Yep mileage varies....what do I say?
I've been running a 2000 XLT Ext Cab step side 4x4 with off road package,
245/16 tires, 3.0 FFV V6 with 78,000 miles on it now for about 9 months.
In warm weather and cold, it has been quite reliable, and has never failed.
Mods include:
XP Autolite plugs
Underdog pulley
Flex-0-lite electric fan
Dynomax catback system
K&N filter in stock air box
3" black plastic ABS inlet pipe to throttle body
Dyno boost power chip
MAF sensor enlargement mod
Before the mods, was getting 15-16 with regular 87 gas,
After the mods (but not with the MAF enlargment yet)
got 24 mpg on a few road trips during the warm summer months.
After the MAF mod, the mpg dipped again to 20-21 on the road
due to more air flow. The shift points also changed with this MAF
mod, but seems like it has more punch.
This past winter, for the fun of it I have tried a couple of tanks
of E-85 (since this is Minnesota and where E-85 is plentiful)
for "in-town" stop and go driving at 0 degrees temperature range,
in 4 wheel drive mode when needed, the mileage dropped to 8.5 mpg
on E-85 and about 12 mpg on 87 octane.
After reading the forms again, (as I have not been active since last fall)
it seems like what most are saying about the 3.0 L is true:
its how you drive it, and tire size, rpm and tromping the heck out of it,
all make a difference.
I agree with those that say this engine runs best at 3000 rpm.
Mine purrs at 3000 rpm at 80 mph just fine with the 4.11 axle ratio,
big tires and with the air intake mods!
I considered a smaller tire size, as someone suggested in this forum,
for better mpg, but have not done so due to our snow cover and
nice-to-have ground clearance here in the north country.
Ford was quite stingy with the HP on these small trucks and smaller standard
tire size in most where the smaller engines are designed for, but the bigger
off-road tire size will cut down on mpg with stop & go city driving, for sure !
It still is a fun little truck to drive even if the mpg is bad at times.
We use it a lot for short trip and running errands in town to avoid putting
miles on our other newer vehicles.
I have disconnected the rear drive shaft and even have run it in 4 wheel
drive mode off of the front axle only...it works good that way too with
the Warn Vacuum hubs on this 2000 model. Have used it as a "toad" tow
vehicle for our V-10 motorhome with additional wiring harness for brake lights,
with the switch in 2 wheel drive and rear drive shaft disabled.
What you can't think of ...if you put your mind to it.
Would consider a swap for a 4.0 L/5.0L if it ran as good as this little one does,
but hey, its fun and flexable the way it is!
- JBaldwin, in sunny and snowy southern Minnesota
04 Caddy, 04 T&C, 02 Winne, 99 Chevy 454 dually, 00 Ranger
Enjoy !
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