Here I am

2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel MPG?

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lost reverse & OD

2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Where to buy...

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sorta curious as to what MPG others are seeing with their later 2nd generation trucks - 24 valvers especially? Just returned from a 1500 mile round trip down to California and back - checked MPG from Reno on back here to home in the John Day Oregon area - and got just a nudge better than 23 MPG - that's mixed flatland/mountain driving. at speeds from 60 to 70 MPH, depending on state speed limits. Non-towing, but loaded truck with 2 passengers weighs 8K lbs. MPG was hand-calculated, tank was fully topped off at beginning and end of test. Lying overhead claimed 29 MPG - but already knew it was 5 or more MPG on the high side. ;):-laf



SO, how does my MPG compare to some of you other guys? :confused:
 
From Oregon City, OR to Cody, Wyoming and back averaging 60 to 70, I'm lucky to see 19 MPG. Must be nice Gary. :) I've got an auto, so that accounts for some (but not all) of the difference.

Ron
 
My commute is about 32 miles each way. I run 65-70 most of the way with some traffic in the afternoon. I can break 18 mpg, but that's it. The Edge stage 2 nozzles DID NOT help mpg. Right foot fun factor is not an issue. I've kept months worth of fuel logs. After the injector install I saw no mpg change during normal driving and a drop in mpg towing.



I know this isn't an injector thread, but if I had it to do again I would get the 40 hp DDPs.
 
I just returned from a trip to Seattle, Washington from central California, about 2,000 miles. I started a couple of hundred miles south of Reno on hwy 395 then crossed over to I-5 from Susanville, (for those who know the area). A lot of mountain driving until central Oregon then its fairly flat north of that. Most driving was 60 to 70 mph, two passengers, two large heavy toolboxs and luggage.



Hand calculated my best mileage per fill-up was 22. 2 mpg, worst was 19. 6 mpg with an overall average of between 20 and 21 mpg. I usually run the edge juice on number one but I shut it off a couple of times during the trip and lost about one mpg running stock. Around town I usually average 17 to 18 mpg.



It's incredible the mileage these trucks get considering what they weigh. I'll never get rid of mine, no matter how high the price of fuel gets.
 
Last edited:
I don't wish to rain on anyone's parade, but I must ask: are your odometers accurate? Remember, TDR is about accurate, meaningful information. With the way tires and sizes are swapped around, there's a fair chance your truck is not registering elapsed distance correctly, which will skew your fuel economy calculations. But there's an easy way to calculate the true MPG; it requires going for a 200+ mile drive.



Note your odo reading at a particular mile marker, and note it 100 mile markers later. Then subtract the first reading from the second reading, divide by 100, and divide your calculated mileage by this quotient. This will be your true MPG:

Code:
Formula:



   MPG_true = MPG_calc / ((Odo_miles_end - Odo_miles_begin) / 100)



or (more simply)



   MPG_true = MPG_calc x 100 / (Odo_miles_end - Odo_miles_begin)



So, suppose you calculated 18 MPG, but your odometer indicates 110 miles passed when you really travelled only 100 miles. Your true MPG would be 16. 4 = 100 x 18 / 110, because you really travelled 10% fewer miles than you thought (fewer real miles per gallon).



Or, suppose you calculated 18 MPG, but your odometer indicates you only travelled 90 miles when you really travelled 100. Your true MPG would be 20 = 100 x 18 / 90. because you really travelled 11% more miles than you thought (more real miles per gallon).



Highway mile markers are rarely accurate by themselves (I've seen them up to 10% off), but are pretty accurate over longer distances. I've found that 100 miles in mile markers is pretty consistent around the country. I used this method to set my TruSpeed unit; my speedometer and odometer are accurate within 1%.



If you want to make the math easier, you can track how many real miles passed in 100 odometer miles. Getting the actual miles travelled this way requires a little more thought; but the final math is much easier:

Code:
Formula:



   MPG_true = MPG_calc x (Milemarker_last - Milemarker_first) / 100



or



   MPG_true = MPG_calc x Milemarkers_actual / 100

Now you simply multiply your calculated MPG by the actual mile markers passed, then shift the decimal point of the result two places to the left.




