2008 F450 Super Duty

My step dad just bought a new 2008 Super Duty F450.

This is a Dynamic Lightning tow truck....My parents own a reposession company.

We go the truck with less than 100 miles on it, got it 2 weeks ago, has about 1000 miles on it.

The mpg SUCKS so far....

It fluxuates from 8.5-9.2 MPG. Whats every one else getting?

Will it get any better? We were told to expect atleast 13.5-15 mpg.

6.4L Twin Turbo Diesel.

Heres the pics from when we picked it up @ Access Equipment in Miami.

http://www.towtools.com/v/vspfiles/photos/TT-2008Lightning-6.jpg
http://www.towtools.com/v/vspfiles/photos/TT-2008Lightning-2.jpg
http://www.towtools.com/v/vspfiles/photos/TT-2008Lightning-9.jpg
http://www.towtools.com/v/vspfiles/photos/TT-2008Lightning-10.jpg

This is a BRAND NEW, $65,000 Truck....The damn milage should be better than 8.5-9.2 MPG :banghead:

I'm not real familiar with the dual turbo, but if I keep my 7.3 below 2000rpms I get 20mpg. The turbo kicks in at about that rpm and fuel mileage really drops on mine.

Sweet looking rig. Unfortunately the 08 Super Duty will have the worst economy of any Ford Diesel. Reason being that the emessions for 08 require all this fancy exhaust stuff on it (take a look underneath at the gigantic catylists on that thing). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY IT IN ANY WAY! This causes not only a restriction and heat but it also goes through a regen process which is basically dumping raw fuel into the exhaust in order to burn off the particulates that get trapped in those big filters. This happens about every 450 miles or when the pressure in the exhaust is too great. Buy it for towing capacity, buy it for looks and ride but don't buy it for economy.

P.S. Since this is an 08 emissions requirement, Dodge and Chevy have the same problems.

Just one other thing to consider. Since it is a new car, I was always told that everything is at its tightest and therefore it may need a few thousand miles or so, before the engine and transmission wears out enough for it to be more relaxed and therefore produce the optimum miles per gallon.

I don't know if this would effect the gas situation to a very high degree but it might who knows?

Have you asked your dealer about it? I know that the ratings for trucks are done under optimum conditions. So if a truck is advertised to get 15 mpg that usually means it will get that under Benchmark conditions (i.e. No wind, hazardous road conditions, etc.)

My Uncle steve has one,a 2008 F350 and is not hapy with it.Took it in for the recall for the flames coming out of the exhaust and it is worse.The 6.4 is a big POS and most shops will not touch it due to shortage of Powerstroke diesel technicians.The 6.4 is a pain in the butt to work I have been reading about.There is a 7.3/6.0 powerstroke to Cummins conversion kit out there and it goes for $16,000.00.I heard this from the local Snap On dealer whom got this info from a shop he stops at.

Sweet looking rig. Unfortunately the 08 Super Duty will have the worst economy of any Ford Diesel. Reason being that the emessions for 08 require all this fancy exhaust stuff on it (take a look underneath at the gigantic catylists on that thing). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY IT IN ANY WAY! This causes not only a restriction and heat but it also goes through a regen process which is basically dumping raw fuel into the exhaust in order to burn off the particulates that get trapped in those big filters. This happens about every 450 miles or when the pressure in the exhaust is too great. Buy it for towing capacity, buy it for looks and ride but don't buy it for economy.

P.S. Since this is an 08 emissions requirement, Dodge and Chevy have the same problems.

So in other words, we can thank the treehuggers for this?
That's not any better milage than a big block petrol burner.
FWIW, I do remember seeing a clip on some auto channel a few months back where the editor was commenting on the poor milage as well, and this was on a truck that had 8k miles on it, of course that would proabably not be considered broke in for a diesel.

Well, the milage has been getting better, a little :rolleyes:

Been seeing 11+ all day.

Drops to about 9.2-9.6 when we have a big SUV or truck on the hook. Also doesnt help that my step dad drives with a lead foot, and chirps the tires coming from a stop. :icon16:

She has about 8,000 miles on her, and she's nice and broken in. Went a couple weeks ago for the first oil change. $120 at the Ford dealer.

Also, we're getting a forced air kit, and a economy/performance chip for it. Read some add like up to 130hp, and 200 lbs of torque! Thats crazy too, since this thing already has 650lbs at like 3,000 rpm.

Ever had it in for the recall?There is a recall on them,Flames coming out of the exhaust,3ft of flames coming out of the exhaust.

This truck was post-recall.

These type trucks aren't mass built, like the regular F450 with a bed that you get out from the dealer.

The company, Dynamic sends a request for Ford, Gets the truck, with nothing but chasis and cab, then hand builds the top bed. Turn around time is around 2 months.

I did read through the first 36,000 or so released trucks had to be recalled for the flames shooting out of the pipes.

I would strongly recommend that you DO NOT install the intake or a chip on this vehicle. The intake will mess with the MAF readings and with the chip over-fueling and over boosting (the only way to get more power), the PCM will trigger a regen more often and your fuel economy will actually decrease. Because of the super strict emission laws, no chip manufacturer is making a DPF delete program as the Feds have already threatened to come at anyone that does it with the maximum fine. Also, if you hurt the exhaust, Ford will not warranty it after the truck is modified and that big DPF is over $2000 to replace. Just something to keep in mind.