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Power vs. ecomomy

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coflyboy

09-13-2006 07:31:01

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Much has been posted on this forum about squeezing more ponies out of their diesels. I have a 04 Dodge Cummins that pulls a 11000 pound trailer. I am a real conservative driver, 60-65 mph and get 11-14mpg(Not bad from all I hear).That cummins has more power than I need. Is there a way to convert excess HP to more MPG?

If Akmed from Abooga Boogastan is going to respond to this I already know what he is going to say. No way, can't be done. I know he can't stand us using less fuel because he needs all the money he can get to support those 72 virgins, even if he does trade a few to Allan from NE for that dropdead gorgeous 1974 IH Hydro 70 dainty gas sipping red tractor. Wait a minute, maybe it was the virgins that were the dainty sippers. I get so confused!!!!

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John M

09-13-2006 18:09:21

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

The biggest thing I did was to make the switch to B20 biodiesel. I went from 15 to 18 in my f350 with the Powerstroke.

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ohio

09-13-2006 13:01:42

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

98 1/2 dodge 2wd
185,000 miles
300 hp cummins
5 spd
4.10's
12' steel bed
8200# empty
15-19 mpg
4" exaust, dynomax muffler, removed silencer from intake, all chevron delo lube's.
need addl. overdrive, around 2300 @ 65.

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MSM

09-13-2006 10:20:41

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

If all you are running is flat land, you might pick up a mile or 2 per gallon going down to 3.54 rear gears. But I don"t think the fuel savings will justify the expense of changing over 2 carriers and 2 gear sets. I have 2 identicle Dodge cummins 4x4 duallies,one with 3.55 gears and the other with 4.10"s.Towing the same load the 3.55 geared truck actually gets about 2 MPG less than the 4.10 truck,and only about 1.5-2 MPG better running empty. Most of my towing is in somewhat hilly country,so your results may vary.

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Fred Martin

09-13-2006 10:14:45

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

You might go to one of those fellows who has taller tires on his truck and borrow them for a mileage checking trip....that would be the same as changing the rear gearing without picking up a wrench. It is claimed to be about five to ten percent difference...but that depends on driver, terrain, engine, weather and such things. It would be a better runner in the Colorado winters too. Fred OH

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coflyboy

09-13-2006 18:06:30

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Fred Martin, 09-13-2006 10:14:45

Thanks Fred. I did that with a souped up (puller) 65 Chev PU. I did, as you said make about a 10% difference. I recalibrated (remarked) the speedomenter and tach to keep track of things. Still have that truck. Runs good.

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KEH

09-13-2006 11:51:56

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Fred Martin, 09-13-2006 10:14:45

Changing tire size also changes calibration of speedometer, therefore changing milage readouts. Taller tires make the speedometer read slower, leading to possible speeding tickets. BTDT. Taller tires should give better fuel milage, but I don't know how to check it.

KEH

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dej(JED)

09-13-2006 09:46:36

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

We are begining to see some diesel fuel additives that are showing increases of anywhere from 15% to 25% in mpg in the testing lab. These are usually carrying nitrates and oxygenates. If you find anything advertising cetane increases or friction reducers, they probably work.

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Yeah, Right

09-13-2006 11:19:04

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to dej(JED), 09-13-2006 09:46:36

Don't suppose that will come in writing with a money back warranty?

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Kelly Campbell

09-13-2006 09:20:54

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

I"d have to say that if your toting 11000 pounds on the rear end and getting 11-14 that"s pretty darn good....about the only thing that I might try is some power service or something to that effect....might be worth a shot.

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Rauville

09-13-2006 09:11:29

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

Put a Under / Overdrive unit on it, and I'm sure you would see an improvement in fuel milage...but, would you gain enough to cover the 3-4000 cost??

Or, you could do like I did last week, and buy a 1980 4x4 pickup with 250 six cylinder and automatic. Hey, it's got the factory 8 track stero...so don't laugh!

Overdrive

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RustyFarmall

09-13-2006 08:32:39

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

Some folks claim that the performance up-grades will also improve fuel mileage, and they may be right, but the cost of the up-grades will be much greater than any mileage increase you will ever realize. 11 to 14 mpg is not bad at all, at least you are being honest about it and not claiming that you get 18 to 20 mpg. A truck is a truck, and any truck that is pulling an 11,000# trailer just isn't going to see any kind of fantastic fuel mileage.

