I recently traded my 99 Ram on a 03 1500 4X4 quad with a 4.7 w/141000 miles & modified dual exhaust, two out of engine into one cat and two out of cat with two mufflers. My gas mileage is horrible "11-12 MPG city & highway", my old 99 1500 with a 5.9L 360 had better gas mileage. Is there something I should check or is this normal mileage for a 4.7L? The truck runs great, "geared very high though". The only problem i ever had with it was the other day, the truck was not warmed up yet, i came to a stop sign and it acted like it wanted to shut off the idle became low and rough, then as quick as that set in it picked back up and was fine<<"indication of anything?", other than that all has been great with it. I plan on changing plugs, any suggestions which plugs are best? I hate to change the ignition coils but with the mileage would it be a good idea? Any other tune up parts that would be a good idea to change? Could the exhaust set up be hurting my mileage? Is there any way to know if the previous owner installed the super chip programming and if so can factory be reset? Last, is there a certain mileage that all the ignition coils should be replaced?
Thanks

 

Mine is an 02 4.7QC with no mods and that's about what I get for mileage. I don't really drive it much but around the city. On the occasional 20-30 mile trip at about 50 mph It can get around 13-15 mpg but thats about it.

 

02 ram 1500 2wd with 4.7 and I get 11-13MPG truck is stock.

 

Oh, this is just nice, lol. I thought for sure I would have been doing better with the 4.7 than the 5.9. My neighbors v10 does about the same as the 4.7.

 

As said, all is about normal but being at 141k on the odometer and not knowing what has or hasnt been done to the truck, some good maintenance on your part may help.

I would replace the O2 sensors. At that mileage Im sure they need it. Cleaning the TB would help. Replacing the plugs, air filter, ECT always helps. Some good fuel injection cleaner would be good. I dont think replacing the coils would benefit you though.

Remember the 4.7 is the small V8 and you are in a 4wd truck which is heavier than the 2wd's. On top of that you have a QC. My 04 1500 2wd weighed in at 5880# on the scale last time i did it and that was with 1/4 tank of fuel.

 

Thanks weedahoe , I definitely plan on doing a tune up and TRY to granny the throttle a bit more. I will take you advice on what to replace and clean, any other parts to replace while I am into it? I am not up on all the mods out there but i am seriously considering a cold air intake, they claim to help 1-2 mpg, ill take all i can get. Again, Thanks for the advice.

 

A lot of guys like the electric fans also to try to help with fuel savings.

 

I checked out the link about the electric fans. Are they difficult to install? I was reading about your junkyard install and that was cheap, I have not checked up on a new set ups cost.

 

Average cost for a Taurus fan from the junkyard is about 25-35. A hayden fan controller will set you back about 40 for a decent one and the fancy ones go higher. There is one for sale on DT right now. It is a dual speed. After than you need a strap from someplace like Lowes ($5) and a few nuts, bolts and electrical connectors

 

If you live up north like I do, you may pick up 1 1/2 mpg in the spring, less rich mode (choke in the day) and better gas. Also, check your tire air pressure, that's a real killer.