Gas Mileage Difference
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Meridianville, Al.
Gas Mileage Difference
When I bought my 2000 4x4 SC Flareside I questioned the dealer on the 3.55 rear. I believe he said the 3.73 rear was no longer available because of poor gas mileage. I average a solid 14 with 50/50 city and hiway driving. Haven't had a chance to get it out on a long trip on the freeway yet.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Chelmsford, Ma.
Hi,
I bought the 3:55 with 5.4 4wd ext cab on my y2K because I figured I wanted to maximize the mileage without going too anemic with a 3:31 rear end. However, I also got the 17" wheels and now, although I have decent power, kind of wish I'd opted for the 3:73.
I beleve, from the source book copy that I got from the dealer, that 3:73's WERE available, at least on some models.
I drove a 4.6 with the 3:73 the other day at my dealers to check out whether a noise in mine is normal (it was) and it had what I felt was a *lot* more power at takeoff. A 3:73 with the 235x16 tires, though, might eat a fair amount more gas than the 265x17's I have.
Just a couple of cents worth here.
Charlie
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2000 Lariat, 5.4, 3:55 L.S., 4wd, ext cab, Tow pkg, Chestnut/Gold, Century mid-hi cap, Ford short bug deflector, contoured Ford running boards and bedmat.
I bought the 3:55 with 5.4 4wd ext cab on my y2K because I figured I wanted to maximize the mileage without going too anemic with a 3:31 rear end. However, I also got the 17" wheels and now, although I have decent power, kind of wish I'd opted for the 3:73.
I beleve, from the source book copy that I got from the dealer, that 3:73's WERE available, at least on some models.
I drove a 4.6 with the 3:73 the other day at my dealers to check out whether a noise in mine is normal (it was) and it had what I felt was a *lot* more power at takeoff. A 3:73 with the 235x16 tires, though, might eat a fair amount more gas than the 265x17's I have.
Just a couple of cents worth here.
Charlie
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2000 Lariat, 5.4, 3:55 L.S., 4wd, ext cab, Tow pkg, Chestnut/Gold, Century mid-hi cap, Ford short bug deflector, contoured Ford running boards and bedmat.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Meridianville, Al.
Charlie,I guess when I described the evnt between me and the dealership I wasn't too clear. I knew the 3.73 was available in the smaller engines and the F250, etc. What he said was the 3.55 replaced the 3.73 in the F150 with the 5.4 engine. Guess they had way too many gas mileage complaints with the 3.73. Personally, I would much rather have the 3.73 tied to then 5.4. I also have the 17" rims and am still not sure that a 16" set wouldn't do just a bit better in the performance arena.
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2000 w/upgraded Lariat pkg, 4x4, All Oxford w/gray leather,5.4 w/3:55,K&N and looking to go to Flowmaster Sport Truck exhaust and Hellwig bars.
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2000 w/upgraded Lariat pkg, 4x4, All Oxford w/gray leather,5.4 w/3:55,K&N and looking to go to Flowmaster Sport Truck exhaust and Hellwig bars.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
I traded a '97 w/3.55 and 15" tires for Nick (as in St. NICKolas -- my Christmas present to me) with 3.73 and 16" tires.
I lost half of what I gained with the 3.73 to the taller tires.
I also believe that my converter stall speed is 600-700 less now than with the '97 -- resulting in less-impressive launches -- but a nicer seat-of-the-pants old-man low-RPM acceleration.
Mileage for the '97 was running 14.8 by the time I traded it (45,000 miles); whereas Nick is running about 14.3 lately (at 15,000 miles) under similar driving (mostly rural).
Bottom line: glad I got the 3.73 (4.10's wouldn't have been too much -- thanks to .7 OD) -- and it tows nicely (11,500 GCW) -- but doesn't want to stay in OD on anything but flat ground with back to wind.
70 MPH is 2,100 rpm in OD.<A HREF="http://www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-007s.jpg" TARGET=_blank> [img]//www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-007s_small.jpg[/img] </A>
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Y2K™ Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"
I lost half of what I gained with the 3.73 to the taller tires.
I also believe that my converter stall speed is 600-700 less now than with the '97 -- resulting in less-impressive launches -- but a nicer seat-of-the-pants old-man low-RPM acceleration.
Mileage for the '97 was running 14.8 by the time I traded it (45,000 miles); whereas Nick is running about 14.3 lately (at 15,000 miles) under similar driving (mostly rural).
Bottom line: glad I got the 3.73 (4.10's wouldn't have been too much -- thanks to .7 OD) -- and it tows nicely (11,500 GCW) -- but doesn't want to stay in OD on anything but flat ground with back to wind.
70 MPH is 2,100 rpm in OD.<A HREF="http://www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-007s.jpg" TARGET=_blank> [img]//www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-007s_small.jpg[/img] </A>
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Y2K™ Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"