New to me 97 f150

[crawldit]

Good info. I noticed my tank has started to drop alot faster since it hit half a tank. I was getting about 125 miles per quarter tank for the first half, now I'm down almost another quarter tank and have only gone 30 miles. Maybe the gas gauge will stick where it is for a bit. Gas is still over $4 a gallon up here in AK so I'm looking at over $100 for a tank of gas. I think going forward that I'll start topping off the tank when I get around half empty. Are there any cons to not running the tank down to almost Empty before filling up?

 

[BIGdaddy]

Good info. I noticed my tank has started to drop alot faster since it hit half a tank. I was getting about 125 miles per quarter tank for the first half, now I'm down almost another quarter tank and have only gone 30 miles. Maybe the gas gauge will stick where it is for a bit. Gas is still over $4 a gallon up here in AK so I'm looking at over $100 for a tank of gas. I think going forward that I'll start topping off the tank when I get around half empty. Are there any cons to not running the tank down to almost Empty before filling up?

Nah, though some people might spout e-myth's about the gasoline varnishing if not used, but this is only an issue for tanks sitting unused for a LONG amount of time.

When you're driving the "new" fuel is effectively being mixed with the existing fuel, allowing the octane rating to hover right around what it needs to be. Water in the fuel again would only be an issue if the truck were standing for long periods of time, where condensation may enter the tank via a leaky or missing fuel cap.

I actually prefer to fill up my vehicles around the halfway mark to always keep a minimum amount available. (I'm an emergency responder, and as such I have to be able to get to my post even when fuel isn't readily available)

 

[crawldit]

For those asking about mpg, I managed 13.5 around town for the first tank. I'm headed from Anchorage to Homer this week, which is over 220 highway miles one way. I'll post up my highway mpg when I get back next week.

 

[Mad_Texan]

While I am sorry to hear your mileage dropped of I am somewhat relieved that my truck is similiar...

Since you were talking of the 285's thought the setup up of BigTex's truck would be useful...hope to get mine done soon

 

[crawldit]

Just got back from a week down in Homer. I averaged 15.5 mpg on the Highway with speeds ranging from 55 to 65. Not too much better than around town, but I'll take it. Now that I have a base mpg to work with I will change the spark plugs and all the oil. Maybe flush the tranny and add some injector cleaner for the next couple of tanks and see if the numbers change.

 

[Mad_Texan]

Mounted my 285's today and adjusted my torsion bars up some for a referrence...I like the change...

 

[BigTex]

Yeah! Now that's more like it!

Looks great. I may have found a topper.... Again. I bought one about 6 months ago for $50, that needed a side window and rear window. hail storm broke them out. I spent $100 on lexan and fixed it. I put it on CL, just to see if I could sell it, and a guy gave me $350 for it. Now though, kind of wish I'd kept it. My problem is I don't want it on all the time and they don't store very well.

 

[crawldit]

Those 285's look great! I'm going to have to put bigger tires on the backburner for now. Just got married last week and can no longer justify bigger tires when the 235's that are on there are brand new. Oh well. I am making full use of the rig as-is though. In the past month I've camped at Soldotna, Nancy Lake, Homer and Denali National Park...so I certainly can't complain about where these 235's are taking me. That sleeping platform that I built has made camping so quick and painless. Coolest mod ever!

 

[Mad_Texan]

Those 285's look great! I'm going to have to put bigger tires on the backburner for now. Just got married last week and can no longer justify bigger tires when the 235's that are on there are brand new. Oh well. I am making full use of the rig as-is though. In the past month I've camped at Soldotna, Nancy Lake, Homer and Denali National Park...so I certainly can't complain about where these 235's are taking me. That sleeping platform that I built has made camping so quick and painless. Coolest mod ever!

I am confused!?!? Are you sure you married the right girl!?!? I don't understand why she wouldn't want a new set of 285's as a wedding present!?!? Just Kidding!!!

I would like to do a sleeping platform but my bed is almost a foot to short for me...looking for a RTT to go on my bars!

 

[Mad_Texan]

Yeah! Now that's more like it!

Looks great. I may have found a topper.... Again. I bought one about 6 months ago for $50, that needed a side window and rear window. hail storm broke them out. I spent $100 on lexan and fixed it. I put it on CL, just to see if I could sell it, and a guy gave me $350 for it. Now though, kind of wish I'd kept it. My problem is I don't want it on all the time and they don't store very well.

Thanks...I picked up so good ground clearance! Of course removing the running boads helped. Rides a little stiffer but not much. Some is probably from the load D tires.

The cap was on mine when I bought it. I wasn't wild about having it as I always had tonneaus that were easy to remove if need be. But I have gotten use to it. $350 for a $150 investment and some time seems like a good trade. They are always on craigslist...

 

[Mad_Texan]

Any updates from anyone??? I tracked down a RTT and got it mounted...

 

[DocnCade]

Just Got an '03 Supercrew. Haven't had time to try much as far as off road but seems to be ok over all. It has made a trip from joshua tree ca to northern wi twice now and in a lot more comfort than my old '98 Cherokee. Has anyone run into any issues or weak points with their f150s? I am new to this forum so I apologize if there is a better category for this.

 

[Mad_Texan]

Just Got an '03 Supercrew. Haven't had time to try much as far as off road but seems to be ok over all. It has made a trip from joshua tree ca to northern wi twice now and in a lot more comfort than my old '98 Cherokee. Has anyone run into any issues or weak points with their f150s? I am new to this forum so I apologize if there is a better category for this.

Welcome! How about some more info on your screw...issues would be dependant on options installed. I can understand you truck being more comfy than a cherokee...

 

[crawldit]

Been out of the loop a bit. Got relocated from Alaska to Colorado for work and have been doing the packing, moving, unpacking deal. Good news is that the truck drove like a champ for over 4,000 miles down to Colorado. Fully loaded and towing a 5k lb trailer, I averaged 13 mpg. I'm looking forward to getting the truck out and about to see what the Fort Collins area has to offer for light wheeling and camping.

 

[DocnCade]

MAD TEX- thanks, it's a 4x4 '03 with the 5.4. About the only thing I have done to it is throw in a cb radio. Looking for a topper to replace the flat Tonneau cover that is there now. Tires are falken rocky mountain 285/75's. So far they have done just fine in sand, snow and rock. Will post a picture once I get stateside.