Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**70cst** · 10-10-2021, 08:12 AM

As I am driving the Circuit Rider more .. I notice the one thing she likes is ... GAS. But then again I drive my truck for the shear pleasure of driving a 402BB and listening to that deep sound.

I assume I am not the only one who drive their truck wihtout a big concern for mpg?

72c20customcamper · 10-10-2021, 09:43 AM

Not at all concerned about mpg . Even if I were to drive the Envoy or my Dodge the mpg isnt all that much better the Chevelle gets 8 if I drive it real easy but really 540hp and babying it dont mix

BigBird05 · 10-10-2021, 09:46 AM

I didn't care about mileage in the 60's and I don't now.

KW5413 · 10-10-2021, 09:46 AM

If I was worried about MPG..I would own an EV something. My '69 C10 gets around 13 MPG on the big road and er, ummm...8 MPG in town. But, I don't drive in a manner that would make it better.

I am not a stickler for great MPG anyway as my 2020 Denali 4 x 4 (6.2L) shows an average of 15.3 MPG and The Queen's new Genesis GV70 (3.5 twin turbo) will be lucky to average 18 MPG. That sucker will do 0-60 in 4.5-5.0 seconds and I keep trying to prove it wrong.

All three run best on premium.

.

**geunther** · 10-10-2021, 09:55 AM

I thought about this for a minute and realized I do not even know what my milage is. I have never cared to calculate it so I guess my answer has to be, I don't care about milage.

57taskforce · 10-10-2021, 10:03 AM

Nope! Like my dad said when I was about 16 and he bought his 1998 454 powered K2500, if I was worried about gas mileage I would have bought an S10.

I’m sure mine gets 10 at very best, I don’t drive any where near daily. It might see 100 miles a month at most.

**jocko** · 10-10-2021, 10:15 AM

Do I care - not really. Do I pay attention to what gas costs, and big block vs small block vs gearing vs overdrive vs miles I intend to drive - yes. Given the sheer quantity of overdrive trans swaps, I’d say more of us care about fuel economy than want to admit (since the engines were perfectly happy at the highway rpm they were geared for at birth). 70CST hit the nail on the head in the first post - ie the sheer pleasure of driving. We may care about fuel economy, but it’s a price we all are very willing to pay to be able to enjoy driving these old trucks.

And Tyler’s note is worth adding to, completely agree that it’s not just the old trucks that get poor fuel mileage. My 01 8.1L gets worse mileage than my 72 3/4 ton or any other half tons I’ve had. But it can pull a house.

And don’t get me wrong - I’m all for overdrive trans swaps, have done it myself at times.

Blue GMC · 10-10-2021, 10:17 AM

Am I concerned about mpg no but I would love to see it better 4 mpg makes it real hard to pass a gas station

Barnfind46 · 10-10-2021, 10:18 AM

It is a trade off. I could buy a new truck, pay $600 a month, pay higher insurance and get 2 or 3 mpg better or drive my paid for truck with lower insurance and leave most of my cash in the bank. Every now and then I need a part so I just leave a little less in the bank that month. Easy choice!

**Warrens69GMC** · 10-10-2021, 10:18 AM

I care about mileage in my Daily, and I check the mileage every so often in the vintage vehicles, mainly to check for any problems

My 78 c10 gets 12mpg, if it drops to 7-8 then I need to look further

**Ironhorse** · 10-10-2021, 10:37 AM

Really not at all concerned with gas mileage, just gas prices, LOL. I can remember buying gas in high school for 18.9 cents per gallon for leaded regular. Premium leaded was 21.9 per gallon. My 71 4x4 on a good day gets maybe 11.0-11.5 per mile, empty, downhill with the wind, LOL. My 71 Chevelle maybe 15-16 if I leave my foot out of it. The 700R4 OD trans helps it some if I behave myself. The 57 with the 283 and 2x4s mounted on top, mileage is most assuredly not a concern! Sure does sound good tho when I drop down a gear and punch it. SMILES PER MILE over mpg.

