So I recently found myself stuck with my full size truck and having to drive 20 miles out to school 4 days a week. I considered purchasing a smaller truck, a economy car, or even a motorcycle but honestly I cant go more than a week with out needing a 8' bed or having to tow something. I also thought about buying a second vehicle but after doing the math it would be cheaper to just keep my truck rather than add a car payment, more insurance, +that cars gas. Long story short I've begun reading up on improving my FE and have started modding and driving accordingly.
So heres what I've got to work with...
1996 Dodge Ram SLT 5.9L V8 2WD Auto, before ecomodding I averaged about 13.5 mpg. My long term goal is to be able to hit 20 mpg
. This tank I began driving more conservatively and experimenting with different hypermiling techniques to the extent that an auto can. I also began trying to areo up my 3 ton brick...
Heres pics of what I've got so far. Grill block and passenger mirror delete.
On the front, I blocked the top sections of the grill will with sheet aluminum and the bumper with clear tape. The tape's only temporary until I can think of a cleaner way to block it. I also used copper pipe insulation to block the gap between the hood and bumper as well as between the headlights. The mirror cover is another piece of sheet aluminum and I am going to paint it to match the truck tomorrow.
This is just a start to my modifications. I also I plan on doing a full belly pan, adding a tonneau cover, replacing drivers mirror with something more areo, removing antenna, switching to an electric fan and of course getting a scanguage. I only have 50 miles on this tank (30 gal
) so its too soon to tell how much this is helping but I'm hoping to be at about 17mpg+.