got a 1991 4x4 318 dakota le long bed in december .
been using it as a work truck . the o/d never worked, besides that the truck is in great running condition . now that spring is near, i'm going to try to get the
o/d functional again (been researching the problem/solution on this site and have a list of things to do) . i've been getting around 10-11 mpg without
o/d. does anyone have any idea what kind of difference i'll get in mpg if i can get my o/d working? (i ride about 1/2 highway & 1/2 town)
$3.35 a gallon and rising here in va, thinking about putting my 24 mpg 87 isuzu pup back on the road

 

You might hit 15 with a fresh tune up. My 92 will pull 20 with stock tires with highway only driving.

 

is your 318 a magnum or la motor?
forgot to mention my truck is an auto
are you driving flatlands or mountains to get that 20 highway?

 

I Live in close. Lurray Va, travel to Northern Va for work. Figure I get 20 interstate, get 10 to 12 coming out of the mountain and in town. Mine is a 94 4x4 using it for work. My daily average usually rounds out to 16 to 18 combined. Since you have no O.D. I would expect yuck! Hope you can fix it. LOL weekends groceries and chores around town I take the 50 CC Moped to help out. This gas thing is really going to sink some of us.

 

i live a couple of hours down 81 form you in the new river valley, so we have
similar driving terrain. that's cool you can get 20 interstate with the 318.
gives me a reason to take one of these early spring weekends and try to find the problem. thanks for the reply

 

318 Magnum, auto, 3.55 gears. I'll say flatland, some rolling hills but no mountains.

 

My truck is a 91 4x4 extended cab, not sure what my rear gear ratio is but with working od the best I really manage is 13 or so. This is in Indiana though. Not saying my truck is in pristine working condition though it has 148k on it right now.

Steve

 

Id say with your location and being 1/2 way farmilar with the terrain (niece lives in Hunnington W.V.),you may be pushing for 18. That 20 is driving at 1800 to 2000 rpm and basically only hand tools and a few parts on the truck. Run it up to the limit 65 to 70 get in a little traffic and it will drop to 16 in a heart beat. Get in any town traffic and it will drop further. WE are taking our 96 Toyota out of storage after two years simply because of fuel. A friend (retired), catches all the news and has seen on T.V. $4.00/gallon is coming and if something is not done $5.00 by spring is possible.

 

yeah i guess that ride to dc isn't quite the same terrain . seems like i should be able to add a couple of mpg to the 10/11 i'm getting by fixing the o/d . this gas situation is pretty serious . i'd much rather drive my dakota and leave the isuzu parked, but if gas does get up to $5 a gallon that's a fuel cost difference of a couple hundred dollars a month

 

um - 3.35 a gallon. try 5.00 a gallon in Nova Scotia. the most expensive place to by gas in the universe.
oh yes i`m still waiting for that bill from the successful back operation i had (with two of the best back surgeons in the country) that was in 1994, think the bill is a little late.