Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

Sorry to be asking a fuel mileage question but I need to see what they get. I have an 84 GMC C15 short bed with the 6.2 diesel and 700r4 that I drive now. It is getting right at 20.5 mpg in town and highway use. I have been thinking about selling it and getting a newer style short bed. I would be looking at getting one with a 5.7 and automatic. I know it probably wouldn't get as good of mileage but just how far off are they.

I like my little diesel but just think I might like getting back into a gas truck and the newer style a little better. It is a good little driver but I think I can get a nicer truck out of the newer style. I am not basing my decision solely on mpg's but that will be taken into consideration. I don't think I have a preference on either the 88-94? or 95-98? style short bed.

Fueleconomy.gov rates them at around 14 city and 18-19 highway with a 350 and automatic trans. I had a 91 short bed Z71 with a 3550 and 5-speed with 3.42 gears and that truck would get in the neighborhood of 21-22 mpg. That was a stick and 4wd though.

Not sure if it would garner any more mileage but I have had the thought of doing a 5.3 conversion in one also.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

I averaged 21 MPG with a 5.7 gas engine, 700 R4, 3.42 gears. for the time that I owned it. I had the truck for 10 years.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

My 94 reg cab gets around 14 in-town (most of it's driving) and looks like about 19-20 on the highway. I have 3:08 rear and 258K on the original drive train. My old 96 extended cab with vortec 350 and 31x10.50x15 tires, 3.42 rear would average 21-22 on the highway and about 14-15 in town.

Not sure you would get the $ value of what the 5.3 swap would return in fuel savings. It, however, would be a nice running truck (thus why I wouldn't see any gas mileage improvement :rolleyes: )

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

No I wouldn't figure on recouping the money on the swap. Lol. It would be nice to have the extra power and still get decent mileage though. Just a thought for now. I am looking for a newer Vortec or LS engine for my 85 short bed but have thought about having a daily driver 88-98 with one in it as well.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

Depending on my foot and the terrain I'll get between 14-16mph city and 19-22mpg freeway. 22 requires completely flat driving with no traffic to make me constantly speed up and slow down.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

i have never had my pickup on a long enough trip to know what it does all highway. i have seen 16mpg mixed, but it was averaging about 15.3 late last fall with winter blend fuel and cooler temps. it does about 13.5-14 when i have to warm it up regularly. this is very comparable to my 2009 5.3l crew cab z71.

1995 RCSB 2WD 350/4L60E/3.42

i love the gmt400 platform. 73-87 squares will always be my favorite, but gmt400 is slowly becoming a close second. it's easy to work on and the tbi 350's are bullet proof.

i love LS power, hence the 6.0L in place of the tpi 350 in my Z28. however, i have been enjoying the low end grunt of the gen 1 sbc here lately.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

It is just my opinion but I just feel the gmt400 line is just a better fit for a daily driver over the 73-87 line. The square bodies are my favorite but think the gmt series provides a better ride and is quieter all around. I am still looking for one. I had one found but the guy traded it off for a mustang.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

It is just my opinion but I just feel the gmt400 line is just a better fit for a daily driver over the 73-87 line. The square bodies are my favorite but think the gmt series provides a better ride and is quieter all around. I am still looking for one. I had one found but the guy traded it off for a mustang. Might be hard to give up my diesel short bed for one though. Lol

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

I do enjoy the 88-98 models, especially the RCSB models. They ride and look good (brakes...not as much love for them). The is my 3rd one (92, 96 & now the 94). My 02 RCSB is a very close second. I love the brakes and the rack & pinon steering, but these years for DDs are the tops IMO.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

i was looking for a 2 door yukon before i picked up my rcsb. i'm very particular with what i want, and it's difficult to find! 1995, barn doors, bench seat.

we will be adding a k2500 or k3500 with a 454 and a 5 speed when i find the right rclb.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

I had the same setup before THE WRECK.....18-19 on a TBI with the 700r4. After it was changed to a 4l60 and then got 16-17.

Re: Fuel mileage for 2wd v8 short beds?
 

Wish i could get decent mileage, 10 on the hwy with my 90 350 ECSB 4x4. Time to get it in the shop.