Technically, you can use any ratio of actual miles to odometer miles, but you want to use enough miles to average out the inconsistencies in highway mile marker placement. I use 100 because it's easier to compute usin' me noggin. You can even use this method to verify the accuracy of your GPS unit, or use GPS to double-check. You can even test your kids'/spouses' math skills: keep them busy (and quiet) doing something useful and meaningful. And you can see how long it takes them to realize that the actual-to-indicated ratio doesn't change much from tank to tank. :D :D
 
No rain on my parade! ;)



I've checked my displayed mileage against 2 different GPS units - they all agreed with each other within 2/10ths of a mile, out of 300 miles traveled - And, had one of them with me on this last trip - so unless the satelites are wrong... ;) :)



I made a point of calibrating my odometer after going to my larger, 285 tires on my truck.



Using math is the old fashioned way... :-laf:-laf
 
I would like to know how in the world you guys get such great MPG numbers. I have owned my truck since it was new and never saw better than 16. I am on my second engine, second transmission, second turbo, and second injector pump. I have run her with the stock computer, the banks ottomind and now a smarty. I have run her dry and wet and now I can not get over the 14. 5 mark. I know I lost some when I went to the 19. 5's and I lost a couple with the "new and improved" diesel. I had the gear vendor on and it was fun but no mileage increase. What gives?
 
3. 54's, 19. 5's and a GV O/D? Talk about seriously low engine RPMs. No wonder the mileage sucks. Out of the sweet spot.

What do you have for engine airflow improvements? If none, you need some. BHAF, aftermarket 3-piece exhaust manifold, open exhaust (with or without straight through muffler).

Everything I've done so far, has improved mileage on both trucks. :D The fan clutch is stuck on, on the '99, so the mileage sucks right now. Best of 14 mpg so far with it. Speed hasn't made a single difference. Last 2 mpg checks prior to today, have been 13. 6 and 13. 7. 14 today, with mostly running 65-70mph.

The '97 was getting a best of 16. 1, in stock form. BOMBed with the 370's, HX40, straight-piped and ATS exhaust manifold got me up to 17. 5/18 mpg before the flatbed went on. Lost 3mpg with the flatbed. :(
 
Last edited:
I would like to know how in the world you guys get such great MPG numbers. I have owned my truck since it was new and never saw better than 16. I am on my second engine, second transmission, second turbo, and second injector pump. I have run her with the stock computer, the banks ottomind and now a smarty. I have run her dry and wet and now I can not get over the 14. 5 mark. I know I lost some when I went to the 19. 5's and I lost a couple with the "new and improved" diesel. I had the gear vendor on and it was fun but no mileage increase. What gives?

- - - -

'01 3500 Sport 4x4 LBQC HO-6spd 3:54-Mag Hytec F/R-FASS-FAST-Banks-275's-Brentz 19. 5-GV O/U-Ute Front w/ SS Shackles-Viper Hood-PSC '03 Front System-Griffin Rad/Int-5k Rear Bags-10 Autometer C/F-Alpine-Sirius-Toughbook-Ram Mount-National Air Seats-Reese 30k-Taylor Rack-150gal.



Your basic problem is right there in your sig - the part that sez "4x4"... :-laf



The largest single reason I bought my '02, was because it was NOT a 4x4 - getting a truck equipped like mine, a fully loaded quad cab, without 4x4 was nearly impossible in my part of the country without a special order - and when I finally stumbled into this one, I didn't leave the lot without it! But that was down in sunny California, North Bay Area - didn't NEED 4x4 - OR the extra MPG it sucks in normal driving. Of course, we now live up here in icy and snowy Eastern Oregon... :-laf



One thing that helps my specific truck, is the Edge Comp - down on the lowest setting, 1x1, it actually DE-fuels, and gets better MPG and less smoke than if switched off. That, plus steady speeds and low speed limits helps a great deal...
 
I used to get 20 mpg on the highway 19 mpg in town when new after I put on the 265's I'm getting around 18 to 19 mpg highway 18 mpg average. Of course somethihing like the p7100 or the injectors could be getting tired.
 
Before I put the Leer topper on the truck I was getting about 21 and small change. But after the topper, my milage dropped dramatically. Down to about 17 and some.

WD
 
I was getting 19 on the 2 laners at 65 mph and 17 on the interstates here in wonderful windy Wyoming. (Unloaded of course. ) I have no idea what I'll get after the rebuilds, cam, exhaist, etc. I know I have been saying this for awhile but I'll say it again... ... . I shouldbe driving by Tuesday! I have everything ready to go except two valves. (Waiting on two sets of locks. ) If I get my way I'll have a 500 mile trip on Tuesday and I can report back at ya!
 
