how can i get the best mpg on a 7.3? and what would the best i can expect be?

 

it all depends on how you drive it, i have friends that get 16mpg even more in there diesels, but once you put that pedal to the floor its going to drop

 

If you're dead set on an Excursion, I would definitely get one with the 7.3. I think that will yield you the best MPG's you can get when compared to the V10 for example.

 

The newer Excursions with the 6.0L get better MPG's than the 7.3L and the gasser V10. A friend of mine with a 1 ton 7.3L CC gets 14 city and 19 HWY. He drops to 17 on the HWY when towing his 30' car hauler. The 7.3L's are pretty much bulletproof but the trannys behind them are very suspect. The 6.0L needs a few things, EGR delete and head studs, to be very reliable and the tranny behind it is great. If I found an EX limited that I liked, I honestly wouldn't care which motor it had, I'd care more about how the vehicle was cared for. Both motors can be great and both can suck...some say the 6.0L doesn't need anything if left in stock form, ie no tuner, intake or exhaust. It has to be very hard NOT to throw a tuner or chip on a diesel simply for the drastic increase in HP/TQ. The 7.3L guys will say their motor is better and it's hard bot to believe when there are many of them with tons of miles and still going strong.

 

I have a friend with a 2000 7.3, and stock, it got 19 mpg on the highway. He spent a few grand on a chip and some other stuff and got it up to 26. However, it dropped to 20 with ULSD. The 4R100 is still hanging in there, but he also has a 2000 F-350 crew cab dualie with the same mods and he's been through 5 trannys since new. The Excursion has never been used to tow or haul loads, unlike the 350.

 

My brother in law, and father in law both own 7.3, 350s. One a 2002, one a 97. Both have chips and performance exhaust, brother get about 26 highway, bout 22 pulling a trailer. Father gets about 23. Those things can get great gas mileage.

 

Rented a v10 EX for a weekend and it wasn not too fun. I mean it had some torque for a gasser but it just was like driving a school bus, very slow after the first 10 feet. It also got 10mpg for the weekend.

 

I test drove an '06 V10 F350 a few days ago and it was not fun either. Big beautiful truck...Lariat, 38K miles, but a V10 instead of a diesel made it very undesirable.

 

the 6.0 is not that good of an engine, the 7.3 is a beast. we had a 350 flatbed that got 16mpg city empty(had no water on it but did have about 300pounds of tools and boxs). we never had to replace a thing on it.

 

26 MPG? I can smell the bullshish from here. Stop going by the computers and start going hand calculated. A 7.3EX will pull 18 MPG on the highway all day long, provided you don't go over 2000 RPM.

 

That was 26 mpg actual calculated, as I said, with a bunch of mods and a tune, and back when you could still get real fuel instead of the ULSD crap. Also as I said, it's down to 20 now.

 

well then here is the real question...do i trade a 2008 f150 King Ranch with about 2k in mods for an 02 7.3 stock? i just dont know. I love my truck but i always wanted a diesel (nvm a 7.3). i just dont know! opinions please

 

I would not do it. Thats just my opinion. You might not know the history of that truck. However, you have a brand new truck that will last you who knows? 10 years easy. They last forever if you just maintain them. I too have wanted a diesel just to have one, but if that is the only reason you are getting one then don't. You will miss your King Ranch, and you know everything about that truck as far as where its been and whats has happened to it. If you were totally set on getting a diesel then I would save up, and let it happen in time. Don't just jump on one of the first things to pop up, because chances are you wont be happy with it in the long run.. Just my two cents.

 

Agreed, and well said. I also am in love with the diesels and want one badly. But get rid of my 150 just to get a diesel, I wont do.

 

i would hands down do it. if i could find someone to trade my expo for a diesel it would be gone no question asked. diesels are just amazing compared to gas motors. my dad has a 02 excursion with a 7.3 6 inch lift and 35s, edge tuner, exhaust and intake he just put in injectors and is waiting for a chip but it gets great mileage and can haul anything.