I got a mid size for a reason.. to get better gas mileage! I don't know if its just me, but I get 16 MPG.. the same as a full size truck.. of which can be modded much easier. I have synthetic fluids, a CAI, and dual exhaust.. I'd love to get a tuner, but I make around $60 a week, so that's not happening. I just really wish this thing could be modded easier..

 

I know exactly what you are saying. Aftermarket hemi parts don't cost nearly what ours do. Not to mention we are limited as to where we actually find aftermarket parts etc. I've said it before, but almost all of my performance mods were designed for other vehicles.

I wouldn't say its the mid size trucks. If you look at the Tacoma, TRD, URD etc make alot of performance stuff for the 4.0 Tacoma. Somewhere along the way the 4.7L Dakota got forgotten.

 

I hate it even more, because in the second gen there are a ton of parts out there for 5.2s and 5.9s. Yet like you said, the 4.7 has been forgotten for some reason.

16 seems a little low, unless you're a quad cab. I can do 19 - 20 on the highway.

 

Even for audio.. I had to take out my middle seat/console in between the driver and passenger seat for my sub box. Partially my fault for not getting a shallow mount, but still

 

My 4.7 HO gets, according to the display, about 16.5. I know it gets better, about 17.2, but all the mods I've done seem to be counter-productive. I've checked the mileage by the old fashioned method, and it shows the display is just about right on target.

CAI, Free flowing exhaust, bored out throttle body. Most likely going to have to get the super tuner to get things adjusted right.

All my miles are commute miles, about 45 miles one way, but fighting traffic just about all the way as well. Yep, this ain't no econobox commute car!

Any other mods you almost have to have custom designed and built. Internal or external. Body mods are proving to be the hardest to find.

 

Not to be a jerk but if we wanted gas mileage you would not buy a truck right, but I do understand where your coming from especially with the after market stuff.. I have a ton of people ask me what I get per gallon and I always say I don't have a clue I just fill her up when she needs it and change all fluids to synthetic so she can last as long as possible.. As for gas prices lots of politics involved with that unfortunately our government thinks we should all drive small cars but thats not what Americans want and car companies don't want it eighter not enough money being made with small cars as compared to suv's, I say do your best and make it last as long as possible because with the state of affairs in this country lack of jobs and so forth just try and survive it.. Cya Slick

 

#1 mod you can do to improve fuel economy? Drive differently.

You can't beat physics. Accelerating nearly 5,000 lbs and then pushing a wide, tall, square object through the air at high speed requires a large amount of energy.

Combine that with fairly old engine and transmission technology (by today's standards), and you're not getting as much of that burning gasoline's energy to the wheels in the first place.

I too have stopped tracking my MPG's. As long as I get about the same miles (+/- 40) per tank, I know it's running fine.

And I would like to say that it is not an inalienable right of people to drive enormous, beastly vehicles. I love driving trucks as much as anyone, but I will be the first to admit that for the amount of actual "work" my truck does, it's a pretty wasteful vehicle.

 

I just get a kick out of the wives driving suburbans and excusions. Like they need it to fit all the grocerys or the kids backpacks...

Cramerica you must do pretty decent on gas with the 3.7 and a 6 speed no? How much more does a 3rd gen weigh then a 2nd gen?

 

i enjoy my gas mileage, track it every tank. but since winter is here an the crap they put in the gas really messes with the mileage. i got it narrowed to $50 a week even doing weekend racing. most noticable improvement was proper tire inflation. 40 psi is great. still getting 17/18 around town, 21/23 on the highway, but i use the cruise an stay at 65 in the slow lane,

 

2005 4.7 H.O. 4x4 Crew Cab 4.10 rear end 30.6" tires

Superchips Cortex only mod

16mpg if 100% city stop 'n go
20mpg if 100% highway @ 65mph flat terrain

12mpg towing 4000lb RV flat terrain no wind
8mpg towing same with headwind > 10mph