Any Suggestions?

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10-12-2004, 09:38 PM
ChevyMan23

ok...my brother in law has a 2004 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 6.0....4.10 gears..large wheels and tires....we both know its a large truck....and bad highway gears...his gas mileage is horrible...400-500 a month on gas alone...gear swap is an option...hopefully last....trading it in on a smaller one is not due to the truck being so new he'll lose his ass so bad on money that it'll take him longer just to break even than he'll even have the truck........but i told him id check around and see if theres possibly anything that can be done to get some better mileage....anything....he'll sacrifice a little power for it....i knoew you all were the experts...so...any suggestions would be more than helpful... :duh:
10-12-2004, 10:38 PM
RedHeartbeat

Start off with a Nelson tune for gas mileage. Change to synthetics throughout the chassis...oil, tranny and rear end lube. Tune up with platinum plugs. Change the air filter to a K&N type filter. If he has wide tires he will need to change back to tires no wider than stock. Be sure tires are aired up to the maximum listed on the tires. Remove all weight that you can from the truck that isn't necessary including the spare tire. Add a bed cover, even a cheap vinyl topper will redirect the air flow over the tailgate or just remove and store the tailgate. If he has those 200 lbs ranch-hand bumpers, lose them for stock ones. Every pound of weight consumes fuel.
10-13-2004, 01:17 AM
kinjo1977

Quote:

Originally posted by GREG_92_C1500_2001_LS1_A4@Oct 12 2004, 08:38 PM
Start off with a Nelson tune for gas mileage. Change to synthetics throughout the chassis...oil, tranny and rear end lube. Tune up with platinum plugs. Change the air filter to a K&N type filter. If he has wide tires he will need to change back to tires no wider than stock. Be sure tires are aired up to the maximum listed on the tires. Remove all weight that you can from the truck that isn't necessary including the spare tire. Add a bed cover, even a cheap vinyl topper will redirect the air flow over the tailgate or just remove and store the tailgate. If he has those 200 lbs ranch-hand bumpers, lose them for stock ones. Every pound of weight consumes fuel.

:imwstupid:
10-13-2004, 02:29 AM
boonybouncer

:imwstupid: Except the bedcover. Studies show that air is redirected over the entire truck anyways, so MPG will remain the same, even if you add a bedcover.
10-13-2004, 11:45 AM
Hit Man X

You forgot a few key points...

SLOW DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. You have a 6500lbs+ brick, it's not made to haulass at 85mph. If you need to, get a highway cruiser to do that.

The truck has donut sized stock tires (~245/75R16) and with the .75:1 OD and a 4.10:1 it'll tach out like crazy even at 70mph. So stick to 65mph max to get some economy from it.

Now, how large are the tires on it currently? You said they are wider and taller... a 33" AT shouldn't be too bad at all. Should still be well over 2000rpm @ 70mph.

After that do a few things to make it more efficient. A tune works nicely, intake, some full length headers too. Make it the most efficient it can, but I still stress don't drive so damned fast in it.
10-13-2004, 11:58 AM
agreif

Quote:

Originally posted by boonybouncer@Oct 13 2004, 02:29 AM
:imwstupid: Except the bedcover. Studies show that air is redirected over the entire truck anyways, so MPG will remain the same, even if you add a bedcover.

Actually, the bedcover will reduce drag.

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/um.gm.truck/bed_cover

While taking the tailgate off will reduce weight, it will actually increase drag, just something to think about.

Andrew
10-13-2004, 12:16 PM
kinjo1977

Quote:

Originally posted by agreif+Oct 13 2004, 09:58 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(agreif @ Oct 13 2004, 09:58 AM)</div>

Quote:

<!--QuoteBegin-boonybouncer

Quote:

@Oct 13 2004, 02:29 AM
:imwstupid: Except the bedcover. Studies show that air is redirected over the entire truck anyways, so MPG will remain the same, even if you add a bedcover.

Actually, the bedcover will reduce drag.

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/um.gm.truck/bed_cover

While taking the tailgate off will reduce weight, it will actually increase drag, just something to think about.

Andrew [/b]

I dunno about that ghetto graph, but I do know that when I bought my bedcover it came with a 15% mpg increase guarantee. Now for me that didn't matter because I drive to fast for it to make a difference :burnout: but, a buddy of mine bought the same bedcover for his truck and since he is a conservative driver, he told me he was getting a couple more miles to the gallon.
Just my :twocents:

And I also agree with Hitman, Keep your lead foot off the accelerator!
Try using your big toe instead of the whole foot. :laugh:
10-13-2004, 07:29 PM
ChevyMan23

wow...thanx guys....alot i thought of and theres alot i didnt....thats gonna be a big help...plenty of ideas....and if you have more..keep them comin.....i knew i could count on you guys....i owe ya all one..or a few.....thanks again....
10-13-2004, 11:02 PM
Hit Man X

Quote:

Originally posted by kinjo1977@Oct 13 2004, 11:16 AM
And I also agree with Hitman, Keep your lead foot off the accelerator!
Try using your big toe instead of the whole foot. :laugh:

Yup, that's why I get 15.5 avg with my truck and it's way undergeared. Freeway in summer is 18.5 (air box on), winter is just shy of 20mpg.

I just cruise about. I'll get there at some point anyway...