F150 Ecomods(?)

[Steven Wrigley]

Im sure it is. F150s havent changed much in 30 years!

[cleanspeed1]

Don't buy an Escort then...................Ford pickups have a tendency to cream them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ReZ0C_UF-8

[user removed]

I have seen the (Majestyk video) Dodge sedan (not the 4 dr hardtop Plymouth) that cut a telephone pole in half, and was repaired. New car, no way, no matter what it is worth.

I am NOT saying the old cars are safer. The old cars DID have to live their lives on dirt roads, gravel roads, and other road issues that would demolish a new car in short order. I have gone airborne in a 63 Valiant CONVERTIBLE (dropped 6 feet on pavement at 55 MPH) and not even knocked the front end out of alignment.

regards
Mech

[Steven Wrigley]

Speaking of old cars Im working on my grandpas Saab 99 He was a Saab dealer/mechanic for 30 years or so. Im hoping to have it road worthy by this winter so I could drive it a couple times a week. Maybe more If I hold off getting the vintage tags for it. 99s get 26.6 average mpg. Well 30 years ago they did! He was a hyper miller too! Clutch in going down hill... Dont think he went easy on the brakes though.

[Steven Wrigley]

Ok I didnt go on my mileage run/trip today but my dad did take it to work and got 17.3mpg! Thats not a reliable figure though because he only ran a gallon though it. Its mostly flat and he has no clue what hypermiling is. Thats pretty good if you ask me! Thats unmodded. Its rated at 11 city and 17 highway i think.

[p38fln]

Since you can't get a car, and you're stuck with the truck let me give you my suggestions -
I don't follow my own advice, but I've tried this a few times for some incredibly good figures out of my F-150 (22-24 highway MPG)

Of course, mines newer and has the turbocharged engine, but that doesn't really seem to help much.

Anyway -
1. It's a big, very heavy vehicle with a large engine designed to pull a lot of weight behind it. The engine puts out way more power than you'll ever need empty. Push the gas pedal like there's an egg between your foot and the throttle.

2. Changing speeds in such a heavy vehicle will absolutely kill your fuel economy. Do whatever you can to safely maintain a single speed - for example, only accelerate to 15 MPH between stop signs in a residential area

3. Speed makes a HUGE difference on these trucks - at 45 MPH, drivers of the newer 2011 models are reporting over 25 MPG. At 55 MPH, I have personally seen 24 MPG. At 65 MPH - You'r lucky to break 20, and going over 70 it will be in the teens somewhere.

4. City driving is horrible on these vehicles. Remember what I said about being heavy. Plan your stops well in advance - you want to just barely be pushing the brakes when you coast to a stop at the stop signs, and sedately accelerate away from them.

And of course, I have to show mine off 14 MPG on the highway on the trip where I took this picture - perfectly acceptable to me since the truck was actually doing work. Also I might have been speeding. I'm not admitting to anything though!

[user removed]

I averaged a consistent 20 MPG in mine at 70MPH for 860 miles from 11:15 Wednesday to 5:30 AM Thursday two weeks ago (many stops, two ferry rides and bought a motorcycle). No AC or radio but heck I can sing all those old songs anyway. I ought to take the antenna mast off until I get some kind of radio to fill the hole in the dash.

Now if I could just get the idle speed down to 4-500 RPM like my old 37 Ford.

1800 RPM at 70.

regards
Mech

[Steven Wrigley]

Just what does ecoboost do? My f150 idles around 500rpm I think. 25 mpg is GREAT! Theres that generation gap again!

[p38fln]

Ecoboost isn't like a button or anything you push, it's just the name of that line of engines -
They've got 3 of them now I think - a 1.0 liter turbocharged 3 cylinder (I think this one will eventually wind up in the Fiesta), a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder (Available in the Focus S/T), and a 3.5 liter twin-turbo V-6 available in the F-150 and Taurus SHO (and Taurus Police Interceptor).

All of the engines feature Direct-Injection and variable valve timing. Direct Injection allows these gasoline engines to run high boost on 87-octane fuel, as it virtually eliminates the possiblity of pre-ignition (Fuel is added later in the compression stroke). Variable valve timing allows the ECM to adjust valve timing for optimum power or fuel efficiency depending on the circumstances.

They all feature incredible fuel economy - or incredible performance. Not both. It all depends on how hard you push on the "go pedal" - the V-6 Ecoboost can accelerate the F-150 so effortlessly you don't even realize how much fuel you just burned - just touch the pedal and it's GONE. So....that's why you'll never see a 25 MPG entry on my mileage log lol.

I did get 22.8 MPG once, on a 65 MPH stretch with the cruise set, so I guess it is possible...

*edit - My F-150 idles at 550 to 600 RPM, and flutters and shakes and snorts, kicks out some smoke... rattles a bit too Ecoboosts are weird sounding.

[Steven Wrigley]

You should try pulse and glide instead of cruise control. You might break 25! I took the spare off my truck so that eliminated at least 40 lbs. I think my first mod will be making wheelskirts. Im still contemplating how I can mount them so they wont fall off.