I'm thinking about replacing my truck

[WyoUltra]

As mentioned, I'm thinking about replacing my current pickup (98 Dodge 1/2 Ton 318-5.2L) with something with a bit more power. I'm looking for a 90s to an early 2000s 3/4 with a manual. It has to be a gasser unfortunately because my price range is only ~6000. Anyhow, I was wondering what people were getting as far as mpg numbers (fully loaded/towing and empty, and highway/city if possible) My current truck is only getting 14-15 Highway 8-10 in town empty. Towing I've seen 8-10 but in the past two weekends I've seen about 6.06-7.0 mpg towing with nasty winds... My thoughts are with a little bit more of a truck (I realize possibly less mpg empty) I won't have this horrible mileage of 6 because the truck won't be fighting so hard to keep up. I tow a 2 place fully loaded with gear with 2-3 sleds all over southern Wyoming from west to east through bad winds and rolling hills.

Any input would be appreciated if anybody could tell me what MPG's to expect from a 3/4 ton with a 5.7 or a 6.0 it would be fantastic. I would consider a 3/4 dodge with a 360 too.

 

[Coldfinger]

2002 GMC Crew 6.o gas 3/4 4x4 Auto with 4.10 gears and 265/75 tires - Round trip down I-80 at 75mph and some highways, 1200 mile round trip pulling 2 place I figure 9mpg average. 1000 miles of interstate and 200 miles of 65mph.

I think the manual, if you can find one, will only gain you 1mpg or so. The autos these days are pretty efficient.

 

[Pro-8250]

Ford Super Duty. Stay away from the 2000 V-10.
I have a 2003 F250 Super Duty Crew Cab 5.4 V-8, pull enclosed trailer with two Pro,s inside and one sled in the box. I get 10+ MPG going across ND,WY, MT.

 

[WyoUltra]

2002 GMC Crew 6.o gas 3/4 4x4 Auto with 4.10 gears and 265/75 tires - Round trip down I-80 at 75mph and some highways, 1200 mile round trip pulling 2 place I figure 9mpg average. 1000 miles of interstate and 200 miles of 65mph.

I think the manual, if you can find one, will only gain you 1mpg or so. The autos these days are pretty efficient.

I did see a 2001 Chevy 3/4 6.0 with a manual online are the 4.10 gears standard or could I expect something more around a 3.73? What does your truck get empty?

 

[WyoUltra]

Ford Super Duty. Stay away from the 2000 V-10.
I have a 2003 F250 Super Duty Crew Cab 5.4 V-8, pull enclosed trailer with two Pro,s inside and one sled in the box. I get 10+ MPG going across ND,WY, MT.

How fast are you going? Does this struggle to go the speed limit on the highway or at least 70? Is it constantly downshifting between 3rd and 4th?

 

[WyoUltra]

Here's my current set up with or without the occasional sled in the bed of the pickup.

 

[Coldfinger]

I did see a 2001 Chevy 3/4 6.0 with a manual online are the 4.10 gears standard or could I expect something more around a 3.73? What does your truck get empty?

General driving in winter, I expect 10-11, mostly in town and 11-12 highway.
In summer town driving 11-12 and 13-14 highway.

I recently drove 200 miles empty on I80 75mph and I guess I did get 14 after adding 4% for tire size but it was like 50-60 degrees that day too. I might get better than 11-12 highway winter miles but I don't do many highway miles without hauling an atv, dirt bike or pulling my Triton 10' open.

Generall, any given fill, I hope for 11 or 12, and I do calculate rough mpg almost every tank. I really try to milk all the mpg I can while still driving the speed limit.

 

[AZ800]

I wouldn't expect significantly better mileage out of any gasser. The only gasser I've had that gets better mileage is my '11 F150 5.0 work truck.
Otherwise, Dodge 360's (3 of them), Chevy 350's (vortec and tbi), all Ford Triton motors (4.6 5.4 6.8, Dozen of them), Dodge 5.7 hemi all got pretty crappy mileage. 11-13 empty highway, 10 or less towing about anything. GM 5.7's were probably the best with the Dodge 5.9, 360 on the low end.

If you're upgrading I'd go for reliability and condition of the truck over all else.
Going to be tough to find manual trans in most models.
Personally in your budget I'd look for a newer Dodge like you have now, but you're stuck with the auto witha 360 (maybe they offered a manual in the 2500s), or a Vortec GM, 99-2000 old body style.

 

[Chubbydog]

I'd think for 6k or so you'd be able to get into a 2000 or 2001 GM with the 5.3 in it. They get a little better mileage. I used to get around 14-15 in town, and 16-17 on the highway. Pulling a 26' camping trailer, I'd only get around 6 or so. My open 3 place sled trailer, I'd get around 10-11 though.

 

[throttlejocky316]

I don't know what you are looking for exactly but here are some trucks I found on on KSL -

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=5323282

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=6711998

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=6651864

 

[WyoUltra]

I don't know what you are looking for exactly but here are some trucks I found on on KSL -

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=5323282

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=6711998

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=6651864

Thanks, I've been looking at Ksl and AutoTrader quite regularly recently, and so far there hasn't been anything I'm too interested in. I have seen the 3/4 ton Chevy, although I'm still a little unsure of the gas mileage some of the early 6.0's were getting.

 

[throttlejocky316]

I have seen the 3/4 ton Chevy, although I'm still a little unsure of the gas mileage some of the early 6.0's were getting.

From what I have been told the 6.0L and the 8.1L get the same mileage. That might be an option for you too. I know that you can get the 8.1 with the allison. I know that you want a manual but the newer autos are really nice.

There is a a dealer on here by the name of milehighassassin, he might be able to get you what you need.