GM XFE trucks: Progress?

[Frank Lee]

Was looking at the link Metro provided in this thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-mpg-4508.html re: changes to '09 Silverado XFE to get +1mpg increase city and highway and got to thinking... what were the specs on my 15 year old 4x4 F150 and how does it stack up?

It's a little apples-to-oranges as mine's 4WD and the XFE is 2WD only. Still...

'94 w/5.0 V8:12/17 (new rating system; 14/18 old) vs '09 w/5.3 V8 AND cylinder shut-off:15/21
HP: 195 vs 315
Curb weight: 4186 vs 5156
Cd: ? (thought I saw .45 somewhere) vs .412
Towing capacity: 6600 lbs vs 7000 lbs.
Axle ratio: 3.31:1 (3.08:1 was available) vs 3.08

2WD '94s are rated 14/18 new, 15/20 old!

So... very nice bump in horsepower, modest bump in towing capacity, very modest improvement in Cd, holy cow quite a bit of weight gain, and not much for mpg improvement.

1990-1996 Ford F-150/250 Pickup Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

2009 Chevrolet Silverado XFE

[Big Dave]

If they have automatics, they are trash MPG-wise.

[Duffman]

The problem with trucks right now is they are sold on capacity. More towing capacity and more payload are prime selling features as they are indicators of a trucks work ability and how manyly the vehicles are. Ford in particular uses this to promote their brand as better than the others while Dodge and GM promote HP.

I wonder how a specifically market Light duty fullsize would sell. They could easily take 1000 lbs out of these by lightening the frames, wheel/tires and going to aluminum engine blocks. You would still have the space and box capacity of a fullsize.

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

If they have automatics, they are trash MPG-wise.

Compared to what? The last V8/5spd combo available in a GM pickup, back in 2006, got 14/19 EPA. The last Ford V8/5spd (2003) got 14/18. Dodge was the last to offer a manual with a V8 in 2008 (No manual listed for 2009). The Ram V8/6spd gets 13/17 EPA. You better hang on to your 2000.

Frank, I'm curious what type of cab you have you have on your Ford, for comparison sake. The XFE Silverados are crew cab only. That would explain some of the weight gain.

[Christ]

Somewhat OT here, but google "Wuling Dragon" and look at those little things. GM helped to produce/finance them in China, they're just now coming to America in the form of Campus/warehouse work trucks.

Supposed to be able to seat 7 in the van, somewhat comfortably, yet it's the size of my Honda Civic (horizontally).

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

So... very nice bump in horsepower, modest bump in towing capacity, very modest improvement in Cd, holy cow quite a bit of weight gain, and not much for mpg improvement.

Sure seems to lend support to the claim that automakers have been "spending" their efficiency gains on more power, rather than lower fuel consumption.

[Frank Lee]

Mine's a SuperCab- same as the XFE... although, back then, the extra cabs didn't have 4 doors. And the new xcabs must be longer...? cuz the '94 wheelbase is 138.8" vs '09 143.5". Overall length '94 219.1" vs 230".

I had to laugh when reading the hype about alum. wheels, suspension control arms, and all-aluminum engine for "weight savings". The pig weighs 1,000 lbs more than my truck, and mine is burdened with all that 4x4 stuff besides!

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Mine's a SuperCab- same as the XFE... although, back then, the extra cabs didn't have 4 doors. And the new xcabs must be longer...? cuz the '94 wheelbase is 138.8" vs '09 143.5". Overall length '94 219.1" vs 230".

I had to laugh when reading the hype about alum. wheels, suspension control arms, and all-aluminum engine for "weight savings". The pig weighs 1,000 lbs more than my truck, and mine is burdened with all that 4x4 stuff besides!

Whoa. The 2009 F150 4X4 Supercab weighs 5434 lbs!

[Big Dave]

Super Trooper is right. They just don't make manual transmission trucks anymore.

But the fact is that manuals simply get better MPG than slush-boxes, and the difference climbs in the hands of a good hypermiler.

I do intend to hold onto what has become a very exotic truck.

[Frank Lee]

I tend to agree with that, but...

ratings for my '94 were better for the a/t vs m/t!

fueleconomy.gov: 12/17 a/t; 12/16 m/t