2000 Dodge Dakota V8 2wd

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

For trucks with the stock bed on them it won't work, but almost every truck adapted with a flatbed or a box body that I used to see had the battery relocated to the outside, under the loading bay, often enabling the fitment of a larger-capacity battery.

[oil pan 4]

Now that it's warmer I'm seeing 19mpg.
Only mods that seems like they might effect mpgs are 30x9.5 tires, back window protector and still running with the fan removed.
When it gets about 90f I'm going to need that fan, got a little hot in town in busy traffic on the two 85f days so far that I drove the truck.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

When it gets about 90f I'm going to need that fan

Get an electric fan, or a dual-fan setup like the ones fitted to most minivans and large FWD cars of the '90s.

[y2kbug]

I've never thought about removing the fan in the winter, that would cause it to heat up faster in the winter. my dakota's fan is old and screams in the winter sometimes. I eventually i'd like to replace it with an electric fan.
Do you have aggressive tread on your tires?
Thanks for posting here hopefully i can learn a few tricks to do better in my dakota. I will driving mine again here soon and if i come up with anything i'll have to share it as well.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

It's much safer to replace the fan with an electric one, than to remove it during winter. You never know when you'd be pulling some heavy load, and then a fan would still be needed.

[oil pan 4]

I'm up to 19mpg.
Strangely fixing the A/C increased fuel mileage. Instead of rushing to get home I slow down and enjoy the coolness.
Still haven't reinstalled the mechanical fan. The towing package electric fan keeps the engine cool even with the A/C going.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Strangely fixing the A/C increased fuel mileage. Instead of rushing to get home I slow down and enjoy the coolness.

Makes sense. Even though the A/C compressor will charge its toll on engine load, cruising at a lower RPM is likely to not be so prone to cause an overheat, while the e-fans are working.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Makes sense. Even though the A/C compressor will charge its toll on engine load, cruising at a lower RPM is likely to not be so prone to cause an overheat, while the e-fans are working.

I have been able to quantify how much fuel the A/C uses, at least at idle. At no load the truck uses 1/4 gallons per hour. With the A/C max going it uses about 1/3 gallons per hour. That would explain why I'm seeing increased fuel economy at slightly reduced speeds.
So we're talking like a 10th of a gallon per hour increase.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

That's quite interesting to see the AC using less fuel at speed. I wonder if it has something to do with the condenser getting exposed to a greater airflow on motion.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

That's quite interesting to see the AC using less fuel at speed. I wonder if it has something to do with the condenser getting exposed to a greater airflow on motion.

I think it's just because I can stand to drive slower when there's 42f air is blowing out the air vents on me whenever it's over 100f outside. I can drive 55.