Ok Folks I have joined here in Sept when I bought a 2002 B3500 15 passenger van with some engine issues, Well a new intake gasket kit set things straight with the truck,
I installed NEW, Plugs, Wires, Cap, Rotor, MAP, TPS, Sensor in distributer, Fuel pump as well.
I have been using the van for a 307 mile drive each way to Pittsburgh from Phila PA hauling stuff out and returning empty.
I am running Michelin ? Tired that came with the van, 245-75-16 E rated.
On cruise control most of the drive set at 75 MPH on regular gas I am averaging 15.6 to 15.9 MPG.....
I thought this was too high, But I have done this trip several times and and I come up the same each time,, Well once hit 15 MPG,, There are times I am doing 80, But not often on the drive.
I read horror stories about these vans and horrible mileage, But I don't think 15 MPG is all that bad, Over 450 miles per tank and I even checked against the GPS and it is true.
How does your extended van do?
Oh, Mine is at 120K+ miles now.
Just thought I would share.
Peter and Eileen moving from Phila to Pittsburgh one van full at a time.

 

I have a maxi-wagon as well but its a cargo van, 94 though. I normally get 13-14mpg... but I need to do some routine maintenance... plugs, wires, cap and rotor, air filter, etc.

It's all in how you drive it.

what gallon tank do you have? my data plate says 22 but 22 gallons does not fill it all the way up, so i'm thinking I have a 32

 

my 1996 B2500 does not have the O/D in it and I have to keep it to 65 MPH or else I just start wasting gas.

 

im going to block off the egr system, should help a bit as well...

 

Another thing you may want to look at it lubricants which don't get changed to often, they are likely wearing out. One area being the rear diff, check to make sure there aren't any leaks coming from it. Another could be the oil filter using a higher grade filter can help.

 

For better MPG, look for my thread in this Ram Van forum. The first trip gained 19.7MPG driving around 65mph on the interstate in various conditions. The second and most recent trip, with a bad engine belt that squeaked and slipped, got 18.86MPG doing 65-70mph on the interstate.

My van chassis is built upon the B3500 with the 8-lug rims. It's a 12-passenger B2500 though. Everything is identical to a B3500 except the added extended end.

Those are some wide tires. Mine per the factory are LT225/75R16 Load-E (Chrysler TSB changed the factory load-D to Load-E recently for better MPG and safety.) Wider tires add more road friction for lower MPG.