I just boughta 1999 Dodge Ram 2500V-8 SLT. It has a 6 inch lift with BF Goodrich LT315/75 R16 tires.There isn't to much else custom. Does anyone have any tips or tricks regarding this truck? I get about 18 mpg if I am doing mostly highway driving.Any ways to increase this? I was thinking about putting on an Air Raid or AEM filter system and maybe some bigger exhaust.

I will post some pics later.

Thanks for all the help!

Andy

 

Uh, no offense, but 18 mpg is darn good for these trucks on the highway.

Air Raid or AEM are like the K&Ns are on these trucks... a waste of money IMHO. Go the 14x3 open element route. Here's a simple DIY for it. I wanted an enclosed CAI kit because I wanted to be different, and try an alternative (and I like it), but it is quite a bit more expensive. It pulls cold air from outside the engine bay. The K&N, AEM, etc. do not perform the function of a CAI because they just suck in air from the inside of the engine bay, which is heated by the engine. The open element kit does the same thing they'll do, and it does it better.

EDIT: The DIY thread there also has a more thorough explanation, telling the differences in detail, what works, what doesn't, etc.

 

got a tonneau cover? you can easily gain at least 1 mpg with that.

 

Oh yeah 18 mpg is good!!! Especially seeing what some other guys are getting. Just thought I'd throw it out there to see if I could increase it.

Thanks for the types on th CAI. I will look into that for sure.

Andy

 

I'm calling BS on the 18mpg. I don't get that high with my truck and it has smaller tires and is properly geared for those tires.

Anyway good mods are exhaust, round air cleaner or edlebrock air hat, programmer, and a fastman throttle body. As for the K&N or Airraid like said go with the either Edlebrock air hat or the round air cleaner. Much better option imo.

 

lifesavin,

Is that what your truck's computer tells you you are getting, or is that what you've calculated based on gallons used?

 

That is what I have calculated out. It is also what the person that I bought the truck from calculated.

Andy

 

That definitely dont sound right, did u take into factor the different tire size? You can get an intake and a more free flowing exhaust.

 

No offense, lifesavin, but could you show us your calculations? What speeds do you drive? Is most of your driving highway or in town? What octane of gas do you use?

We're just trying to find an error somewhere, because that is really good, especially if its an average MPG. And if we can't find an error, we're trying to figure out how you get that good of mileage.

The 5.2L V8 is capable of 18 stock half way easily, but the 5.9L is rarely capable of numbers around 18 (one person supposedly achieved it by drafting behind semi trucks on his highway trips and going a bit below the speed limit). Mine, for comparison, rarely gets above 11 mpg so far in town (because I have a lead foot mostly) and usually around 14 on the highway, for two reasons: one, again I have a lead foot, and two, there's always a strong wind out here in the midwest, and it always seems to be going against you.

 

If you're truly getting 18mpg with a 5.9 gas 2500 and a six in lift with 35s, I'd say go get a powerball ticket and call up Angelina Jolie for a date, because you're the luckiest sob in the world.