileage
Just power......


Nice truck

 

In my book a daily driver = reliable = maintain it properly and leave it stock.

 

The best thing you can do for economy is smaller lighter tires.

Nice soft easy rolling P265 is probably whats on the door panel sticker

nothing else is going to help economy.

fuel economy is a bit of an oxymoron with these trucks. I spend about $350 /mo on gas

 

That's correct. What don't you understand ? A programmers economy tune will net worse mpgs than your getting currently.

It's economy in comparison to the tow and performance tune that you get in a canned set of tunes that come with the programmer. I answered you question correctly to begin with. Your just falling for marketing hype. The hype is what attracts the normal Joe. The real deal is what most everyone posting here is trying to tell you. In other words your getting what you asked for...good advice.