|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
There's a wealth of car knowledge here, so hopefully I'll be able to tap it a bit.
I got a 2002 GMC 3/4 ton with an Allison tranny and an 8.1 gasguzzler. I decided on a big gas engine, rather than a far more expensive Diesel, since this truck gets used 90% of the time hauling my trailer or 23' boat, and will at times have an 8.5' CO camper on it. I have other daily-drivers.
Are there any tricks that will increase the gas mileage without spending big buck$? I don't want to compromise its power much if at all. I love the truck and got it from a meticulous guy who serviced it often and kept a binder log book of everything he ever did to the truck, including adding a quart of oil. It has 120K on the clock.
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651 |
I had one of these. Ran it up to 220,000 flawless miles. It got 10 MPG towing, empty, downhill with a tailwind. You’re feeding 496 cubic inches. Just relish in the reliability and don’t worry about the fuel economy, it is what it is.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,140 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,140 Likes: 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27,091
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27,091 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651 |
I mean yeah if you’re worried about mileage but who really does that anymore besides liberals?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,513 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,513 Likes: 1 |
Possibly an entire exhaust .........….headers, dual cats, crossover, big mufflers, exhaust and tail pipes. And a tuner.
A block of 2x4 under the go pedal wouldn't hurt, either
Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,254
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,254 |
I had the same truck in ‘03 when I graduated college. Tried every trick in the book when gas went sky high. Traded it for a 1/2 ton. Don’t think there are too many options unfortunately. But if it’s not your daily I’d just suck it up and have the power available when your ready to use it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,382 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,382 Likes: 3 |
You can buy a lot of gas for what you'll spend trying to gain 1 or 2 mpg.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,896
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,896 |
You can buy a lot of gas for what you'll spend trying to gain 1 or 2 mpg. ^^^Bonafide Fact^^^
One man with courage makes a majority....
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,513 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,513 Likes: 1 |
You can buy a lot of gas for what you'll spend trying to gain 1 or 2 mpg. ^^^Bonafide Fact^^^ Yup. Fact.
Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651 |
You can buy a lot of gas for what you'll spend trying to gain 1 or 2 mpg. +1
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,411
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,411 |
Safari, contact Justin at Black Bear Tunes. He’ll shoot straight with you and I’m betting he can help without breaking the bank. Fine truck you’ve got there.
He knows how to wake up a 6.0 in a 2500hd.
The degree of my privacy is no business of yours.
What we've learned from history is that we haven't learned from it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,417 Likes: 10
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,417 Likes: 10 |
The 8.1 is an expensive engine to work on.
Yes, the exhaust manifolds are garbage......but if you can find headers they are over 500 bucks.
There is not a whole hell of a lot to do with a tune either.
Mine has a big stoopid cam in it and it is now basically ruined........but a lot of fun in the passing lane.
Let it breathe a bit better and you might see some improvement.
I am MAGA.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1 |
Have one in a gmc Kodiak 6500 with a ZF 6sp. Manual trans. It pulls like a freight train.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,595 Likes: 10
Campfire Savant
|
|
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,595 Likes: 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 529
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 529 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172
Campfire Ranger
|
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
That's never an option for me. I'm not obsessing about the gas consumption, since I drove a 1990 1 ton 4X4 big block Chevy for years. I was just wondering if there were any tricks to improve the mileage. I love the truck, and I can live with it as-is just fine. With lots of experience here it was something I thought I'd ask. Now I know. 
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,042 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,042 Likes: 1 |
Bruce, throw the camper on, hook up the trailer, get a hitch on the back of the trailer, hook the boat to that, throw the 12 foot rower on top of the trailer, load up yer gear and head north! that thing will haul it all 
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,417 Likes: 10
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,417 Likes: 10 |
That's never an option for me. I'm not obsessing about the gas consumption, since I drove a 1990 1 ton 4X4 big block Chevy for years. I was just wondering if there were any tricks to improve the mileage. I love the truck, and I can live with it as-is just fine. With lots of experience here it was something I thought I'd ask. Now I know. Nothing I ever tried made enough difference to bother with.
I am MAGA.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 651 |
I own 4 2500 Hemi rams. They get 10mpg, 12 if you really baby it
|
|
|
|
|
577 members (21, 160user, 1234, 1beaver_shooter, 007FJ, 219 Wasp, 68 invisible),
2,569
guests, and
1,326
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,088
Posts18,482,895
Members73,959
| |
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
