Alright, I have owned a 97 5.2l with a 5 speed since April and I am still trying to figure out how to squeeze out as many mpg as I can.

What seems to be working for me is trying to get up to speed as fast as possible and then go easy from there. I usually shift at 3500, 3000, 2500, and 2000 when going up to 45mph.

I get ~17mpg while I am driving, it is just the accelerations that kill me. And I know that alot are going to say accelerating hard hurts mileage, but if I do anything but what I mentioned above, getting up to speed asap seems to be working best. (what I am about to say is just a rough example of my point) It is better to get 4mpg over a quarter mile than 7mpg over half a mile.

 

what works for me is go into 5th if im above 35mph
shift after the dummy light turns off
last report was 22mpg

 

you also only have half an engine.

 

4 cyl here, I shift around 2500-3000 most of the time, and I get around 22mpg every fill up, very consistent.

When I first started driving the truck early this year, I was getting 25-28, not sure what happened...

 

winter gas, it sucks big time

 

I usually do what you said and get 18-19 right now i've noticed the winter gas though i was gettin 20 before but i just seem to shift it when it feels right usually 3k in first and second then 2400-2600 3-4 and if i'm not going up a hill 2100-2400 into 5