How many miles per gallon does a 1987 Ford f350 get?

There isn’t a single miles-per-gallon figure for the 1987 Ford F-350; mileage depends on engine, drive configuration, and usage. In practical terms, gasoline-powered F-350s of that era typically averaged roughly 9–14 miles per gallon in mixed driving, while diesel-equipped models often delivered around 14–18 miles per gallon on the highway, depending on load and maintenance.

To understand why and what influences it, this article breaks down the engine options available that year, typical real-world ranges, and the key factors that affect fuel economy for these heavy-duty trucks.

Engine options in the 1987 Ford F-350

For 1987, Ford offered two main powertrain families for the F-350: a gasoline V8 and a diesel IDI V8. Actual MPG varies with 2-wheel drive vs 4x4, and with the transmission choice. This section outlines the two configurations and their typical fuel economy ranges based on historical owner reports and period data.

Gasoline engine (7.5 L V8, 460 cubic inches)

Gasoline-powered F-350s were common in work-truck fleets. The 7.5 L (460) V8 could be paired with 4-speed manual or automatic transmissions; 2WD and 4x4 options affected efficiency. Real-world mileage tended to be in the lower teens in highway cruising and in the single digits in city driving, with typical mixed driving around the 11–14 mpg range depending on gearing and load.

• 2WD with automatic transmission: approximately 11–14 miles per gallon (mpg) in mixed driving; higher on long highway trips with light loads.


• 4x4 variants or heavier payload: 9–12 mpg in mixed driving; highway mileage around 11–13 mpg when not towing heavy loads.

The above illustrates that gearing, payload, and maintenance significantly impact fuel economy for gasoline F-350s of this era.

Diesel engine (6.9 L IDI)

The 6.9 L IDI diesel was a common choice for buyers prioritizing torque and durability. It delivered better highway efficiency than the gasoline counterpart in most setups, especially at steady highway speeds, but range and weight limits affect overall economy. Real-world mpg typically ranged from the mid-teens to upper-teens on the highway, with mixed driving in the low to mid-teens depending on load and condition.

• 2WD with manual transmission: typically 16–18 mpg combined; 18–20 mpg highway with light load.


• 4x4 with manual or automatic: typically 14–17 mpg combined; 18–21 mpg highway under light-tow scenarios.

Note that towing a heavy load or payload can reduce diesel fuel economy by several mpg, though diesels generally pull better efficiency under load than gasoline engines.

Factors that affected mpg on the 1987 F-350

Beyond engine choice, several practical factors influenced fuel economy for these trucks:

• Drivetrain: 2WD vs 4x4 changes aero and rolling resistance and typically lowers mpg in 4x4 models.


• Transmission: manual vs automatic impacts efficiency due to gearing and parasitic losses.


• Payload and towing: heavier loads dramatically increase fuel consumption.


• Engine condition and maintenance: air filters, fuel system, and timing affect efficiency.


• Gearing and axle ratio: taller gears can improve highway mpg at the cost of torque for acceleration.

Maintaining the truck and selecting appropriate gearing can help optimize mpg, but expect wide variation across the 1987 F-350 lineup.

Measuring and improving mpg on a vintage F-350

Because official EPA ratings for heavy-duty trucks from the mid-1980s are scarce and vary by configuration, owners often rely on personal fuel logs and trip calculations to estimate mpg. To measure fuel economy accurately, track miles driven and gallons used over full tanks, and account for payload, towing, and driving style. Practical tips to improve mpg include:

• Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and align wheels as needed.


• Regular engine maintenance: replace air and fuel filters, use the correct grade of motor oil, and tune the engine for efficient operation.


• Reduce aerodynamic drag where possible (roof racks, heavy bumpers, and cargo boxes can affect highway efficiency).


• Minimize unnecessary idling and plan efficient trips; drive at steady speeds on highways when possible.


• Consider gear-calculation for highway speeds; taller axle gears can reduce engine RPM and improve highway efficiency if towing is limited.

These practices can help a vintage F-350 achieve better real-world mileage, though results will always vary with condition and configuration.

