Help with new 2015 RAM 1500

[Mighty Mouse]

I went with the 5.7\8-sp and plan to get 30+mpg after all my mode's (a guy can hope).
There are more Mod's for the Hemi than V-6, but there are some.
Tire pressure to MAX rated psi.
Change the T-stat to 180. Adjust Temps in ECM.
DIABLO Sport has a Tuner that contains a Eco Tune, may even be a Tuner guy that will build a specific tune for the V-6.
Lower does work, or at least extend the from dam 2+".

Just some idea's.

jim

[user removed]

Originally Posted by kir_kenix

My brother has the same truck as you (regular cab, right?), and he is getting similar results...25ish on the highway. He was rocking a 2wd ecodiesel, but was rear ended by a semi in Battle Creek Mi, last month. He's not really an ecomodder, but hes pretty darn careful to get decent gas mileage as he gets paid a flat rate by the mile. Told me last night that the mileage is absolutely terrible while pulling any sort of weight on a trailer, but otherwise is way more cost effective than the diesel once you consider the premium Fiat wants for that engine.

He's got a generic soft bed cover on it, says snow never gets disturbed in the first 2/3rds of the cover and he has to shovel it off. I'll be watching this with thread with interest to pass on anything you find that works for you. I'm thinking that the era of 30mpg full size trucks is just about upon us.

I am not anti diesel, but with a 50 cent per gallon cost penalty, not even considering any other costs, diesel mileage needs to beat gas by about 25% just to cover the higher fuel cost. Here gas is as low as $2.159, while diesel is
$2.759 right now. The price spread has been significantly higher before.

At $2 per gal for gas and $3 for diesel, the diesel vehicle needs to get 60 mpg versus the gas vehicle at 40 mpg to have the same fuel cost per mile.

regards
mech

regards
mech

[kir_kenix]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I am not anti diesel, but with a 50 cent per gallon cost penalty, not even considering any other costs, diesel mileage needs to beat gas by about 25% just to cover the higher fuel cost. Here gas is as low as $2.159, while diesel is
$2.759 right now. The price spread has been significantly higher before.

At $2 per gal for gas and $3 for diesel, the diesel vehicle needs to get 60 mpg versus the gas vehicle at 40 mpg to have the same fuel cost per mile.

regards
mech

regards
mech

Agreed on all you said above. However, there are a lot of other things to consider in the equation as well (longevity, higher maintenance prices, resale, towing capacity, etc, etc). For right now I think my brother is doing much better in the gasser than he was in the diesel, but only time will tell.

Personally, I will always own a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton because I almost never drive one of the beasts unless I'm towing with it...which weighs HEAVILY in the favor of the diesel. The OP stated that he wasn't planning on towing, so his cost analysis is going to favor the fuel efficient gasser, even if the diesel gets more mpg's (initial cost of the diesel, premium cost of fuel, routine maintenance on a vehicle not being driven to 350k miles...).

Every situation is going to be different, but few people seem to take all the variables into account. Most think that they just NEED the diesel, when in reality they would be much further ahead financially to get a v6 gas truck.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by Mighty Mouse

I went with the 5.7\8-sp and plan to get 30+mpg after all my mode's (a guy can hope).
There are more Mod's for the Hemi than V-6, but there are some.
Tire pressure to MAX rated psi.
Change the T-stat to 180. Adjust Temps in ECM.
DIABLO Sport has a Tuner that contains a Eco Tune, may even be a Tuner guy that will build a specific tune for the V-6.
Lower does work, or at least extend the from dam 2+".

Just some idea's.

jim

I've run 44psi before in my truck and it ends up making the speedo off by 10%, but I have the 33" tires.
I'm aiming for at least 25mpg; time will tell.
Superchips may have a tune for 2014s; can't recall. My Superchips tuner has an economy tune, but I get better results using the towing tune...in town anyway.
Since I also have a RAM, albeit it older, I suggest a warm air intake. I currently pull air through the radiator, right next to where the upper radiator hose enters. I can get a 30* temp rise almost all the time with my current setup. With an engine computer that uses manifold air pressure (MAP), and not mass airflow (MAF), this trick works to increase mileage. I get about 5% more mpg. 5% of 20mpg is 1mpg...
Centerline wheels are 20# each for 17", but they're not really worth the money just for saving on fuel. You might be able to find some OEM TRX wheels; they are 23# each.
I've not lowered my truck, but I did put drop shackles in the rear end to level the truck.
If you don't tow or haul much, you could remove the overload leaf springs to save some weight. Same for the spare tire.

[drainoil]

This is impressive imo in a full size truck. I've driven the Mopar 3.6 in a Town & Country I once rented and was impressed (mostly by the power).

[Hersbird]

We have the 3.6 in a town and country. like you said good power and economy. I get good economy and when my wife drives it she must get good power. I'll have her set up on a new tank, get the average up in the 20s even around town, and 2 days later I drive it and she has it down in the 17's. Then as I drive I see the average start ticking up again. Oh well, even 16 is better then the 14 a similar GM 3.6 was getting in her Buick Enclave.