Ya, notice how even the newer trucks are only getting around 18-20, and if you read the fine print on those ads, that's on 4x2, single cabs, etc... The new 4x4's, extended or extra cab still only get around 16-18 if your lucky. My buddy has a brand new GMC 4x4, and he averages about 16.

 

He said drive the girlfriends car, not the wifes.

 

Best mileage gain:

My 1996 5.2 4x4 regular cab:
Edelbrock Pro Flow air cleaner. However, it does not look like it cleans the dirt out of the air very well. I had that in my 1996 and the gas mileage went up from 12 MPG to 15 MPG. That was with the Fastman TB (before and after)

For my 2001 5.9 4x4 ext cab in order:
1. K&N air filter (stock box, stock motor): 8.9 MPG city
2. MSD ignition (6AL Box and coil)& cap rotor wires: 9.8 MPG city
3. 24# injectors with 4 holes: 9.4 MPG city (needs tune)
4. SCT, 1.7 RRS, 180* Tstat, Plenum (plenum was never blown): 12.4 MPG city

CAIs are a waste of money. Most people swear by them, but they have never just put in a spectre/K&N oiled cloth filter in their stock box.

-Dan

 

absolutely correct:

Wife's "old" 2007 Jeep GC with a 5.7 Hemi AWD: 14.5 MPG city/21 HWY (with MDS)
2007 GMC yukon 5.3 2WD flex fuel: 14.5 city, 16.7 Hwy (With MDS)

Chrysler MDS idiffers from GM MDS A LOT. In the Hemi, when you drive 40-65 MPH it runs on 4 cylinders. GM only has MDS kick in if you are letting off the gas or braking (4 cylinders).

 

Let's see, stock 5.2, 10" lift, 37" tsls still at 14 highway... no tune no performance parts, nothing

 

fwiw-

I've a buddy with a 2010 1500 (not a QC, but not a mega cab- the one in between, is it a club cab?), 4x4, 5.7L @ 390HP, 6" lift, MickyT 35"x12.5" rubber, and 3.55:1 factory gears..

we've been comparing and watching both our rides- he gets 12.5MPG while 80/20 hwy/cty driving..

I've an 02, 1500 Sport QC 4x4, 5.9L @ (oem 245HP), leveling kit, Cepek 35" x 12.5" rubber, and 4.56:1 gearing, true dual exhaust through 2.5" piping and high flow cats + headers, 52mm FM TB on modded keg, 1.7 H&S rr's, SCT tuned @ 91, e-fans, CAI, 180* stat, MSD coil, champ plugs and fresh wires/cap/rotor... I'm thinking I'm likely in the neighborhood of + 15% HP & TQ from OEM.. AND, I drive like a granny...

Economically, it's a push between me and him.. He has a ton more power to be tapped, but I can keep it respectable with him off the line- but he's still faster (thank you gears, w/o it would be hopeless).. I can out tow him (not in weight, but in mileage and ease with comparable weights- thanks again gears), and if I ever do a proper suspension lift, I'm confident I can do as well as him off road.. On the beach, he has no real advantage as far as suspension goes, but (again), the gears help me out big time..

The latest tally has me at 12 MPG overall mileage, with a split of maybe 50/50 hwy/cty driving.. Not bad for an anvil on wheels..

the difference is- he is stock except for the lift/tires.. He'll make me look silly when he blows through his warranty and starts modding.. effin' hemi's..

 

I thought about buying a volant CAI with the ram air box anybody heard anything about those.

 

I'm running a volant- the PO put it in there.. I don't have the cowl inducted hood... yet......

the volant filter is outrageously expensive.. I just run a K&N in it's stead.. it looks like the PO NEVER cleaned the thing, and it was a lost cause.

 

just buy a spectre air filter for 25 bucks. The CAIs are a waste of money. The reason they are so much better than STOCK is that they use the oiled cloth filters. So, just out an oiled cloth filter in your stock box.

Oiled cloth = K&N or Spectre. N&N is 20 more dollars than the spectre, and they are the same thing.

 

Yes I did and ended up giving it away.
It didn't help anything except to make K&N some money.