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Diesel Fuel Economy and chips

384 messages,  Last post on Apr 04, 2009 at 8:28 AM

You are in the Diesels Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Ford F-250 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, Ford F-350 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, GMC Sierra 2500HD, GMC Sierra 3500, Fuel System, Performance Mods, Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck


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#375 of 384
Re: 24+ freeway mpg possible with a dually???? [ingarage] by kcram HOST
Mar 22, 2009 (7:26 pm)
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Replying to: ingarage (Mar 22, 2009 1:52 pm)

Your biggest problem is your trailer. No pickup is legally rated to pull a 22,000 pound trailer, and you would be in for some hefty fines at a weigh station. The trailer alone exceeds the combined weight ratings for almost every pickup out there. To pull something that heavy, you need at least a Class-6 medium truck.
 
As far as the truck itself as a daily driver, a Ram MegaCab is probably not your best option only because the 3.42 axle was only introduced in the last couple of years, and only available on the automatic for 2009. Otherwise, you're looking at the 3.73 with Dodge. I have a Quad Can 4x4 dually with 3.73s, and while I can break 20, I doubt that, even with a 2WD MegaCab over my 4x4 Quad Cab, you would be consistently able to crack 24. You'd be close.
 
If you truly need all the rear seat space, your best option is a Ford Crew Cab with the 7.3, single rear wheels, the shortbed if you can manage it, and the lowest-numeric axle. And again, you'd be close to your 24 mpg, but no guarantees of keeping it there.
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
#376 of 384
Re: 24+ freeway mpg possible with a dually???? [kcram] by ingarage
Mar 22, 2009 (9:12 pm)
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Replying to: kcram (Mar 22, 2009 7:26 pm)

Oops, I made a typo on the trailer weight. To simplify the post, let's forget the towing questions and just look at the possibility of getting a Megacab dually or any crew cab Ford dually past 24 mpg. Thanks for your recommendation kcram.
#377 of 384
Re: 24+ freeway mpg possible with a dually???? [ingarage] by kcram HOST
Mar 24, 2009 (6:10 pm)
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Replying to: ingarage (Mar 22, 2009 9:12 pm)

Ironically, you can get a brand new MegaCab dually past 24, since the 2009s offer a very tall 3.42 axle - with the double overdrive of the 6-speed automatic, you should have no trouble reaching 24 in a 2wd truck. If your budget doesn't permit "new", you can likely achieve the same going back to a 2007.5 Ram with the 6.7L Cummins and 6-speed automatic, then have the 3.42 diff swapped in.
 
The tallest Ford ratio is a 3.73, so you will need to look for a very light configuration... Ford does make a shortbox dually crew cab, bit they are VERY hard to find, as not many people ordered them.
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
#378 of 384
Re: 24+ freeway mpg possible with a dually???? [kcram] by ingarage
Mar 24, 2009 (10:07 pm)
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Replying to: kcram (Mar 24, 2009 6:10 pm)

Thanks kcram. So is it the 6 speed autos taller top gear ratio I am looking for and was it introduced in 2007.5, or is that when the 6.7 came out? Is the 6.7 a better candidate for a fuel economy project than the 5.9? When did particulate filters come out and are these a factor?
 
If fuel economy is mostly an rpm thing, why not just add an overdrive or change axle ratios on any 5.9?
#379 of 384
Re: 24+ freeway mpg possible with a dually???? [ingarage] by kcram HOST
Mar 25, 2009 (8:29 pm)
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Replying to: ingarage (Mar 24, 2009 10:07 pm)

The 6-speed automatic and 6.7L were introduced together in 2007.5, along with the particulate emissions equipment.
 
In getting the best mileage from a diesel, you want the rpm as close to the torque peak as you can get for the typical road speed... for a Cummins, that sweet spot is right around 1600-1700 rpm. But since you're driving 65-70 mph, you will need the tall 6th gear of the 6-speed automatic along with that 3.42 axle, or you would need a much older truck (12-valve mechanical Cummins from 1998 or earlier).
 
I had a 1996 Ram 3500 Club Cab 4x4 dually, 4-speed automatic, 3.54 axles and OEM tires (LT215/85R16E). I could get 24 mpg out of it, but to do it, I had to keep my cruise control at 55. At the same speed, my 2005 Ram 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 dually with 3.73s and LT235/80R17E tires will get around 21.
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
#380 of 384
Re: i need help and im new to edmunds [jay7805] by oochuck
Mar 26, 2009 (2:16 pm)
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Replying to: jay7805 (Mar 05, 2009 4:24 pm)

Buy the truck you want. On my Dodge diesel I mainly drive from stop light to stop light over the past few years after selling the RV trailer. Going on 90,000 miles and only opened the hood to do the oil change and replace the batteries once over the past 5-6 years. Great way to go. Just purchased the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the Mercedes V-6 diesel. Tows up to 7,400 pounds. My wife also drives from stop light to stop light and has averaged over 17 MPG. Not bad for a 4,700 pound SUV. Economy of a 4 banger and power of a V-8 (376 torque rating). And the price new was $19,999.99. You can check Autotrader.com and put in zip code 75042 with a hundred mile radius to find a few of these new 2007 Jeep diesels.
 
Good luck to all
#381 of 384
Re: Diesel Mileage [redbearde] by pipfindr
Mar 26, 2009 (7:40 pm)
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Replying to: redbearde (Mar 20, 2009 8:34 pm)

Kind of a stupid question but do you have the air conditioning or the "defog/defrost" setting on? both run the compressor and cut in and out most noticeably at idle. turn the setting to vent and see if it smooths out. its a dodge thing. Mine did exactly what you described and my mech buddy reached over and turned the setting to "Hi -lo vent" and the idle smoothed right out. ......
#382 of 384
Diesel vs. Gas by jet12
Apr 03, 2009 (9:26 pm)
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Considering trading my '06 F250 SD/SC gasoline for an ' 08 F250 4wd SD/CC
diesel. Never owned a diesel before. only considering because of the deep
discounts on '08. Thoughts? experiences? Is mpg that much better than gas?
#383 of 384
Re: Diesel vs. Gas [jet12] by akjbmw
Apr 04, 2009 (12:34 am)
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Replying to: jet12 (Apr 03, 2009 9:26 pm)

It's way too sketchy to try to justify/compare the cost of diesel vs gas in either direction.
It depends on what you are going to do with the truck.
My gasser worked great as a grocery getter, but didn't do well at all climbing over the Sierras with our travel trailer.
My "new to me" duramax requires caution to not go uphill too fast with the trailer.
Awesome. Amazing. I'm REALLY enjoying it.
#384 of 384
Re: Diesel vs. Gas [jet12] by pipfindr
Apr 04, 2009 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: jet12 (Apr 03, 2009 9:26 pm)

Well do some homework. the '08 and up fords are getting very bad reviews. all of my friends who own them (5) almost all say the same thing..... the mileage sucks and they all have had to replace the rads in them, except for one of them and he saying that hes getting 19 mpg and loves it. The fuel mileage for the other 4 guys is the same 11-12 mpg empty or towing its the same. kinda weird if you ask me but as for performance... the new ford rocks. right off the line there is no loss of power or turbo lag. nicest interior of all of the new trucks. ford is bringing out a half ton diesel next year. maybe wait for it. it may be the mix you are looking for.

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