To build a 4x4 or 2wd truck? What is your fuel mileage?

[Hazieview]

Right now I have a 2wd shortbed '81 chevy. I have been contemplating on finishing the build.

Right now we dont have a truck so I'm building one.

However I figured if i'm going to build a truck I will be using it like a truck. If I'm using it like a truck it needs to haul stuff and go places other vehicles may not be able to. (Camping which is a 5 hour trip, Beach, Lake, Hauling a car hauler)

I will rarely use the 4x4 but I will rarely use my shortbed truck as well because I have my 2010 for the nice occasions, my 2004 Impala I drive to work everyday (28 mpg)

So the debate is still going for me.

What kind of fuel mileage does your 4x4 get anyway? Just wondering.

[donut]

The best I've seen out of my truck is 12.

[old Rusty C10]

my junker with a wore out 305 and a th350 ( not sure or rear gearing) pulls about 7 mpg in the city and maybe 10 on the highway and its a 2wd

[squaredaway]

Fuel mileage isn't going to be "good" any way that you look at it. In my experiences, the trucks range anywhere form 5-15 MPG. The higher end mileages usually come from well tuned engines built by guys who know what they are doing. Either way you look at it, a safe bet would be to expect around 10 MPG whatever you get into. The difference isn't really worth making a decision over.

[Shaun1162]

Like squareaway said... 10MPG is probably a safe bet. Obviously a 1 ton or 3/4 ton are going to have a little worse MPG compared to a 1/2 ton, and gears can also make a difference.

I've been too afraid to see what my '84 gets for MPG.. But it wasn't exactly built for that: K30 SRW (ex-military) with a H.O. 350, TH400, and 4.10's

I know it isn't a truck, but have you thought about one of the old Military CUCV Chevy Blazers? They're diesels, but they get around 20MPG

[Toxic Redline]

84 k20 + 383 stroker+ 4x4+6 inch lift+ led foot = 6-8 MPG my buddies 454 gets horrible mpg, higher the RPMs and you can actually watch the gas guage drop The best MPG in a truck that can still pull a trailer and move is a 12 valve cummins and a 5 speed, My grandpa had one and we'd get like 25+ MPG,,

[MofoG23]

Best MPG I got was when I drove it home after buying it (all highway - 350 miles @ 65mph)...I averaged 10-11 MPG.

Truck is in my sig - 4.10 gears with 235/85/16 tires.

[Hazieview]

My 2008 4 door 2wd chevy only got 16.8 mpg average. So 10 ins't all that bad in my opinion.

I just have to find something that is right for me.

4x4 blazer, burb, pick up? Decisions! Decisions! Thanks for all your input. I appreciate it. Still debating...

[donut]

Had to make a similar decision when I moved. Keep my truck or sell it. My wife's 03 Trailblazer was averaging 16 with the I-6 in it, so I didn't feel 10-12 was to bad for mine.

[James McClure]

Mine is an 84 3\4 ton with a stock 350, a 465 trans and 3.08 rear end gears. Tires are 33" and kept at 80 PSI. IF I am REAL careful with the throttle on the highway I get very close to 17 MPG. Mind you I have rebuilt the Quad to my own spec's and run the timing just under 14 Deg. It will ping if I get on it, but, the higher you can run the timing and not have starting problems or excessive pinging at a moderate throttle setting the better fuel economy will get. Other than the carb and tuning, your best fuel economy "tool" is your right foot and driving habits or tricks if you will. Use the hills to your best advantage, "Georgia" overdrive works and drafting does too. If you can stay within 100 feet of a semi, the slipstream will pull you right along and up your mileage by around 30%. 100' is CLOSE, you gotta be real careful and don't let the "blue meanies" see ya. jim

[sandorjoben]

My V15 SWB with 3.08 gears gets 7 -10 MPG on regular grade gas depending on how I'm driving it(grandma style or with some aggression). I don't tow anything and the rest of my truck's particulars are in my signature.

Dave

[firenuttz]

i guess it all depends on how good of a mechainic you are, what truck you have, and how deep your wallet stretches i know people who have 4 banger cummins engines hooked up to an sm 465 and they get about 25 to 30mpg and i have been contemplating a duramax conversion into my crew

[BigRed76]

My last tank of gas was 13 mpg, '76 swb 350(stock w/edelbrock 600) SM465 3.07's with 31" tires. This was all city driving, so not too bad I think. This weekend I just put on some 33's and swapped out the gears to 3.73's so we'll see how it does now.

[Toxic Redline]

That Duramax swap would be SSIIICCKK!! isn't that motor lighter then the Cummins? Either way you better have a build thread going on that sucker!!

[firenuttz]

Originally Posted by Toxic Redline

That Duramax swap would be SSIIICCKK!! isn't that motor lighter then the Cummins? Either way you better have a build thread going on that sucker!!

of coarse i would have a build thread and ya, the duramax is mostly aluminum (and plastic)

[SSC's76]

It does not make much of a difference between 2 and 4wd there is some weight and slightly more mechanical drag but all said and done not going to notice a difference. My truck does much better with the 3:08's then the 3:73's my mileage is right at 12 city and highway now where before it was 09 on the highway 12 city go figure.

I always said I dont need a 4x4 but there are times when I wish I had 4wd.