RCPlayland here.

[RCPlayland]

Hello,

I have been facinated by the high MPG trucks from the 1980's. I have done some research only to find myself drowned in data.

I am joining this forum due to a google search that brought up a topic from Diesel Dave and his record setting 50mpg 3/4ton truck. WOW!

So with that said, I feel even more like a novice on this topic. So I will be doing a ton of reading and asking for help here or there to figure this all out.

What I would like to have is a 50+mpg S-10 or Ranger size truck.

I know that diesels would be the best bet. Yet the ones I have found are older and hard to find parts for.

Yet I have seen some youtube videos of newer style s-10's/rangers being swapped with diesel engines and getting sometimes up in the 60mpg range. Holy moses!

So my goal is building or buying a 50+mpg diesel truck newer style. Might possibly go with an older one, but again... parts availability.

One last thing that I couldn't find that much data on... does cummings make a diesel engine currently that fits in the newer style trucks? Or can I buy one of the overseas motors and stuff it in a newer truck?

[RCPlayland]

Oh, I should add that I bought a new motorcycle just for mpg... 2013 Kawasaki EX300.

Love it! It gives you all the feel of a big boy bike... but lighter/lower center of gravity, higher mpg and still does 105+mph.

The worst I have got on it was 38mpg... very very very heavy throttle.
The best I have got on it was 80mpg... highway 65-70mph no wind mostly flat ground.
The average I get is 55mpg.

$6038.00 with 5 year full extended warranty.

[Frank Lee]

Who is "Cummings"?

[Sporty Modder]

I think this is what he meant...
Cummins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There have been 4b conversions done to Rangers &S10's. 4BT Swap into Chevy S10 - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

A Vw Tdi swap might be more economical fuel wise and alot less weight, not budget wise.

[user removed]

I bought a 1997 Ranger and using hypermiling techniques I have averaged very close to 32 MPG. Its a 2.3 manual without power steering with a 3.45 rear axle and a 5 speed. I do not use engine off coasting. I could probably get close to 40 MPG if I used every possible technique. A lot of my driving in the truck is highway at 55-65 MPH. I had a Ninja 300 but sold it and replaced it with a 1994 Suzuki GS500E with just over 10k miles. I am averaging close to 64 MPG with the GS500E compared to 68 MPG with the Ninja. The difference in fuel cost is offset by lower taxes on the GS. I have $1500 in the GS versus the $4k I paid for the Ninja. I sold the Ninja for what I paid for the bike. I recently bought another GS500E for $850 and will have just over $900 in it whn I get it roadworthy. I ride bikes a lot so the miles I put on a bike would mean high levels of depreciation oin a new bike and I can take care of most maintenance and repairs myself.

regards
Mech

[RCPlayland]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Who is "Cummings"?

Don't you mean "What" is Cummings...

Geesh, cut me some slack... I told you I was a novice... lol.

[RCPlayland]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I bought a 1997 Ranger and using hypermiling techniques I have averaged very close to 32 MPG. Its a 2.3 manual without power steering with a 3.45 rear axle and a 5 speed. I do not use engine off coasting. I could probably get close to 40 MPG if I used every possible technique. A lot of my driving in the truck is highway at 55-65 MPH. I had a Ninja 300 but sold it and replaced it with a 1994 Suzuki GS500E with just over 10k miles. I am averaging close to 64 MPG with the GS500E compared to 68 MPG with the Ninja. The difference in fuel cost is offset by lower taxes on the GS. I have $1500 in the GS versus the $4k I paid for the Ninja. I sold the Ninja for what I paid for the bike. I recently bought another GS500E for $850 and will have just over $900 in it whn I get it roadworthy. I ride bikes a lot so the miles I put on a bike would mean high levels of depreciation oin a new bike and I can take care of most maintenance and repairs myself.

regards
Mech

I hear ya on the motorcycle thing. Just the smaller 300 fits me better. My other motorcycle is a FZR600, which I have way too much money wrapped up in. But it gets 35mpg due to my heavy throttle riding and the ECU set up. I could have adjusted it all, but I wanted something new and high mpg without all the modifications/riding style it would require to get my FZR600 up to par with the 300.

As for the hypermiling of your truck... very cool.

My hopes are to find a high mpg truck or build one with normal non-hypermiling techniques and then start disciplining myself (I have already started with my current truck).

The best my truck has got was 26mpg drafting a diesel rig on the highway for 120 miles. But that is a bit too dangerous.

Majority of my driving is half highway and half stop/go in town traffic.

My main interest is the current newer trucks being swapped with newer style "CUMMINS" (lol) diesel motor set ups. But have had very little luck finding what I need to make that happen.

Too bad our government will not allow some of the small economy size trucks to have what the rest of the planet has. Bummer!

[Frank Lee]

Is it the government or the lack of consumer base that prevents North American small diesel pickups?

[RCPlayland]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Is it the government or the lack of consumer base that prevents North American small diesel pickups?

My opinion would say that is opinion...

Because they are extremely popular everywhere else besides the US.

As far as the government.... they claim particulate emissions are to blame, even with the low sulfur fuels. Not gas emissions.

This much I have researched quite a bit, and very frustrated when I point out the not so fuel efficient larger diesels.

I have read a rumor that Chevy is putting out a 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder diesel truck that will get 35mpg.... so why will they not put this in a smaller economy truck.... I hear from the government.... emissions.... lol

(*SLAPS MY FOREHEAD*)

[Frank Lee]

What?