What year for best MPG
12-20-2009, 02:57 PM
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What year for best MPG
I'm looking to get a work truck. I want an excab 4x4 swb with the lowest gears. Is the man trans much better than the auto. I plan to plow with this truck and use it to driveto work 65 miles per day. What years offered the best mpg? I realy like the 01.5to 05 . The 1st and 2ng gen are more in my price range thats why I posted here. Thanks
12-21-2009, 12:02 AM
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I know where 3 are sitting in a show room, they were custom ordered by the dealers son. There selling a 99 for 50k you want one lol.
But seriously 98 and up you could get ext cab short bed 2500's Ive seen a 97 shortbed it was a late 97 it was on ebay about a year ago had alot of piers stuff on it. Maybe some of you remember.
For the best milage you will deff want 3:55 gears. Its not too uncomon for a rclb 2wd 12v 5sp 3:55 gear truck to get 24mpg or better on the highway.
I would get a 12v 3:55 gear truck with a 5sp for milage. I need 4wd almost daily this time of year and even 33" Procomp MT's aren't enough. I would of got a 5sp but they are hard to find around my neck of the woods.
Maybe someone will chime in with a 24v and a mild "milage type" chip/box that would be the advantage of the 24v and will be easyier to find one with 3rd doors.
Ive always wondered the diff between actual milage and "internet posting milage" make me wonder sometimes.
But seriously 98 and up you could get ext cab short bed 2500's Ive seen a 97 shortbed it was a late 97 it was on ebay about a year ago had alot of piers stuff on it. Maybe some of you remember.For the best milage you will deff want 3:55 gears. Its not too uncomon for a rclb 2wd 12v 5sp 3:55 gear truck to get 24mpg or better on the highway.
I would get a 12v 3:55 gear truck with a 5sp for milage. I need 4wd almost daily this time of year and even 33" Procomp MT's aren't enough. I would of got a 5sp but they are hard to find around my neck of the woods.
Maybe someone will chime in with a 24v and a mild "milage type" chip/box that would be the advantage of the 24v and will be easyier to find one with 3rd doors.
Ive always wondered the diff between actual milage and "internet posting milage" make me wonder sometimes.
12-21-2009, 11:41 AM
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First or second gen trucks get the best milage. I own two first, one second, and two third gen trucks. The first and second run circles around the third as far as milage and longevty. My two first gen trucks both have over 400,000 on the original engins and get approx. 24 to 26 mpg empty, both are standereds....
12-21-2009, 03:34 PM
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My 24v gets the second gen typical 18 mixed / 23 hwy MPG, w/o the trailer and 12.5 towing. for a work truck I would second a 1st gen as the most reliable. I have heard, however, that 3rd gens can also get near 20 mpg hwy - don't have 1st hand experience though.
12-21-2009, 04:23 PM
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12-21-2009, 06:45 PM
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12-21-2009, 08:36 PM
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There's more to life than fuel mileage. You will see your best mileage from a worn in 12 valve. Dad's neighbor is gettin 26mpg out of a stock 96 CC LB 4x4 with 200K on it.
If you are talking club cab short box 4x4 they are everywhere around here. A standard cab 4x4 shortbox is a rarity though.
The plow is a heavy item and caused some conflict with the 2500 chassis. Dad's 94 V-10 has the 3500 springs up front for a plow but he never put one on: Special ordered in 94 in Kalispell, MT. According to the dealer he could've sold that truck 10 times before Dad picked it up!
For plowing I'd go 2500 4X4, Cummins, manual trans and 241HDH transfer case if you can find it. The lower rear end gearing would be a plus too but affect your highway mileage. Don't forget winter fuel is weaker too so you will see a slight drop in mpg, 2-3 miles per gallon round here, no kidding!
Good luck with your search, but get after it! The snow's gonna fly sooner than you think!
Kurt
If you are talking club cab short box 4x4 they are everywhere around here. A standard cab 4x4 shortbox is a rarity though.
The plow is a heavy item and caused some conflict with the 2500 chassis. Dad's 94 V-10 has the 3500 springs up front for a plow but he never put one on: Special ordered in 94 in Kalispell, MT. According to the dealer he could've sold that truck 10 times before Dad picked it up!
For plowing I'd go 2500 4X4, Cummins, manual trans and 241HDH transfer case if you can find it. The lower rear end gearing would be a plus too but affect your highway mileage. Don't forget winter fuel is weaker too so you will see a slight drop in mpg, 2-3 miles per gallon round here, no kidding!
Good luck with your search, but get after it! The snow's gonna fly sooner than you think!
Kurt
12-22-2009, 04:12 AM
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To the OP, I'll put in my 2 cents worth. I used to have a '95 2wd, reg cab, 3.54, 5 spd manual, 12v. If I drove it like a grandma (literally) I managed to get 18 mpg in the city. My current truck gets 12.5 to 22 mpg. Norm for me in the city is 13.5-14.5 mpg, and 17.5-18 mpg on the hwy at 70-75 mph. I can get 20-22 mpg or more if I drive it 60-65 mph, which I don't. A lot depends on your choice of tires, and accessories. Keep the truck light and your mileage increases. Smaller, lighter tires = better mileage. Light foot = better mileage. I believe a manual will get you better mileage in the city, but it may be negligible depending on how you drive. I had stock size tires on both trucks btw.
12-22-2009, 06:40 AM
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Alot of the MGP is how you drive it . If you run the speed limit and don't have a heavy foot, then you can get 22-26 MPG. I drive 51 miles one way back and forth to work,4 days a week. I usually get around 24 MPG running a combo of interstate, 7% grades, and in town. I don't have a computer in my truck to tell me my milage ( first gen ) so it is done with gallons-miles. If you think it is a race car then your milage will suck.
