08-02-2011, 01:57 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Indiana
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Ok folks, everybody knows the advantages of a smaller vehicle. That point has been made. How about answering the guy's question?
First off, welcome Steven.
Secondly, while you certaintly could get better mileage with a smaller vehicle, don't think for a minute that big pickups have to get awful mileage. My own fuel log, as well as several others on this site prove that. Search around and you'll see guys here that are getting in the low 20's mpg even with gassers.
Third, as far as mods go, just take your time researching things (this site and elsewhere). Do your homework. Don't rush out and do something just because one guy on the internet told you so. Know what you're doing, why you're doing it, how to do it, and why & how it works.
My suggestion as a first step would be to get some kind of intrumentation. Without that it's really tough to know whether anything you're doing is making a difference. It's like flying a plane blind with no instruments. Since you're truck is older than '96 you don't have OBD II, so I think you're stuck with the MPGuino option.
After you get that, start keeping a log book of some kind. It can be as simple as a notebook or a full Excel spreadsheet with graphs. The important thing is to keep a record of what you did and what the outcome was. It also allows you to compete with yourself to try to get better and better mileage every day.
Good luck!
__________________
Diesel Dave
My version of energy storage is called "momentum".
My version of regenerative braking is called "bump starting".
1 Year Avg (Every Mile Traveled) = 47.8 mpg
BEST TANK: 2,009.6 mi on 35 gal (57.42 mpg): http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...5-a-26259.html
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08-02-2011, 02:41 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: United States
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Thanks Diesel! With my fair winnings this week I think I might have enough for a MPGuino!
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08-02-2011, 03:52 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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(:
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Quote:
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Secondly, while you certaintly could get better mileage with a smaller vehicle, don't think for a minute that big pickups have to get awful mileage. My own fuel log, as well as several others on this site prove that. Search around and you'll see guys here that are getting in the low 20's mpg even with gassers.
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Is that so? Really? Show them. Not the little trucks either- you said big and that means full-size. Non-diesel. What fe do they get?
My redneck town is filled with schoolboys that drive mudtrucks. It appears they put on 100 miles/day going up and down main street, not leaving city limits. Must be nice to have someone else buy your gas. And they blast country "music". What is it with kids these days? LOL
Riding the bus when your schedule allows it would be be the biggest gas saver of all- driving 4 days/week vs 5 = an instant 20% reduction in gas use. It is highly unlikely that you are going to improve fuel economy by 20% or more. Up the ante- two days of bus/week = 40% reduction.
At any rate, if you truly are stuck with the truck and have activities that cause you to miss the bus and cannot get a scooter, small motorcycle, or small car, then we have many, many threads on how to improve pickups. The big thing will be to put an aerocap on it. As for converting EFI systems and getting a custom tuner job- really? Especially for a student? |
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08-02-2011, 05:05 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2011
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Plus, you guys are forgetting that this guy probably has one huge advantage that us working stiffs don't have: TIME!
He can build an aerocap or put an a belly pan out of scap materials too. Sounds like he lives on a farm, too--farm's always have lots of scrap stuff you can use! These types of mods (or smooth wheel covers, or fender skirts, etc.) take a bunch of time to fabricate. It's hard for some of us to find time to do that kind of stuff, but imagine if you had all the time when you used to goof off in high school again.
__________________
Diesel Dave
My version of energy storage is called "momentum".
My version of regenerative braking is called "bump starting".
1 Year Avg (Every Mile Traveled) = 47.8 mpg
BEST TANK: 2,009.6 mi on 35 gal (57.42 mpg): http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...5-a-26259.html
Last edited by Diesel_Dave; 08-02-2011 at 05:31 PM..
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08-02-2011, 05:10 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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Diesel Addict/No Cure
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Doing an ecm tune by dpTuner is about 400.00 and change and since Fords are tuned on the conservative side from the factory, there is some room on the spark and fuelling tables to make improvements.
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Volvo WIA42 VED-12 / 335 hp / 1300 ft/lbs / 9 mpg
Big n' Boxy, Never met a Hill it Didn't Like
Last edited by cleanspeed1; 08-02-2011 at 05:23 PM..
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08-02-2011, 08:18 PM
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#17 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Wrigley
My family has rental properties so money is real tight.
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All the more reason not to waste it by burning excessive amounts of fuel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel_Dave
Secondly, while you certaintly could get better mileage with a smaller vehicle, don't think for a minute that big pickups have to get awful mileage. My own fuel log, as well as several others on this site prove that.
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Sure it's possible - with your diesel - but it takes some really serious and conscious effort.
Imagine that effort being put into driving a more fuel efficient vehicle, you'd also get stunning MPG - only it'd be a lot higher than 40mpg.
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Strayed to the Dark Diesel Side
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08-02-2011, 09:43 PM
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#18 (permalink)
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Rat Racer
Join Date: May 2011
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Modding the pickup would be great, but modding the commute would be the easiest and biggest improvement. You've got years of commuting ahead, but for the next year someone's willing to drive it for you. Mod the truck and enjoy the better mileage, but enjoy the door to door service, the rest and the big savings while they're there. There isn't a car in the Ecomodder garage that beats 40 miles per day of not having to drive.
When you are in the truck, see what you can do to make the start and stop part more slow and gentle.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @∞MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%
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08-03-2011, 12:06 AM
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#19 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Aug 2011
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I could definately take another route. I'm driving my sister to school too. The one Im thinking of has 3 stoplights but no stop signs where as the one I took last year has about 8  So about covering the wheel wells. Since its a 4x4 very little of the tire is actually in the wheel well. My thinking is the more tire in the covered wheel well the more aerodynamic it is. |
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08-03-2011, 12:22 AM
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#20 (permalink)
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(:
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel_Dave
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I remember now what I was looking for in the garage one time... it was V8 4x4 pickups, of the sort 99% of the trucks around here are. IIRC NOBODY was averaging even 20 but there may have been a few odd 20 or 20+ tanks here and there, just like mine, and those are either due to fill errors or having that perfect tailwind.
The bottom line is he can mod that thing, pour hundreds of dollars into it with "efi upgrades" and "tunes" and aerocaps and what not, and the reality is it's a large thirsty 4x4 beast and he ain't likely to break 20 mpg at all much less average it, and if by some small miracle he does, it will be juuuuuust barely.
Last edited by Frank Lee; 08-03-2011 at 12:27 AM..
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I wonder if there's a million miles on it yet? And he averages 38 miles per hour??? I thought I was slow!
