What kind of gas mileage does your truck get?

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) Tire diameter generally doesn't mean much for mpg if the gears are right;  If the vehicle has higher gears, i.e., 2.73 etc., then the car doesn't need really tall tires and, in fact, taller tires may hurt mpg because now the ideal torque curve may be messed up.  (rpm too low on the highway)

2) i drove a focus on mon. night, and while i am in no way a ford fan, i strongly urge you to drive that in the meantime while you figure out your mpg thing with the truck.

[bowtieguy]

79 C-10 LWB.  5.3L 4L60E trans, combo city highway, pulled down 19.5 mpg first tank.  And Im flogging on it from time to time.  If I can keep my foot out of it, 21 isn't out of the question.  255-70-15's and 3;08 gear. 

I agree with Stewie, it may be a POS ford, but dude, its going to get 30 if you drive it like you stole it, and better than that if you baby it.  Tint the windows solid black and park far away from anyone that might see you, and deal with it.  You will save money for your truck.

[grayharville]

I have something to drive, our 81 jeep cj5 on 33x12.50 bfgoodrich it has a 151 iron duke thats worn out, and Ive convinced my dad to let me put my 305 in it!! I need to address the steering, as the box is worn (lots of play) I may uprade to power steering when I put the 305 in, but for now Ill drive it with the 151 until its on its last legs then I can swap motors, and drive the jeep when the weather lets me, besides, JEEP=Chick magnet!! oh, and 25 mpg 

[76 k10]

my truck gets about 4 mpg if i baby it lol

[ccz145a]

Read my sig.

Does not seem to matter if I pull a boat or drive 50 or drive 70. I get 11. Got close to 12 on my last camping trip, but still in the 11's.

[grayharville]

I hope mine gets 15-20 somewhere in there and I think it may be possible, but idk my dad once had a 83 longbed with 305/th350c and got 18, I know I have a 350, but will have the benifit of overdrive and somewhat lighter with my shortbed, It will hardly ever get driven on the highway, as I live in the country and the road to school is a twisty 2 lane, speed limit around 50-55, that will be most of my driving, and the occasional trip to town and leaving a couple signatures 

[SUX2BU99]

According to this, 20+ is possible:
http://www.73-87.com/7387info/ads_GM/82_20mpg.jpg

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) again, that special edition engine is the LE9 305.

20 mpg in a 73-87 truck is possible with a 8 cyl gas engine and i'm going to prove it.

2) to confuse the issue further, apparently edlebrock has come up with an engine that produces 675 hp and gets 19.8 mpg installed in a 67 chevelle:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/spotlight/sl.shtml

i have my doubts because the "test" took place on a dyno, not outside on real roads---this doesn't take into account wind resistance.  Admittedly 675hp can probably overcome any aerodynamic resistance at 70mph, but still.
i think the engine is "only" 13k or something?

[Captkaos]

20mpg City, or highway?  Mine is getting 22mpg highway @65mph with the 305, so it isn't that far of a stretch.  I could get better if I slowed down to 55mpg most likely.
Keep in mine times have changed, people don't think twice about running 80 on the highway now and the limit is 70.  Back then it was 55....

[choptop]

We have hundreds of miles of highway where the legal limit is 75 or 80 miles per hour, and people are still goimg 10+ miles over the limit, then complain about fuel mileage.

[grayharville]

ok, now im on the lookout for a 700r4 with all the linkages, etc. I havent done anything the stepside, been cutting hay/ repairing tractors, and have no time!! I want to pull the 350 and put in new gaskets, like a comp xe268 or xe270 cam, something to give it a lopey idle whele remaining reliable, and an aftermarket intake, likely edelbrock, with a holley carb believe its a 650, then spray it chevy orange and drop it back in, is my cam a choice good for a daily? thanks

[biodiesel84]

mine gets way north of 20, but I also have a diesel...I love the fact that everyone I know is like you pay how much for gas, but what they don't understand is that dollar per mile is better than with my tahoe...

Chuck.