I think we can all agree that gas mileage is going to continue to be an issue. What mods have you done that made a noticeable improvement in your gas mileage? By watching the computer I have found that if I drive in a measured way I can usually keep the mileage in the 18.3 to 18.8 range. Staying out of traffic helps, as well as maintaining speed so as to minimize having to accelerate back up to highway speed. This type of driving is rather boring but it works.

What results have you had with less restrictive intakes, different exhausts, etc? Anybody found a combination of mods that really work?

 

I also want to know. What about K&N air filters? Gas improvment?

 

A tonneau cover a good start.I run a Extang Sabre soft cost around $200 if you look around on the net.I suggest checking some installed ones you see around town. the fit and finish of some brands sucks.I installed a K&N 63-1546 aircharger,I know I'm going to get ripped for this but I didn't like it,It seemed like I lost my lowend torque and I didn't notice any difference in mpg,it did sound great at WOT and passing seemd easier but city driving it seemed to sound like it was bogging almost,I have the 5speed auto in the tow haul mode it did run better around town but I don't think running in that mode is best for mpg,maybe the guys with the stick have better luck.Right now I run a Airaid modular intake tube with a K&N drop in.I might try the K&N setup again if I do some more mods.Iwas getting 22 hwy back in early spring, with this 95 degree heat AC going full blast I'm back to about 18.I think its so hot here right now that my fan clutch is still engaging at hwy speed,I fixxing to find out if that's the case pretty soon with an electric fan install.Oh yea I have the 4.7 rwd club.

 

I thought the myth busters proved the econ to be the same with a tonneau and without it and having the tailgate up is better because with it down it suposedly caused a slight lift on the rear of the truck which caused a loss of traction.

 

I saw that episode don't remember them trying a tonneau.I do know I went from around 19 to about 22 back in the fall after installing the tonneau.Plus I think it was Trucking Magazine had some tips on increasing mpg, 4 or 5 issues ago,they suggested a hard tonneau with built in spoiler.

 

Well I missed the eposode maybe I heard rong about the tonneau.

 

I rembered something else, a spoiler is like an upside down air-plane wing correct? Any how I think it was intended to use the moving air to force down on the vehical to add traction. Just some facts if I rember them correctly, autos are not my strong point I'm more of a PC geek.

BTW if I'm wrong please tell me.

 

The type of tonneau that I think Truckin mag was talking about are the one with a slight slope up on the rear almost like a small ski jump,I've seen a few around like this on trucks.I don't think they're talking about like one of those Fast & Furious wing types like you see on a 240sx.As for the Mythbusters they showed with the tailgate up a pocket of air formed in the bed causing the air coming over the cab to just kinda roll right off the back,with tailgate down the air came over the cab and pushed down on the rear bed causing drag.Check out the NASCAR Truck Series they run tonneaus with a big spoiler,If tonneaus make no difference on aerodynamics why have one on a race truck?Some of the other members on this forum have tonneaus how bout weighing in on this.I see Frenchy has one on his, how bout it Frenchy you seen any improvement in mpg?

 

I was looking thru the truck series here's a cool pic of a Ram pace truck.

[IMG]local://upfiles/39512/476591E3FC9241D8AAE2A4E7A3996827.jpg[/IMG]

 

**** y'all, I just drove 300 miles at 76mph and averaged 15.7 mpg.

At 70 I was at 17.1 mpg. :-)

And at 61 I was at 19.3