High MPG work truck

[oil pan 4]

Yes the diesels have hydroboosed brakes.
I went with the fluidampr.

[oil pan 4]

After the last road trip it looks like I can get 20mpg on a regular basis pulling the empty trailer on the open road, then loaded down with maybe 1000 pounds it drops to around 18mpg.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

You could quite literally buy 10x NV3500's for the price of one NV4500 conversion. Not only is there is the up front cost of the 4500, a 3500 is a bolt in replacement for a 700r4, they are identical in mounting and dimensions only requiring you to cut a hole in the floor for the boot and add a clutch pedal.

Most 6.2's will handle an NV3500 just fine, just make sure you use the right sized clutch so it can slip a bit if you slam in and let off the clutch too fast. Also understand that you can rebuild an NV3500 to be much stronger for significantly less than an NV4500 up front.

My 120hp 6.2 has a WELL WORN NV3500 and thus far it works OK, but my truck will likely never pull much beyond a trailer at 15mph in a yard on occasion. Its geared WAY to high and was meant as a craft mobile.

Cheers
Ryan

Really? Good to know. NV3500s are quite easy to find...and the 5th gear ratio is better for my truck.

[oil pan 4]

I did some calculations I should have done a while ago.
Figured out I have been running my lithium batteries at up to 22C rate when cranking the engine. This is not ideal at all.
The super battery I am working on will drop the load on the lithium cells down to a very managable 6C rate. If I expand the super battery (drop in one or 2 additional 4 packs of AMP20 cells I could drop the C rate when cranking the engine to as little as 3 or 4 C.
That means the batteries will last a very, very long time. They should far out last lead acid batteries.

[Varn]

Oil Pan
Our experiences vary but my luck with lithium batteries has been less than stellar. After about a year, two on the outside they don't hold a charge.

[oil pan 4]

So far the lithiums are holding a charge great.
Over new years four day weekend I pulled them put them inside and checked voltage before reinstalling, they were still at 14.5v.
The older of the 2 batteries is over a year old now.

[oil pan 4]

To be fair this time last year I was trying hard to get 16.4mpg in the bitter cold, new tires and thin air here.
I was doing things like running a 50% or more grill block and using my two 650watt block heaters whenever possible.
So far with out trying I am getting near 19 on the day to day drive with the turbo and I am driving 5 to 10 mph faster now that I have more power in over drive to overcome the cross winds.

[Varn]

Hi
Are you using a boost gauge to help you control how much throttle you use. I use boost gauges in both of my diesels. Keeps me from pushing down too hard.

[oil pan 4]

Yes I have a boost gauge and EGT.
Try to keep the boost under 2psi and the EGTs under 600'F unless I have real bad cross winds or head winds.

[oil pan 4]

I put a new thermostat in today and the suburban came up to temperature fast and nearly over heated.
Might have to put the summer thermostat back in.
The thermostat was opening because when I stopped I popped the hood and quick touched the hot side of the radiator was blistering hot and the cooler side was still very hot to the touch.
It should be about 20'F out after work so not too worried about running hot tonight.
With the block heaters and the new thermostat the suburban was up to temp after about 2 miles. Usually I get up to temperature about the time I turn off the main road into work.