How is it that going to a lower gear ratio helps mileage? (i.e., going with 4.56's.) I know when I went from 2.73's to 3.73's in my Camaro, my mileage dropped big time, especially on the highway. It doesn't make sense to me that doing in my truck would help me any. If I was to do that, my highway RPM's would be a lot higher than they are now, thus sucking more gas.

 

Pull the 4.6 and drop a i6 5.9 in there Seriously though, I think a programmer would be your best bang for the buck. probably a good tune up as well, change everything to synthetic (if not already running it) and tire pressure check regularly.

 

What? you really like Air_Ram and Hank to go at it? Why ask this question? One thing you gots to asks yourself, how oldis yourCamaro and did it haveOD? Itells you, my wife had a V6 Mustang with 3.73 gears and OD, RPMs at 70mph were usually under 2500. That car got the same MPG asher new Camry I4. 23-25 MPG.

Now if you read Air_Ram's threads going back and forth with Hank, most new cars/trucks have OD, even my manual 6 speed has OD on 6th. This keeps your RPMs down. If you dont know if your truck has OD, then yous gots a problem. I drive my truck now with 3.21 gears, at 70mph, I am at around 2000rpms or less. With 3.92s I would be at 2350rpms and with 4.10 I would bes at 2457 RPMs (http://www.4lo.com/calc/gearratio.htm).
Now if yous looks here http://www.4lo.com/calc/geartable.htmit will gives you an idea as to what you would get. According to the table, I aints getting a good mpg with my set up. I gots the 20's with stock tires. So, in my case, gears will help. In the end its your truck, yous can do what ever you like to it and then come back here and tell us what worked. Cause, as you can see, everyone has their own experience and opinions.

 

Could not have said it better myself. Still think a tune up and tuner will help the best for the buck.

 

Thanks djr04 for pickin up my slack... I do it every once in a while just because I notice a differance for a while.

 

My Camaro is a '97 Z28 with an LT1. Yes, it has OD. She's modded pretty good, but I didn't want that to happen to my truck as a good DD.

 

Ok.. I did it, piece of cake to reset the PCM. On an 03 model it is for fuse #19. I will keep you all posted as to what improvements I may see. I was getting about 14-16 average prior to this. I bought it use with 30 so I am sure that the PCM had learned the habits of the previous owner. Thank you all for your help

 

I have done a few things to my 04 1500 std cab short bed. 4420#, rear bumper replaced with
urethane roll pan, full bed liner, tonneau, custom receiver to work with the roll pan, full front air dam, rear pro stock style wing, lowered rear to level, electric fan, 180 t-stat (custom), 17"
5 spoke wheels , custom CAI, recently added SC 3815

running at 65 and 1900 RPM, trip mileage is still 22-23 with the 87 tune in place, low speed around town has gone down to 14-17.

I will be testing the 91 tune and a pot on the IAT sensor soon

see my gallery at DTW @ kotagtx and at dodge talk

lilhemi

 

Yeah... actually those are pretty decent MPG's lilhemi and Hemichief... the highest I ever got was on a road trip... 16... I think I was coasting and the entire trip was downhill... with a tail wind... worked out to 15. something on paper.

 

Oh we haven't mentioned Grappling Hooks, always a great gas saver.