My truck just passed the 38K mark so i think I am safe breaking it in. At 34K I purchased a Striker Module that was supposed to help with mileage. It made my mileage go up on the overhead, but staid the same hand calculated.

I now only use my truck for towing, fuel got to expensive just to run around town. I tow a 26 foot enclosed race car trailer, appox 9000 lbs loaded. I get 10.84 loaded. I think my truck suffers more from aerodynamic drag than weight as it only goes up about 1.5mpg with the trailer unloaded.

So my question remains, what's the best mod for the money? Or should I start with gauges to monitor my EGT's. I don't hotrod, I really don't need more power, the striker module boosted output. Just want to make my truck perform better with better mileage if possible.

Exhaust? Air Intake? (although I always use a wix filter)

 

You said it. GAUGES! Catch it before it happens.

 

I'd guess muffler - smarty - gauges or muffler - EGT gauge - smarty. If ya' do a smarty before EGT gauge, run on level 3 or so until you get gauges. It will run way cooler than stock.

 

smarty jr if you don't think you will be hot rodding. Keeps egt's in check for sure.

 

Gauges First, then a TC,flexplate, and VB.

 

Build your transmission, then you are ready.... for what's next.

You will not believe, the performance increase a solid tranny will deliver.

Jess

 

if more power isnt somthing u want try a used quad x2,they haave a milage tune for highway and city and u can turn it up a bit later if u want,a x2 and a camander is an awsome combo for anything,also straight piping the mufler and an intake will let her breathe a lot better and properly inflated tires,a 2whdr cummins should be in the 20s for sure unless ur a foot to the floor slam on the brakes kinda driver

 

20 something MPG isn't something I am getting. MY best unloaded all highway trip got me a best of 18.5mpg.

I am definetely a hot rodder, but not on a diesel tow vehicle. I got a 9 sec. race car, (2)11 sec. street cars and some dirt bikes for that. I just need enough power to keep the trailer going without ******* the truck.

Anything that helps mpg would be first chosen to something that got me from stoplight to stoplight faster. I probably should have purchased and old 12 valve truck, but I wanted something new. SO I got my 06 MegaCab, paid cash, and it's mine forever.

I like the idea of the convertor, the stock one definetely has no torque multiplication. I'm tired of hearing the clatter taking off and no matter how soft you are on the pedal, it's 1500 rpm or more taking off. I have been wanting a different muffler, I will probably leave the cat, but there are just too many choices with everyone saying thiers (or the one they purchased) is the best.

How loud is straight piping the muffler if I leave the cat in place?

 

I did gauges first so I could watch the changes as I modded. Then the muffler cuz it was so choked, it hissed when towing. Then the turbo and it turned the truck into a totally improved driver. Literally, like night and day, both for empty and towing performance! Craig

 

Straight piped is fairly loud and annoying on long trips, especially towing. Just find a good 4" straight through muffler of your choice. The same for the torque converter, find one you like, everyone on here has their own opinion about what is best. My recommendation is ATS or Georend, the same for the valve body. I would recommend the Commander for monitoring everything, has a small footprint, plus it looks cool

 

I know alot of people are on the smarty band wagon and also dont like the edge gauges cause some have had mixed readings on them but I have had the Edge hot juice on my truck since 20k and have had no problems with it, on the fly adjustment with good power and gauges built into the attitude monitor that have been accurate on my truck when tested with regular gauges, within 50 degrees on the egts...... I have put about 65k miles on my truck in 2.5 years with it and it has been a great upgrade, it was also my first upgrade, I went straight to the hot program because I figured I would want it at some point anyhow.

 

also if you keep your foot out of it and keep in on level 1 you will see improved mileage.... I have 4:10 gears and my best mileage gain was going to a 33" tire. I got about 1.5mpg gain on the highway. I now have 35" tires and am back to stock mpg at around 18-18.5 mpg on avg. I made a trip to MA from TX with my edge and 33" tires and got 20.5mpg on the highway there and 14.0 on the way back pulling a 30' boat @ about 8000lbs and lots of wind resistance and hills coming through TN to AK......