Hey all,

I have a 2006 Ram MegaCab 1500 4x4. I only get 9-11mpg's no matter what I do. I have tried driving like grandma, I have tried driving like a bat out of hell, it doesn't seem to make a difference my MPG's are the same. The truck only has 10k miles.

I bought a superchip mainly hoping to pick up a couple of MPG as others had been reporting but I didn't pick up ANY. It does shift better and seemed to wak up the engine a little but no change in MPG.

I have changed the exhaust from factory to a SI/DO Flowmaster 50 Series HD (Hemi Design) muffler. That didn't seem to make any difference other than sound.

I have yet to do anything with the airfilter, but that was my next step. I also thought of changing spark plugs and/or doing an MSD Ignition setup (Don't know how much, if any difference this would make in MPG?)

We use to have a Chevy with a 4.7L v8, when we put a flowmaster and K&N panel filter we got a 2-4mpg increase.

Any suggestions on what else I can do? I know a 4x4 is going to get less MPG, and the MegaCab's didn't get the MDS, but 9-11MPG is a HORRABLE.

Any suggestions for a good Air Filter kit? (Though the factory setup doesn't look like it has too much restriction.)

Thanks for the help.

-ThaChad

 

There is NO magic thing you can do to increase gas mileage no matter what anyone tells you. Any mod you purchase will cost you more than the fuel savings it can offer, even over years.
About the best bang for the buck is an efan, but I don't think it's a smart move for you with a truck as heavy as a MegaCab. I know a guy with a 2500 CTD tried one and it couldn't keep it cool.
Your mileage is right on par with the two people I personally know with a MegaCab 4x4. Well, I know 3 if you include Ramhunter9, but he ain't had his a week yet.

It's a heavy beast, and too heavy for the Hemi, IMO. The Hemi shines in the high rpm range and has great HP up there, but isn't any better than the ancient 360 CI it replaced that was designed in the '60s in the low end torque department. That's what you need to get that mass moving is low end. IMO the Mega should only be offered in a CTD...

 

because the megacab weighs so much doing regulars mods that usually give u better mpg on half size or full size trucks wont give u as much boost in mpg.

as for cummins, they add 600 pounds to the weight but gets 15mpg city and 19 highway, as tested by dodge. you get twice the torque with almost twice the mpg.

And did u say u get the same gas mileage driving like an old lady as u do driving with a lead foot? because for me if i even press the peddal half throttle my overall fuel lessens significantly

 

I agree. The Hemi actually has PLENTY of power for this beast, I am actually very impressed with how well it slings this 8,000 lb hunk of iron around, but obviously at the cost of fuel mileage.

When I bought the truck, I was told by the salesman that it had MDS, I found out later he was wrong. If I knew then what I know now (Famous last words), I would have bought it with a CTD.

-ThaChad

 

Yeah, the MegaCab should only be offered in a CTD as mentioned above, in today's world sub 15MPG is just unacceptable.

.. and yes I have tried driving it around like grandma as well as driving it around lead footed and didn't see any difference in MPG. Even Highway driving vs in-town driving only seems to make 2-3 MPG difference. I drove a full tank on the highway and only got 12 MPG.

-ThaChad

 

P.S. If I were going to order a new MegaCab with a CTD, Would I want to order it from the factory with the 4.10 gearing?

.. and do they not offer the 5.9 CDT anymore?

Thanks,

-ThaChad

 

You know, they sill have that "Cash for Clunkers" deal going on for better fuel effiecent vehicles.........LOL

Seriously though, every thread I have read about Megas and MPG all are about the same.

 

Sadly, thanks to govt. emission standards, the diesel engine that IMO was/is the best one on the planet offered in a light truck is no more.
It has been replaced by the 6.7, which to date has proven to be nowhere near as reliable or fuel efficient as the venerable 5.9 beast was.
There is hardly a soul I know with a 6.7 CTD who hasn't been to the stealership numerous times with CELs, mainly for emissions components...

Unless you were towing massive weight, on a fairly regular basis, the 3.73 gear ratio is quite adequate in the CTD's. For us gassers, we regear to get up in the powerband to try to squeeze some much needed low end torque out at low speeds. A diesel engine has all the torque down low you'd ever want, and then some. So most stay with the 3.73s for the little bit of fuel economy benefit over the 4.10s...

 

but i like my 4:10's over my ol 4:56"s...granited i have only had the MC for a week but i think its a good set up on the MC with the 4:10's . moves it prety well from low end to top.
as for my mpg's so far im about 1/8 tank left left in her and overhead reads 13.5 city. im thinkin the hard cover is helpin the MPG's.

but i didnt buy this truck thinking i would get good MPG's and if you did aswell im sorry for you.

 

3.73 with the CTD, 4.10 with the hemi. if it's givin you 10 no matter what, then drive like hell!

RH, i doubt you're getting that MPG. either that or your definition of city and my definition of city are very different. I get about 10-11 city with my truck