Gas mileage trucks.. diesel.. and other great wonderings

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

I've had my F-150 6 cyl for a couple of years now. Gets 12-15 on avg but gets killed pulling a trailer 9 at best. I'm going to be doing a lot of sales driving and I want a truck but I'd like to get at least 20 and no less than 15 pulling a trailer. I did my usual SPRINTER search and the price on those things really sets me back. I talked to a guy at a dealer and he said a lot of guys are buying a diesel 3/4 ton and doing some modifications that get the MPG over 20. His boss has a dodge dually and did some air intake and exhaust modifications and gets over 20 even in town. I'm taking this with some grain of salt but thought I'd throw this out as a topic. If you modified a diesel to up the gas mileage will that foul up your inspection?

No little trucks for me but for you medium to big truck guys what are you getting mpg wise and what is your 2 cents? If I go diesel is dodge cummins the way to go?

[Wet_Boots]

If you do a lot of driving, won't the Sprinter be saving you money down the line? You have to have one vehicle only?

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

If you do a lot of driving, won't the Sprinter be saving you money down the line? You have to have one vehicle only?

I can survive with one vehicle if it is a truck. A sprinter would cause me to want a second vehicle. I thought about that too but the thought of having a sprinter as my only vehicle...ehhh...I don't know. Kinda a mood killer on dates not that I have any planned but you never know.

[hoskm01]

How about a hybrid. GMC/Chevy hyprids get into the 20s.

Toyota diesel in the tundra and Sequoia for the 2010 model year. Those should be the shnizz.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

I'll shop for those. I'm guessing mid 20s on used prices.

I'll catch up on this later. I'm going to scout the Poudre for fishing spots. Going way up into the canyon on 14.

[AI Inc]

Going way up into the canyon on 14.

Sweet ride!

[AI Inc]

01 f 350 4x4 about 11
02 f 250 4x4 about 12
o4 e 250 van 9 at best
08 ranger 2.3 about 23

[Wet_Boots]

Only 23 mpg for the Ranger 4-cylinder? Blehh.

[AI Inc]

Rated at 28 , but thats empty , with a midget driving.

[Wet_Boots]

(Makes note to hire midgets)

[Stuttering Stan]

I have some experience with modifications to diesels. I have a F250 with a 7.3 Powerstroke. I purchased it stock and have added a cold air intake, 4 in exhaust system, and computer chip. Originally, I was getting about 14 mpg, now about 19 mpg after mods. It could be even better if it wasn't 4x4 geared.

[ksJoe]

Mahindra is starting to sell (http://wot.motortrend.com/6271102/auto-news/mahindra-delays-us-truck-launch-for-further-road-testing/index.html) Diesel trucks in the US Feb. 2010. Thats the tractor company in India. From what I've read, they're starting with a midsize truck with a plain interior. It will be priced inline with other (gas) midsize trucks, but will have a diesel. Due to the plain interior, they'll be focusing on work & fleet sales. Dad has a Mahindra tractor, and hasn't had any problems with it.

[Mike Leary]

Mahindra starting to sell (http://wot.motortrend.com/6271102/auto-news/mahindra-delays-us-truck-launch-for-further-road-testing/index.html)

That truck has Peter written all over it.:rolleyes:

[Wet_Boots]

Just bring back the econobox pickups and put a thrifty powerplant in them, and screw the power windows and heated cupholders.

[Mike Leary]

added a cold air intake

I get 15 mpg with the turbo Izuzu. Is the cold air intake just for a normally aspirated engine?

[whoopassonthebluegrass]

Just be careful to calculate how long your mods will take to pay for themselves. VERY often those mods cost more than they'll ever save.

[Mike Leary]

On newer rigs, aftermarket parts will void the factory warranty.

[JShe8918]

