Hello. I just got a 7.5" fabtech lift on my F-150 screw. And after the first week I can tell that I get a lot worser gas milage. What is there to add to my truck to get better gas milage? Thanks
Mike

 

gears

 

If you installed larger tires and did not correct for that, thats probably the main reason your mileage went down. But as said, you can install gears, and you can buy a tuner to get some extra performance. Of course you can also do intake and exhaust, but the gears and tuner will be the more effective of them.

 

also your speedo is going to be way off so you dont know what kind of MPG you are getting, changing out you ring and pinion (gears) will really help get your city MPG back and performance too, good luck

 

I recommend getting a tuner first. It is cheaper than gears by a lot and you will be able to change the speedo and get better mpgs that are actually correct. I have been getting 11.05mpg in my truck

 

NO! get gears, not only are you getting crappy mileage, you are slowly but surely tearing your tranny apart. You can go ahead and just get the gears for the rear until you have the other $400 for the front. Gears are about $100 more than a programmer but well worth it.

Kevin

 

One reason I'll stick with my leveling kit and my 33s. I love going a whole week to work on 1 tank plus outing on the weekend.

 

Any time you allow more air under the truck (lift it) you will end up with worse mileage. Leveling has a similar effect, because the approach angle is aerodynamically different than the wind tunnel work to make your truck effiecient. Add larger tires and it gets worse.

Depending on the tire size you used, gears may be necessary... if the change was small from stock, the gears won't show much change. Remember a wide tire is harder to roll than a narrow one.

Off-road lights are another killer - I get 2 mpg just by taking the 5 8" lights off the top.

That said, tuner will help either way. However, the very best thing you can do is keep your right foot off the floor. You've increased drag, so no matter what you did it will take more throttle to accelerate at the same rate...

 

lastlap, Can you in the new trucks just change rear gears? I know of course you can't turn on your 4 wheel drive but I thought even at that you had to re-gear front and rear at the same time in a 4wd.


And, I see this question all the time and can't understand everyone saying do ANYTHING but gears first. 35's on 3.73's are just putting an incredible strain on your driveline with out proper gearing. Its not just the MPG or performance. Those new tires, rims, and lift all of that weight combined is completely out of the design factor of the vehicle strengths. You are just helping your truck sooo much with getting gears and giving the drivetrain a break.

 

You can change just the rear gears in any 4x4, but its the same for all of them, you cant USE 4wd if the gears do not match, unless you are prepared to pay to fix alot of your drivetrain.

 

gears would definitely be the best way to get back mileage. 4.11's for 33's, 4.56's for 35's, etc. you could use 4wd with different gears front and rear, but your transfer case will hate you.