New member, 1st Gen Rig

[ChasLapp]

Found TDR a few days ago and like what I saw. I'm an Oregonian trapped in Georgia working for Uncle Sam. My rig is a stock '93 W250 4x4. 92K on it, no probs, but I'm looking to do some upgrades. Got a question on gas mileage-I'm getting 19-20 mpg when running 65 mph (about 1800 +/- rpm). Any suggestions on upgrades for better mileage? I am running a K&N filter already.

TIA,

Chas.

 

[ani17uk]

Welcome! I would personally read the first two articles on the 1st gen page. It will tell you a lot. Before you start modifying you need those gauges.



Hope this is helpful.



Josh

 

[paccool]

Sounds like you are getting about average mileage now. One way to improve, you won't like this, is to slow down to 60 and see what it does.



If you get into bombing, you can kiss the 20 MPG goodbuy. Not because the bombs will get worse mileage, it will be because you are using the extra power that was created!



You will also find the rear tires get worn out much faster than the front.

 

[dpuckett]

What axle ratio do you have? If you have 3. 54s, you can gain a little at 60-65. TIming advance to about 16deg/ 1. 5-1. 6mm lift@TDC will help more than anything. ANy more than that, and you just increase cylinder pressures. I am getting in the high teens (17-19) with my non-IC 91. Winter fuel will drop you about 8-10%, depending on driving style.

I would also:

Change all fluids and filters. (Keep an eye on the filtering of the K&N).

Do or get an overhead adjustment. That will kill mileage as well.

BUmp the timing to what I specified above.

Air up your tires to 50-60 front; 50 rear if you go empty, if loaded, adjust accordingly, depending on your loads.



BOMB away. Most BOMBs will net a slight increase in mileage, IF you use it CONSERVATIVELY. I know, some guys here dont believe in that... .....



Daniel

 

[MFalkinham]

Hi Chas,



Welcome to the TDR!



Maybe you should count your blessings on getting that kind of mileage with your W250. I'm assuming that you have a manual transmission and 3. 54 gears.



My stock '92 W350 with auto and 4. 10's gets about 15 mpg at those speeds running empty. I figure the auto costs me 1-mpg, the 4wd transfer case subtracts another 1-mpg, the DRW is yet another 1-mpg, and the 4. 10's are probably another 1 or 2-mpg.



I sure wouldn't mind better fuel economy, but we have to be realistic with our expectations. These are full-sized pickup trucks after all. Just my 2 cents.



- Mike

 

[Mel Fuelling]

Chas.

I would recommend that you reread paccool' post at least once.



I work out of my truck, so it weighs about 9k. Summer fuel and cruise control give me 19mpg @ 65-70mph on I-80. 60mph on cruise gave me 23mpg and a lot of people shaking their fist at me on secondary roads when I tried it twice two years ago.



The mild bombing that I have done has improved driveability, lowered passing exposure times, and often put a smile on my face; but hasn't had any affect on mpg while on cruise control.



Mel

 

[paccool]

Daniel,



Thats what I was talking about, most of us don't go the conservative route!Oo. If the power is there, I like to use it.



Stan

 

[ChasLapp]

Hey All,

Thanks for the insights and advice! Guess I won't complain too much with the mpg's I'm getting as of now. I haven't owned my rig for very long-Dad is ****** he sold it to me-says his '99 same-flavor-model is not the truck the 93 is. I'll be installing gauges and scoring some manuals first thing. And reading.

Chas.

 

[JLEONARD]

Chas,

I guess it pretty much sucks to be the "old man" then don't it!!

Good luck with the new old rig...

Better mileage????

Keep the foot out of the firewall if you can... ... .....

AND

enjoy the ride... ..... and the sick company here!!!

My dad passed down a 62 Pontiac LeMans 4 cyl (1/2 of a 326) ... auto on the dash... anyone remember those? Wish I didn't!!!!!

East Coast Jay

 

[KeithTaylor]

Welcome to TDR! The first gen group is a bunch of great people and the information found here is excellent!

Keith

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by MFalkinham

Maybe you should count your blessings on getting that kind of mileage with your W250. I'm assuming that you have a manual transmission and 3. 54 gears... .

Drove from Calhan CO to Chicago to buy AMikonis's 92 W250. It was stock as far as we could tell (complete w/21cm housing), and I AVERAGED 22. 5 mpg the whole 1300mi trip. Stopped every 400mi for the car, and I never put more than 18 gal in the truck per stop. One stretch got 23. 25, I think, so the potential is there, just have to work at it, and see what happens. Learn to drive by your gauges, and use the speedo as a secondary ticket preventive. Grossed at 16K, the same truck got 16 mpg going 65-70, and had been BOMBed "slightly"- ok it would push 30 psi through a stock H1C



Daniel

 

[1stgen4evr]

trapped in Georgia

You will love TDR as time goes on. The same for Georgia if you escape from Savanah. Beautiful place, been there done that. Been over a lot of the lower 48 and AK. Georgia has one of almost everything that every other place has including some stuff no body likes. Diamond back rattlers, nats.



First chance you get, go up above the fall line. Check out the fishing in some of the lakes. Try the mountains. Bird hunting. Deer hunting. Dear hunting. Check out Smileys flea market in Macon.



Georgia has more military installations than any other state. GIs come from all over the US and they have a way of staying for a lifetime.



Welcome to TDR and Georgia from a Georgia boy.



Just love the truck and don't sweat the mileage.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[ChasLapp]

Thanks again for the welcome to TDR. Great group of folks! No worries on the mileage-just hafta tweak until I get it right. I've learned quite a bit from everything I've read on TDR in the last few days. Also passed the site on to a friend at work that drives a '94 CTD. He'll probably join as well.



1stgen4ever-James,

Georgia is growing on me-didn't mean to sound negative about it. Just missing the Oregon mountains. You're right about those sand gnats! Jaws with wings! Got a little deer hunting in this past year and learned quite a bit as in "now have climbing treestand-will sit". Whitetails are a definite change from muleys, blacktails and elk!



Charles

 

[prototech]

Welcome Charles,

I average about 16 mpg with my auto trans, doesen't seem to matter what I improve mpg stays the same so far! good luck!

proto