4x4 trucks with decent fuel mileage?

[Stew]

Well, I am considering trading the Patriot for a fullsize pickup with 4x4 sometime next year. It will have to be at least an extended cab and must have a low range 4x4 system and an automatic transmission. I know I am not going to get newar the 26 MPG my Jeep averages, but like to be able to average around 20. I am looking at a 07-08 Ram with the 5.7 which hascylinder deactivation these years, 04-06 and possible an 07 Silverado with 5.3 or 6.0/6.2 (which had cylinder deactivation I believe?), a 2004+ F-150 with the 5.4, and an 03-06 TUndra 4.7 stepside. Also considering a few SUVs, a Hummer H3, Jeep Comander 4.7 or Hemi, and 05-09 Grand CHerokee Hemi. Would I have a prayer with any of these? I know there are guys here that own at least the Ram, Silverado, and F-150.

THanks!

[EnfuegoZ28]

Good luck! Most full size 4wd trucks average 15-17 mpg at best even with cylinder deactivation. A diesel would be the only way you would get close to averaging 20 mpg and you would have to get a 2004 or older to average 20 mpg. I'm not trying to dash your hopes, but the reality is you have to choose size or gas mileage.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by EnfuegoZ28

Good luck! Most full size 4wd trucks average 15-17 mpg at best even with cylinder deactivation. A diesel would be the only way you would get close to averaging 20 mpg and you would have to get a 2004 or older to average 20 mpg. I'm not trying to dash your hopes, but the reality is you have to choose size or gas mileage.

Your best bet would be to get a mid size truck (Dakota, Ranger or Colorado) with the V6. These will give you the best MPG with 4wd with to 18-20 highway.

[bigearl]

In the Ram or Chevy, if you step down to the 4.7 or 5.3- you might make 20 on the highway. The 5.7 Ram gets about 1 mpg better than the 4.7 on the highway due to cylinder deactivation, but it gets much lower in town or mixed driving so real world- the 4.7 ends up a little better mileage wise. Chevy makes a gas saver version of their truck that runs a 3.03? (I think) gearing with an airdam and a grille baffle that works ok for general hauling from home depot, but you lose a lot of towing ability. Chevy also makes a hybrid that will get you 20. I don't know enough about the current Ford or Toyota MPG to say anything there.

If you can get 16 to 17 in all around driving, you are doing very well by full sized gas truck standards.

As far as diesels go, a used 5.9 Dodge can get you there. It's not unusual for these to average 19-20 in mixed use with over 20 on the highway. The 6.7 will not get you there.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by bigearl

In the Ram or Chevy, if you step down to the 4.7 or 5.3- you might make 20 on the highway. The 5.7 Ram gets about 1 mpg better than the 4.7 on the highway due to cylinder deactivation, but it gets much lower in town or mixed driving so real world- the 4.7 ends up a little better mileage wise. Chevy makes a gas saver version of their truck that runs a 3.03? (I think) gearing with an airdam and a grille baffle that works ok for general hauling from home depot, but you lose a lot of towing ability. Chevy also makes a hybrid that will get you 20. I don't know enough about the current Ford or Toyota MPG to say anything there.

If you can get 16 to 17 in all around driving, you are doing very well by full sized gas truck standards.

As far as diesels go, a used 5.9 Dodge can get you there. It's not unusual for these to average 19-20 in mixed use with over 20 on the highway. The 6.7 will not get you there.

Thanks for the responses! bigearl, I found an 05 Silverado Z71 extended cab with the 5.3, not sure on gearing. i have heard real good things about the 5.3 and gas mileage and am thinking outside of the 5.9 cummins you mentioned may be my best bet. My big hanguop is my long drive to work (50ish miles 1 way), though it is mostly highway.I may consider the Colorado V8 as a lot of guys with them are claiming 18-20 in mixed driving and I have heard the same for the 08+ Dakotas with the 305 hp 4.7. What to do LOL.

[bigearl]

That 5.3 Silverado is a very solid all around truck, but if you don't mind losing the space the smaller trucks will definitely net you better mileage. I wouldn't be surprised if those 2 models are getting 18-20 if for no other reason than they're 1000lbs lighter than their full sized brothers.

People may tend to steer you toward one brand or another, but honestly all the trucks out there right now are pretty good. Good luck in your purchase

[Stew]

Originally Posted by bigearl

That 5.3 Silverado is a very solid all around truck, but if you don't mind losing the space the smaller trucks will definitely net you better mileage. I wouldn't be surprised if those 2 models are getting 18-20 if for no other reason than they're 1000lbs lighter than their full sized brothers.

People may tend to steer you toward one brand or another, but honestly all the trucks out there right now are pretty good. Good luck in your purchase

Thank ya, it''ll probably be a little bit befre I jump. Maybe Ford will have some nice rebates the end of next year on the ecoboost F-150s

[justa25thTA]

Originally Posted by bigearl

That 5.3 Silverado is a very solid all around truck, but if you don't mind losing the space the smaller trucks will definitely net you better mileage. I wouldn't be surprised if those 2 models are getting 18-20 if for no other reason than they're 1000lbs lighter than their full sized brothers.

