Show Down! Who's got the best mpg AND power?

[doldenburg]

I think Turbo Kid is the only one here not full of bs

 

[Tomeygun]

I think Turbo Kid is the only one here not full of bs

Keep in mind that me and Sradke BOTH have a SO motor and a 5-spd



I think that 18-20mpg for a 250 hp motor is not BS at all (and yes, it is a 250 motor when the boxes are not active) - 450+hp when they are



There has always been a direct correlation between HP and mileage - so wouldn't our little SO motors get good mileage when not at full tilt?

 

[bmoeller]

I'm probably near 100% over stock, power-wise. Need to dyno, to know for sure. Gained a steady 2-2. 5mpg, running 55-60. Gained 1. 3mpg running 70-75 on the interstate. Have gotten up to 17. 5, before the flatbed went on. The bed knocked it back down some.



This is with 4. 10 gears and the dinky stock sized tires. I never broke over 15mpg with the 150hp 6. 9L in the '86/3. 55 gears and 235, or the 255-85-16 tires.

 

[doldenburg]

Keep in mind that me and Sradke BOTH have a SO motor and a 5-spd



I think that 18-20mpg for a 250 hp motor is not BS at all (and yes, it is a 250 motor when the boxes are not active) - 450+hp when they are



There has always been a direct correlation between HP and mileage - so wouldn't our little SO motors get good mileage when not at full tilt?

OK,I'll say 20 mpg is possible as my 04 1/2 I got from you has improved some as it gets more miles on it. still 16-17 is the best it will do. I stand by my BS comment. 27 mpg ?unbelievable!I have read other hi figures on tdr I think they are only fooling theirself.

 

[sangell]

doldenburg, I agree with you on the 27mpg being BS. I can also atest to Floor Its power and mileage. Mind you his high mpg is on the intersate keeping the motor under 2k rpms. The truck in my sig (is not stock as the sig states) with a AFE full 4" and a EZ when on the interstate empty keeping it under 2k rpms gets a hand calculated 19 to 20 mpg. Combined city and inter is 16 to 17 mpg. Last dyno run was 311hp 634tq.



Scott

 

[SRadke]

I will in no way argue for the accuracy of the 27 mpg comment. He said himself that's off the overhead and we all know what happens to the accuracy of those with the addition of a fueling box.



I will also go on to say that every mod I've made to this truck (and I've made a few ) has helped it in some way, some with mileage, some with power, some by lowering temps. Many did a combination of all of the above but none hurt any of the above. When new I was overall averaging 15 mpg, now 17-18. Last tank mostly freeway at 2200 rpm, right at 20. That's no BS. I stand behind all of my previous comments.



-Scott

 

[MarcRoth]

Mpg

On my 04. 5 410 gear auto with TST 13. 5 to 15 tops only 6k on the meter. Would love to see 20 but not gonna happen. 27mpg. . Thats a hard swallow. Marc

 

[RTuvell]

I actually got 28 MPG hand calculated (filled to brim before and after) for an entire tank. It was in May 2004 and I was on a cross country freeway trip on I-80 driving solo with no load. I set the cruise control on 1850 rpm and just let her roll. I commonly get 23+ during freeway driving.



Guys, please don't be accusing me of BS, I don't have a reason to misrepresent anything here. The thread title asked for reports on the best MPG and I get great MPG. I consider myself very fortunate.



I don't have an HP to report since I've never been on a dyno.

 

[Donn]

Ya that is down hill 45 degree with a 60 mph tail wind and all of the sails up (for help) However in the real world my 2004. 5 gets an average of 13

 

[SRadke]

I actually got 28 MPG hand calculated (filled to brim before and after) for an entire tank. It was in May 2004 and I was on a cross country freeway trip on I-80 driving solo with no load. I set the cruise control on 1850 rpm and just let her roll. I commonly get 23+ during freeway driving.

You've got a couple things going for you. 2wd is huge, usually worth 2-3 mpg. 6-speed give you a realtively high overdrive with less drivetrain loss than an auto and 1850 rpm is less than 60 mph so you weren't pushing things. The 03's also get inherantly better mileage than the 600's so I can believe that number. The fact that you backed the statment up with 23 being more common give you more credibility. I know how much 4X4 hurts the aerodynamics, I lost over 1 mpg lifting my truck 4" still running stock tires.



-Scott

 

[johncameron]

Actually, the 6er has a OD ratio of 0. 73 the auto has a od ratio of 0. 69 That means the auto goes about 4mph faster at the same rpm on the highway. It has less loss as you said. BTW, my best ever was 21. 7MPG. my average is around 18.

 

[RTuvell]

You've got a couple things going for you. 2wd is huge, usually worth 2-3 mpg. 6-speed give you a realtively high overdrive with less drivetrain loss than an auto and 1850 rpm is less than 60 mph so you weren't pushing things. The 03's also get inherantly better mileage than the 600's so I can believe that number. The fact that you backed the statment up with 23 being more common give you more credibility. I know how much 4X4 hurts the aerodynamics, I lost over 1 mpg lifting my truck 4" still running stock tires.