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coflyboy

09-13-2006 15:57:58

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to RustyFarmall, 09-13-2006 08:32:39

You are right, of course, but even a 1 or 2 MPG increase is a 10-15% reduction in fuel cost. It adds up at todays fuel prices.
Thanks!!

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Brian in NY

09-13-2006 08:27:11

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

I don't think you'll get much of anywhere tinkering under the hood.
That said....have you considered the following?
1)A tonneau cover or an air-gate--that tailgate in the up position is an aerodynamic nightmare.
2)Change the rear axle. If you have more power than you need, you can probably make do with a lower gear ratio out back.

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mjbrown

09-13-2006 10:26:38

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Brian in NY, 09-13-2006 08:27:11

According to "Myth Busters" the tailgate up = more drag perception is a myth. They tested two identical new pickups and got thirty miles more per tank of fuel with the gate up. They then contacted engineers at GM who eplained why. They then put a pick up model in a tank of moving water and sprinkled oat meal into it to show how air swirls in the pick up bed and creates a sort of rolling bubble that makes it more not less areodynamicly efficient. You can conduct your ouwn experiment but putting a bunch of trash in your truck and drive down the road and observe how it swirles around.;)

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John M

09-13-2006 18:05:57

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to mjbrown, 09-13-2006 10:26:38

Thats not all that great of a test really, just like they did with the A/C myth. No two cars, or trucks, are going to get the exact same milage. In order to do it properly and get exact test results, the ywould have to use the same vehicle in controled conditions. AT the least the should have used the same truck with the same amount of fuel.

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Brian in NY

09-13-2006 13:56:32

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to mjbrown, 09-13-2006 10:26:38

Well I'll be danged! Don't tell that to the tonneau companies....their sales are up a good tick due to the gas price fears.

I never would have guessed.

Well I guess I will retire from posting any kind of advice. Wrong twice in one short post....that must be some kind of record.

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mjbrown

09-13-2006 16:11:24

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Brian in NY, 09-13-2006 13:56:32

They didn't test tonneau covers or caps just open or closed tailgate. Tonneau covers maybe more efficient. I'm sure the makers of them will argue they are. The myth buster guys were just as surprised because it is counter intuitive.

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Glenn F.

09-13-2006 09:16:46

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Brian in NY, 09-13-2006 08:27:11

A HIGHER rear gear ratio.

Glenn

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Brian in NY

09-13-2006 09:31:19

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Glenn F., 09-13-2006 09:16:46

You're right
I often mis-speak there.
In my mind I am thinking lower as far as numerically (i.e. a 3.73 lower than 4.11)
You are correct though....the 3.73 is higher ratio)

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coflyboy

09-13-2006 08:46:40

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Brian in NY, 09-13-2006 08:27:11

Thanks for the response. I have an ARE topper on the back with doors on the side where parts (junk) can be stored and it is a 3500 4 wd so I would have to change 2 differentials.

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Allan In NE

09-13-2006 08:19:21

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 07:31:01

Boy, I dunno.

Never have been much on "docterin'" things up. I think you're on the right track as far as the mileage goes. Just keep your foot out of it, plain and simple.

Aw, don't listen to all my belly-achin' 'cause I just like to hear myself beller. The tractor is no different than any other gasser; I'm just used to the diesels is all. :>)

She wasn't so darned pretty the first time I laid eyes on 'er. Took a lot of time, money and shufflin' of the dreaded parts to straighten that old heifer out. :>(

Allan

third party image

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coflyboy

09-13-2006 08:39:02

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to Allan In NE, 09-13-2006 08:19:21

In any case you did a great job on it. Did you buy the decals or paint them on?

I'm in the process of 'straitening out' a Ford 641 and so far have been lucky, no ugly surprises.

I think your 'belly achin' keeps a lot of folks smilin'.

Are you in western Nebraska near Wray, CO. I had an avionics shop in Wray and did work on a Cessna 182 for the Allan brothers. Great guys. Wondered if you might be them or related.

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Allan In NE

09-13-2006 08:42:42

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Re: Power vs. ecomomy in reply to coflyboy, 09-13-2006 08:39:02

No Sir,

I'm up in the northwest corner; one step from South Dakota and two from Wyoming.

I change my name often, depending on how close the darned sheriff gets to me. :>)

Allan

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