I am looking at a 96 dakota 4X4 318. The wife wants to know the miles per gallon before I buy. I can fudge a little, but I still want the truck. She will be looking at it tonite. Can I get some input cuz I'm sure everyone is different. I just need an approximate MPG. Thanks Mark

 

Right now, mine gets a fairly consistent 15.4 mpg daily driven about a 50/50 split interstate and city with the 5 speed manual. The manual transmission is much more efficient, but I have a Mopar Performance Computer, ported throttle body and a very heavy foot. Right before the trans swap, I think I was averaging 13-14 driving it the same way. The best I've seen my truck get since I owned it was 18.2 all highway. Back when I first got it, when it had an automatic trans, no performance parts, and I was easier on the gas, it averaged between 16-17 mpg.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

in all honesty, these trucks arent the greatest on gas. im not exactly sure what mine gets, but i know its not good (also the v6 tho..), but just let her drive it once, she'll like it. i let my GF drive mine one day when she was complaining about my huge plans for it, and didnt understand why i wanted to build up this peice of crap.. (which it isnt..) but when she drove it, she came back to me and said sorry, just by driving it alone, she could tell why i love my truck. and that also being said, my GF is a chevy chick, and she likes my dodge

and welcome to DF!

 

I have a 4x4 5.2L Auto, I I just got 13.89MPG

 

1996 V6 4x4:
13MPG city
15MPG mixed
17-19MPG highway

You will not regret getting the V8. It is no worse on gas.

 

LOL, I guess they are the same! Those are my same numbers, and I have a really heavy foot!

 

Yea, I've tried before to "see what the most MPGs I can get by driving like an old grandma," but, about 5 miles later, I find it lame.
To save gas, I bought the Corolla. 34MPG when my truck would get 15MPG, and I don't even have to try.

 

hahaha! yeah, I've been there. I fill my truck up with gas and I'm like, wow that cost too much, I'm gonna drive it easier. That usually lasts till I go to pull out of the gas station and slam the pedal against the floor til it hits 4800 in 1st :P

 

You guys got it way better then me. 11 city 13 Hw. A 5.9 and Very heavy foot. Even when I take it easy it don't do good. Also it's hard to get a good reading because my speedo is close to being correct, but the odometer is off.

 

Yeah I've heard the 5.9 gets a lot worse gas milage than the 5.2. I'm not sure I'll ever calculate the gas milage of that 408 I'm building cause I doubt I'll wanna know. I'm probably looking at 6-8 :P

I also agree that it doesn't make a big difference rather you drive it hard or not, so theres not much incentive to go easy on it!