Is He, or Isn't He getting a 2012

[Mike Clay]

And don't be concerned about the ones making fun of the lips. The only time they will see it is from the rear.

The rear view mirror

[Mike Clay]

Lips and headlights that are upside down

[Chief409]

Lips and headlights that are upside down

Lips you grow to LOVE, and headlights mounted where they light up the road! I admit at first the headlight placement was weird looking, but after driving dirt mountain roads in the dark with them, and in the California Central Vally fog, sitting high and looking down at the lighted area, I decided function over style wins!

Jeff

[Chief409]

Off to get the aux tank/toolbox installed, then run up some more miles!

Jeff

[Rob & Cathy]

Keep racking up those miles Jeff.

How many miles do you have currently?

Rob

[Rob & Cathy]

You can keep the cooled seats though I tried the ones out in Olbirds truck and did not like the feeling of it but thats just me.

I know what you mean Mike. I didn't get the heated seats because I've been told I have a hot butt and I thought it would be redundant.

Rob

[Double D's]

Hmmmm... Did CATHY tell you that???? LOL!!!!!

I don't have cooled seats, as I have problems with my back as it is, and COOL on there does not sound comfy to me!

[Chief409]

Today's mission is complete, the Transfer Flow 50 gallon aux tank/toolbox is installed. Only problem the installers encountered was Ford changed some of the wire color codes from 2009, and they had to contact tech support at the Transfer Flow factory.

Bubba (I like the name) racked up 174 miles today, for a total of 447 miles averaging 15.9 mpg city, highway and freeway. I found that in Tow Haul mode mpg increases, I made half the trip without, half with Tow Haul engaged, and noticed the change in mpg in short order watching the Instantaneous MPG, and the 30 minute mpg average increase. I guess it must be locking the torque converter in Tow Haul making the difference.

Donna, leather cooled seats will be great next summer here in the Mojave, and they're not bad when it's 20 something and you can heat them up either! Each seat is individually controlled to your comfort level, or turned off.

Jeff

[Chief409]

OK, completed the first trip hauling the 'Bird behind the 2012. Left Rosamond, took CA138 to I5 through Tejon Pass to SR126 in Santa Clarita, to SR118, Rice Road to SR1 and NAS Point Mugu. 122 miles, then reversed that on the return - only with Santa Anna winds ALL the way back, up to 30 mph head winds. Overall mpg from fill up to return, including running around without the trailer, stop lights and city traffic with the trailer, plus the return - 10.8 mpg. Not bad considering the conditions.

Running upgrade, against the winds, the 6.7 ran without even working hard at 60 to 65 mph on I5 thru Tejon Pass, mainly in 6th gear (second overdrive), where the 6.4 would be running in 3rd gear and 3200 rpm at 50 mph.

And the engine brake works as advertised, GREAT!

I have a KEEPER!

Jeff

[Rob & Cathy]

I have a KEEPER!

Jeff

It sure sound like it Jeff.

Good report.

Rob

[WVcampers]

Sounds like you are happy with you new truck. That is always a GOOD thing

[Chief409]

Better MPG, plus more power is hard to beat, especially these days. The driving experience pulling the 'Bird between the 6.4 vs the 6.7 is similar to the difference between the V10 vs 6.4 in the mountains, now I can't wait until the next trip to the SF Bay area to see how things are on the long haul on I5 in the Central Valley, not to mention the Lariat package is great!

Jeff

[campswithcritters]

Glad to hear it is working good for you Jeff! Sounds like a good combo!
I've become pretty happy with mine too, figured out I was running too slow in 10th to get the sweet spot, now running 68 to 69 mph and mileage up to almost 8. Pretty good for a big boy! When I have to run slower I'll try 9th gear.

[Chief409]

Glad to hear it is working good for you Jeff! Sounds like a good combo!
I've become pretty happy with mine too, figured out I was running too slow in 10th to get the sweet spot, now running 68 to 69 mph and mileage up to almost 8. Pretty good for a big boy! When I have to run slower I'll try 9th gear.

I've been bombing around so much without the 'Bird, I haven't tried the manual gear selection or towing at 65 over a long stretch yet, this trip it was out the door and 2 lane roads, stop lights or on the pass, so that's something for the trip to the Bay Area. I did notice that at 60 the RPM is below the torque curve in 6th gear. But at 70 - 75 running light locally, I've been seeing over 15 mpg for a 30 minute average for a 40 mile round trip to Palmdale and back on the freeway. Not bad for only 1200 miles. And I believe in getting to freeway speed to merge into traffic! Even with the 'Bird! Local freeway driving won't show the best MPG driving like that.

Jeff

[campswithcritters]

Glad to hear it is working good for you Jeff! Sounds like a good combo!
I've become pretty happy with mine too, figured out I was running too slow in 10th to get the sweet spot, now running 68 to 69 mph and mileage up to almost 8. Pretty good for a big boy! When I have to run slower I'll try 9th gear.

I've been bombing around so much without the 'Bird, I haven't tried the manual gear selection or towing at 65 over a long stretch yet, this trip it was out the door and 2 lane roads, stop lights or on the pass, so that's something for the trip to the Bay Area. I did notice that at 60 the RPM is below the torque curve in 6th gear. But at 70 - 75 running light locally, I've been seeing over 15 mpg for a 30 minute average for a 40 mile round trip to Palmdale and back on the freeway. Not bad for only 1200 miles. And I believe in getting to freeway speed to merge into traffic! Even with the 'Bird! Local freeway driving won't show the best MPG driving like that.

Jeff

Just gotta find that proper sweet spot for it Jeff. I think yours has instant mpg reading, mine only an average. I just kept resetting and running a few miles and checking, really surprised me that it increased mileage with increase in speed. Not your average truck I guess, but it does correspond with the torque curve published on the engine. Guess I'm gonna check out the speed rating on these Goodyear trailer tires, supposed to be ok to 75.

Bruce