Summary

In short, there is no single mileage figure for a 1987 Ford F-350. Gasoline versions with the 7.5 L V8 typically delivered around 9–14 mpg in mixed driving, while diesel 6.9 L models more commonly achieved about 14–18 mpg on highways, with variations due to drivetrain, payload, and maintenance. For an exact figure, use tank-to-tank measurements on the specific truck and configuration, or consult historical owner reports for your exact setup.

How many miles to the gallon does a Ford F350 get?

F-350 MPG varies significantly based on engine, gearing, and whether it's empty or towing, but real-world figures often range from 10-13 MPG for the 7.3L gas engine and 11-15 MPG for the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel when towing. Unloaded, the diesel can achieve around 20 MPG on the highway, while the gas engine might get 14-17 MPG.
 
This video discusses the fuel economy of the F-350 with different engines and gears: 27sCTech-reviewYouTube · Dec 7, 2024
Gas Engine (7.3L "Godzilla") 

• Combined/City: Expect around 10−1110 minus 1110−11 MPG, but sometimes closer to 131313 MPG. 
• Highway (unloaded): Around 14−1714 minus 1714−17 MPG, with some owners reporting up to 16.516.516.5 MPG at 707070 mph. 
• Towing: Drops significantly, potentially to 10−1210 minus 1210−12 MPG with a heavy load. 

Diesel Engine (6.7L Power Stroke) 

• Combined/City: Typically around 121212 MPG. 
• Highway (unloaded): Up to 202020 MPG, though some drivers report 23−2523 minus 2523−25 MPG instantaneous on flat ground. 
• Towing: Expect about 11.411.411.4 MPG when towing a 7,200-7,500 lb travel trailer at 707070 mph, or around 12.512.512.5 MPG when towing a 15,00015 comma 00015,000 lb load. 

Factors that influence MPG

• Engine choice: The diesel engine is more efficient, especially for towing, while the gas engine has a lower upfront cost. 
• Gearing: Different rear-end gear ratios will affect your mileage. Lower gears (like 4.304.304.30) can lead to higher RPMs and lower MPG. 
• Driving habits: Aggressive acceleration and high speeds will significantly decrease fuel economy. 
• Towing/Payload: Hauling heavy loads requires more work from the engine, leading to lower MPG. 
• Tire choice: Aftermarket tires, especially larger or more aggressive ones, can lower MPG. 

How many miles per gallon does a 1987 300d get?

A 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D typically gets about 24–26 mpg in the city and 28–30 mpg on the highway, with an overall average around 25 mpg. Real-world fuel economy can vary based on driving conditions, maintenance, and driving habits, with some owners reporting slightly higher or lower numbers.
 
This video is a review of the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 TD Turbo, which discusses its fuel efficiency: 48sMotorWeekYouTube · May 15, 2022
Typical MPG breakdown

• City: 23–25 mpg
• Highway: 28–30 mpg
• Average: 25 mpg 

Factors that affect MPG

• Maintenance: A well-maintained engine with properly adjusted valves can achieve better mileage. 
• Driving conditions: A mix of city and highway driving will result in a lower average, while consistent highway driving at moderate speeds will yield higher results. 
• Climate control: Using the air conditioning will slightly decrease fuel economy. 
• Tire pressure: Proper tire inflation can help optimize mileage. 

How to improve MPG

• Ensure the vehicle is properly maintained, with regular service and valve adjustments. 
• Drive at consistent, moderate speeds on the highway (55–65 mph) for the best results. 
• Avoid aggressive driving and unnecessary idling. 
• Check tire pressure regularly to ensure it is within the recommended range. 

Troubleshooting low MPG

• If you are getting significantly less than 23 mpg, there may be an issue with the engine or fuel system.
• Low mileage could be a symptom of a problem like a clogged fuel filter, an issue with the injection pump, or poor engine compression.
• Make sure the cooling system is functioning correctly, as a cracked head can occur if the engine overheats, which can be a costly repair. 

What year to stay away from Ford F350?

F-350 Super Duty models from 1998 to 2004 have the most issues. Leaf-spring front suspensions make them harder to handle. Engine issues, transmission problems, and rust are also known problems in these models.

How much is a 1987 Ford F350 worth?

How much is a 1987 Ford F-350 1 Ton worth? The value of a 1987 Ford F-350 1 Ton can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $19,308 for a 1987 Ford F-350 1 Ton in good condition with average spec.