-Scott

Actually 1850 rpm in 6th gear for my 03 is more like 64-65 mph.



I'm sure that there were a few other factors that contributed to my 28 MPG run. I was the only person in the vehicle and there was no load in the bed. I was on cruise control, on a freeway, and there was no stopping, slowing down, acceleration, or shifting for the entire tank of fuel. Once I set the cruise control the engine was just idling with very little change in load. Probably the ideal conditions for a maximum MPG run.

 

[Moose]

I recently saw over 22 mpg (hand calc) on a 550mi trip to New Orleans with a slight tail wind and the TST PMCR on 2x3 with a lil playing along the way... Comming back I was getting 21 mpg with a 20mph head wind and a bit more playing with 4x2... . My average speed on both trips was around 67 mph and my rpm's around 2000... . My truck still has the stock tires and 3. 73 gears



Moose

 

[abranz]

Boy, glad to hear everyone's getting better milage than me. My 02 was consistent 18-20mpg. My 05', although not broken in is between 13 & 17. It is very sensitive to cruising speed: 17mpg @ 65mph, 14-15mpg @ 75mph.

Anthony in Idaho

 

[chi440]

Looks like my milage is in the ballpark

towing 29ft wildcat fiver to Atlanta - 12. 6/12. 7 AVG 60-63mph

Return trip - 16. 7/17 avg mostly 70-75 over half then slowing to 45-55 during last 80 miles or so - snow storm settled in...

8k on clock



Should have checked the milage during the 6-9% downhill grade for 5-7miles just for bragging rights... :-laf

 

[White Ram1]

My average hand calc is only about 12 mpg city, empty. Highway has only been about 14 mpg, empty. I've only got 8,700 miles plus or minus on it. No mods other than a leveling kit and tires that say 35" and actually only 33" tall.



I expected a lot better milage after reading all the 18 mpg up to 20 mpg city and higher comments that I read on this website before buying my CTD. Been pretty disappointed with actual mpg. :{

 

[doldenburg]

My average hand calc is only about 12 mpg city, empty. Highway has only been about 14 mpg, empty. I've only got 8,700 miles plus or minus on it. No mods other than a leveling kit and tires that say 35" and actually only 33" tall.



I expected a lot better milage after reading all the 18 mpg up to 20 mpg city and higher comments that I read on this website before buying my CTD. Been pretty disappointed with actual mpg. :{

yours is about where mine started out. I'm at 16-17 at best if I baby it, Under 60 mph with no fast aceleration hi-way mileage. I'm at around 25,000 now on my 04 1/2. This is my fourth ctd. the best mileage was my93 at 19 mpg. I think overinflated mpg is questionable at best.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

The best I saw was a tank that I ran completely dry last summer. I have a 2004 4x4 LWB QC w/ 315/70/17, and at the time an EZ, 5" exhaust and airraid intake. I got 19. 9 mpg (hand calc) and a whopping 827. 7 miles on that tank. Here's some more detailed info:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109936&highlight=miles

 

[redram]

Here is honest mileage for a 96 5 speed with 172K on it. Averaged over the last year, 53 fillups. 19. 2 mpg for all types of driving. Only towed once in May, if you remove these the 'average' increases to 19. 3 mpg. This is running unloaded, a dually with Michellin XPS, 225/75-16 (shorter than stock so the final drive rollout - ratio is slightly shorter (3. 69 versus stock 3. 55) - means higher engine rpm. I've corrected the speedometer drive gear for the shorter tires I typically drive 70 - motor turns 2250. If I could ever drive at 2000 rpm, this truck would average in the low 20's, probably 21. 8-22. 8. But 27 mpg? I'm told that bumping the timing helps but 5 mpg! I guess I need to find that US Gear 2 speed splitter if by dropping my RPM from 2250 to 1850 will get me 27 mpg. I could pay for the splitter in no time with the price of diesel fuel on that increase. ROI would still be 4 years but look at the reduced load on the engine!



I have to keep records in that my fuel module is messed up. It's easier to do this than pony up several hundred dollars for a new module.



Engine is stock except for an AFE air filter, the cat replaced with a 3. 5 inch pipe, and an early Banks cat back exhaust that I bought used from the TDR - no performance mods to the 215 / 440 engine or fuel pump. Original timing (12. 5), original injectors, etc.



I do have Alcoa's which seem to run truer (less vibration) than the stock steel rims.







