Been thinking about this some. Take a 1500 and install a 4bt manual. I would think that for a grocery getter with some light towing it would be a good deal. Economy only, not for power or heavy towing. Ideas?

 

It's not in a 1500, but a mid-80's F-150. A local tree company uses it for day to day stuff. He told me he maintains low to mid 20's for mpg.

I have seen it hooked to a 16 ft trailer loaded with tree limbs and such. Pulled it pretty good, just squated a bit.

Ed

 

I think it would do great. A little mild tweaking would have it pulling as strong as a stock early 12 valve, and if you got one with the VE pump the fuel economy would probably get into the high 20's on the highway.

 

I think it would do best in a dakota. Lighter weight with less wind drag. I've gotten 26+ with my truck so I think that combo in a dakota could easily get 30mpg.

 

The "dak" idea sounds cool to me.

 

i've thought about putting the diesel out of an older mercedes in a dak.

 

I agree the dak would be the way to go for a grocery getter. Even with a 1/2 ton you'd still be pushing the same basic truck through the wind , minus the weight of the beefy drivetrain, of course, but the aerodynamic signature would be similar and would add a lot more to the mileage equation above 60mpg.

 

I have the 4BT in my boat and it's good to go all week. It just sips fuel. It would be better suited for the 1500 than the Dakota. I think you're going to see that VM or an MB in the Dakota in a couple of years.

 

Not a truck, but a friend of ours put a 4BT in a full size chevy van. I want to say the mpg was approaching 30mpg.

 

Why in a Dakota if you are interested in fuel economy? If you want efficiency you want to find something really aerodynamic.

Like a Pacer... Only with a taller hood...

 

_______________________________


LMAO
Just wiping the coffee off my screen

 

His solution to everything is an AMC vehicle...


I'd bet that is what he really drives.



At least to the PETA meetings to pick up women

 

id like to hear more about this!

but... i know a guy who has a 4bt in a ford 150 year 83 or so... he complained about the lack of power, and only getting the same fuel ecconomy of a 6bt

 

Why not just pick up a used honda civic. 40 mpg and no work to do.

 

99 Mirage 1.5L $1500 110k Odometer ... 38 MPG 50/50 Mix Highway/City. And you wonder why I'm getting a diesel.. cause 1.5L of torque pulls my shadow.