Rdxengr wrote: I'm guessing you have a Job#1 F450. On the Dieselstop forum they are talking about a change to the Air Dam in front of the F450 on Job#2 builds. Someone upgraded his Job#1 with the new air dam and is reporting a 1 MPG improvement. Not huge but it is something. He ordered the new air dam from his dealer and installed it.
I'm afraid I would bust the air dam on some of the rough roads I travel. With the huge frontal area TCs have it would be but a small percentage of the overall dirty air problem. Thanks for the heads-up.
Clattertruck
2008 SD F450 PSD 6.4L CC 4X4 DRW, Lariat Auto trans 4.30 LS, 2008 Snowriver 108 truck camper. Jeep Unlimited Rubicon as toad.
Mooney asked "I am curious about whether you manually calculated the mileage or used the built-in computer."
As I said in my post 658 gal divided into 5743 miles = 8.7. The meter teases you by showing a little better mileage.
I have 7500 miles on the truck. I have ordered a Transfer Flow 60 gallon tank so that I can get out of sight without worrying if I can make the next fuel station.
I'm sure a GV will help your fuel economy out some. It's just getting past the intial expense. I have 4.88's, but with the 4.30's you'd have some pretty tall gears, probably around 3.55 to 3.73's.
Freeway only 65 to 75:
Truck only 19 to 20
Truck and camper basically averages to 12.2
Truck, camper, and boat 11.5. 10 on some of the long drawn out windy drives.
Around town a solid never changing 9.
'07 Lance 1131
'04 Weldcraft Sabre
'06 F-550 PSD-4DR-4WD Rear air-ride and a Gear Vendor
Clattertruck
Be careful with the change of gears idea. I investigated changing the gears in my battle with ford when I bought the F-350 and they forced me to take the 4.10 over the 3.73 that I wanted. Front & rear have to be changed @ $750 each, just for parts, and the speedometer cable has to be changed. Then the computer has to be reprogramed. Not to mention the warranty issues.
Ric
That price seems very high. I've got 3.73 gears and am considering 4.10's for my F-350 (my tires are 37" tall). There are other options than buying your ring and pinions from your friendly Ford dealer. For example at www.accuautoparts.com a Yukon Gear ring and pinion set in a 4.10 or 3.73 ratio is $219.48 (that's for a Sterling axle).
A couple of years ago I changed the ring and pinions in my '86 Blazer. I bought all the parts from Randy's Ring and Pinion, (the R&P's were Yukon Gear) and IIRC they were about $450.00 for both axles. I think I spent another $75.00 or so having the old bearings pressed off and the new ones on at a machine shop. The job was somewhat time-consuming, but it wasn't rocket science.
Jay
2002 F-350 CC 4X4 PSD, Stage II Injectors, Garrett BB Turbo, AFE Air Cleaner, Chip, 4" Exhaust, Gauges, Extra Leaf Springs, Air Lift Bags, Hellwig Sway Bars, Rancho RS9000XL shocks, American Racing Wheels, Toyo M/T Tires (4,300 lb rating),
2003 Lance 1121
Recently with our F-450,'08, 4.30 gears, empty, the 'puter showed me getting 17.3 mpg. Frankly, that was going downhill, almost coasting, at around 45 mph. At 60 mph and on level ground I got 15.5. So I am happy with that. Looks like loaded with the heavy Okan 117 DBL I am getting around 10.6 to 11. Remember, on your 'puter to only zero after you reach 50 mph, and not sitting still right after you fill up. I made that mistake for two months, ha. I hope to improve my mpg after I go over 10,000 miles and it is broke in.
Lots of Stuff wrote: Comparing miles per gallon and gas vs. diesel is hard.
I think a new standard might be in order try this: Fuel Cost/Miles Driven=Cost per mile. This would make comparing the important Fuel cost of operation easy.
I'll start our last trip cost $754.35 for fuel/ 2886 miles driven= $00.2613825. Or 26 cents per mile. Ours is a 2500HD Chevy Duramax/Allison carrying a Lance 915.
Figuring Cost per mile may make you feel better about the operational cost of your truck and camper. Or worse.
The 6.4 only has add to it a DPF for emissions. The reason for your poor fuel mileage is stamped on the emission sticker (Hp rating) and at your local drag strip. Head out there and you will see as many diesel trucks as big hp cars. . Ford is in a diesel hp war, and numbers sell and guess what it's not the MPG number we are talking about. Look at our 6.4 in any International truck. you will not see a twin scroll turbo . Why? We don't care if it spins faster than the VGR EVRT turbo we use. Also look at the hp number on our motors vs the 6.4 powerstroke. It is all about the number game. 4.30 and 4.88 gears no reason for that in a light duty truck unless you what a street screamer. Ok yea I think its cool to see the look on some pimple face kid when you leave his rice burner in the dust with your diesel....
'00 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4x4 DRW
'94 Coachmen Ranger 9.5 SD
Mike - PDM International Truck and Engine
Paula - School Teacher
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