Fuel Mileage?

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Here are my mileage figures:
1996 3500 dualie 4x4-auto-110,000 miles-3. 54:
towing 13,000 lbs-60mph-13mpg-67mph-10. 5mpg
empty-avg 15mpg.
1999 2500-x cab-auto-2wd-3. 54-30,000 miles-75-80 mph-20. 5 mpg-65mph-22. 5 mph.
I just completed the orlando-west palm beach fla turnpike(with 5 th wheel) run at 60mph CC set the whole way and got 13 mpg. Putting aerowing on will see if this helps at 60.

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1996-3500 tst stage 3 plate, K&N air filter,4" exhaust,bigger injectors,b&m trans pan,Amsoil all around,temp gauges out the wazzo,much trans work,double tow 33' 5th wheel and 12' trailer w/motorcycle(Honda Valkyarie Interstate)Also have 1999-2500-stock.

 

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Hey Tom! Be patient,pull some heavy loads,and break that sucker in good. Your mileage will go up
Big A

 

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run hard----these are not the "normal" engines that you've been accustomed to. it's not engineered to work right being "babied", even though you feel like it's a $8,000 jewel... no it's an $8,000 POWER TOOL! If you keep the maintenance up to date, and don't let EGT get beyond the limits of propriety, you've met your obligation... . at that point, you are free to hammer the crap out of it, and it'll stand up and take it, and even be better each time you start it. Unless you're very young and drive a lot, you're not gonna wear it out in your lifetime. Think of it as a long-term relationship. your MPG and perceived power output will both improve, but you gotta work it, or it will stay "new" for an ungodly amount of time & miles... mine's approaching 70K (light, mostly) and still takes 1500miles to darken the motor oil. my mpg has varied from 14-21 based on conditions and driving style... best has happened on long hiways at 80-ish mph... . AMMV

[This message has been edited by rich m (edited 09-11-2000). ]

 

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I am sympathetic to your fuel mileage "problems," but there have been many good points made in other responses. First, my truck is different from yours (99 QC 4X4 5 speed). Second, I drive mostly highway - without a load. Third, my truck RARELY goes over 70 mph (which is still speeding in PA & NY).
I have now over 93,000 miles on this truck. Sometimes it runs more than 6 hours straight without being shut off. At 68 mph, I am running just around 2000 rpm.
I noticed a SERIOUS difference in fuel economy, shifting, and ride around 60,000 miles. It was like that engine just settled in for the long haul. Given the above factors, I am seeing a legitimate 20 to 22 mpg at the pump. Sure I may drive like and old lady, but that Cummins is stretching my $. 32 mileage allowance to the max.
Hang in there!

 

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Originally posted by Tim S:
... Second, I drive mostly highway - without a load... ... I noticed a SERIOUS difference in fuel economy, shifting, and ride around 60,000 miles. It was like that engine just settled in for the long haul.

VERY interesting Tim. I also rarely haul a real load - but it never occurred to me that it might take me as much as 60,000 to "break in" my new truck. Do we all have great vehicles or what? Do other "loadless" owners have similar break in stories?

P. S. - If anyone from VA is monitoring this board, look at how many replies there are to every post on "low mpg". I think there really is a market niche for an "mpg" box that adjusts timing so that us 24 valvers can match the old 12 valve mpg figures.

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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, Leer Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker

 

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Originally posted by Tim S:
I am sympathetic to your fuel mileage "problems," but there have been many good points made in other responses. First, my truck is different from yours (99 QC 4X4 5 speed). Second, I drive mostly highway - without a load. Third, my truck RARELY goes over 70 mph (which is still speeding in PA & NY).
I have now over 93,000 miles on this truck. Sometimes it runs more than 6 hours straight without being shut off. At 68 mph, I am running just around 2000 rpm.
I noticed a SERIOUS difference in fuel economy, shifting, and ride around 60,000 miles. It was like that engine just settled in for the long haul. Given the above factors, I am seeing a legitimate 20 to 22 mpg at the pump. Sure I may drive like and old lady, but that Cummins is stretching my $. 32 mileage allowance to the max.
Hang in there!

32cents a mile! You need to look into leasing,that way you write off everything,even bombing mods LOL. You can make a downpayment,leave about 5000 at the end of the lease and buy it out at the end. A good lease company will work the rates so it only costs you a little more than a regular loan,but you more than make up for that in writeoffs. Look into it,it can work real good with the right company.

 

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My truck is a 99 QC 3500 with only a K&N filter and the best I have gotten in 17,000 miles is 19. 6 on a 350 mile leg at an average of 60-70 mph. My average has been around 17 mpg and with a very large horse trailer in tow I get 9-12 depending on the wind. If everyone is correct I should see an improvement as my engine breaks in.

 

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I've noticed that mine gets alot better cruise mileage at 1700-1800 rpms. If it gets up to 2000 or higher, the mileage drops fast.

This goes along w/ what Ted Jannetty wrote in the latest TDR. Nice job Ted!

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2k, 17k miles, QC, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54,285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in", popup cmpr, 9000 lbs. 15-16. 5 mpg's. VA, DD1's, PS Boost module, DD Elbow... also, Nitrous Oxide piped direct into the block (stealth - to keep the warranty), Propane Injection, Ceramic pistons, ported heads, twin turbos, 10 gallon per minute fuel pump, ECM right out of Don Garlit's Top Fueler (he gave it to me) (for letting him ride in my truck), Super Modified DD1 Injectors ("Hand Honed" with a 1/4" reamer & my 12v Makita). #ad
More BOMBING to come!! After I think of whats next...

[This message has been edited by Shortshift (edited 09-12-2000). ]

 

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I agree HC. My main conern, (since fuel is only going to cost more as the months go by),is increasing my miles per gallon. I would purchase a cost effect aftermarket product that would do such a thing.

Question? Why does running our trucks hard, like pulling heavy loads, lead to an increase in fuel milage? Is it because the extra cylinder pressure increases the piston ring seal?


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99,2500,4x4,sbc,auto

 

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Hmmm, verrry intereseting!!! Our 91 seemed to start running very well at about 120000 mi. And after towing our 28 ft Sierra (7400 lb) out to Norfolk VA for a ride on the USS Enterprise, (now theres real power!!) our 99 mileage has gone up. I've been really scratching my bald spot over this one until I crossed this discussion. Lessee, hmmmm, wonder if'n I can talk the missus into some heavy duty break in activity at the truck pulls next summer!!

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1999 2500 4wd std cab, Rhino liner, Boss 8' front & custom 7' rear blade for snow removal
1991 W250 4WD 155k mi same as above for plow set up