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How to get better fuel economy w/your diesel

133 messages,  Last post on Aug 27, 2012 at 11:06 AM

You are in the Diesels Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford F-250 Super Duty, Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Diesel, Truck

Messages Page 10 of 14

#84 of 133 Re: Dear Santa [likearock] by joshutim

Aug 29, 2007 (10:11 pm)

Replying to: likearock (Mar 18, 2007 11:20 am)
This sounds like a great set up. Where did you get the install kit?

#85 of 133 Re: How to get better fuel economy w/your diesel [madeinamerica] by baconmaker

Sep 01, 2007 (11:27 am)

Replying to: madeinamerica (Jun 03, 2005 6:16 am)
I have a 2003 Dodge 2500 CTD, six speed and 4.10 rear end. About 85% of my miles are at 65 mph w/cruise pulling about 4000 lbs of trailer and livestock. New I would get 14.5 mpg. I took off the stock exhaust and replace it with a 4" MBRP turbo back exhaust and added a 4" Aeroturbine muffler. This pushed me up to 15.1 mpg. Then I purchased $7 of 4" drain pipe and cut a hole in the bottom of my air box to get more cold air by drawing it from down behind the front bumper and replaced the stock air filter with an Amsoil filter. This pushed me to 16.8 mpg. Next I switched to Amsoil motor oil and bypass filtration(to save $ on changes) which allowed my to get up to 17.1 mpg. Next on the docket is to change the diff, transfer case and tranny to Amsoil which I hope will allow more improvement. Other possibilities are an aFe torque booster tube to replace the stock air intake tube and possibly chipping the truck with an Edge chip set for fuel economy (this is a last step I someone can convince me of the fuel economy claims). Hope this helps. Each step in the above had between 10 and 20000 miles between doing so the mpg cover a pretty large window. The biggest improvement was the cheapest, being the modification to the stock air box.

#86 of 133 Re: Off Road Diesel Versus on Road [ruking1] by baconmaker

Sep 01, 2007 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Apr 10, 2006 11:28 am)
Taxation is the main issue since the undyed has the road taxes. Farmers are given an exemptions with regard to sulfur because the government would bankrupt all farmers if they required farmers to go out and buy new $400,000 combines and $200,000 tractors. Because much farm machinery is 10 to 20 years old(sometimes older--my father in laws tractor was built in 1958) and these machines cannot use the ULSD without problems. And yes the prices are accurate.

#87 of 133 Re: Off Road Diesel Versus on Road [arrowstrap] by 2dodges

Sep 08, 2007 (3:36 am)

Replying to: arrowstrap (Apr 10, 2006 11:11 am)
Off road fuel has no highway taxes and they dye it pink so they can dip test your fuel tank but it does not produce a smoke I have seen it run in several trucks and it doesn't smoke at all.but be carefull if you are running it in a on road truck or even if you are driving equipment( bobcat,tractor) on the road the fine is severe.

#88 of 133 4x2 vs. 4x4 and F250 vs. F350 3.73 rear end by rodoug

Jan 19, 2008 (11:35 am)

Hi,
I'm new to diesels and am trying to determine what to replace my Chev 3/4 ton HD gas with. Would love to have car and truck but cannot afford it so this needs to be versatile. I drive to/from work ~40mi roundtrip plus haul a 8 - 11 thousand lb horsetrailer on weekends & vacations. I am wondering what the difference in mileage would be in mixed city/highway driving unloaded would be between the 4x2 and 4x4 and the 250 and 350. I am also wondering what it would be between straight highway speeds avg 70 loaded and unloaded. If anyone can share any info I would appreciate it. I can't find any official data anywhere and most of the Ford dealers have no personal experience. Thanks in advace.

#89 of 133 Re: 4x2 vs. 4x4 and F250 vs. F350 3.73 rear end [rodoug] by kcram HOST

Jan 19, 2008 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: rodoug (Jan 19, 2008 11:35 am)
Several more factors you need to consider...
- cab size
- bed size
- terrain (flat, hills, mountains)
- seasonal weather
- tractional needs (winter, off-road, boat ramp)
 
The best will obviously be the lightest - which would be an F250 regular cab 4x2; the worst is obviously the F350 4x4 crew cab dually. You'll need to determine what your cab needs are, what will be in the bed, and how and where you drive. Once you have a good idea what truck configuration is best suited, others can give you an idea of the mileage. Be sure to browse the Ford F-Series Real World MPG Numbers discussion as well.
 
kcram - Pickups Host

#90 of 133 Re: 4x2 vs. 4x4 and F250 vs. F350 3.73 rear end [kcram] by rodoug

Jan 19, 2008 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: kcram (Jan 19, 2008 3:32 pm)
Kcram,
I have to have a crew cab due to 2-3 little ones in the back. I am pulling a gooseneck trailer and can use a long or short bed. Most of the time the bed will be empty. I'd love to have a duelly, but it's too big for all the in-town driving I do. The greatest percentage of mileage is a mix of city/highway mostly in the flat areas. I would rather have the 4x2 but I have heard the diesel is a heavy engine and you need a 4x4 if you will be in any soft dirt or mud. It doesn't snow much in Dallas so snowy weather isn't an issue. It does get pretty hot here in the summer, but I don't know if hot weather makes a difference. The Ford dealers I have spoken with have said that I could expect 2-4 mpg better from the 4x2 over the 4x4. Does that sound reasonable. I'll check out the other discussion as well. Thanks!

#91 of 133 Re: 4x2 vs. 4x4 and F250 vs. F350 3.73 rear end [rodoug] by diehardford

Feb 06, 2008 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: rodoug (Jan 19, 2008 11:35 am)
Hi, I have the 2008 f-250 crew cab diesel 4x4 short bed 373 gears lariat. I,m pushing 16000 miles on the truck. At 70 mph I get around 16.5 mpg solo. At 60 mph I get around 18mpg solo. I filled up today and got 14 mpg mixed . This is a 10 mile commute to work letting truck warm up 5 to 10 minutes in morning to defrost windows. city only I get 12.5 to 13 mpg. Pulling 9000 lb trailer with wife 3 teenagers, the bed loaded down with 5 bicycles lawn chairs fishing gear , grills camping stoves the works I got 9.0 to 9.3 mpg. this was at 65 to 70 mph and with only 3000 miles on truck. Pulling power is awesome set cruise on 70 and forget load is there. Highly recommend tail gate step and tow mirror option. Step saves a lot of wear and tear on back and folding mirrors makes driving thru bank atms and mcdonalds drive thru a whole lot easier

#92 of 133 Re: 4x2 vs. 4x4 and F250 vs. F350 3.73 rear end [diehardford] by rodoug

Feb 07, 2008 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: diehardford (Feb 06, 2008 9:13 pm)
Thanks for the info. I really appreciate real world numbers.
Robin

#93 of 133 Re: 4x2 vs. 4x4 and F250 vs. F350 3.73 rear end [diehardford] by firewalkerjohn

Feb 21, 2008 (10:35 am)

Replying to: diehardford (Feb 06, 2008 9:13 pm)
Are you really having that good of fuel mileage with our 6.4L Diesel. I have the 08 XLT 6.4L Crew Cab, 20" aluminum wheels with almost 4000miles to date and I drive about 60% highway / 40% city and I just filled up today, 2-21-08, and my average was 11.8 mpg and thats at approx.70mph on the high tops. Now my 2005 6.0L Diesel was getting your kind of mileage but not my new 2008.
 
I would be interested in conversing with you about your 08. my email address is firewalker_johnyahoo.com
 
Thanks
John

Messages Page 10 of 14

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