ok so i own a 01 crew cab, with 8" of lift, 37"s, basically my dream truck. but heres the problem. as soon as i got the truck, God decided it was time for me to start a family. being a poorly paid fireman, and having a poor fiance, i have no choice but to have one vehicle. so the question is, what do i do with my truck? it definately cant be as high, and as much as i hate to get rid of the 7.3, im seriously debating a 6 leaker. basically i need a "family truck" that still has four doors, still is diesel, and can still pull my lawn trailor. (my primary source of income) most of my friends that have 6.0's get way better fuel mileage than me. i have everything minus wheels to lower mine, but i already promised it all to PTSUPERD. sorry for such a long post, but i need to vent. it has been very stressful. just looking for some suggestions.
ok guys serious family question
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
Joined
·
22,246 Posts
I would lower the 7.3, hang on to it. When you can afford it get a family car and then raise the 7.3 back up to where you like it.
I would bet you could get a lot of help here returning to stock height, mothball all the lifted stuff, and then someday put it back on. Or sell it and repurchase latest and greatest stuff.
I would bet you could get a lot of help here returning to stock height, mothball all the lifted stuff, and then someday put it back on. Or sell it and repurchase latest and greatest stuff.
Joined
·
2,991 Posts
That is what I would do...
Joined
·
6,663 Posts
Lower it, if you have to. Hang on to it. You have a four door family vehicle already. Why would you sell it for a 6 oh?
Joined
·
1,918 Posts
6.0s typically do get a little better mileage. my 06 gets 15-16, where as my 01 got around 13-15...13 with stock injectors, 15 w/ hybrids. both lifted 6 inches w/ 35s. if you get a 6.0 make sure its got a warranty or do your research and make sure its a good one. If you start modding them w/o head studs they will eventually puke.
Joined
·
1,598 Posts
just lower your truck, keep it, throw a chip on it, and that will make it get better fuel mileage. Its already a Crew Cab, so there ya go. we just got rid of a set of Stock Wheels and tires from our old 99 PSD. If i had known, you could have had them, but i bet you can find a set pretty easily for pretty cheap.
Joined
·
17,271 Posts
I've heard it go both ways with the 7.3L / 6.0L mileage. Also consider the cost of a newer truck payment plus higher insureance only for another 2 mpg? To me it just doesn't balance out. Like said before just lower it & sell or mothball the lift. About 16 years from now your kid's going to look at some old pictures & say "why did you sell that truck again"? I know we all do that sort of thing at some point in time.
Joined
·
1,622 Posts
im with everyone else,lower it back down,and get a dp economy chip.then you would have the duel purpose vehicle you need.besides the 6.0 will take a dump and negate all that imagenied fuel economy...ps you would be suprised how far you can go on a tank,if you drive like a little old lady....
Joined
·
1,579 Posts
I know a whole bunch of guys with 'six point nothing's and none of them get over 16mpg. None of them can touch my 7.3 on fuel milage.
Nothing riding on 37's will get good milage. I run 285's @ 55psi with 3.55 gears and I rarely average less than 20mpg.
Nothing riding on 37's will get good milage. I run 285's @ 55psi with 3.55 gears and I rarely average less than 20mpg.
Joined
·
1,739 Posts
early 99, with big oil, jody's tunes and stock injectors was getting me 20mpg with a 4"lift at 8800lbs. Then I put on 35"s and B codes and mileage went to 16-17mpg.
FWIW, I have a set of stock wheels in the shed for $100 plus freight. The freight would kill you I think.
FWIW, I have a set of stock wheels in the shed for $100 plus freight. The freight would kill you I think.
ok yall talked some sense into me. i love my tuck, and i would hate to get rd of it. so down it goes, like i originally planned. i think i am going to keep my 20's and throw some 33's on them. some will disagree, but i think the 37's give me better mileage on the highway, which i travel quite often. im affraid i will be going way to high in rpms with factory sized wheels. i geuss ill fill out my sig now, since i already have some of what yall have mentioned.
Joined
·
18,627 Posts
Hey man. Just do what is best for you. Dont let me stand in your way. Just let me know cuz I need to hustle up the parts before next weekend..lol
Joined
·
1,205 Posts
That's a good decision to keep your 7.3. I don't know why you don't get decent fuel mileage. Maybe your tuning? Mods? Your driving?
I know my 2000 X gets between 16-18 around town, but when my hubby drives it, my fuel mileage goes WAY down. Punk. On the highway, I have seen 20, but not very often.
I've got 35" tires, and don't drive real conservative.
I just try and stay out of my Wildman race program, unless I absolutely have to. Econo programs are great.
I agree that you have to look at the bigger picture here. A newer truck means higher payment if you cannot pay cash for it. But even if you can pay cash for a newer truck, it means higher insurance and registration. And I don't think you would be that impressed with the fuel mileage. You obviously need a truck that will pull stuff, so you cannot just go buy any car.
Things will get better. When I was pregnant with our first (good grief 15+ years ago), I was driving a 1968 AMC Javelin or our old Mustang, which we still have. Both cars had bald tires and sucked on the snow and ice. I was out pushing that damn Stang 7 months pg. The day our daughter was born, Alan decided to wash the Stang to bring us home from the hospital. All the doors froze shut. I look out the hospital window and there he is out front crawling through the hatchback to push the doors open from the inside. LOL.
So, you are already better off. You already have a nice truck, dependable. Crew cabs make great family vehicles IMO.
Good luck with the new addition.
I know my 2000 X gets between 16-18 around town, but when my hubby drives it, my fuel mileage goes WAY down. Punk. On the highway, I have seen 20, but not very often.
I've got 35" tires, and don't drive real conservative.
I just try and stay out of my Wildman race program, unless I absolutely have to. Econo programs are great.I agree that you have to look at the bigger picture here. A newer truck means higher payment if you cannot pay cash for it. But even if you can pay cash for a newer truck, it means higher insurance and registration. And I don't think you would be that impressed with the fuel mileage. You obviously need a truck that will pull stuff, so you cannot just go buy any car.
Things will get better. When I was pregnant with our first (good grief 15+ years ago), I was driving a 1968 AMC Javelin or our old Mustang, which we still have. Both cars had bald tires and sucked on the snow and ice. I was out pushing that damn Stang 7 months pg. The day our daughter was born, Alan decided to wash the Stang to bring us home from the hospital. All the doors froze shut. I look out the hospital window and there he is out front crawling through the hatchback to push the doors open from the inside. LOL.
So, you are already better off. You already have a nice truck, dependable. Crew cabs make great family vehicles IMO.
Good luck with the new addition.
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
