[Frozenhosehead]

Well, I have only had my truck for a week and I already need to fuel up. The wife says " You already need gas and it hasn't even been a week"? I told here it was over 400 miles on the trip counter. I probably could get 450 or a little more out of this tank if I took it down to the end but I'm not willing to chance running it out of fuel. I am using Stanadyne performance and just changed the oil with Rotella T 15W-40 and put on a new spin on tranny filter on Friday and was also thinking about putting on a new fuel filter soon and I also put in a new tough guard air filter last week. The motor only has 34,900? or so.

My question; Is this normal mpg for this low miles because it is still going through break in or is this what I can expect from now on

What can I do to improve the mileage besides buying a programmer? I will buy one eventually but I have to waite til I can afford one later this summer or fall. I have 245/75/R16's on right now and in the fall I will put on my 265/75/R16 Toyo open country tires that are siped for the majority of the year. I have purchased a PPE boost increase valve and a BD power LH exhaust manifold which I am waiting to arrive in the mail so I can install them.

Any suggestions on what I can do to get better MPGs' without sheling out a lot of money? What about using better fluids like synthetic in the engine, trans and diffs (Which I will when I can afford it) Anything else like mods I can do myself like the Kennedy airbox or something else? :help

Thanks Brad

 

[TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN]

with the 3/4 ton truck it has a 22gall. tank i think so don't hold me to that....on my 06 2500hd runs between 400 to 500 miles on a tank witch equals to around 17 to 20mpg,it depends on my driving skills:rof :farthope this helps

 

[Frozenhosehead]

Well I guess I need to mention that I have a long bed and I believe it has a 34 gallon tank.

 

[ob_1jr]

Isn't most of your driving in town right now? I think I get anywhere between 15-17 in town (on base and a trip or 2 to fairbanks). On the highway, going to anchorage, I get about 17-19 in the summer. With this ULSD I don't know if we will see mileage going back to normal in the summer. These numbers that I am talking is not driving like a grandpa either. When I pass someone, I pretty much blow the doors off when going to anchorage. Right now I am averaging about 15 with mostly on base driving and short trips. Hope this helps some. You probably aren't that far off on mileage from mine.

 

[RayIN]

Keep that egg between your right foot and the go pedal! Using a rotten egg gives you more incentive.

 

[ob_1jr]

I figured I paid for the HP, I might as well use it. It doesn't matter how I drive it, it still gets close to the same mileage.

 

[HuskerDiesel]

Brad-

here are a few: Send that manifold back and get a programmer. Sure the manifold is a nice mod, but ask yourself if it is worth the money and labor at this point. And if you want mileage, don't up the tire size at all. the bigger you go the worse it gets. You picked 2 nice mods for your truck, just not in the correct order. you absolutely have to put an exhaust kit on of you want performance and mileage. its the first mod to build on. then you need more fuel and some timing help, from a chip or programmer or even EFIlive if you have the coin. The manifold is going to do nothing for you at this point. Maybe 50-75 degrees in your EGT numbers, but its not a huge factor on build trucks. Send it back, save the time and money and get exhaust, at least a straight through muffler or some flex pipe if you really want to be cheap. the PPE will not make a huge difference on a stock exhaust application either, and without a chip with gauges or a gauge pillar for EGT and boost, how will you know where to set your PPE without going to far? Take the advise of the guys here and take the steps in order. IT makes a HUGE difference if you just do what we all know will work. PM me for some more info if need be. I own a diesel shop out in Colorado and we fight with altitude here as well. we are all here to help... :drink!

Jess

 

[Frozenhosehead]

I figured out today after filling up, that I have around a 30 gallon tank. I was almost on E and took 28 gallons before I couldn't squeeze anymore in.

 

[Frozenhosehead]

I just got the manifold today so I guess after I seal the box back up and take it to the post office I will ship it back and let them know it's coming. I will keep the boost increase though for now. I also got in my high idle kit from Eric @ Merchant.

So, if I was to buy a programmer or chip what is the best bang for the buck? I do like the Diablo Predator Scott aka ob_1jr had that he hooked up to my truck or should I get a chip and if so which one. I want the cool sound and good performance but need the Mpg increase is really what I guess I'm after. I rarely tow heavy loads and travel with an 8' 10" cabover camper weighing it at around 2000 I believe. I had also thought about getting rid of my muffler and just having someone weld in a straight piece where the muffler is.

Thanks for the input so far guys :drink

Brad

 

[junkcollector82]

I just had my first "long" trip. About 400 miles or so. On the way up I got about 15.5 mpg doing 60 and pushing a little wind. On the way back with a 1500 lb truck camper and a light tail wind I got the same. This truck only has about 700 miles on it so I'm pretty happy, but hope to see it go up 2-3 MPG once it's broken in and maybe a couple performance goodies added on. Still satisfied though as my 2003 F-150 supercrew only got about the same and this is 1300 lbs heavier and way more powerful. And I did test the reading on the DIC with my own and they were damn close...like about 0.3 mpg difference. Nice to know it's close!

 

[Frozenhosehead]

I guess I should ask also about the programmers operating system.

What kind of software do you need to download or upload the predator info into your computer. Are they compatible with Apple computers or just windows ?

Are there prorammers out there that are Mac friendly or are the all over on the dark side of windows :fart

 

[ob_1jr]

Predator is already loaded from the company. I don't think there is a way to hook it up to the computer since the cable is hardwired in. The power pup could be updated from internet, but I contacted bully dog when I had my power pup and as of a couple of months ago, there was no new update for the LB7 engine. EFI live uses a computer...I know it works on windows, but I don't know if it works on any other OS. I would say, for the casual user, the predator is your best bang for the buck. It also has all the diagnostics on it to check the engine.

On edit, I just checked out a site online (rpm outlet) and you can buy a computer interface for the predator. The software for it is free too.

 

[Frozenhosehead]

I got a little more help after a second opinion.

Well after some serious deliberating and consoling of the account I was allowed to keep my BD Power manifold. This is where I have decided to start with my performance mod and from the advice I was given from my guy "Mo" at USDieselParts.com who answered a few more questions for me on performance. He said opening up that manifold restriction on the LB7 was a move in the right direction and a good place to start. Mo said to get good performance from you diesel you need to start with exhaust then intake and then progress to a tuner. IMO anything you do to your truck that will help get rid of the exhaust easier is a good thing regardless of where you place it on your list of things to do. Mo said they sell alot of the manifolds and it must be a popular mod if that is the case.

This forum has a lot of good info on it and good people who love diesel trucks; sometimes it is just better to get a second opinion before proceeding to someplace you have no knowledge on. US Diesel Parts is located in Missoula and said that there are here to help and will work with you to do their best to get the performance you want out of your diesel. Give them a call at 1-800-823-4444 and talk to them. It sure helped me out and they are willing to work with you on prices and shipping :drink

I give them 4 stars

 

[sparkyaber]

I also have a long box. I am quite sure that it is a 34 gallon tank. Normal driving ( mostly highway, 15% in town) I am averaging just over 18 MPG. I get about 600 miles to a tank almost to the mile everytime. Now I have noticed a drop in economy when I put on more miles in town. I really can't complain about the milage. My half ton only got about 14 MPH, and my wife's sequoia gets only about 15.5 MPG. Now we take the truck on the longer trips.