7.3 fuel mileage?

[linuxman2003]

Howdy yall new guy here... I'm looking at options for replacing my 2001 ranger in the next year or two, and I've been looking at the 96~97 f250, most likely going to be an auto 7.3 2wd, maaaaybe a 4x4 if the price is right. What kind of fuel mileage is to be expected with a 2wd 7.3 auto with 3.73 gears? and what about a 4x4 7.3 auto?

 

[Tx_Atty]

there are a lot of variables but you can expect hiway to be upper teens - 16 to 19 and city to be around 12 to 14. Give or take. Will depend on how you drive, what changes you make to it, etc. etc.

welcome to our site. You can find a lot here.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

I can get about 20 mpg if I can keep my foot out of it (55 mph), but that's the hard part. Going from 0 to 60 in under 8 sec's and blowing black soot all over the teenaged kid with the jacked-up F-150 is way too much fun.

 

[linuxman2003]

well, 20mpg is the exact same mileage that my 4 cylinder ranger gets (ok, it gets about 22 but hey, close enough) and I've heard there are tricks to get these diesels to make more power, with better mileage! I havent had a chance to look into it a whole lot yet, but I've heard that propane injection actually gives you better fuel mileage?

 

[ogre1974]

my 99' 4x4 7.3 with auto and running 33" tires gets 20-21 hwy and 18 city

 

[Fire1]

I have had a best of 22 MPG, but that is babying it on the highway.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

I'm lucky to get 16 on the hwy with my 01. I don't hot rod it, but I'm not babying it either. I try to keep the engine under 2k RPM's when I'm cruising on the hwy as much as possible.

I noticed a slight increase recently when my fuel filter was replaced and some fuel leaks sealed up, but I'm nowhere near the range that you guys are in. My entire drivetrain is stock (except a drop-in K&N filter, I don't call that a mod, and it's going away ASAP).

What else should I be looking at or doing to get that kind of mileage? Mods are definitely in the future, I'm pretty close to getting a Stage 2 AFE, and then eventually exhaust, chip, and gauges, but that won't be done for a while.

 

[linuxman2003]

allrighty - so if I get a 1996~1997 4x4 with an auto, and lets say 3.73 gears, can I expect a daily driven 20mpg out of it if I drive mostly highway and have propane injection? I probably wont mod it much past the propane injection... I'm not really looking for a 1000+ lb-ft monster, just a nice diesel that will last damn near forever that gets at least 20mpg average. That reminds me - I know diesel engines by their very nature last pretty much forever, and a lot of the trucks I am finding have 170,000~190,000+ miles on them - should I be worried about that? I found ONE 97 that has 101K on it, but I'm not in the position to buy just yet!

 

[ogre1974]

as for the propane injection that is more for horse power as far as i am concerned.and as for miles 500,000 is a good broke in motor meaning that 100,000 is NOT that bad.I have done VERY little to my truck BUT (and the most important)keep it mainteneced.Keep track of oil changes and fuel filter changes.ANY fuel leak should be fixed right away,because not only does it decrease your fuel mileage,diesel fuel will greatly deteriate any and all rubber components(seal,bushing,e.t.c)and rapidly.But i feel that powerstroke is a Very dependible and powerful motor.

 

[hheynow]

7.3L 4WD Auto 4.10 rear
15-19 mpgs depending on my lead foot
A 3.73 rear will get better mileage than a 4.10.
4.10s are rated to tow more than a 3.73.
3.73s are rated to tow more than a Ranger.