Hi all from Kiwi in central Canada (pickup aero cap / topper - pictures)

[MetroMPG]

Looks like you're having fun.

Any advance on the measuring your actual fuel use, or are you still using the force?

Given what you're hauling, maybe you don't really want to know!

[rumdog]

Ha funny you ask, i scored a fuel tank tuesday night, and going to try swapping it tonight with the knowledgeable father inlaw. If it works i will see how bad the mpg really is! I am interested in the bluetooth ebd2 dongles, but from research i dont think it will work with my 95 gmc... anybody try here?
instant feedback would be nice.
I think there are some sore necks in town as people are just about twisting there heads off as i roll by!

[MetroMPG]

Haha! I know the feeling. (Seen my CivicTail thread?)

You'll probably have to go with the MPGuino if your truck is pre-OBD-II.

But even if you have to stick with pen & paper & fill-ups, it's better than nothing.

[rumdog]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Haha! I know the feeling. (Seen my CivicTail thread?)

You'll probably have to go with the MPGuino if your truck is pre-OBD-II.

But even if you have to stick with pen & paper & fill-ups, it's better than nothing.

Ok MPGuino eh, thanks a lot.
Yea i like your cardboard grid structure on your back window... i have no rear widow vision with this cap, no problem with these huge mirrors!
while lying under the fuel tank tonight working the bolts half way out i couldn't help but check out the rustbuckets dirty underbelly. You know aero dirty. I would like to find/score a stock air dam if possible. Easier than a bellypan and who knows how much life the old truck has left. 595 K kms on her! I want to make 600
The fuel tank bolts are soaking overnight... Like four rusty inches long!
Next day...
okay got the tank switched and tested. Will fill it tomorrow, and start a fuel log. Turns out the old tank was patched once before, and looks like thats where it was leaking again. Man my shoulders are sore! Out.

[rumdog]

The rustbuckets Fuel log...
now keep in mind this is a working truck, i haul a 6x12 enclosed trailer and a bunch of tools round the countryside.

16.8 l/100km or 14 mpg - mix 10 trailerhwy, 50% hwy, 40%town

21.3l/100km or 11 mpg - mix 20% trailer, 40% hwy, 40% town

14.1l/100km or 16.7 mpg - mix no trailer , 90% hwy, 10% town

was a little bummed at the results with out the trailer, but the truck was loaded with tools and the side winds were intense today, maximum gust 69km/hr! At 90 degrees too.
Nice to finally see some numbers. From the Saskatchewan windtunnel... out.

[aardvarcus]

I like the shell. Pre-Tacoma, for a couple months I was daily driving my Chevy 1991 K2500LD 4x4 with the 350 TBI. I managed to get it up around 18 MPG, mainly thanks to a 4L60 automatic to NV4500 manual transmission swap I did a while back. From your photos, it doesn't look like you have a factory air dam installed. I saw a 0.5 to 1 MPG improvement from installing one on my truck.

[rumdog]

Originally Posted by aardvarcus

I like the shell. Pre-Tacoma, for a couple months I was daily driving my Chevy 1991 K2500LD 4x4 with the 350 TBI. I managed to get it up around 18 MPG, mainly thanks to a 4L60 automatic to NV4500 manual transmission swap I did a while back. From your photos, it doesn't look like you have a factory air dam installed. I saw a 0.5 to 1 MPG improvement from installing one on my truck.

Thanks aardvarcus, you have a good eye... no airdam, yet. But watch this space! And running without a grill block right now, after pulling the trailer in some warm weather. It would be interesting to test mpg unloaded on a calm summer day, if there is such a thing!

[deejaaa]

wow, i just caught this thread too.
where in Saskatchewan you at? will be going to Saskatoon in July and camping at Bright Sand with the in-laws.
topper looks great.

[rumdog]

Thanks deejaaa it looks good at 100km/h! I live near North Battleford, which is 140 kms west of saskatoon.
I forgot to clamp one side of the cap down yesterday and it started lifting off the bed as i was driving. So i gently slow the truck down until 85km/h where it sits back down.
So the lift force at 85km/h is about the weight of the rear of the cap (cause its hinged).* I figured i was getting a little lift. Not too worried... with a max speed of 105 im not taking off anytime soon.

[rumdog]

So it was calm enough today to try the topper in the up position, while hauling the trailer... (see earlier photos). Results: wow. Increased drivability... i now have from 80 to 100 +km/h in OD and locked, where normally it 85 to 95. To me this says more aerodynamic, less drag. It sure makes it easier to pull. Should be even more slippery with the triangle sides and a higher position. Stoaked!
a guy at the dump asked me how much for a cap and wheel skirts... hmmmmn?!