On diesel vehicles 07.5 and newer they have a DPF or diesel particulate filter. It restricts the exhaust and captures any possible soot that could get emitted. The DPF also goes threw a process called regeneration after every few fill ups. It lights the internals of the dpf on fire so to speak heats up really hot and burns everything clean. Weird. With all this said the constrictive DPF causes these newer trucks to have lower MPG's than previous models. By removing this part you can increase MPG to the same as the older models BUT it does void the power train warranty of your truck. In my 2005 LLY duramax before i started modding heavily i could get 27 on the interstate running 75 and 80. I kid you not. The only modifications i had were a 5" turbo back MBRP exhaust, modified turbo intake tube, banks intercooler tube, S&B air intake, and EFI live tuned by Rob Coddens of ATP trucks in Idaho. It wouldn't have ever been possible with out Rob's tuning. If you buy a duramax get EFI live! It is a laptop computer program that allows you to manipulate anything and everything about the running of your vehicle and is ten times better than any canned tuner like bully dog, edge, ppe, or anything like that. Improving the MPG's counter react normally with more power if you can keep your foot out of it. Put a twin injection pump on yesterday. Before that i saw mpg's of 14 around town and 19 on the interstate. Very long winded but it gives you the chevy side of the diesel world. Don't get addicted to power in a diesel..... It will make you broke in a hurry.... i have dropped just shy of 15K on performance mods.... haha.

[JShe8918]

Okay.. Clarification for you i just re-read my post and i didn't add something... The highest i saw was 27 to 28 the average was about 24.5 to 25. This was on 35" tires which means i didn't have to turn as many RPM's to keep the tires rolling at that speed. With stock sized tires your will turn more rpms and in theory burn more fuel if your already up to speed. Also elevation is a key role in diesel efficiency. The higher the elevation the thinner the air. Which means the turbo isn't as effective as if you were at sea level. CO is pretty high in altitude if i remember I have a friend that lives in durango which is like 7K above i believe.

[Mike Leary]

The higher the elevation the thinner the air. Which means the turbo isn't as effective as if you were at sea level. CO is pretty high in altitude if i remember I have a friend that lives in durango which is like 7K above i believe.

All diesels smoke at high altitudes, especially turbos. Seems like the newer ones with the computer do better, but ours ('83 Isuzu turbo) will smoke above 7k.

[greenmonster304]

Mahindra is starting to sell (http://wot.motortrend.com/6271102/auto-news/mahindra-delays-us-truck-launch-for-further-road-testing/index.html) Diesel trucks in the US Feb. 2010. Thats the tractor company in India. From what I've read, they're starting with a midsize truck with a plain interior. It will be priced inline with other (gas) midsize trucks, but will have a diesel. Due to the plain interior, they'll be focusing on work & fleet sales. Dad has a Mahindra tractor, and hasn't had any problems with it.

I signed up to be on the first to test drive list a few months ago. I hope they really bring them to the US because I would by one in a second.

[greenmonster304]

this POS gets 12 mpg with the 6.0

[Mike Leary]

Nice rig: you must be owner/operator. Otherwise, the crew would have wrecked it.

[Wet_Boots]

Maybe a Reading.

[bcg]

If you get a diesel, get an older model before the DPF and cat's were mandated. In Ford, the 7.3 was the best they ever offered. Dodge with a 5.9 is a great engine but the trucks themselves don't always last that long. I have an 02 crew cab 4x4 F250 and get 18ish on the highway with only intake and exhaust and 14 - 15ish in the city. Get a good chip (DP Tuner, Power Hungry Performance, Total Diesel Performance) that will build tunes based on what mods you've done to your truck, what you're using it for AND your location, and you can get better mileage and more power. They'll also eliminate higher altitude smoking. The great thing about diesel is that your mileage is going to be about the same towing as it is with regular driving so even if you only get to 16 - 18 MPG, it's going to be 16 - 18 towing as well, instead of 9. Gas engines really suffer in the mileage department when you put a load on them but diesels really don't seem to notice the extra weight.

[1idejim]

bcg, we get 19-20 with an 84 f-350 diesel pulling an excavator full time
02 dodge 19-21 pulling trencher and plumbing trailer.

[1idejim]

california has been working on a program to address the "particulate matter emissions" or pme in our state.

the news reports 50 billion dollar price tag.

a lot of late model trucks and equipment are being sold at auction to out of state businesses at this time.

[ARGOS]

I know I have touted the Sprinter before...

I bought my wife a Sprinter in '04. It was a big investment. We got the 2500. It has been an absolute dream car. No significant problems. Gets 17 around town (we are at 3500' with moderate hills) 28 when I go to Los Angeles. It is a great drive. I would love to drive it as a sales/service vehicle. No one has to duck either! (except the 15 year old that is several inches taller then his father, but better him then me.)

As far as dates? Do you really want to date someone that wouldn't respect a sprinter?

[Wet_Boots]

Besides, a tall van allows for shag carpeting and a chandelier in the back :)

[greenmonster304]

Nice rig: you must be owner/operator. Otherwise, the crew would have wrecked it.

boots is right it is a reading