Yeah I guess the 5.2L 4x4 Autos are all the same. I'm getting about 15 mpg combined and like 19 mpg all highway. I too bought a compact car to save on gas. 1994 Mercury Tracer 1.9L 35 round town with a max of 42 highway. It's a 5 speed.
Sounds to me like you won't be gettin' that truck brother. =~(
Thanks guys. I think i'm gonna grab this truck. If I can get 13+ MPG I will be happy. The wifey looked at it and liked its looks, she didn't drive it . The body is good except for the tailgate. It has a few problems, but nothing I can't handle I hope. The miles 180K has me a little concerned, but it sounds good.
i wish i got what these guys are getting, i do good to get 12. but when i first bought the truck stock it got around 15. bigger tires and dual exhast with no cat converter and it dropped tramendesly. i am trying to order lower gear now i am hoping that will help.
Vehicle: 1990 Lil Red Dakota Express,2003 Neon,1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport,1997 Dodge Caravan Sport
Posts: 73
I have a 3.9 2WD RC short bed and only get 18-20 highway, don't think it matters what combo you have, thay all get the same except 2.5 5 speed. 5.9 swap comin up!!!!!!!!!!!
These trucks have computers that log the O2 corrections and remap after about a dozen start up cycles . As an example only
After 12 start cycles:
If the O2 log shows that it has had to constantly add 10% more fuel,
it enriches the map 5%
After another 12 start cycles:
If the O2 log is still 5% lean ,it adds 2.5%.
It keeps bumping the fuel map up until it only has to add a small set amount every fraction of a second. So if some one drives your truck real gently for the day it is still going to be hard on fuel.
Ive read somewhere that the Dakotas were originaly built to so they dont eat up the gas because they wanted something to compete with the compact trucks and the full size trucks but with that said im getting about 18 MPG overall, ive also read somewhere that there suposedly supposed to get up to 22 at least, but 18 isnt to bad
Vehicle: 1990 Lil Red Dakota Express,2003 Neon,1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport,1997 Dodge Caravan Sport
Posts: 73
A guy I worked with had a 2.5 5 speed that got 30 MPG highway. Was a RC/shortbed stripped model. They probably used those to bump up the numbers for Big Brother.
My truck has a 5.2 and 5 speed manual. It's also a club cab, 4x4 with 31x10.50s and only 3.55 gears. It gets 15MPG doing my normal mixed driving and 20+ on the freeway cruising nearly 80 MPH.
Had my '95 4X4 318 since new. 13-15 MPG regardless of driving. 5.9 swapped in 2007. 13-15 MPG regardless of driving style. These trucks just aren't good on gas.
