dodgezilla - Hey bud, if my reply previously sounded like I was being all smarty, I wasn't. I just wasn't thinking about the aspect of spending money on mods to gain mpg ... like you evidently were. Your thought process makes sense to me, but I couldn't understand the wording. And I don't come across as nicely with the written word as I intend to. Sorry about that. No war here.

I'm actually the same as you. The only things I've done to my rig were due to research back in 2000, 2001, 2002 timing. Things may be different now. I read on here from time to time, but don't have time to keep up with everything. Back then, the "understanding" that I came to from the "research" was that RV275's had a more efficient spray pattern as well as they were able to spray a bit more fuel. Add a EZ box, with elbow to the 275's and you have a nice moderate power addition. About as much (maybe a bit more in some cases) than a stock clutch can hold. with the elbow the overall EGT's should run lower than stock. Especially with an MEK. Piled on top of that, if you could keep your foot out of it, with the spray pattern of the RV275's, you could realize better mpg.

Guess what? I seem to have the best (for me) of these three aspects: 1) lowest cost of bombs, 2) best towing power with stock clutch, 3) fuel mileage. I've spent maybe a skosh less than $700 on everything I've done to the truck (bomb-wise). EZ ($479), RV275's (used & flow checked $115), MEK ($50 bought from a guy who bought it new and decided not to install it), REK (local shop straight piped the resonator for ~$30). I paid more than that for tires.

The truck has only had 1 LP replaced (warranty), and one taillight go out. I set of front brake pads, 1 set of tires. Tows like a *****, get's good fuel mileage. It been a heck of a cheap working machine. I'm proud of it. It would break my heart to sell it, even for a Mega Cab. I would like the Mega Cab though.

Sorry to go a bit off-topic.

- JyRO

 

The physical 35 gal. tank of the 3rd gen must be different than the 35 gal. tank of the 2nd gen truck. I've had mine to 0 DTE only 2 or 3 times in 108k miles, but never put but a skosh over 34 gallons in it. I can easily get mine up the fill neck too (another indication that there must be differences). Once I get it up the fill neck I can jiggle the truck, and bubbles come up, sometimes enough bubbles that the fill neck will be empty in a few minutes.

This works well when towing, I fill it up to the neck. Then as I'm going to check my load (inside my enclosed trailer), I take the route over the hitch. Stand on the hitch, that puts a good jiggle on the truck, and "burps" the tank. Check the load, go back and fill the neck again. Still with all that, the most I've ever fueled is 34 gallons.

- JyRO

 

no sweat jyro.



the 3rd gen tanks have a pretty poor venting system stock. after it clicks off, wait a while, then slowly fill again. I have gotten over 35 gals into my tank before, it just takes forever. I will have to do that fuel vent mod.

 

I drove my last truck for 11 years and the odo reads 271k. If I could get a solid 5 mpg increase over the life of the truck it would be worth it for me. Diesel WILL go higher in the future and the savings will add up. IMHO

 

Totallyrad - I agree. It will pay for itself if a) you keep the truck for a long time (which I am doing too), and b) you can keep your foot out of the throttle except for when you need it. Plus, with the rising cost of fuel, the payoff is getting quicker.

If I were willing to buy a stronger clutch, I would be checking into the EDM and extrude-honed injectors. I think I'd give the nod to EDM'd injectors at this point. Extrude honing will smooth and open holes nicely, but EDM'ing can add really fine holes at positions and angles optimum for spray pattern. Not to mention many holes for lots of fuel. I hope I didn't throw a grenade and start a battle. That's just my thoughts on the 2 types. You may want to research them, and see what you think.

- JyRO

 

When I get beyond my warranty I would like to look at injectors, but probably only around 40 hp. I've seen some that have tested to much higher pressures than I'll ever see. Longevity is high on my list. Rick

 

Stock truck, stock tank. Currently at 745 miles. But the fuel light came on about half way to work this morning (55 miles one way). I got 20 DTE on the overhead. There is a Shell station and a Valero station about 2/3 of the way home. Both have diesel at 2.63 right now. I hope I make it. Maybe I can join the club on the next tank.

 

does the dte take the most recent average mpg from the overhead to calculate the distance? does it just take the fuel gauge into account?

 

I'm not exactly sure. Someone more qualified will have to answer that. The bravest I have been is about 8 miles after the overhead hit 0 DTE.

I forgot to add that my current average speed is 39 mph for this tank. I'll have to check my overall average speed but the last time I did the math it was about 34-35 mph. Another guy here at the shop is hovering around 28-29 mph average.

 

Hey Zilla, it must be the gauge needle. My needle and DTE on overhead is pretty linear until it gets to the 1/8 tank mark then they both drop like dead flies.

 

oh, I see now, I shall always drive downhill now to make the gauge read higher. he he he

 

Well I just filled up. Only got 755.8 miles. Filled up to ~32.5 gallons to the "click". Normally would have added two more gallons, but this time I waited patiently and put in four gallons for a total of ~36.5 gallons. I will let ya'll know in about a week or two if I hit the magic 800.

 

I have never made the 600 club!

But I never drive slower than 80mph.

 

for those 24v 2 gens watching if you are trying to run your trucks close to empty to attempt the 800 mile club FYI the 3rd gens will crank right up after running out of fuel like a gasser because the injectors dont air lock that is if we have an extra gallon of diesel with us.

 

what the heck guys! i usually see only 350-375 miles on a tank! granted, i usually dont let the fuel light come on, but still. must have something to do with that tst/smarty stack