1999 Dodge Dakota

[lazanti]

I have a 1999 Dakota 4.6 4x4.....was wondering what are some simple eco mods i can do to improve mpg....fastest i go is 60 and get about 17 mixed highway/town

[Gealii]

As far as simplicity it is going to be the same mods everyone suggests
1) bed cover, not a cap unless it is an aerocap
2) smooth wheel covers
3) lowering or arch gap fillers as found on our list 65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com
4) buy a FE gauge
5) adjust the nut
6) fill up tires

[c_silva88]

if im not mistake your truck should have an electric fan and engine driven fan on my friends we pulled the engine driven fan and swapped in a set of under drive pulleys at the same time and he got 2-4 mpg. in the 2 years since we pulled the engine driven fan the electric fan rarely ever comes on

[t vago]

I don't think so. E-fans started getting installed on Dakotas, only beginning in the 2000 model year.

That being said, it should easily be possible to retrofit an e-fan to OP's Dakota. Though I am not familiar with a 4.6L engine in a Dakota. 1999 model year Dakotas came with a 2.5L I-4, 3.9L V6, 5.2L V8, or 5.9L V8.

[justme1969]

Hmm other than those mentioned gear up or get a larger diameter back tire if rpm is high on interstate., front spoiler or air dam. dont forget that a more efficient engine makes better use of its fuel, my 99r/t has come a long way with no special mods; well sorta for a gas sucking pig truck.

[Sven7]

Grille blocks (as much as you can)
Air dam (Can do with lawn edging for <$20)
Wheel covers (coroplast cut into circles and zip tied to spokes)

And cover the rear half of the bed, if you're not up to making an aero topper. GM holds a 1984 (?) patent on covering the rear half, claiming it's more efficient than covering the whole thing. By any account, the differences are pretty close. But buying a half sheet of plywood is cheaper!
http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-sv...ture4138-a.jpg

[t vago]

Covering the bed (even covering just the rear half) does not work with 3d generation Dakotas.