Just curious. I love the new SD's but can't afford or justify the diesel engine option. If you have a 2011 or 2012 Super Duty with the 6.2 gas engine, could you post what kind of MPG's you're getting? Don't forget to include what tire size and gear ratio you have.

 

I dont think youll do much better, but you will save 50-80cents on the gallon for gas, have cheaper Maint cost, and save the 7k premium at the start for the diesel.

What weight are you towing because really with the 6.2 your not giving your self that much more capability than the 1/2 tons.

 

We have a 2011 scab/8ft at work and it sees about 16mpg highway and 12mpg towing/city. 100% stock, idk what tires and gears.

Compared to the 2010 5.4 it does way better on gas. The 5.4 gets maybe 14hwy and 10 towing...

 

Honestly, I only need a 1/2 ton. The only thing I tow is a utility trailor with our dirt bikes. Heck, our Wrangler Unlimited handles that fine. The only reason I considered a SD is because I love the styling and the truck will be lifted, probably only 35 inch tires though. A SD would just be a stronger platform for a lifted truck, plus it would be easier and less expensive to lift. Not to mention you can get a SD with a V8 and 4.30 gears which would probably be great for 35's or 37's! Looking at the big picture, the cost difference between a lifted V8 SD and a lifted F-150 would not be that much. I just couldn't live with getting 10 to 12 MPG's. If I could get an average city/highway MPG of 14 to 15 MPG, I'd be satisfied.

 

You can fit 35s with no rubbing with no lift on any 05+ Superduty. IMO 35s look like they should be the stock tires when there is no lift on the newer trucks. If yout put a 4" lift and 35s on one the tires look dinky again. They come stock with 33" tires (275/70R18 on mine), so 4.30 gears and 35s are still going to kill your mpgs, but it'll pull like a mother. If you're really concerned with mileage then why in the heck are you even THINKING of putting a lift and tires on it?

I've got a few pictures on my computer that would show this really well, but I don't really feel like going out and trying to host them. If you do a google image search you'll get tons of pictures with no lift and 35s. That honestly would be the best balance between looks and mpg trade offs.

 

Your mpg aren't going to be close to what you can get with a F150. and you can fit 35s on a F150 with just a level kit also.

If you don't need a 250, don't get it. They cost more up front and in the long run.

 

Try the ride on a SD sometime its like riding in wagon. You get 430 gears and your truck will have problems going 70 and your mpg will be 10mpg guarenteed. If thats what you want go for it. But that set up is going to cost you big time.

 

Cost difference is signifcant in that a F150 Super cab 4x4 with 5.0 is 34 and an xlt f250 with same config and 6.2 is 38k go diesel and your looking at 44k truck

 

I understand what you guys are saying. Keep in mind, I've driven lifted trucks for years, so I'm aware of the pros and cons. Also, I've driven a friend's 2008 F-350 SD equipped with a leveling kit and 35x12.50-18's and the ride was fine (compared to what my experience in fullsize is). I've looked and seen the price difference in similarly equipped F-150's and F-250's. But, as I said I'm looking at the big picture. I may be happy with just a leveling kit and 35's on a SD, but for the look I want I would be looking at a full suspension lift on an F-150. Also, in my personal experience, the steering/suspension components on a SD are much better equipped to handle large tires than a 1/2 ton. As for the milage issues, I wanted real world figures. I've never purchased a vehicle for MPG's, but let's face it, it's 2012 and that has to be a consideration with gasoline prices over $3 per gallon. I'm not expecting 20 MPG's but I can't deal with 10 MPG either.

 

I just traded off a 2010 F150 SCrew (5.4L V8, 3.55:1, 5.5' bed, 4x2) that I was getting between 18-20 Highway and 15-17 City consistently. I needed more payload and more room on my GCWR to feel better about towing my 35'4" (8K empty, about 9K loaded) travel trailer. When towing, I would average between 7-9mpgs depending on wind.

I picked up a used 2011 F250 Crew (6.2L V8, 3.73:1, 6.75' bed, 4x2) with 13K miles for under $34K. Currently on my first tank, the dash is showing 13.5mpgs with 75% of that Houston highways AND me NURSING that throttle to maximize mpgs.
I would be fine if in the long run it turns out to be 16 when 100% highway, and 10+ when towing.

I figured I could order a 2012 F150 SCrew (EcoBoost, 3:73:1, 6.5', 4x2, Max Tow, Max Payload) and get suitable towing numbers, but that I would end up paying $40K easily. I figured this would be the cheaper option to try for now, and trade in a year or so if it eats my lunch on gas AND the rebates are better on suitable F150s.

 

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Just wondering since most SD owners opt for a diesel.

 

Heres my very humble opinion. If your going to SD you my as well get the diesel, yes diesel cost more and you pay more up front, over all satisfaction, and peformance you will be happier with a diesel, plus resale is easier. But if you go 1/2 ton the 6.2 provides nothing more thant he 5.0 or EB does. In reality the 6.2 I think is an engine that ford sells to make money because the diesel out performs it, and the 1/2 tons engines are on par with it.

Like you said the days of gas costing 4-5 bucks are here and you have to think about it. Yeah you might be going for a certain look but really what does looks do except provide looks.

 

Can you explain this one? After running the numbers through an online calculator 70 mph should only be about 2200 rpm. You do know that the 6R140 "TorqShift" transmission is a double overdrive unit with .86 and .67 top gears right?

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/f...ion/index.html

 

I was exagerating but real world I think you would be pushing it to do 80-85. Anything I have been in that gearing is horribly on MPG. The sweet spot for MPG with t hose gears is like 55-60.

 

Why would you be driving 80-85 anyways? Keep it under 70 and your mpg will be lots better. 55mph will see awesome fuel mileage