yuccales · 10-10-2021, 10:45 AM

Couldn't care less. Besides, have you ever heard someone say "nice Prius" at a gas station?

i82much · 10-10-2021, 10:51 AM

not really, but i do think a little tuning with mpg in mind make for a better-running engine. lean out the idle and cruise, make sure the vacuum and mechanical timing curves are dialed in, that sort of thing. but a little better mpg is more of a fringe benefit than the main reason to do all that.

my 72 has three tanks so i get tired of driving a long time before she runs out of gas!

truckster · 10-10-2021, 11:12 AM

When I'm concerned about mileage I drive my Z28. But I daily drive my Blazer because I enjoy it more.

body bolt · 10-10-2021, 11:27 AM

Concerned? Since I don't drive much, no. I knew what to expect when I bought it. Would I like lower fuel consumption? Yes.

BAD1916 · 10-10-2021, 12:15 PM

Better would always be nice but when I need to drive far especially with lots of traffic I’ll rent some small car. Like was said already I look at cost of gas not so much mileage.

**leddzepp** · 10-10-2021, 12:17 PM

No

**dagnabbitt** · 10-10-2021, 12:35 PM

Funny, I never thought much about mileage until I installed a new HP crate engine that runs on 91 octane only. And the truck loves it, it can't get enough of it. I drive to work and back 40 miles, so I have to fill it up every two days or so.

Still, my solution is just that I am now shopping for a larger fuel tank.

Big Kev-O · 10-10-2021, 12:44 PM

When I saw the introduction video for the new F150 Lightning all electric truck I was pretty impressed. It had me thinking it may be nice to tow my boat without spending a couple hundred on gas to get to the lake. But the gas saving would not be offset by having a truck payment. New EVs are expensive. My Escalade and my 68 GMC are paid off. I can burn $100 a week on gas for the next ten years and that would still be cheaper than a new electric or diesel truck. I really love the sound of an American V8.

Only way I’m going hybrid or electric is when Chevy offers a Corvette with an electric motor.
Posted via Mobile Device

68mg · 10-10-2021, 01:59 PM

My C10 with a 3:73 rear gets 9-11 mpg, but I only drive it around 1000 miles per year so I'm not too concerned about mileage. I do pay a little extra for non-ethanol gas when I fill up.

body bolt · 10-10-2021, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Kev-O

Only way I’m going hybrid or electric is when Chevy offers a Corvette with an electric motor.
Posted via Mobile Device

It won't be long.

**HO455** · 10-10-2021, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68mg

My C10 with a 3:73 rear gets 9-11 mpg, but I only drive it around 1000 miles per year so I'm not too concerned about mileage. I do pay a little extra for non-ethanol gas when I fill up.

Welcome aboard neighbor! Looks like a nice 503 truck in your avatar. How about some more information on it.

Okay done with the hijacking. I do care about MPG. I record the mileage and fuel purchased at every fill up. This allows me to notice if something is changing with the engine or possibly the drivetrain over time.
If I drop from 12 to 10 MPG over a month something has changed on the truck and it is time to take a look at things.
The last time it happened was in July when it was caused by my rear axle getting bent in a fender bender I was in. There were other clues that helped me pin point where the problem was but the first clue was the fuel usage.

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 10-10-2021, 05:06 PM

Never have been concerned about gas mileage in my truck. However I have been checking it once in awhile now that the Gas Guzzling Injected 454 was replaced by an LS 1 and 6 speed
I’ve gained 10 mpg LOL

**70cst** · 10-10-2021, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KW5413

If I was worried about MPG..I would own an EV something. My '69 C10 gets around 13 MPG on the big road and er, ummm...8 MPG in town. But, I don't drive in a manner that would make it better.

I am not a stickler for great MPG anyway as my 2020 Denali 4 x 4 (6.2L) shows an average of 15.3 MPG and The Queen's new Genesis GV70 (3.5 twin turbo) will be lucky to average 18 MPG. That sucker will do 0-60 in 4.5-5.0 seconds and I keep trying to prove it wrong.

All three run best on premium.

.

