I saw that episode about the lifted ram and the mpg improvements they got, I was wondering if someone could post a link to that video. Also I don't plan on doing any offroading just looking for better mileage. I've got an '01 1500 4x2 club cab short bed and I was wondering if getting a higher gear ratio will have the same effect on a 4x4 as with mine, a 4x2. And with that being said why aren't very high gear ratios such as 5.10's or whatever useful, wouldn't the same thing happen? Lower rpm's throughout the hp range. And if I was looking to do the axle swap would it be better to actually swap the axles or just change out the gears? Like most other people I just wanna make my cash last longer in the tank. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Keep your 3.55's and keep your foot out of it. It's a V8, good mpg's and V8's don't seem to make a good team.

Try a tonneau cover? I've heard they help out quite a bit with fuel savings.

 

Well I drive very modestly, except when I have to get onto the highway but even then it's not like I smash on it. I've got some money to spend and why not spend it to eventually make it back on the gas I could save. I was just amazed that on the episode they got the same truck but with bigger tires to a 50% increase

 

Your comparing apples to oranges, his truck has 35's with 3.55 gears, all it did was work to spin those huge tires around. He swapped axles and got the ratio needed to get decent performance out of it.

If your running stock tires and 3.55 gears, it won't change a thing by swapping gears.

Get a cab high cap or tonneau cover to get the wind out of the box and go from there. Gears get expensive fast! You don't want to spend a fortune only to gain next near nothing in return.

 

I'm not running the tire size that came from the factory, mine are a little wider, I guess I had most of the ratios and their meanings backwards. Thanks for the help though, so is there anything else besides a tonneau that could possibly increase my mileage

 

Lowering it could help, you want it cut threw the wind like a bullet if possible.

 

Actually the tonneau cover increasing MPG was disproven by mythbusters. Making sure your tires are properly inflated help as well. Also a tune up will help, a new tune, most engine mods or upgrades will help.

 

Which tonneau cover?


You do realize mythbusters is a show paid for by adds right?

 

Does it matter? You have E3 plugs on your truck according to your sig. Who is really buying into advertising BS?

If I remember that mythbusters show correctly there where no brands shown or mentioned.

If you want to save the most money stay completely stock as nothing will pay itself back.

 

well try these maybe?
take the tailgate off?takes like 2 mins and its free
open the exhaust? headers, catback
sct tuner with an 87 economy tune from hemifever
electric fans?
spare tire really needed?

Thats a few i could think of off the top of my head, also if your plenum is blown thats a good one, and couple that with a complete tune up and 02 sensors, and it will be awesome.