There is a fellow on Youtube (I think here in Washington) who has a '70 crewcab 4x4 Ford that he put a 3-53T Detroit diesel in. He has stated he gets 28-34 MPG with this with the factory 4.10 rear gears. He did put in a T-10 5 speed overdrive.


My question is this. I have a '67 Ford Shortbox 4x2 with 3.50 gears in the rear. If I slip the same combo into it, would it be even better on fuel, or about the same? I can see it going either way...

Cheers!

Offio

ps, I have a nearly identical truck to this guy as well, only it still has the 390 in it...and the guy I bought it from had stretched it out for a longbed. Might slide a diesel into it after I get the '67 taken care of.

 

i would imagine it depends on if you are stop and go driving of highway most of the time, the higher gears have to work harder from a stop but your turning lower rpms at speed.
i say do it anyway it would be sweet and you would still get better milage than a 2012 f150

 

Cummins,

Makes sense. Where I work, I run about 15 miles each way, couple of stops and turns in the mess. But, occasionally, I have to work at our southern yard, which is 40 miles away, all but 4 of them interstate. I know it will hurt the mileage a bit, but I will probably slip a 700R4 in instead of the T5 manual...deeper 1st gear for 1 thing, for another, I drive truck most of the time. There are days I get off and just don't want to futz with shifting anymore!

 

I call bs on the mileage.

 

I dunno. A 3-53 is only 159 cubic inches. Compared to a Cummins at 359 CID, i'd say it was possible. Not saying "This Must Be So" or anything, just saying I think it is possible. Found a few other builds with 4-53 and 3-53 DD's, and the ones that post mileage #'s all are in a similar range. Beats me, but it looks encouraging!