Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) These trucks amaze me.

[TboneMan]

So I drive from Syracuse, NY to Washington,DC and back to Seneca Falls, NY on a single tank of fuel. A total of 776. 3 miles on the tank, fuel economy of 22. 63 mpg.



This is an all stock, 6 speed, quad cab, 4x4 with an 8' box and 216,000 mile on it. I wasn't towing anything, but I'm still amazed that these things can be this efficient.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

what was your average speed? I have gotten 20. 5 not taking it easy at all (70-80 mph with a combo of tail and cross winds)..... a feat that I have yet to duplicate

 

[John - K5AWO]

Be happy my friends.

16/mpg is the best I have ever seen. I can pull 15 mpg by keeping the speed below 60 pulling a 16 ft box trailer on flat ground. `1 ton 4x4s just aren't fuel efficient.

Truck weighs 7,000 empty.

 

[Sticks]

I've 22 once, and that was even a trip through the mountains from Denver to Moab and back.

Now I am lucky to break 16.

Aerodynamics, tires, and alignment... never mind the right foot. I put on a brush guard on the bumper and lost 2 MPG right away.

 

[TboneMan]

what was your average speed? I have gotten 20. 5 not taking it easy at all (70-80 mph with a combo of tail and cross winds)..... a feat that I have yet to duplicate

I-81 South, 67mph. When on US 15, VA 7 and I66 - variable, lots of stop and go in areas. When open driving, I did 60 if posted 55, 67 if posted 65, and speed limit whenever posted less than 55.



My truck hasn't seen 80 mph in years. I don't like buying fuel. I now have a annual fuel economy for the year of over 19mpg (including winter driving), and a lifetime average of 17. 74 mpg (including probably 15,000 of towing).



When fuel got up to $3. 00 back in 2005, I slowed my butt down to the speed limit (plus a little bit) and it has saved me. I had annual averages of low 16's. Now I'm in the high 18's low 19's for the year. Rough calculations puts this at about $600 a year savings (in a typical year of driving).

 

[TBartlett1]

I agree, my 1990 (purchased new) 5spd w250 with 4. 10's returned approx 19~20 mpg during its lifetime of 17 years.

I have grossed just shy if 22k lbs on a few rare occasions in the mountainous Berkshires of Massachusetts.

On 1 occasion I was concerned about breaking the gooseneck off my trailer to avoid going thru the city because of my weight & a large fine if caught. Never did that again.

It has never failed nor disappointed me. The only shortcoming has been brakes which are not nearly powerful enough. No fault of the truck.

That particular truck is gone but the engine & transmission live on in another 1990 w250.

The driveshaft & universals which were transplanted in my current ride are original with over 300k on them.

Guess that's why I currently own 3 1990's, a P-pumped 1999 and my son a 1998.

Long Live The KING!!!

 

[mhenon]

I've been averaging >23mpg this whole summer on a 125 mile commute to work (one way!). The rig's empty and I set the CC @ 62mph whenever possible.

At 120K miles I can only imagine what a new set of injector might get me!!!

Mike

 

[Cowboy]

john k5awo- as I see in your signature, you're running a 4:10 rear, that and the fact that you havent changed to a free breathing intake or exhaust, is restricting your efficiency, these "small" motors really respond to airflow, no real need to pump up fuel delivery, unless you are after monster power. but more air, better throttle response, more MPG,your rig has the potential of reaching 20+ MPG with absolutely NO sacrifice in reliability, or driveability, by just going to a low restriction intake, and 4"exhaust. Then, what usually happens,you will be so impressed by the results of these few mods, a year later, we"ll see you at the SHOW,outpulling, outrunning, and generally putting all gas motored trucks and most dirtymax powered rigs,ENJOY

 

[JPauley]

My overall average, hand calculated from every drop of fuel I have put in my truck since purchased is 17. 3 MPG. I typically get over 20 MPG on highway only driving, with a high 23. 7 on a two lane flat road in the middle of nowhere with no wind. Average highway is between 21 and 22 depending on speed, wind, and driving conditions. Commuting 90% traffic 10% open highway I have averaged 18. 7. Towing is another story, but is included in my overall average MPG of 17. 3. I am pleased, in that my last truck was a 1998 12V QC LB 4x4 truck and did similar mileage.

 

[ALepley]

Yeah you might say they arent effficient at first but take a 3/4 ton truck with a 360 or the hemi then see how much different the mpgs are!

 

[TboneMan]

Yeah you might say they arent effficient at first but take a 3/4 ton truck with a 360 or the hemi then see how much different the mpgs are!

I've got a friend who has a short box, mega cab, 4x4, auto. , Ram 1500 with the Hemi. His camping trailer is almost 2000 pounds less than mine. My towing mileage is twice his, and I can power up hills with easy while he struggles.



In 4 years or so when my current sheet metal refurb. has been eaten away by winter road salt, I'll have a tough choice to make. By that time I'll have over 300,000 miles on the the truck. If the mechanical components are still in good shape, I may have to drop another 4 grand into the body again. I don't want one of the new "clean" diesels that use twice the fuel.

 

[mhenon]

I almost sold my rig after we bought a house and were no longer full-time RV'ing. My thinking was there must be some little 150 out there that would get better mileage than a big ol' HD 2500 Ram/Cummins weighing in at over 7000lbs empty!

WRONG! There's damn few pickups of any size that can touch the Cummins when it comes to mileage. No need to mention power, torque, etc. .

Mike

 

[Cowboy]

makes you wonder why ALL cars and trucks sold in big wide open America aren't diesels, huh? you think its partly because of thos 96 million lawyers in Californicateu?

 

[mhenon]

Or maybe it's just big oil with one hand around the throat of our auto companies and the other in the pocket of our politicians. Last thing in the world they want to see is a country full of fuel efficient vehicles, diesel or otherwise, skimping on fuel or worse yet burning biofuels. Shareholders wouldn't be happy!!!

 

[TboneMan]

makes you wonder why ALL cars and trucks sold in big wide open America aren't diesels, huh? you think its partly because of thos 96 million lawyers in Californicateu?

We wouldn't have enough fuel. We ship so much diesel to Europe (and they ship us gasoline) to support their high percentage that we'd never be able to "brew" enough. I do want a VW Golf TDI however. Maybe next year.