I own a 1990 ford f150 2wd, 5 speed manual, 3.55 gears, 31 inch tires. It currently has 189000 miles on it. Timing chain was replaced and its currently at 13 degrees. I live in high altitude in Colorado ( at least one mile high). Motor is stock with a K&N filter. I've replaced the fuel pumps, filter every year, wires, plugs, cap and rotor, coil, pcv valve, and I keep the engine running great. I was wondering if there was anything else I can do to improve the gas mileage on my old beast. Has anyone tried those throttle body spacers?? Or anyone try the cold air kits? Im apprehensive about chucking over the money for the cold air kits. btw my truck goes in muddy areas often and I don't think an exposed air filter is a good idea. THANKS! Long live old ford trucks!

 

Stock sized tires to cut rolling resistance of the 31" ones

Other than that don't fall for the propaganda BS of TB spacers or cold air kits

 

^^^second that advice.

 

You're driving a truck that was designed at a time when gasoline was $1.25 per gallon -- not a lot you're going to be able to squeeze out of it beyond removing the oversized tires and watching your driving techniques.

 

[QUOTE=ddellwo;5120521]You're driving a truck that was designed at a time when gasoline was $1.25 per gallon -- not a lot you're going to be able to squeeze out of it beyond removing the oversized tires and watching your driving techniques.[/QUOT

Thanks for the feedback! I have the tires on there because of the 3 inch body lift on it. I had stock size but I was overloading them or not getting enough traction. Theyre new too so... all terrain design.

 

If you want better mpg then go down....not up

Raising these trucks is like hoisting up a sail except yer trying to for it against the air and not letting the air push it.....

 

Buy a 4 cylinder car.

 

Any thoughts on octane booster? Or a higher octane gas? I have synthetic fluids in my transmission and rear end. I use conventional oil because the old 5.0 leaks more with synthetic. Just was wondering of the cost-benefit for using aftermarket cold air induction and a throttle body spacer. Or if anyone had experience using the two and noticed any difference?

 

As stated before, neither another intake nor a throttle body spacer will pay for themselves in fuel savings. You may get better mpg with higher octane but unlikely enough to pay the difference. Try it and see.

 

Nothing. TB spacers were designed for carbureted engines to help air mix with the fuel in the carb. You have a fuel injected engine. Your engine doesn't work the same as a carb'ed engine.
As for an intake all they are are warm air intakes. sucking air from the hot engine bay air into your engine. Your factory intake is already a cold air intake. You can't bring in any colder air than whas outside.

X2 on what has already been said. Take the BL off and go back to stock tires.

 

These trucks do not have octane sensors. They will burn the expensive stuff as fast as they burn the cheap stuff. Keep 87 octane in it.