Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 16 MPG w/ 4:10/NV4500

[onestackdram]

Well I am so happy to report that for the first time since I bought my truck brand new in '96 (It's a 97 model) I finally got 16 mpg. Granted we LITERALLY took the BACKROADS from Nashville Tn to Kansas City (took 13 hours) and got 16 mpg all the way. I know that many on here get that and better but I am willing to bet that those with the same setup I do, w/o a gear splitter, would love to see that kind of mileage. So I am just kiddy as could be and thought I would share with all.



Russell

 

[rdrose]

i have the same truck with little mods and i got 19mpg last tank. i was driving very nice and trying to stay off the go pedal and i also go stuck behind some big rigs going to and from work so i just draffed them. my boost went down by 5spi and the egt was 100 deg cooler. boy these truck sure push some wind. i doubt i will ever get that mileage again. i usually get 17mpg.

 

[BigBadDodge]

I have close to the same set up as you all as well 97 5 speed 4500 with 4:10's and I have 36" tires I get around 17mpg like you say its the go pedal that is charge of the mpg



BBD

 

[Neibe]

I get 16-17 in the winter,18-19 in the summer.

 

[onestackdram]

It sounds to me like you guys get these mpg's on a regular basis. Maybe there is something different between the 3500 and 2500? Cause this was the first time since I bought this truck brand new in 97 I got that kind of mileage. My avg. empty on a GOOD day is only 12-13. Granted it could possibly be more like 13-14 if I didnt drive so hard, but oh well

 

[DodgeSales]

onestackdram

I can add that I had a stock 96 3500 4x4 reg cab w/4. 10's and stock size tires that averaged 17 to19 in the summer and that was with a lot of 15 mile trips to work, I drive my Rams every day and am not real easy on the go pedal most of the time.



I also had a 94 2500 4x4 reg cab with most of the popular mods to increase the horsepower and ran that truck just the same way and got about the same mileage but with 3. 54 gears.



I now have a 98 12V Q cab stock w/3. 54 gears no mods to date and have got a best of 20. 5 with some highway miles mixed in to that tank but the worst winter mileage on any of my CTD's was 15. 8 in the dead of winter and I calcuate my mileages on every tank and always have, just a dumb habit all three trucks are 5 speeds. Thats just my experience with 3 different trucks, your mileage may vary and I can not be held responsible LOL



But when jetpilot gets back from Piers with all my new secret HP God stuff, all might change in the MPG department cause I will want to feel all them dollars spent!



Aint it greatOo.



George Sellers



CVM Commercial/Fleet/Promotions Sales Manager



Cumberland Valley Motors

6714 Carlisle Pike

Mechanicsburg, Pa 17043

1-800-382-1436

1-717-697-9448

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[dpuckett]

Russell,



I guess if you can live with it, I can, too. But it sounds like you have something wrong. Granted, mine is a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but I have a 91 nonintercooled reg cab, 4x2, 4. 10, 5 speed Getrag, 243K, and have been getting 20-21 going 65, 15-20 mile trips. Last tank got 19 going 70+ for 200 miles. BTW, empty, weighs 5000#, (yours probably weighs 6000+, but still... ). The injectors need redone or replaced, and the turbo has a lot of endplay. I know a guy I worked with in Loveland a few years ago that had a 97 3500 club cab 4x4, 5 spd, and got 20 -22 empty, 14-16 towing a 32x8 box trailer, 6-12K lbs. He also drove like a grandpa, so the 4. 10s fit him better anyway. I would think you ought to get 18 or so if you are easy on it. the 4. 10s will drop you 1-2 mpg, unless you go 2500rpm+ all the time. Timing, maybe? like I said, if you're happy with it, I dont have a real problem. Just think you ought to do better than 12-14 empty on average.



Daniel