2nd and 3rd gen. buttom line

[GILLES]

Hi guys, I have just one question for you people that had 2nd and 3rd gen. manual trans, and also guys with 2nd and 3rd gen. auto. Is the 3rd gen better, same, or worst on fuel consumpton than the 2nd gen. ?I have a 2nd gen and undesided to move to a 3rd gen. In advance, thanks for charing your experience and advice.

 

[jjdiesel]

My '04 is much better on fuel than my '99... . both 6-spds, apples to apples. It's actually very close to what my '95 (12 valve) was for mileage... very happy about that!

 

[robert4570]

My '04 is much better on fuel than my '99... . both 6-spds, apples to apples. It's actually very close to what my '95 (12 valve) was for mileage... very happy about that!

My 99 got better mileage than my 05 . I keep a log book of type driving done etc. The best i ever got and this is hand calculated was 24 mpg on flat terrain ,empty on cruise at 55 mph. It did this consistently .



Kind of apples to oranges in my case . Both trucks stock 100% ,went from a 99 drw auto 2wd w/3:54 to a 2WD 05' drw nv5600 6 spd and 3:73 .

My 05 though not broke in yet, is unable to match mileage of the 99 .

 

[klenger]

I had an 01. 5 six speed with 4. 10's and now an 04. 5 6 speed with 3. 73's. I get a bit better milage with the 04. 5, but both were/are good. I get 19 or so commuting to work.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I was concerned that my mileage would go down with the new truck based on comments I read here. I believe driving style makes a bigger difference than what engine you have. I'm pleased to say that my '05 with 4:10's and auto gets almost identical mileage as my '96 with 4:10's and auto. I usually get around 18. 5 mixed city and highway. I have not towed my fifth wheel on any long trips yet but with the small amount I have towed, it sure tows better, mainly because of the "Tow/Haul" feature. I don't really know if the mileage will be better or worse towing. Using the same small slide camper I used with my '96, mileage is also about the same, 15.

 

[COSEng]

01 2500 SWB Quad Cab 5-speed 4x4 3:55. This truck got 19-20 mpg.

+

03 3500 LWB Quad Cab DRW 6-speed 4x4 3:73. This truck gets 17-18 mpg.



MPG values hand calculated running empty. Both trucks had fiberglass caps.



Not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but I hope it helps.



Carl

 

[PBerry]

My 01 sbqc 4x4 auto with 4. 10's never below 15 in town in winter and consistently 17. 7 on highway at 73 mph. The guys i run with one a 99 long bed 5 speed 2wd 3. 55 20. 5 mpg highway. The other a 94 single cab auto 3. 55 2wd 20. 5. My 2003 qcsb 2wd six speed 3. 73 21. 5 mpg minimum at 73. A friend with 2004. 5 auto 4x4 sbqc 3. 73 15 mix 17 mpg at 73 mph. Stay with a 305/555 for mileage in the 3rd gen's. Anything newer and i think you will be disappointed.

 

[jimnance]

I'm on my fifth CTD now, so I think I have a pretty good reference.



Generally, the older trucks get better fuel economy. That said, driving style, transmission, gear ratio, DRW or SRW, and weight of the truck make a difference.



The first generations were obviously the mileage champs. Partly the engine and partly the weight of the trucks. They were lighter then.



My '03 lost about one MPG (highway) to the '99. Again, the '03 was heavier, but I think the engine plays a small part. Around town the '03 fared worse, but I think that is my driving style. When I've got the power sometimes I use it.



These comments are based on mileage before I added fueling boxes and other enhancments. Generally, these cost you mileage. Partly because of your foot, and partly because you go faster up the hills.



I haven't got a read on the '05 yet. I expect it will be lower because of the DRW, weight, and more available horsepower. I think emissions requirements may be driving mileage down some. That is one reason to consider an after market fueling/timing box that can be set to "stock". The aftermarket guys don't have to worry about emissions so they can set the engine to run at optimum injection timing for fuel efficiency. At least they can in theory.

 

[ELK311]

Mileage

05 CTD, 2500, QuadCab, BigHorn,4x4,3. 73,6spd,Jacobs,stock Michelins, from new to 3,500 mile average 13. 56 mpg.