Questions regarding 2500 Dodge Ram
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Questions regarding 2500 Dodge Ram
I am new to any forum format so please bear with me. Can't even figure out the basic mechanics of the site itself.
Anyway...I am an ex-trucker with the usual hangups about how a deisel engine should be treated, driven and cared for. I owned two different Cummins engines and learned to drive under two very unbending teachers.
Now...after years of being a Ford fanatic (when it came to pickup trucks) I have finally made the switch to Dodge and am very pleased with my new truck. (New to me...1998 2500)
I searched long and hard for just exactly the right one and paid probably more than I should have in order to get one that had the components I wanted and had been cared for properly. After that, I even spent an additional $5,500.00 getting it all fixed up the way I wanted. (Air-ride for additional load capacity, exhaust break, full instrumentation, power chip, leveling kit and new, heavy duty tires.)
Loaded down with a heavy camper, my wife and I made a twelve-hundred mile trip that included mountain passes, heavy traffic and open cruising. The truck performed beautifully and had power to spare for all situations. However, I am very disapointed in the mileage and was really bothered by the limitations on choice for cruising speeds. (Based on the old 'drummed in' hangups about proper RPM for pulling as opposed to cruising.) I was told by several people that I should be able to get some pretty impressive mileage if I drove it properly, but ended up averaging a little over ten miles to the gallon (U.S.) for the whole trip.
My old Ford deisel for example had nowhere near the power, but easily averaged fifteen when treated right...loaded or empty.
Can anyone suggest what I might do to improve this mileage situation? If there is no way to do so, I'm afraid it will spend a great deal of time sitting still. Especially at present fuel prices.
Also, does anyone have any experience with the U.S. Gear spliter transmission? Is it a possible answer to my frustration with feeling that I am being forced to lug and/or overwind the engine in order to maintain certain speeds? Or does that even matter? Is there another spliter option that might be better?
Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Anyway...I am an ex-trucker with the usual hangups about how a deisel engine should be treated, driven and cared for. I owned two different Cummins engines and learned to drive under two very unbending teachers.
Now...after years of being a Ford fanatic (when it came to pickup trucks) I have finally made the switch to Dodge and am very pleased with my new truck. (New to me...1998 2500)
I searched long and hard for just exactly the right one and paid probably more than I should have in order to get one that had the components I wanted and had been cared for properly. After that, I even spent an additional $5,500.00 getting it all fixed up the way I wanted. (Air-ride for additional load capacity, exhaust break, full instrumentation, power chip, leveling kit and new, heavy duty tires.)
Loaded down with a heavy camper, my wife and I made a twelve-hundred mile trip that included mountain passes, heavy traffic and open cruising. The truck performed beautifully and had power to spare for all situations. However, I am very disapointed in the mileage and was really bothered by the limitations on choice for cruising speeds. (Based on the old 'drummed in' hangups about proper RPM for pulling as opposed to cruising.) I was told by several people that I should be able to get some pretty impressive mileage if I drove it properly, but ended up averaging a little over ten miles to the gallon (U.S.) for the whole trip.
My old Ford deisel for example had nowhere near the power, but easily averaged fifteen when treated right...loaded or empty.
Can anyone suggest what I might do to improve this mileage situation? If there is no way to do so, I'm afraid it will spend a great deal of time sitting still. Especially at present fuel prices.
Also, does anyone have any experience with the U.S. Gear spliter transmission? Is it a possible answer to my frustration with feeling that I am being forced to lug and/or overwind the engine in order to maintain certain speeds? Or does that even matter? Is there another spliter option that might be better?
Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
R.I.P. Dusty (Retired Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Alamosa, Colorado (200 yards from the Rio Grande)
RE: Questions regarding 2500 Dodge Ram
Lynn, welcome to Dodge Forum! Just scroll down the home page to the Ram section and you'll find lots of folks ready to help you out!
Dusty
Dusty
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From:
RE: Questions regarding 2500 Dodge Ram
I had the same problem with my 3500. I put in a K&N air filter,change the fuel filter often,installed a "Tornado" in the intake,put in a synthetic blend oil,made sure my tires were up to proper air pressure.I went from 8.6pmg to 15.4pmg.I pull a 35ft 5th wheel and can get 13.6pmg on the highway.