I stumbled over this in and Old Car and Driver.


Enjoy,

Kc

 

Yeah, though we have different measures for calculating MPG today, but still impressive. Shows how far we have NOT come in the last 25 years. Those 4.9 6's are darn near bullet proof as well!

 

You would think we would Have been a Lot Further Down the Road on our MPG's!, Btw Folks this was Pre Fuel Injection.

Kc

 

Honestly cars havn't really increased in mpg over the years much. But todays cars are doing exact same mpg on a lot more weight and a lot more power.

Another thing is the EPA used to rate mpg hwy at 55mph i believe. I bet you could get 33mpg on a F150 at 55mph.

 

Each manufacture put the numbers up themselves and they were lying. Go look at the little GLC Plymouth from about the late 70's. It says something like 47-54 mpg. Basically they were running the cars on a treadmill @50 mph or something like that. There was so much public outrage at the farce being committed that the Government stepped in and dictated some standards. Also these were very low compression engines and complete dogs to drive. We should have better to choose from now though you are right!

 

They probably got that gas mileage rating with a base 1/2 ton with the 300ci 6 , a manual trans with overdrive, and a 2.73 rear end. The '80s F150s probably weighed about as much as a fully loaded 2WD Ranger of today.

 

Sounds way too good to be true.

33 mpg highway for a truck? Yeah, right, not even Ranger can get that.

 

To meet the goal of doubling the 1974 passenger car fuel economy average by 1985 (to 27.5 mpg), Congress set fuel economy standards for some of the intervening years. Passenger car standards were established for MY 1978 (18 mpg); MY 1979 (19 mpg); MY 1980 (20 mpg); and for MY 1985 and thereafter (27.5 mpg). Congress left the level of 1981-84 standards to the Department to establish administratively. Subsequently, standards of 22, 24, 26, and 27 mpg were established. For the post-1985 period, Congress provided for the continued application of the 27.5 mpg standard for passenger cars, but gave the Department the authority to set higher or lower standards. From MY 1986 through 1989, the passenger car standards were lowered. Thereafter, in MY 1990, the passenger car standard was amended to 27.5 mpg, which it has remained at this level.

 

Here is the answer from someone that was buying trucks back then...
The EPA estimate was 23MPG.
The manufacturer could say what ever they wanted about highway estimates.
My friend say his got about 20, but that engine has so much torque...
It was with or without towing the boat!!! (no difference at all)
.
BTW my ranger can get 28mpg @65-70mph.