12-22-2009, 07:18 AM
#11
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I regularly get 18.x in town, and about 20.x HWY, 11.x towing a high profile 11.7K lb fifth wheel. 2nd gen standard trans. I have a friend who has a 04 with a standard, and he says he gets 23 to 24 on the HWY.
12-22-2009, 06:36 PM
#12
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Allow me to elaborate on the 26 mpg claim:
He drives like a gramma, he's at about 4500 ft above sea level and he is convinced the air filter he uses contributes to his mileage. He's a mechanical engineer by trade and has logged everything in volumes since this truck was purchased new. Its been across country from MT to NH about 50 times or more and he sets the cruise control just about every trip.
Its all been hand calculated and he wouldn't fudge it!
Kurt
PS I'd kinda like a little proof on this too, but Dad always says you gotta allow your friends 1 vice within the law!
He drives like a gramma, he's at about 4500 ft above sea level and he is convinced the air filter he uses contributes to his mileage. He's a mechanical engineer by trade and has logged everything in volumes since this truck was purchased new. Its been across country from MT to NH about 50 times or more and he sets the cruise control just about every trip.
Its all been hand calculated and he wouldn't fudge it!
Kurt
PS I'd kinda like a little proof on this too, but Dad always says you gotta allow your friends 1 vice within the law!
12-23-2009, 08:14 PM
#13
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There's more to life than fuel mileage. You will see your best mileage from a worn in 12 valve. Dad's neighbor is gettin 26mpg out of a stock 96 CC LB 4x4 with 200K on it.
If you are talking club cab short box 4x4 they are everywhere around here. A standard cab 4x4 shortbox is a rarity though.
The plow is a heavy item and caused some conflict with the 2500 chassis. Dad's 94 V-10 has the 3500 springs up front for a plow but he never put one on: Special ordered in 94 in Kalispell, MT. According to the dealer he could've sold that truck 10 times before Dad picked it up!
For plowing I'd go 2500 4X4, Cummins, manual trans and 241HDH transfer case if you can find it. The lower rear end gearing would be a plus too but affect your highway mileage. Don't forget winter fuel is weaker too so you will see a slight drop in mpg, 2-3 miles per gallon round here, no kidding!
Good luck with your search, but get after it! The snow's gonna fly sooner than you think!
Kurt
If you are talking club cab short box 4x4 they are everywhere around here. A standard cab 4x4 shortbox is a rarity though.
The plow is a heavy item and caused some conflict with the 2500 chassis. Dad's 94 V-10 has the 3500 springs up front for a plow but he never put one on: Special ordered in 94 in Kalispell, MT. According to the dealer he could've sold that truck 10 times before Dad picked it up!
For plowing I'd go 2500 4X4, Cummins, manual trans and 241HDH transfer case if you can find it. The lower rear end gearing would be a plus too but affect your highway mileage. Don't forget winter fuel is weaker too so you will see a slight drop in mpg, 2-3 miles per gallon round here, no kidding!
Good luck with your search, but get after it! The snow's gonna fly sooner than you think!
Kurt
(hdh)The standard 2nd gen t-case was the dld and the optional heavy duty one was the dhd = diesel heavy duty .
01-10-2010, 08:22 AM
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I believe what you heard, but not what they told you (at least with that truck). I'm guessing people who claim they get mileage like that either round their numbers when calculating or happened to be driving on a decline at 55 mph.
To the OP, I'll put in my 2 cents worth. I used to have a '95 2wd, reg cab, 3.54, 5 spd manual, 12v. If I drove it like a grandma (literally) I managed to get 18 mpg in the city. My current truck gets 12.5 to 22 mpg. Norm for me in the city is 13.5-14.5 mpg, and 17.5-18 mpg on the hwy at 70-75 mph. I can get 20-22 mpg or more if I drive it 60-65 mph, which I don't. A lot depends on your choice of tires, and accessories. Keep the truck light and your mileage increases. Smaller, lighter tires = better mileage. Light foot = better mileage. I believe a manual will get you better mileage in the city, but it may be negligible depending on how you drive. I had stock size tires on both trucks btw.
To the OP, I'll put in my 2 cents worth. I used to have a '95 2wd, reg cab, 3.54, 5 spd manual, 12v. If I drove it like a grandma (literally) I managed to get 18 mpg in the city. My current truck gets 12.5 to 22 mpg. Norm for me in the city is 13.5-14.5 mpg, and 17.5-18 mpg on the hwy at 70-75 mph. I can get 20-22 mpg or more if I drive it 60-65 mph, which I don't. A lot depends on your choice of tires, and accessories. Keep the truck light and your mileage increases. Smaller, lighter tires = better mileage. Light foot = better mileage. I believe a manual will get you better mileage in the city, but it may be negligible depending on how you drive. I had stock size tires on both trucks btw.
My truck is a 2004.5, 4x4, 6-speed, SRW w/ a big headache rack & oversize tires (tires & rack pulled mileage down a little). After 130K miles I have seen:
- overall (total 129,541 miles & 6661.1 gallons): 19.4 mpg
- best single tankful: 23.9 mpg
- best 4 consequtive average: 23 mpg
- typical winter: 18.5 mpg
- typical summer: 21 mpg
YRMV. I drive predominantly HWY & like a granny. I expect that 1st or 2nd generation truck will do slightly better, but not much.
BTW, that 6661 gallons of fuel cost me over $18K. Factoring in vehicle cost, maintenance (including tires), repair cost, & insurance: the vehicle cost represents 56% & fuel cost represents 30% of the overall cost of ownership for this truck. Clearly fuel cost drives overall vehicle cost if you keep vehicles for a long time.