Performance and Accessories 2nd gen only Talk about Dodge/Cummins aftermarket products for second generation trucks here. Can include high-performance mods, or general accessories.

I must be missing something

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Old 03-28-2004 | 09:23 PM
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johnr9q's Avatar
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I must be missing something

When I purchased my 99 dodge Diesel the main reason I chose the diesel was diesel fuel was cheaper and the Diesel got approximately 5 better mpg than the gas V8. (I actually rented a diesel and a gas rig and ran them over a 145.2 mile course that included freeway as well as mountain driving. The Diesel was a 98 1/2 Quad Long Bed and it used 6.14 Gal and got 23.6 MPG the Gas Rig was a 1997, 5.2L V8 1/2 ton short bed Quad cab and it used 7.78 Gal and got 18.7 MPG. I drove both rigs at the same speed and based my diesel purchase on the fact that the diesel got 5 MPG better fuel economy) Just about all the information I read on forums and retailers that sell after market equipment is for power enhancement. I am very happy with the power my rig has but would like to significantely improve my fuel economy. I would spend a sizeable amount of money if the economy improvement justified the expenditure. Does anyone know if there is a good source for people like myself to go for help with economy improvement? I hear alot of info about how adding a bigger exhaust system would improve power and that a secondary benefit would be improved fuel economy. Also going to Bosch injectors, removing the muffler, larger better air filter, going to an electric radiator fan etc. Does anyone have definitive info on what the milage increase would be based on driving the rig over a set course both before and after the modifications? I am considering purchasing an Edge EZ and driving over the same course I mentioned previously to see if the claimed 10percent improvement in economy is accurate. If not I will return it.
Old 03-28-2004 | 10:32 PM
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Your best bet is to buy a True Torque Power Module from Diesel Dynamics that is a custom tuned EZ that has a level that just advances timing. I would keep it on the timing level only since almost all fueling mods hurt fuel economy because we cant controll our right foot. Also going to a Mach 1 EDM injector should help if you want to go the injector route. It does add fuel but its better atomization than a stock injector will help fuel economy on the road as long as you can controll your right foot during city driving.

Horace
Old 03-29-2004 | 01:36 AM
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Originally posted by Battering Ram
Your best bet is to buy a True Torque Power Module from Diesel Dynamics that is a custom tuned EZ that has a level that just advances timing. I would keep it on the timing level only since almost all fueling mods hurt fuel economy because we cant controll our right foot. Also going to a Mach 1 EDM injector should help if you want to go the injector route. It does add fuel but its better atomization than a stock injector will help fuel economy on the road as long as you can controll your right foot during city driving.

Horace
I wonder how come my rv275 injectors increased mileage? You are wrong you know. The fueling and injectors help mileage, so long as you don't use the extra power.
Old 03-29-2004 | 01:41 AM
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I wonder how come my rv275 injectors increased mileage? You are wrong you know. The fueling and injectors help mileage, so long as you don't use the extra power.
Isn't that what I said?

Horace
Old 03-29-2004 | 01:44 AM
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Originally posted by Battering Ram
Isn't that what I said?

Horace
Thats what I get for watching TV and typing at the same time, sorry.
Old 03-29-2004 | 04:05 AM
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Try talking to the folks a TST products, they can help you.
ramguy
Old 03-29-2004 | 06:45 AM
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A few things to remember are
A: These trucks are pretty heavy.
B: They are designed to pull heavy loads.
C: They have the aerodynamics of a brick.
D: It's a truck.

You might see small increases in milage with "add-ons", but your right foot determines fuel milage more than most add-ons.

For "significant" fuel milage increases, you might want to find a small fuel efficient car.
Old 03-29-2004 | 07:37 AM
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yeah I hear the VW TDIs get nearly 50 mpg , good wife car
Old 03-29-2004 | 07:56 AM
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Yep, got a 1986 VW Golf diesel non-turbo 1.6l. Probly dosent run near its full poteintal, but still manages to get 50+Mpg. I like that thing. And then 2 weeks after you fill it up, 14 bucks and your good to go. not to bad for a $600 car
Old 03-29-2004 | 08:03 AM
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Talking fuel mileage

i have played with gas engines almost all my life. if i touched them to increase performance the fuel mileage went in the toilet. my 90 ctd will out pull and out run just about any " show room" diesel pu out there. first owner best mileage on trip was 19. last trip only 200 mi it did 21.1 just under 80 mi per hr. with monteagle both ways. except for aftercooler all mods were done for less than 700 bucks. bomb away it helps fuel mileage 99% of the time.
Old 03-29-2004 | 08:10 AM
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Lemme get this straight......You're expecting to see nearly 26 mpg with the addition of the EZ?
Old 03-29-2004 | 08:17 AM
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Keep boost below 10, rpm below 2k, and drive like you have an egg under your foot. yeah right IF you can control the smoke pedal and keep the grin off your face, you will be suprised at the fuel mpg.

havingnoselfcontrolbutsmilingwayne
Old 03-29-2004 | 10:45 AM
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I was wondering who commatose was asking the question of: "You're expecting to see nearly 26 mpg with the addition of the EZ?" I really wasn't looking for answers like "get a VW" or "Drive slower". I don't need to post to a forum like this to be told that. I drive long distances in the West to get to rock climbing sites and I like to reduce the time on the road so I can increase my time on the rocks so typically drive over 70 mph. I want to maximize my economy at that speed. I've done some rudamentary checking with my stock mpg indicator and there doesn't appear to be a significant benifit in economy by keeping the RPM under 2000. I built a flat bed for my truck that sits at the same level as the original pickup bed so the bed isn't entirely flat as the wheel wells stick up above the bed. I built a fully self contained pop top overhead camper. The camper weighs 2000 pounds and isn't at all aerodynamic.
Old 03-29-2004 | 01:08 PM
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What they are trying to tell you is that getting over maybe 22 with an 8000 pound truck is asking a lot. Getting 20 to 22 is really good mileage. If you are looking for mileage getting close to 30 you need to be looking at a different type of vehicle. You are asking too much from this large of a vehicle. The real truth is that driving slow is the key to mileage, like it or not.

Bombing the truck does increase mileage as long as you don't use the power. Also not many gas fullsize pickup trucks get 18 plus or anywhere near it.
Old 03-29-2004 | 01:52 PM
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Originally posted by johnr9q
I was wondering who commatose was asking the question of: .............
As H.i.D. suggested, my question was directed to you. If you're getting 23+ presently, you're doing excellent, probably better than 95% of us here on the forum. But I doubt you'll do much better with your 24 valve. BTW, is this a calculated reading or the reading from the overhead console? Does the truck have the original tires, or are they oversized, skewing the odometer reading? I personally do 30,000 miles a year, 90% of it interstate. I drive mountains, flat land, and a daily combination. The best I've ever seen is 21+ at about 1900 RPM with my rear ratio, a tailwind, and all planets alinged . So what I was trying to gently say above is that IMO, you ain't gonna see 26 mpg. Buy the EZ because it gives you a kick in the pants, and the exhaust system because it sounds Neither one will pay for themselves in fuel savings.



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