Welll ... 36-39mpg. Mama's swager wagon

custom10nut · 10-10-2021, 07:18 PM

I always dream of the ever elusive 15mpg, but wouldn’t give up the truck for nothing. I think I get around 12mpg average, as I get about 200 miles to a tank full. (But I don’t let it go below a 1/8 before o fill up again”
I even looked into swapping in a 700r4. more for the overdrive at 70mph than an attempt to get better mileage.
But after looking at all the pros and cons, I’m keeping it the way it is, and enjoy the old girl.

10-10-2021, 08:12 AM	#1
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,373	Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? As I am driving the Circuit Rider more .. I notice the one thing she likes is ... GAS. But then again I drive my truck for the shear pleasure of driving a 402BB and listening to that deep sound. I assume I am not the only one who drive their truck wihtout a big concern for mpg? Attached Images __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

10-10-2021, 09:43 AM	#2
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,739	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Not at all concerned about mpg . Even if I were to drive the Envoy or my Dodge the mpg isnt all that much better the Chevelle gets 8 if I drive it real easy but really 540hp and babying it dont mix __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

10-10-2021, 09:46 AM	#3
BigBird05 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,300	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? I didn't care about mileage in the 60's and I don't now.

10-10-2021, 09:46 AM	#4
KW5413 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 493	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? If I was worried about MPG..I would own an EV something. My '69 C10 gets around 13 MPG on the big road and er, ummm...8 MPG in town. But, I don't drive in a manner that would make it better. I am not a stickler for great MPG anyway as my 2020 Denali 4 x 4 (6.2L) shows an average of 15.3 MPG and The Queen's new Genesis GV70 (3.5 twin turbo) will be lucky to average 18 MPG. That sucker will do 0-60 in 4.5-5.0 seconds and I keep trying to prove it wrong. All three run best on premium. .

10-10-2021, 09:55 AM	#5
geunther Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cheyenne, WY Posts: 740	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? I thought about this for a minute and realized I do not even know what my milage is. I have never cared to calculate it so I guess my answer has to be, I don't care about milage.

10-10-2021, 10:03 AM	#6
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,505	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Nope! Like my dad said when I was about 16 and he bought his 1998 454 powered K2500, if I was worried about gas mileage I would have bought an S10. I’m sure mine gets 10 at very best, I don’t drive any where near daily. It might see 100 miles a month at most. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

10-10-2021, 10:15 AM	#7
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Do I care - not really. Do I pay attention to what gas costs, and big block vs small block vs gearing vs overdrive vs miles I intend to drive - yes. Given the sheer quantity of overdrive trans swaps, I’d say more of us care about fuel economy than want to admit (since the engines were perfectly happy at the highway rpm they were geared for at birth). 70CST hit the nail on the head in the first post - ie the sheer pleasure of driving. We may care about fuel economy, but it’s a price we all are very willing to pay to be able to enjoy driving these old trucks. And Tyler’s note is worth adding to, completely agree that it’s not just the old trucks that get poor fuel mileage. My 01 8.1L gets worse mileage than my 72 3/4 ton or any other half tons I’ve had. But it can pull a house. And don’t get me wrong - I’m all for overdrive trans swaps, have done it myself at times.

10-10-2021, 10:17 AM	#8
Blue GMC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 384	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Am I concerned about mpg no but I would love to see it better 4 mpg makes it real hard to pass a gas station

10-10-2021, 10:18 AM	#9
Barnfind46 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mena,Arkansas Posts: 485	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? It is a trade off. I could buy a new truck, pay $600 a month, pay higher insurance and get 2 or 3 mpg better or drive my paid for truck with lower insurance and leave most of my cash in the bank. Every now and then I need a part so I just leave a little less in the bank that month. Easy choice! __________________ 68' with no bells or whistles unless I add'em.