Well... the GV was awesome in the PNW... I could click her into OD at 75 and kick her up to 105 at 2000. :eek: I just cruised for hours then. Montana didn't have a speed limit and with a Passport 8500 I was covered in the states that did care. The mileage wasn't bad then... 15 MPG at 105... but alas... many moons ago. :rolleyes:

I saw 1. 5 MPG with the Dynatracs and I have fixed just about every screw up DC did on this truck. Other than aero's.

I know she weighs more than a 2wd... she does sit higher... but I still can't imagine that being worth 8 - 10 mpg. :confused:

I do have the ATS 3 piece, the 4" exhaust and I have run the K & N in the past. That is my next test. I also have a 14 cm housing and a Big Head actuator to put on along with some new 275's. I am trying to do one thing at a time and keep track of what is happening across the board. Time is limited right now as I am in my busy season with work.

Thanx for the input guys. Keep it coming. Oo.
 
A steady foot on the old go peddle is very important I have found. That and knowing TRUE miles traveled and keeping the rpms between 1800-2000. If I run steady speeds of 50-60 mph I can get up to 24 mpg with my 98. 5 24 valve here on the northwest roads. Now around the farm and town the average is closer to 16-18 mpg. When I get on the interstate to travel to Boise or the Oregon Coast I set the speed according to the GPS at dead on 65 mph vs. what I would run in college which was closer to 75 mph without the aid of the GPS and what a huge difference that made in fuel economy. Allot of people pass me, but I will take getting passed and getting 21-22 mpg vs. the few mins gained. Plus the state patrol seem to leave you alone if you go the speed limit…. Who would have guessed.
 
Average tank, 50/50 hwy commute/around town, 18-19 mpg



Hwy empty 65-70 mph, 21-22 mpg



Towing 32ft 5er, 10,500 lbs +/- usually 13mpg @55-60 mph.

Curiously, towing around 65 mph, mpg is around 14 per.



Sam
 
One thing I've been curious about, is what "tweaks" EPA and CARB have dictated in the ECM fueling and timing curves of the few states such as California vs the rest of the states, that impact economy and performance?



When I switched from my OEM ECM, to to replacement I intended as a spare, my MPG especially seemed to make a small jump to the better - maybe imagination and wishful thinking I suppose - but my last 2 MPG check-runs both were the decidedly BEST I have seen with my truck - and power certainly has not suffered, either! The replacement I'm now running - my OEM ECM is now the "spare" - is a later build date than my OEM, and originated somewhere back east - so *might* be slightly different internal programming? :confused:
 
I've never got 20mpg out of any cummins I've owned from 89 through 04, some were 2 wheel drives and got close, mileage on my 01 has dropped 1 to 2 mpg since ultra low sulfur diesel came out
 
I did a trip last month from Syracuse to Carlisle, PA and back. Kept the cruise set to 68. I got 22 mpg. That's with 4 gal. of "home brew" biodiesel mixed into the tank.



Life time average (198,000 miles) = 17. 6 mpg.



In 2005, when fuel began to skyrocket, I made a decided to SLOW DOWN. On my commute to work (90% highway) I drive 66 mph (speed limit is 65). On trips I'll do 68-70 or exact speed limit in fast states.



Year Avg MPG

2000 17. 4

2001 18. 3

2002 16. 6

2003 16. 6

2004 16. 7

2005 18. 3

2006 18. 5

2007 18. 6

2008 18. 1

2009 18. 2



Spreadsheets don't lie. It is all about the right foot!



Note: I live in the snow belt and use 4WD frequently in the winter. I tow about 750-1000 mile year. In 2008 I only drove the truck 10,000 due to the high cost of fuel (it was cheaper to drive the wife's Charger R/T).
 
Average 15. 5 empty city/hwy - pulling 32 ft 5th wheel, 21k loaded = consistent 10

Power Puck added and made a 2000 mile trip - same mileage 10 mpg - Believe my empty mileage has dropped since adding the Puck?
 
If I can keep the speed between 55 and 65 miles an hour I can get 22 to 23 miles a gallon ,That is with A 4X4 Running empty With about 600 pounds of camping gear in the back. When I tow the toy hauler at sixty miles an hour i get between 10 To 15 miles a gallon, pending and road conditions whether and inclines .
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top