How many miles per gallon does a 1971 Ford F250 get?
There isn’t a single miles-per-gallon figure for the 1971 Ford F-250. Real-world fuel economy depends on engine, gearing, payload, and driving conditions, but most examples fall into a low-to-mid-teens mpg range for mixed use.
Engine and drivetrain: what influences mpg
Key factors that influence mpg on a 1971 F-250 include engine choice, drivetrain, rear-axle gearing, transmission, and payload. The following list highlights these and how they typically affect fuel economy.
- Engine choice: The most common options were V8 engines around 360 cubic inches, with larger displacements available. Larger engines generally consume more fuel, especially under load.
- Drivetrain: Two-wheel drive versus four-wheel drive adds drivetrain losses; 4WD configurations tend to record lower mileage when the system is engaged.
- Rear-axle gearing: Lower numerical gears (taller gears) favor highway efficiency but reduce torque for hauling; higher numerical gears (shorter gears) boost pulling power but lower highway mpg.
- Transmission type: Manual versus automatic transmissions can tilt fuel economy slightly, with automatics typically experiencing modest losses due to torque-converter effects in that era.
- Tire size and payload: Heavier tires and carrying payload increase rolling resistance and weight, lowering mpg.
In practice, these factors produced a wide range of real-world numbers. Most 1971 F-250s with V8 powertrains delivered roughly in the low-teens mpg in mixed driving, with highway figures higher and city driving lower, and trucks under heavy load or with 4WD often falling into the 8–12 mpg range.
Typical mpg ranges by configuration
Note: The figures below are approximate and based on historical owner reports and period data. Exact mileage varies by condition, maintenance, and specific options.
- 2WD, 360 V8, manual transmission: roughly 12–15 mpg combined; highway 15–18 mpg; city 9–12 mpg.
- 2WD, 360 V8, automatic transmission: roughly 11–14 mpg combined; highway 14–17 mpg; city 8–11 mpg.
- 2WD, larger V8s (e.g., 390): roughly 10–13 mpg combined; highway 13–16 mpg; city 7–11 mpg.
- 4WD versions or configurations with heavier payloads: roughly 8–12 mpg combined; highway 12–15 mpg; city 6–10 mpg.
- Lightly loaded or highway-focused use (rare for work trucks): up to around 14–18 mpg in ideal conditions.
Overall, these ranges illustrate how engine size, gearing, and drivetrain shape the eco-performance of a vintage F-250. Heavier payloads and four-wheel drive tend to pull mpg downward, while highway cruising with a smaller engine and taller gearing can improve efficiency somewhat.
Historical context and EPA ratings
What the ratings looked like in 1971
In the early 1970s, EPA testing and reporting existed, but full-size pickups like the F-250 were not as consistently rated as today, and numbers varied by engine and configuration. Modern readers should treat official vintage numbers as approximate and rely more on owner experience and measurement from real-world use of a specific truck.
Estimating mpg for a restoration or purchase
To estimate mpg for a vintage F-250, use the following approach or combination of methods:
- Use the fill-to-fill method: record the gallons added and miles driven between fill-ups over several tanks to smooth variation.
- Compute mpg by dividing miles driven by gallons used, and track over multiple cycles for a reliable average.
- Account for variables: payload, terrain, wind, tire pressure, and the axle ratio/gear setup, which have a large impact on observed mpg.
Following these steps will yield a practical estimate that you can compare to the typical ranges outlined above.
Summary
There isn’t a single mpg figure for a 1971 Ford F-250 because fuel economy depended on engine choice, gearing, drivetrain, and payload. In general, expect roughly 10–15 mpg in mixed driving for most configurations, with higher highway efficiency and lower economy when the truck is loaded or equipped with 4WD. For anyone restoring or evaluating a vintage F-250, measuring real-world fuel use or confirming the exact axle ratio and transmission helps set realistic expectations.
What engines were available in the 71 F-250?
Power options included the 300 cubic-inch inline-6 and V8 engines, such as the 360 or 390 cubic-inch FE V8, delivering solid torque and durability. A 4-speed manual transmission was common, paired with a part- time four-wheel-drive system for tough terrains.
How much is a 1971 Ford f250 worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $24,075 for a 1971 Ford F-250 Custom in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1971 Ford F-250 Custom at auction over the last three years was $75,075.
How many miles per gallon does a Ford f250 get?
The gas-powered 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 7.3L V8 engine typically achieves an estimated 15-18 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway. MPG totals are estimates based on typical performance.
Which F-250 to stay away from?
2006 Ford F-250: This model is known to unexpectedly stall or shut down while the truck is in motion, which can lead to a loss of power steering and brakes. Furthermore, throttle body issues result in unplanned acceleration or delayed response when pressing on the brakes and also has the death wobble.
