Gas Milage on the 80

[DTAYLOR]

I have read thread after thread with consistant comments of gas milage at or around 11 to 12 mpg.

I want to know (opinions) why I have been getting 15 mpg from the day I bought mine. I wonder if there's a gearing difference, or just what the deal is. My 80 had 79k when I bought it 5.5 years ago, and 225k now. I litterally drive the dog liver out of this thing so I don't think I could attribute it to conservative driving. I do burn super unleaded (highest octane I can find is usually 93) in it, but can that really be the deal.

Anyone got a clue?

I'm in process of a HG job, (waiting on IdahoDoug's DVD to arrive) and cannot believe how good the cams look. I'm hoping that after a little work on the head the rig may run even better. If not for the reading on the odometer I would swear this is an engine with no more than 50k on it.

BTW, in addition to IdahoDoug's video, I'm taking a lot of still shots that I plan on putting on an future post.

SO, where is that extra 3mpg coming from?

 

[Satchmo]

you're bad at division;p

 

[landtank]

You're still 1mpg behind me. You've got a 96 with better fuel management for one.

 

[SLC-Joe]

A stock vehicle is going to get better than one which has been lifted with tires etc. Mine is stock and I average between 14 and 16. I drive a 300 mile trip each way every other weekend and last week I got 19.1 with the cruise set at 65. Most people are not willing to drive like that. Ive read some articles that say wind resistance becomes a big factor over about 60 mph and the 80 is not what I would call aerodynamic.

 

[CJF]

2-3mpg behind my hiway mileage (city mileage is much lower), and that's with a 3FE. Admittedly, I drive uber-conservatively. (Don't worry, I stay in the right lane where I belong. )

Curtis

 

[tarbe]

I am lifted with 295 BFGs, ARB and Hanna sliders. I get 15.5 on my commute and 16 - 16.5 on highway trips (corrected for the tires, of course).

I don't think you are outside what we would consider normal.

FWIW, my first three tanks driving this truck home from the east coast and completely stock were all over 18mpg. I topped it up to the brim each tank to get as accurate a reading as possible. So I have lost about 2mpg with my mods.

BTW, I drive 65 - 70 on the highway...higher speed would drop my mileage accordingly.

 

[tarbe]

Ive read some articles that say wind resistance becomes a big factor over about 60 mph and the 80 is not what I would call aerodynamic.

Double the speed, quadruple the resistance (up by the square).