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Originally Posted by Big Dave
Parking curbs and road debris don't even scratch the stuff.
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So you can drive forward until it slides over a parking curb, then back up, and it slides back over it with no problem? I was wondering about that.
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
3.08 is the numerically lowest gear I've ever seen for a 10.25" sterling axle. I don't think they are commonly available anymore.
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That's my understanding as well. The Ecoboost challenge was done with a 3.15, which is pretty close.
My truck came with the 8.8 inch "corporate economy" 2.73, which was pretty common. More rare is the 2.47 which I have sitting on the shelf, and plan to try for a future longer trip at some point.
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
What's more, I now have a Gear Vendors 22% electric overdrive.
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I checked out their web page and the install looks pretty slick. Can you order it with different ratios? It looks like something that would be a must have for anyone with a 3.55 or 4.11. Too bad it's so spendy!
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
In top gear, I'm pushing a net (0.71x0.78x3.08) = 1.71:1 net gear ratio. At 50 MPH I'd be turning 950 RPM and my big diesel easily pushes that gearing.
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Diesels are great for producing gobs of torque at low RPM. I was going to say they don't have a throttle body either, but just now I'm reading that this has been added (when? what engines?) for the benefit of EGR systems. Sounds like a disaster to me.
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
Right now I'm running a flat hard A.R.E. tonneau while I contemplate another shot at a aerolid.
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I wish Brett Herndon had some backing for his invention. I'd love to buy one for my truck after my current project trip.
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
I looked at your website and have a few questions.
1. How big a fuel tank are you gonna allow?
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The fuel / fuel capacity thing is an interesting one that I pondered on for a long time. "Stopping once to refuel" without diddling much with the quantity is one of those things that simplifies and "captures the imagination". Saying you did it on "xx.x" gallons or "xx.x" miles per gallon just doesn't focus the mind like the prospect of running out of gas and just plain not making it.
That said, some of the F550 and F650 with certain tank options have very large fuel capacities and could likely make the whole trip without stopping! That's why I've been trying to come up with some common sense limitations that bring things back to an "everyman's truck".
From an objective standpoint, if you look at the 2008 adjusted EPA estimates for my 1996 F150 versus a Prius, my truck carries less fuel than a Prius relative to its fuel economy.
The Prius has a combined EPA estimate of 50mpg * 11.9 gallons for a range of 595 miles. My truck has a combined estimate of 15mpg * 37.2 gallons for a range of 558 miles. Without ecomodding and hypermiling, my truck is at a disadvantage to complete the proposed trip.
Did your truck even come with an EPA estimate? I can't find it in the 2008 before / after comparator database.
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
Going 2,300 miles on one refill means I have to go 1,150 miles on a tankful. My truck has a 29 gallon tank but going further than 25 gallons into increases my pucker factor (you never want to run a diesel out of fuel)
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Learned something new. It's not something you want to do often for fuel pump longevity, but I plan to run my tanks empty before the roadside refill. I can see now why having a different category for diesels is an even better idea than I had at first realized.
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
I can appreciate your desire for fidelity to the way most folks use pickups. To achieve fidelity to the "max utility" configuration you should be running open bed. But an open bed will rob 3 MPG off the best of designs.
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Completely true. But compared to aerolids, tonneaus are very common, and even Wayne did his trip with one ...
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Originally Posted by Big Dave
There is waaaay too much BS in MPG claims because there is really no quick way to verify. ... the EPA thing is just an estimate made by people who are not that sharp. You are proposing to step into that void.
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Even after allowing tests that include cold temperatures, hot temperatures with AC, and finally the high-speed loop, the EPA numbers are not realistic. They're just more realistic than they used to be.
There are still no potholes on EPA tests. Or rain. Or uneven pavement. Or hills. Or crosswinds. Or head/tail winds. Or ...