How many miles per gallon does a 1980 Ford truck get?
Most 1980 Ford trucks did not have a single miles-per-gallon figure; fuel efficiency depended on engine, drivetrain, and gearing. Typical two-wheel-drive models with a 4.9 L inline-six often posted around 18–22 mpg on the highway, while most V8-powered trucks ran roughly 12–18 mpg overall; heavy-duty versions with larger V8s could dip to about 10–15 mpg in mixed driving.
Engine options and typical fuel economy ranges
In 1980, Ford offered several engines in the F-Series, from a 4.9 L inline-six to various V8s, and the drivetrain and axle ratio could change real-world mileage significantly. The figures below reflect common configurations and typical driving, not a guaranteed EPA rating for a specific truck.
Note: The following ranges reflect common configurations and real-world driving at the time; individual mpg varied with gearing, condition, and load.
- 4.9 L inline-six (300 cu in) — roughly 16–22 mpg combined in many setups; highway often in the 20s, city in the mid-teens depending on automatic vs manual and gearing.
- 5.0 L V8 (302 Windsor) — roughly 12–20 mpg combined; highway around 18–22 mpg, city often in the low teens to mid-teens.
- 5.8 L V8 (351W) — roughly 12–18 mpg combined; highway 16–20; city around 12–15.
- 6.6 L V8 (400 cu in) — roughly 11–16 mpg combined; highway 16–18; city around 11–14.
- 7.5 L V8 (460 cu in) — roughly 9–14 mpg combined; highway 14–17; city often around 9–12.
Note that actual fuel economy for a specific 1980 Ford truck depends on many factors, including transmission type, rear axle ratio, whether it carried cargo, and driving style. Use these ranges as rough references rather than precise ratings.
Other factors that influence MPG in vintage pickups
Beyond engine choice, several variables shape real-world fuel economy. The following factors most strongly influence mileage on a 1980 Ford truck.
- Transmission type (manual vs automatic) and shift behavior
- Rear axle ratio and overall gearing
- Drivetrain configuration (two-wheel drive vs four-wheel drive) and weight
- Vehicle condition, carburetion tuning, and maintenance history
- Aerodynamics based on cab/bed configuration and any aftermarket additions
- Load, towing, and driving style (city stop-and-go vs steady highway cruising)
In practice, owners who kept engines well-tuned and drove primarily on highways often saw higher mpg for their specific setup, while those hauling or navigating urban streets tended to fall toward the lower end of the ranges above.
Summary
There is no single miles-per-gallon figure for a 1980 Ford truck. By engine and configuration, highway mpg typically ranged from the low 20s for inline-sixes to the low teens for large V8s; real-world mixed driving often fell between 10 and 20 mpg depending on gearing, weight, and maintenance. To estimate for a specific vehicle, identify the exact engine, transmission, and rear axle, then calculate mpg from a practical test drive or a tankful-to-tank measurement.
How much is a 1980 Ford truck worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $13,013 for a 1980 Ford F-150 1/2 Ton in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1980 Ford F-150 1/2 Ton? The highest selling price of a 1980 Ford F-150 1/2 Ton at auction over the last three years was $24,200.
What was the average mpg in 1980?
Table 4-23: Average Fuel Efficiency of U.S. Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
| 1980 | 1985 | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 16.8 | 19.6 |
| Imported | 24.3 | 26.5 |
| CAFE standards (mpg)b (model year) | ||
| Passenger car | 20.0 | 27.5 |
How many miles per gallon does a 1991 7.3 Idi get?
13-14 mpg around town, as high as 18.6 mpg highway.
What was the gas mileage on the 80s F-150?
The truck's fuel economy only improved by 2 MPG from its launch up until the mid-1980s. Then, in 1987, with the launch of the F-Series' eighth generation, the truck's fuel economy jumped from 12 MPG to 16 MPG with a base 6-cylinder engine.
