1995 Dodge Ram 2500 V-10 - 25 mpg possible?

[superchow]

OK, so here's my thought experiment: My father in law has an 8.0 liter V-10 1995 Dodge Ram 2500, and he's trying to sell it. (BTW - it's not a diesel.) So, not surprisingly he is having a hard time selling a truck that gets 8-10 mpg in town and at best 15 mpg highway. Anyone who would want a truck like that would buy a newer one, and those who need one would consider a diesel first, just for the fuel savings. Needless to say that it being 12-13 years old with 236,000 miles does not help. It is in good shape, but the darn mileage is always against me.

However - it does not rev very high, 1500-2000 rpm on the highway, which made me wonder if I lowered drag, how much could mileage be improved?

Obviously you'd still want it to be able to tow horses/hay/etc, which would mean a relapse into its drinking habits. So no crazy tail-cone mods please.

My obvious mods would include lowering the ride, fitting road tires (low rolling resistance?), wheel skirts (front and back), modding the side mirrors. The bed area is the a troublesome spot. Is there a way to deactivate cylinders while on the go? Is it recommendable for reliability?

But since this is a thought experiment, I'm open to all ideas!

[Red]

Erm no idea if you could hit 25mpg with it but off the top of my head.....

I'd swap out the rear diff for a set of 3.55 or lower if possible.
Convert it to 2WD. I think all 2500 were 4x4s and that front D60? is one heck of a paper weight.
Bed cover like Daves.
Lower it
Skirts
Grille Block
Swap your rims to the set that looks like they came off a semi. They are more closed than most designs and might give you a few aero points

Good luck though

[Duffman]

It will never hit 20. Look at all the mods that Dave has on his F350 and he is 25ish. A dodge V10 is just too much engine.

[lovemysan]

I don't think so either. Its work to get a diesel to 25mpg. Maybe if you did ton s of aeromodding, tall tires, 2.73 gears, etc and spent the whole tank at 40 mph. You might get close. Gas trucks do not tolerate lean mixtures, you'll cook a valve, toast a rod bearing, blow head gasket, etc.

[superchow]

Didn't think about changing the rear diff. Serious surgery, but makes a real difference I suppose.

Thanks for the feedback people!

[IndyIan]

Maybe pulse and engine off coast alot? Atleast you have a big enough truck that you don't have to worry about annoyed people behind you! I'm sure most cars disappear if they tailgate!
I'd imagine your truck uses alot of gas even idling so if you can shut it off for 20% of your commute you would probably save 20% on gas. Braking and steering would have to be tested though with a truck this big.
Get a scanguage if your truck is OBDII compliant,(it works with my 95 neon) as any savings in gas would quickly pay it off. You will be able to see that even coasting with the engine idling saves quite abit of gas. Even with my little cars idling while coasting uses about 1/3 to 1/4 as much gas as maintaining rpm in gear.
As for getting 25mpg, I have to try to get 27mpg with 2.0L and 4 wheel drive (no aero mods yet) so it may not happen, but with a few driving mods you will be able to save quite abit of cash.
Ian

[lovemysan]

Engine off in a 3/4 pickup is not really possible. You could not pass any type of avoidance test without power steering. Unless your the hulk. Even if you could turn the steering wheel fast enough the column and steering system is not designed to withstand the force necessary to turn the truck. The brakes are another problem when you loose vacuum assist it takes probly 300-500lbs of pedal force to stop the truck. It takes 200lbs to stop my 2400lb saturn in an E-stop.

[IndyIan]

I would think your right about steering and braking effort. Probably the best option is to get a second vehicle if this rig is being used for any amount of miles unloaded. Most smaller operation farmers near me don't drive the pickup into town unless then need to and I see alot guys with a minivan at the farm supply store. Gas in Canada was expensive enough when these were available that I've only ever saw 2 V10 dodge pickups, and in my area dodge makes up probably 1/3 of the trucks on the road.

[ebacherville]

I have a old 1 ton ford van that the power breaks are shot.. i can stop it, but its not easy..lol

Im in the find a better small ecoobox .. it will be far cheaper.. use the truck when you need a truck.