People may tend to steer you toward one brand or another, but honestly all the trucks out there right now are pretty good. Good luck in your purchase

I've got an 04 Silverado Crew Cab, 2wd, 5.3l with 373 gears and an economy tune. I get about 15 in town, 18 on the highway, and as much as 20 if you can keep the speed down to 60 mph (tried this once on a leisurely trip).

[fielderLS3]

If you're buying used, your best bet would be a Chevy 5.3L with cylinder deactivation. That should get at least 20 on the highway IF you drive conservatively. An F-150 5.4L would likely net the least mileage out of your list.

Or, if you buy new, the new 3.7 V6 or even EcoBoost F-150 would probably get beyond 20.

For mixed city/highway driving, you'll never average 20 out of any full size 4x4 truck (unless you have the money for and can even find a Silverado hybrid).

[motorhead]

Isn't this thread an oxymoron? full size, extended cab 4x4 truck with good gas mileage.

If you find that please let me know, I'll take 12.

[Scrappy Doo]

Originally Posted by motorhead

Isn't this thread an oxymoron? full size, extended cab 4x4 truck with good gas mileage.

If you find that please let me know, I'll take 12.

LMAO

[Scrappy Doo]

OP:

I have had a 2006 F150, a 2009 GMC, a 2009 Dodge Ram and now a 2010 F150 as my DD. (All truks were new purchased by me) (And all trucks were crew cab 4x4's)

The 2006 F150 got the worst mileage of the 3 by far.

The GMC and 2010 F150 got about the same mileage. I have gotten near 22mpg in both going 60mph on a 55mph road. I usually get between 12 and 14 in town, depending how hard I drive. (keep in mind, these numbers are in the warm months on regular fuel. For E85, which i run quite a bit, expect 2-3mpg less than regular fuel. But E85 is 75 cents a gallon cheaper here.....)

Everyone makes a nice truck these days and it boils down to personal preference.

I could help you out better if I knew what you wanted to use it for. For home depot runs and general house duties, a smaller truck may be sufficient. (colorado v-8 or dakota or tacoma) If you need to haul a boat or large trailer, then get a full size truck.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Scrappy Doo

OP:

I have had a 2006 F150, a 2009 GMC, a 2009 Dodge Ram and now a 2010 F150 as my DD. (All truks were new purchased by me) (And all trucks were crew cab 4x4's)

The 2006 F150 got the worst mileage of the 3 by far.

The GMC and 2010 F150 got about the same mileage. I have gotten near 22mpg in both going 60mph on a 55mph road. I usually get between 12 and 14 in town, depending how hard I drive. (keep in mind, these numbers are in the warm months on regular fuel. For E85, which i run quite a bit, expect 2-3mpg less than regular fuel. But E85 is 75 cents a gallon cheaper here.....)

Everyone makes a nice truck these days and it boils down to personal preference.

I could help you out better if I knew what you wanted to use it for. For home depot runs and general house duties, a smaller truck may be sufficient. (colorado v-8 or dakota or tacoma) If you need to haul a boat or large trailer, then get a full size truck.

Well, it will definatly be for offroading during hunting season and throughout the year and hauling a dogbox (got 6 beagles), some hauling duty, and an everyday driver. Most of my commute is straight highway, 55 speed limit, usually keep it 60-65, one bad spot where there are like 8 stop lights in a row and places on either side of that with 2 in a row. 1 large mountain to cross. First 2 or 3 miles are on rural roads but the rest including the mountain and redlight district in 4 lane highway. I also need it to be able to haul 4 people at times, though mostly it'll be just me. Hope that helps some.

[Scrappy Doo]

Originally Posted by Stew

Well, it will definatly be for offroading during hunting season and throughout the year and hauling a dogbox (got 6 beagles), some hauling duty, and an everyday driver. Most of my commute is straight highway, 55 speed limit, usually keep it 60-65, one bad spot where there are like 8 stop lights in a row and places on either side of that with 2 in a row. 1 large mountain to cross. First 2 or 3 miles are on rural roads but the rest including the mountain and redlight district in 4 lane highway. I also need it to be able to haul 4 people at times, though mostly it'll be just me. Hope that helps some.

Sounds good. I would think a toyota tacoma would get you close to your 20 mpg average. Doesn't seem like you have a trialer to tow, and they seat 4 comfortably.

A new 2010 or 2011 f150 would be the ticket too. get the twin turbo v-6 or the 5.0 v8 and you should be close to the 20mpg I would think. (I think you can get those 2 engines on any trim level. As you need the harley and platinum to get the new 6.2 v-8)

That being said, my new f150 has a fully locking rear diff for really plowing the mud. I used it 2 weeks ago in my hunting woods and it sailed right through the wet spots. (We had 10 inches of rain a few weeks before and that takes awhile to dry up. lol) My buddy in his f-350 got stuck in the same spot that i drove through. My guess would be due to the weight differnece. it was an easy pull out though.