[Sparkeysmall]

Originally Posted by slowmover

rdefayettes aluminum aeroshell a model for you. Simple, and practical.

Weight has more effect on gassers than on diesels. Cylinder pressure. Time for a cranking compression test. Cylinder leakage will hurt tremendously. We used to never worry over it so much with big blocks as displacement helped it to continue to do its job. On my last one I got it to 17-19/mpg at 55-60/mph (car) with one cylinder almost below spec.

But that car weighed 4,760-lbs all up. Your truck has a huge amount of weight to overcome just in rolling from a start.

That truck isn't needed to move a travel trailer, but with the welder (and I assume) quite a lot of gear and supplies, I can see the appeal.

However, if moved infrequently, that can be hired out to an RV transporter. And the rest better covered by a car or smaller pickup with a decent trailer.

AAA and Edmunds both have worksheets on total cost of ownership. Most of us pay highly for convenience. Without IRS deductible miles, it's overly expensive to buy what is essentially a full time work vehicle (generates its own income) and use it for personal transportation, especially commuting.

I really like the 488. Remember them well. A popular alternative to the Cummins of the era. More and better power (useful) in many cases.

So, start with records. All those receipts showing fuel purchases. Use a journal or Fuelly. One needs to know the annual cost per mile for fuel. Changes in fuel economy are percentage changes to the average annual mpg. MPG gains are more slippery than they appear.

Complete book service after engine condition analysis. Given the age new body and bed bushings. Steering needs to be like new, this is huge for 4WD pickups.
Tire pressure should be reasonable. Too high is a bad idea from
Standpoint of safety. Longevity isn't improved either.


The mantra is fewer miles via trip consolidation and planning. Accomplish the same things, but with far fewer cold starts. Then drive the remaining miles more efficiently.

Cut annual miles. Record a higher average mph (engine hours versus odometer miles). With some new habits at the wheel, note percentage gain for gallons consumed.

THEN will upgrades show any benefit. One must have separated the wheat from the chaff or expensive changes will show false benefits.

There's always a minimum as to usage. Minimum miles to have accomplished the same ends. Will proposed changes affect that low miles number enough to be of benefit, is the real question.

One must have records.

If one is still in the mind set that increasing tank range with no changes to driver skill and vehicle use, then it's an expensive road made more expensive. Not less.

The money is in use. Type and frequency. What is the minimum?

My thought is why pull a trailer to work everyday (let alone usual campground parking.) and still get around 13 mpg with something suitable to tow all that gear. I bonked my jeeps average from 16 to 22 highway by footwork alone. But having the 4.0 and 4000lbs loaded i woukd accel at half throttle or so and watch the inst guage like a hawk to keep it above a set amount.

Anyway. I understand how to drive light footed up hills. The problem is whenever you open the taps on the v10 it sucks like a cow.

And yes im going to keep a log of fuel spent vs money used for upgrades. Of course you want everything to pay itself off as soon as possible. And i plan to drive this truck as long as i can. Its the nicest vehicle ive had yet. Would i rather a nice sedan hybrid? Yeah. But with the skills i have and bassackwards thinking i normally do the truck is the way to go. Most of my jobs im working 60+ hrs a week out in the field. But i got this inside gig makin decent cash. And it aint going to last long.

I just got the truck maybe 6 months ago. After being an apprentice for a few years. And the welding rig was cheap off some old guy who was retireing.

And plus i like the mechanical challenge. As ive gotten used to the truck ive squeezed a mile more out of it. But the gas pedal cant do anything to cut down on aero and mechanical drag.

I said it before, if i could average 20+ with non hybrid modifications i would be happy. The ev idea is exactly that. An idea. I would need to see what ive done so far to pay it self off before i invest in that.

Weight is a massive issue with any vehicle. Apart from stripping the body panels off and swapping with fiberglass, theres not too much i can do. I allready keep only the necessary tools for the job with me. And as i sit right now. The truck is unloaded.

Anyway im not trying to start any arguments. Just sharing my adventures and trying to get some input. The truck aint going anywhere. And if im not trying to get decent economy out of it someone else would still be getting less than 10 everyday in it.