26 mpg......

[Maxtor]

We had some friends over for dinner last night. He is 83 years old, and ordered a new truck from the factory in 2001. It is a Dodge, standard cab, 2wd, 3.54 differential, 6 spd manual shift, 5.9 Cummins. I know him to be truthful, and he does not exaggerate. He said that empty he averages 24 mpg, and once got 26 mpg.
Pulling his Airstream trailer, he averages 17 mpg, if he does not have a head wind. He drives around 60-65 mph. The best we ever did with our Ford was 21 mpg at 55-65 mph empty. We still average 18.5 mpg empty at 70 mph, and 13.1 pulling our 5th wheel at 60 mph.
His great mileage no doubt is due to his slow speed, 2 wd, light standard cab, and 3.54 gears.
I still would not trade our Ford for his Dodge.

 

[bushpilot]

i could believe it...w/ a 3.54 rear and 2wd

Id love to have the 3.55 rear gear...but i bet my auto trans
(or even the clutch on a manual) would take a beating
when towing.

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

I have heard and seen a few other dodges that get around that mileage so I believe it. It still isn't worth the truck because they are put together with some chewing gum and spit.

 

[bushpilot]

ford used to offer a 3.55 rear

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

ford used to offer a 3.55 rear

Some of my E350 econolines have 3.52 I believe or that is what is put in it now since it has been replaced multiple times, and it still tows heavy weight every day.

 

[02SilverStroke]

I'd love to have a 3.55 axle in my PSD. My towing is very rare, so I'd probably be okay with it, and would get a little better mileage. I think that the 3.55 axles were in the PSD's through the 97's but since 99, they have had the 3.73 axle.

 

[BIG JOE]

I know a couple guys 'round here that claim the same.. But DANG.. I just can't stand the BANG & CLATTER of the Cummings. I'd rather suffer the MPG loss than Listen to that.

Kind of related to this Post.. I've always been a 65-70 MPH guy, even when towing. I don't do MPG calc's but occasionally I'll do "Goesinta" math at the pump. My 2K got about 16 to 19 MPG, empty, a flat 11 MPG towing.

In the past year or so (Retirement maybe ?), I've backed off to 60-62 MPH, empty & towing. MPGs have gone up roughly 2+ MPGs, overall.

It's amazing to me what 3 to 8 MPHs less will do. The 2K came with 215s on it, I changed them to 235s right a way. My Speedo is a tad slow.

But, 1850 RPMs @ 62 MPH.. Works for Me.

 

[Crumm]

I am sure that the 83 year old part has a quite a bit to do with the good mileage.

 

[hheynow]

I am sure that the 83 year old part has a quite a bit to do with the good mileage.

My thoughts exactly.