10-10-2021, 10:18 AM	#10
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,625	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? I care about mileage in my Daily, and I check the mileage every so often in the vintage vehicles, mainly to check for any problems My 78 c10 gets 12mpg, if it drops to 7-8 then I need to look further __________________ 1969 307, t350 1950 Chevy Wagon 1978 Big 10 1967 C10, 250,3-OTT

10-10-2021, 10:37 AM	#11
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,294	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Really not at all concerned with gas mileage, just gas prices, LOL. I can remember buying gas in high school for 18.9 cents per gallon for leaded regular. Premium leaded was 21.9 per gallon. My 71 4x4 on a good day gets maybe 11.0-11.5 per mile, empty, downhill with the wind, LOL. My 71 Chevelle maybe 15-16 if I leave my foot out of it. The 700R4 OD trans helps it some if I behave myself. The 57 with the 283 and 2x4s mounted on top, mileage is most assuredly not a concern! Sure does sound good tho when I drop down a gear and punch it. SMILES PER MILE over mpg. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

10-10-2021, 10:45 AM	#12
yuccales Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 3,777	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Couldn't care less. Besides, have you ever heard someone say "nice Prius" at a gas station?

10-10-2021, 10:51 AM	#13
i82much Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bowie, MD Posts: 313	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? not really, but i do think a little tuning with mpg in mind make for a better-running engine. lean out the idle and cruise, make sure the vacuum and mechanical timing curves are dialed in, that sort of thing. but a little better mpg is more of a fringe benefit than the main reason to do all that. my 72 has three tanks so i get tired of driving a long time before she runs out of gas!

10-10-2021, 11:12 AM	#14
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,982	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? When I'm concerned about mileage I drive my Z28. But I daily drive my Blazer because I enjoy it more. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-10-2021, 11:27 AM	#15
body bolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 474	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Concerned? Since I don't drive much, no. I knew what to expect when I bought it. Would I like lower fuel consumption? Yes.



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10-10-2021, 12:15 PM	#16
BAD1916 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: VENTURA COUNTY CALIFORNIA Posts: 309	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Better would always be nice but when I need to drive far especially with lots of traffic I’ll rent some small car. Like was said already I look at cost of gas not so much mileage.

10-10-2021, 12:17 PM	#17
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,036	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? No __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-10-2021, 12:35 PM	#18
dagnabbitt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,453	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Funny, I never thought much about mileage until I installed a new HP crate engine that runs on 91 octane only. And the truck loves it, it can't get enough of it. I drive to work and back 40 miles, so I have to fill it up every two days or so. Still, my solution is just that I am now shopping for a larger fuel tank. __________________ DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10

10-10-2021, 12:44 PM	#19
Big Kev-O Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Simi, CA Posts: 495	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? When I saw the introduction video for the new F150 Lightning all electric truck I was pretty impressed. It had me thinking it may be nice to tow my boat without spending a couple hundred on gas to get to the lake. But the gas saving would not be offset by having a truck payment. New EVs are expensive. My Escalade and my 68 GMC are paid off. I can burn $100 a week on gas for the next ten years and that would still be cheaper than a new electric or diesel truck. I really love the sound of an American V8. Only way I’m going hybrid or electric is when Chevy offers a Corvette with an electric motor. Posted via Mobile Device

10-10-2021, 01:59 PM	#20
68mg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 25	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? My C10 with a 3:73 rear gets 9-11 mpg, but I only drive it around 1000 miles per year so I'm not too concerned about mileage. I do pay a little extra for non-ethanol gas when I fill up.

10-10-2021, 05:06 PM	#23
1970 CST Short Wide Senior Moment Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburg Ca Posts: 4,193	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? Never have been concerned about gas mileage in my truck. However I have been checking it once in awhile now that the Gas Guzzling Injected 454 was replaced by an LS 1 and 6 speed I’ve gained 10 mpg LOL __________________ 1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565

10-10-2021, 07:18 PM	#25
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,891	Re: Are you really concerned with gas milage on your truck?? I always dream of the ever elusive 15mpg, but wouldn’t give up the truck for nothing. I think I get around 12mpg average, as I get about 200 miles to a tank full. (But I don’t let it go below a 1/8 before o fill up again” I even looked into swapping in a 700r4. more for the overdrive at 70mph than an attempt to get better mileage. But after looking at all the pros and cons, I’m keeping it the way it is, and enjoy the old girl.

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