Project: Doitall Dodge

[BlueBomber]

you tires look weird! what did you do, rip-off a honda civic? J/K.

glad you got back safe. have you done anything to get better MPG?

[Metcalf]

I try and not drive too fast. That seems to help mileage the most. I tend to run about 63-67 most of the time. I actually think the mileage went down a touch with the smaller tires.

[RgrBox]

I0m getting around 670 kms out of my Defender since I only drive at around 100 to 110 kph. Usually I have to fill her up once a week.

I'm also running the issue Michelin tires on my Defender.. but I will pit a new pair of BF Goodriches when I need new tires.. sure this will hurt my consumption.

[BlueBomber]

I actually think the mileage went down a touch with the smaller tires.

Maybe from the wheels spinning faster? IDK...

[Metcalf]

Its just more RPM for the same speed. I think the truck was kind of at a sweet spot before. It wasn't the fastest thing on the road but the gearing worked out pretty good for mileage if you kept your foot out of it.

I will be back to where I was before with the bigger tires and 4.10s, or at least close enough I think.

The big Cummins doesn't need a lot of RPM to push the truck down the road.

[Kilroy]

With smaller tires, your odometer is showing more distance than what you are traveling. A Scan Gauge II and a GPS is useful in determining what actual distance and speed is.

Its just more RPM for the same speed. I think the truck was kind of at a sweet spot before. It wasn't the fastest thing on the road but the gearing worked out pretty good for mileage if you kept your foot out of it.

I will be back to where I was before with the bigger tires and 4.10s, or at least close enough I think.

The big Cummins doesn't need a lot of RPM to push the truck down the road.

[mor4wd]

The truck is looking great! You need to get those fenders finished so we can see what it's going to look like. It was nice meeting you.
btw, here's a picture of what your tires came off of....

[Metcalf]

I always have to use a GPS for speed/distance stuff. The odometer has been way off since I bought the truck.

With the little tires I am running more RPM for a given speed. With the big diesel this RPM really isn't needed, so I think it costs me fuel mileage. With the 315s the truck would just float along at a nice low rpm. With the more stock sized tires the truck is spinning the motor a little too fast. I could slow the motor down to where the 'magic' spot was before, but then I would be going too slow for most traffic. I think with the new big tires and 4.10s it will be much better overall.

I am working on the truck as much as I can. It still has to do its chores like haul water and stuff

[chasespeed]

Yeah, the sweet spot, depending on WHO you talk to... is 1500-1900(widest range).....

Mine is pretty consistent, with around 19 avg per tank(mixed traffic and hwy), and I TRY to keep the speed around 70.. maybe even down to 65... that puts it 1800-2000( I dont really pay TOO much attention)....I pay more attention to my Pyro than my tach.... and try to keep it at around 600* on the hwy, though, kinda hard with larger sticks.. it moves pretty quick....

But, thats a p-pumped 12v....

Truck is coming along just fine... keep it up...

Chase

[Metcalf]

Did you see that article in the new DieselPower mag? Garmon Diesel built a shortbed dodge 1500 with a p-pump 12valve.

There is a small blurb about the owner running the truck at like 1300rpm at 60mph, keeping it at 600 degrees, and basically driving like he was really old

Anyways...the truck returned something like 55mpg! Amazing!

Its a much smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic package in the 1500 2wd chassis for sure....but stilll.....dang.

The engine is running twin turbos, extrude honed injectors, etc. It will lay down 700hp to the wheels on the rollers!

Cool.....

I love diesels!

With my truck and the 315s I think the sweet spot was about 1600rpm for 63-65mph. Look back a few posts for the California camper and tire fetch report. The truck AVERAGED over 20mpg with a best of 24.5! Not too bad at all! For the shape of a brick anyways!