FORD 150 VS. CHEVY SILVERADO

[Jeff H]

Anyone getting bad gas mileage with the 5.3 may want to look into the Diablsport Predator programmer. My 2001 Z71 stepside reg cab was getting 14.8 mpg when I first got it in March. I had an old Predator sitting around that was VIN locked that I used to monitor my 2000 SS Camaro and it worked to monitor the 5.3 as well. I could tell it was running really rich so I bought a new Predator for $275 shipped and installed their performance tune and tweaked the fueling, overtemp, shift speed and pressure and now I'm getting around 17 mpg with better performance as well. The GM trucks with the 5.3 and automatic are set up to pull timing between shifts(torque management) and that also hurts the economy. Oh yeah, I'm running bigger tires (295/75/16) vs the stock 265/75/16 and it's slightly lifted.

[Justbad Joe]

Are we all running 4x4 or 2wds? I had an 02 that on its best day got 13 mpgs. Just bought a 10 with the fuel mgmt. with 6sp auto and have 1300 miles on it and the best is 17. What are you guys doing to increase mpgs.?
Joe

[1970Bluel78]

I would like to know more about the new Ford Eco Boost engines. I heard that there new turbo V6 is like 365 hp and gets great gas mileage. That would certaily change things for the Dodge,Ford Chevy wars I would think...

[flyingn]

would it be fair to compare an 08 with (im guessing 100k miles on it) to a new 11? Compare an 11 150 to a Silverado.

[jasonL78]

Just bought a new 2011 Silverado with the 5.3 and the Fuel managment system. I have 650 miles on it and I am averging 17.8 miles per gallon. I had a 2007 with the same motor option and loved the truck. But at 62k it started burning/loosing oil, not leaking. I was really let down when it started loosing 1 Quart of oil every 2k. Gm said it was normal to loose 1 quart of oil in 2,000 miles. I disagree! So since I am a chevy guy! I just couldn't go with another make. I hope they have resolved this problem with my new truck. From what I have read on-line this problem was with the 2007-2008 models? I will let you know how it pulls with the new six speed transmission in another month. I am trailering the car to Tenn.

Jason

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Justbad Joe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are we all running 4x4 or 2wds? I had an 02 that on its best day got 13 mpgs. Just bought a 10 with the fuel mgmt. with 6sp auto and have 1300 miles on it and the best is 17. What are you guys doing to increase mpgs.?
Joe </div></div>

Both the trucks I mentioned were 4x4s. The only thing I did to the 5.7 truck was add a K&amp;N filter. I DO think those help some, although I have yet to get one for this truck.

[Jeff H]

Mine is a 4x4. I've heard about the oil burning problems with the 07 from other people as well. Another thing to increase mileage is to switch from the stock clutch fan setup to the newer (I think 2005 and up) electric fan and radiator. I heard it can help pick up 1-1.5 mpg but it's not the easiest/inexpensive upgrade so I haven't done it yet. My truck is actually pretty loaded with power seats, power windows, power windows, etc. which is a little odd for a reg cab pickup. The other thing that is actually cool about getting a programmer is that with the automatic with the tow/haul mode you can give it 2 different tunes and use the tow/haul mode for better performance at just the touch of the button.

[Tommy]

Dad and I pulled an empty trailer with a Z71 6.0 liter to Mississippi to pick up a 69 Camaro last year and even empty the truck was constantly downshifting on small hills. With the Camaro it was worse of course. Gas mileage was about the same as flushing a toilet... Dad bought a 2500 with Duramax and it was night and day.... I pull a 24 ft trailer 500 miles a night all week with a 97 Dodge with the 12 valve cummins and love it. I was using a ford with the 5.4 and it was like the chevy 6.0, revved out of control on hills.... I still pull 16x8 1/2 haulmark with my 95 silverado (5.7, 4L60E) with no problems but it also struggles compared to any diesel...

I'm not much of a Dodge fan but I sure do like the Cummins engine and to be honest, how much of the truck is Dodge?? Not that much in my opinion. Cummins engine, Dana Rear, New Venture trans... I think the Frame may be possible outsourced as well because the same upside down numbers are on it as Dads 2500 Duramax.... It leaves me to believe that only the sorry electronics are Dodge [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]



Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

[Sportyworty]

The 2010 F150 is a much better truck than the 2008. I also trade every 3 years and the new 6 speed trans and a few new engine updates get the truck to 18 mpg. I can get 20 mpg towing because the speed limit is 55 in California. Featherlite 14' open with a 3000lb car. Gears make a huge difference regarding mpg.

[Jeff H]

I think most of these trucks downshift too soon with the factory computer setup. Another good use for a programmer, you can adjust the downshift speed setting and/or the throttle position before downshifting. But that's talking about the 4 speed automatic, the newer 6 speed autos probably make it a completely different combination that doesn't have that bad behavior.