MT6bt
Rock hound
Hello all! I have decided to start a thread to chronicle the build, and hopefully several lengthy expeditions over the coming several years. I have chosen the engine for the trade to be the bulletproof 12 valve cummins.
I acquired the truck from a good friend of mine who bought it from an old timer who obviously took very good care of it. It currently has 170k. Basically stock except some minor upgrades to make the engine more efficient.
-KDP tabbed
-4" exhaust(currently has a 3.5" downpipe, which I need to fix soon)
-DDP Fuel plate
-S&B cold air intake
-upgraded torque converter
-ancient Banks EGT, Trans, Boost gauges
-285/75/18E range
I plan on maximizing fuel economy with my setup. This will be one of the biggest factors for me because I want to see just how efficient this engine can be. Currently averaging about 18-21 when traveling at speeds between 65-75. I have no problem going slower than that to achieve more MPGs, but the issue is the 3.55 gears with 35" tires. I can actually drive in D/D at 53mph, while maintaining the sweet spot rpm(1750 for the 12 valve, I've read.) and get numbers around 25 mpg.
I believe this gearing is one of the main things that have to go. I was thinking of pairing some F/G rated tires (around 33-35" tall) with a 3.73/4.10 gear ratio. Again, My objective is maximum fuel economy and with that, RPMs must be around 1750@ 60-65.
Above is my current setup. I am debating between going minimalist, and engineering my own setup in the back of the camper shell, or going with another truck camper.
I had and lived in a northern lite 10-2000 12" basement model for about a year. It was a beast of a truck camper. Much too big for any serious offroading applications although the amenities were impressive. I lived fairly comfortably in the mountains at 8500 feet for over 4 months, through the dead of winter. Temperatures hit -20F several nights, and had a couple days when my truck wouldn't start. Fortunately the Northern lite was fairly well insulated!
Unfortunately fuel economy was greatly affected by such a large setup. Averaged about 14-16 mpg with this truck camper. Not bad considering how huge the thing was.
I acquired the truck from a good friend of mine who bought it from an old timer who obviously took very good care of it. It currently has 170k. Basically stock except some minor upgrades to make the engine more efficient.
-KDP tabbed
-4" exhaust(currently has a 3.5" downpipe, which I need to fix soon)
-DDP Fuel plate
-S&B cold air intake
-upgraded torque converter
-ancient Banks EGT, Trans, Boost gauges
-285/75/18E range
I plan on maximizing fuel economy with my setup. This will be one of the biggest factors for me because I want to see just how efficient this engine can be. Currently averaging about 18-21 when traveling at speeds between 65-75. I have no problem going slower than that to achieve more MPGs, but the issue is the 3.55 gears with 35" tires. I can actually drive in D/D at 53mph, while maintaining the sweet spot rpm(1750 for the 12 valve, I've read.) and get numbers around 25 mpg.
I believe this gearing is one of the main things that have to go. I was thinking of pairing some F/G rated tires (around 33-35" tall) with a 3.73/4.10 gear ratio. Again, My objective is maximum fuel economy and with that, RPMs must be around 1750@ 60-65.
Above is my current setup. I am debating between going minimalist, and engineering my own setup in the back of the camper shell, or going with another truck camper.
I had and lived in a northern lite 10-2000 12" basement model for about a year. It was a beast of a truck camper. Much too big for any serious offroading applications although the amenities were impressive. I lived fairly comfortably in the mountains at 8500 feet for over 4 months, through the dead of winter. Temperatures hit -20F several nights, and had a couple days when my truck wouldn't start. Fortunately the Northern lite was fairly well insulated!
Unfortunately fuel economy was greatly affected by such a large setup. Averaged about 14-16 mpg with this truck camper. Not bad considering how huge the thing was.