How can you get a 1st gen to squeek into the low 20mpg?
Moderators: Greenleaf, KTA, BC847, Richie O
45 posts
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
How can you get a 1st gen to squeek into the low 20mpg?
by Firstgenfanatic » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:26 pm
Ok, I was wondering what successful mods and such some people have done to improve the fuel economy on thier rigs? I realize that these pickups are not fuel sipping, zip around town vehicles. I own a 93' extd cab 4x4 with auto and was curious on what can be done to improve fuel economy. I'm already aware of proper front end alignment, smaller width tires, properly tuned engine, etc, etc. I was told that a different exhaust housing for the turbo would help out tremendously. Another thing would be going to the 4" straight exhaust. Any other ideas or suggestions?
*1993 Dodge Ram W250 club cab*, mild performance built A518, Hughes Converter, turned-up VE w/timing bump, tow package, 16x7 Alcoa wheels, M&H "M5" fuel pin, 366 gov spring, 4" exhaust, 16cm turbine housing, cold air intake, Isspro pyro/trans/tach/boost, KDP secured
- Firstgenfanatic
- fuel screw!!!!
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:35 pm
- Location: Port Orchard, WA
by Begle1 » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:39 pm
When I first got my truck, my dad ran it down the freeway to a jobsite loaded full of gear and with a small trailer and got 20 MPG; he only went 55-60 since he was charging customers for transit time and so didn't have a reason to speed.
Meanwhile, I got the truck, went the same route back empty going 80, and got 15 MPG, which I typically maintain between the 3000 RPM cruise and the around-town dressage, and the really old injectors.
The single greatest fuel mileage mod is to drive slower; these things have the aerodynamics of a brick and need to work twice as hard at 80 as they do at 65.
Other than that, you need non-worn and properly adjusted injectors, a tighter torque convertor for automatics, and a turbo that isn't eating itself to death. All the other stuff helps to a lesser degree as well; properly inflated tires, alignment, clean filters, freely flowing exhaust, etc.
Or you can say screw it all and run straight vegetable oil. Which I am eteranlly in the process of converting over to.
Meanwhile, I got the truck, went the same route back empty going 80, and got 15 MPG, which I typically maintain between the 3000 RPM cruise and the around-town dressage, and the really old injectors.
The single greatest fuel mileage mod is to drive slower; these things have the aerodynamics of a brick and need to work twice as hard at 80 as they do at 65.
Other than that, you need non-worn and properly adjusted injectors, a tighter torque convertor for automatics, and a turbo that isn't eating itself to death. All the other stuff helps to a lesser degree as well; properly inflated tires, alignment, clean filters, freely flowing exhaust, etc.
Or you can say screw it all and run straight vegetable oil. Which I am eteranlly in the process of converting over to.
1990 D-250 Regular Cab: Tweaked injection pump, built transmission, a cataclysmic charlie foxtrot of electronics, the most intense street-ran water injection system in the country, and some more unique stuff.
-
Begle1 - 14mm rotor
- Posts: 1964
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:31 pm
- Location: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
I pulled the filter, it was soaking wet! I left it out and went to work, took a week to dry out. Now I have a 5 gallon pail cut in 1/2 over it, works good. I'am going to put an Old Smokey mount on it soon.
