1994 Ford F150

[cleanspeed1]

I guess after being conditioned in the US that bigger is better for more than a few generations, it could cause some, ahem, issues.

Found a decent diesel Ford Escort for $1500 on craigslist.

[Execut1ve]

I didn't grow up in a truck family and I don't have any special affinity for them, I just like them a bit better now that I have one. I get my civic fix when we take trips... if I'm in the car, I drive. I'll be driving down to NC to visit the folks, so that'll be 8 hrs of back and leg torturing civic fun (and then 8 hrs back) woohoo! I'd say the "truck" problem is by no means insurmountable, am I not planning to bike to work? that's really the main time I drive the truck, other than the odd errand on the weekend when the wife has the civic.

I'm giving thought to some aeromods for the civic for the big trip in July... but that'll be for another thread

[user removed]

Picked up a 92 F150 yesterday. 2nd owner 85K miles. It's the 6 cyl 5 speed with a 2.73 gear, regular cab short bed. New tires, inspection, even the paint cleaned up nice, except for the roof. This is a stripper with rubber mats and no AC, but it has two tanks with something like 37 gals capacity.

Used it today to haul an insulation blowing machine for my brother. We did 3 houses in 4 hours. Mine was the second and it cost me $180 to blow the attic 18 inches deep.

regards
Mech

[david85]

And that would a be a good example of why many of us can't get by without a pickup even if we aren't all tradesmen. Sounds like a good deal on the insulation too.

[Rusty Marina]

I'm a bit late to this but:
I wouldn't waste my time swapping in a Ford 300 6 (if you mean the 4.9) Although a very good engine with a anvil tough rep, they have never been known to get decent fuel economy. Plus IMO the Ford 302 would probably have the edge in economy.

[ghostwalker]

If you serious about doing the bike thing check out instructibles.com for some low buck ideas that might make your commute more enjoyable.-GW

[Execut1ve]

I'll check out that site ghostwalker

I have the 302 in the truck as we speak. Why do you say it would have the edge in fuel econ over the 300? the 300 has less displacement, less cylinders, and torque peak lower in the rpm band... the only possible scenario in which the 302 wins out (imo) is at highway speeds

[Varn]

I have been able to get 18+ from my E150 van with the 5.4 v8. Most economical cruise speed is 52-53 mph, 1600 rpm. I don't drive it unless I have something to carry so my miles are loaded miles. If I am accelerating to high way speed I try and keep the rpm at 1600.

Mine is stock except for 48 psi in the tires.

[david85]

Everything I've read in terms of EPA estimates and discussions over on FTE indicate the 300 is a better MPG engine than the 302 in just about any situation. There are some trucks that I hear get as low as 13-15 MPG with the 4.9L but generally those ones have underlying tuning issues.

[user removed]

This 92 5 speed has a .79 overdrive, combined with the 2.73 rear axle and 28 inch tall tires, it works out to 1550 RPM at 60 MPH. It seems to be doing well on fuel. The front tank is 16.2 gallons, so I can fill that one and see what it does for mileage.

Original EPA was 15-19 and there is no specific figure for the axle ratio. I know Ford went for low revs per mile a while back, about the same time they decided that oil pressure was fine in the mid 30s instead of 60 hot. The mileage seems to suffer significantly with the higher ratio axles. I think it will do pretty good with the old long stroke 300 loafing along at under 1500 RPM at 55 MPH, especially with the port injection and feedback system for good atomization at very low engine speeds. Just drive it like a diesel.

I also read about a lean stumble from slightly too much EGR, which I feel but it's not too bad. Threw some injector cleaner in her and pumped up the tires. The fuel guage doesn't seem to be dropping like a rock so maybe I can hit 20 on the first measured tank.
I'll try to get it running good with the present volume of EGR, then I might try some of the restrictor modifications to the EGR that are supposed to solve driveability problems from day one in some of those trucks, but I would like to leave it alone since the current wisdom is higher EGR for better efficiency, to the point where the stumbling becomes noticeably obnoxious. Restrictors can be easily installed to limit EGR flow, and it is reversible so you can try different sizes and enlatge them intil you get the perfect compromise.

Property taxes less than 20 a year, insurance less than 250 a year, with only 85k on the clock right now its the perfect truck for my occasional use. Heck I can even carry the motorcycle in back or on a rack in the front, LOL.

Now for an aero bed cover, 100% over EPA here I come!

regards
Mech