DateVehicle MileageTrip MileageAmountfuel qty $/gal MPG



03/12/03 144588 531 $50. 00 29. 959 1. 669 17. 7

03/26/03 145062 474. 5 $40. 01 25. 500 1. 569 18. 6

04/30/03 145595 532. 5 $40. 00 29. 876 1. 339 17. 8

6/1/2003 146084 489. 1 $38. 00 27. 550 1. 379 17. 8

7/12/2003 146561 477. 5 $38. 65 28. 440 1. 359 16. 8

8/23/2003 147058 496. 2 $37. 00 26. 831 1. 379 18. 5

10/11/2003 147555 497. 3 $37. 01 27. 638 1. 339 18. 0

10/28/2003 148095 540. 5 $38. 00 27. 959 1. 359 19. 3

12/31/2003 148509 414 $29. 00 21. 340 1. 359 19. 4

1/11/2004 148980 470. 2 $40. 00 27. 414 1. 459 17. 2

1/16/2004 149461 481. 5 $34. 50 22. 273 1. 549 21. 6

1/19/2004 149961 500. 5 $38. 00 25. 347 1. 499 19. 7

1/21/2004 150459 497. 4 $40. 00 25. 821 1. 499 19. 3

1/27/2004 150902 442. 8 $34. 00 21. 948 1. 549 20. 2

2/1/2004 151383 481. 2 $36. 00 24. 017 1. 499 20. 0

2/26/2004 151800 417. 7 $30. 00 20. 010 1. 499 20. 9

3/17/2004 152262 461. 3 $37. 00 24. 039 1. 539 19. 2

4/5/2004 152748 486. 4 $36. 00 23. 091 1. 559 21. 1

4/15/2004 153244 496. 2 $35. 00 22. 305 1. 569 22. 2

5/1/2004 154189 437. 2 $34. 00 21. 806 1. 559 20. 0

5/1/2004 154568 378. 3 $42. 00 25. 010 1. 679 15. 1

5/1/2004 154975 407. 4 $40. 00 23. 964 1. 669 17. 0

5/4/2004 155428 453. 3 $43. 00 28. 686 1. 499 15. 8

6/16/2004 155944 515. 5 $44. 50 26. 340 1. 689 19. 6

6/24/2004 156396 452. 4 $37. 00 22. 574 1. 639 20. 0

6/29/2004 156896 500 $41. 25 26. 122 1. 579 19. 1

7/7/2004 157404 507. 9 $40. 00 25. 991 1. 539 19. 5

7/16/2004 157947 542. 6 $41. 00 25. 964 1. 579 20. 9

7/27/2004 158466 519. 8 $43. 00 27. 058 1. 589 19. 2

8/4/2004 158983 517 $42. 25 25. 315 1. 669 20. 4

8/11/2004 159493 509. 6 $47. 00 28. 161 1. 669 18. 1

8/23/2004 160036 543. 8 $47. 50 28. 123 1. 689 19. 3

8/30/2004 160544 507. 9 $46. 75 26. 882 1. 739 18. 9

9/5/2004 160949 404. 6 $35. 50 20. 413 1. 739 19. 8

9/14/2004 161444 494. 7 $42. 75 24. 440 1. 749 20. 2

9/24/2004 161934 490. 7 $48. 25 25. 542 1. 889 19. 2

10/1/2004 162461 526. 7 $48. 00 25. 278 1. 899 20. 8

10/13/2004 162988 527 $50. 00 25. 013 1. 999 21. 1

10/19/2004 163527 539 $63. 01 30. 902 2. 039 17. 4

10/25/2004 164046 519 $60. 25 29. 261 2. 059 17. 7

11/11/2004 164539 488. 6 $50. 00 24. 765 2. 019 19. 7

11/13/2004 165038 498. 7 $54. 33 27. 734 1. 959 18. 0

11/24/2004 165551 513 $53. 50 26. 763 1. 999 19. 2

12/2/2004 166044 492. 7 $52. 60 26. 988 1. 949 18. 3

12/8/2004 166480 435. 8 $42. 25 21. 568 1. 959 20. 2

12/22/2004 166974 494. 3 $49. 00 26. 218 1. 869 18. 9

1/3/2005 167496 522. 5 $54. 25 29. 499 1. 839 17. 7

1/14/2005 168478 449. 5 $42. 00 22. 115 1. 899 20. 3

1/19/2005 169005 526. 8 $52. 00 28. 585 1. 819 18. 4

2/1/2005 169479 474. 1 $45. 00 24. 205 1. 859 19. 6

2/8/2005 169985 506. 2 $47. 00 25. 836 1. 819 19. 6

2/14/2005 170523 537. 9 $51. 75 27. 836 1. 859 19. 3

2/21/2005 171022 499. 2 $45. 00 24. 482 1. 839 20. 4

3/3/2005 171539 516. 5 $50. 00 25. 266 1. 979 20. 4

24923 25422. 3 $2,238. 86 1336. 315 1. 673 19. 2

 

[JohnnyH]

LOL, Redram... . how long did that post take to write. Looks like good info.