TSB-018-037-04 and 4x2 6-speeds...

[ndennis]

Good Morning: Most of the mileage issues I had read about concern the 4x4 crowd.

I have a 2004. 5 4x2 3500 SRW with a utility bed and maybe 1000 lbs of tools and supplies. On the last tank, I short shifted(1500-1800 rpm) under rather light throttle(except when I really needed to go quick) and drove at 67mph(2000 rpm) and checked mileage: 17. 6 over head and 18. 45 hand calculated. This tank was probably 50-50 city/highway with some stop-n-go mixed in. This is a CA truck running on CA diesel(2. 35 per gallon as of last friday). I do not have white smoke... . has a little rattle/pinging sound... . and needs a bit more cranking to start when warm.

The question is for the 4x2 owners who have had the reflash(and really anyone else with an opinion):

Should I be happy with what I have in mileage? or take a chance at having the TSB applied to this beast?

When I drive it normally, I am getting 16. 5-17. 5 mpg... hand calculated... tank filled to the rim.



N Dennis

 

[ttreibel]

Vaughn had an 03 with almost the same set up as you and he saw mileage around 22 on the highway. I think the reflash might help you seems to help others but you will probably never see the mileage that a early third gen or second gen gets. I guess I should not say never because you never know when a box or computer hack may come along.

 

[klenger]

I am pleased with the TSB results with my 4WD. I would thing that a 2WD would benefit also. More is better. I suspect, but have not confirmed that the 05's being delivered already have this software from the factory. I think that time will tell that it is a good change, but if you are concerned, it won't hurt to wait, other than maybe burning a few more gallons of #2.

 

[Cajun4x4]

Same here! I gained almost 2MPG better after the reflash on my DRW.

 

[GCrowell]

TSB and Towing

Ken,

Your numbers are encouraging. Have you towed since getting the TSB done? If so, what are your conclusions? I am thinking seriously about getting it done because I am one of those with 'not so great' mileage numbers, both towing and empty.



Thanks,

George

 

[klenger]

I have not towed yet. I have planed a short trip this weekend. I have my doubts that there's all that much that can be done to improve towing MPG as the trailer is such a big factor, and changes to the truck don't change the trailer. Since most of my miles are commuting as a daily driver, empty MPG was more important.

 

[RonsRig]

Get it done! The truck will thank you for it. Mine idles smoother, shifts smoother, cruises smoother... It is like an new truck, ... well maybe a well broke in truck. My overhead is showing better milage. I filled up just after the fix and I haven't got a hand calc yet, but the truck runs so much better it is worth it even without the milage gain. Oo.

 

[ctdodgeram]

I bought Vaugn's truck, and drove it home cross country back in August.



I drove on cruise control at 83 mph until I got to Yellowstone. When we crossed Big Horn, down into Sheriden WY, set it again.



I did math manually at every fill up, got worst case 19. 5 mpg, on all highway, I got 20. 5. It had about 33k miles then, 41k now.



My 98 3500 never got better than 17 at 70 mph.



Needless to say, I was very pleased. Not sure if Vaugn did the re-flash, but he never mentioned it.

 

[turboost]

Mine smoked at startup and would fall on its face between 1500-2000rpm under a load so I had to get it done. I really didn't notice any different mileage but I was getting close to what you are getting. I would go ahead and get it done b/c you may start having problems later and I didn't notice any ill effects.