donmtt
Novato California
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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Has anyone actually improved the 6.4L economy by either adding a Gear Vendor or swapping out the 4:88's for something taller?
Thanks,
Don
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Taller gears will probably only help if most of your driving is solo (no trailer). GV will help, but how soon it pays itself off will depend on how many miles/year you drive. I figured once it would take about 100,000 miles for me, but that number is dropping as duel rises. For a diesel, it could be much sooner.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 230,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW (still looking for its replacement)
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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Joined: 03/20/2001
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The underdrive unit will probably never pay off unless you drive many, many miles a year. You need to do some sharp pencil work.
Changing the differential gear ratio will reduce the truck's effective power. You probably bought the F-450 for very heavy hauling, so now can you accept a power loss? I do not know how much changing the diesel engine's running rpms changes the fuel consumption, everything else remaining equal. It is different from a gasoline engine that has to work against a partly closed throttle. It is also questionable if the differential gear change will every pay off.
I'm free of prostate cancer for 5 years now.
All men over age 50 should get an annual PSA blood test. Mine had a low reading, but the yearly jump was significant. The biopsy showed cancer just entering the aggressive stage. Dr. Hackenslash removed it.
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lc51willy
Fulltime USA
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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GV are fine unit (I had one in my 454 1 ton) but you can us it to go down hill and braking because is has belts. The US GEAR trans is all gears and will work in down hill braking.
Just what I have done!
Larry
USA TRAVELER
LC&KC
MOJO (Deceased 4/10/06)
2000 International 4700 CREWCAB 530 power/Full Air ride cab.
JAKE BRAKE/ Gvwr 23,500
40ft. Prowler AX6 4 Slides/Trail Air Pin Box/HughesNet dish (
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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The option I would like to have for fuel mileage improvement is a two speed rear axle. I called and talked to the two overdrive manufacturers, both advised against installation on the F-450. One flat out told me their unit would not hold up in the application. A two speed axle would be the ticket, 4.88s for towing, and the ability to switch over to 3.73 for solo highway running.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USN Ret.
Wonderful Wife, 3 beautiful Daughters
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
2008 F-450 Lariat 4x4
2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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How about just lifting your lead foot a little? Will not cost you anything and will save more fuel than a taller gear.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Actually this is kind of a funny post. The OP goes out and buys a vehicle that weighs in excess 4 tons that has a reputation for guzzling fuel. to tow a monster fifth wheel. And now is complaining that his fuel economy is too low  and wants to put some sort of additional overdrive on the truck. Anybody else see the irony of this question?
Donn
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mayorna
Omaha
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Joined: 02/08/2006
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I bought my unit on sale through camping world for my 2005 f350 4x4, traded that truck for my current 08 f450 4x4. installed it myself, keep in mind you will probably have to get some driveshaft work done, mine is a 2 piece, had to have the front shaft lengthened and the rear shortened, about 300.00 for the work. that being said part of the reason for the purchase was to slow the engine down (less wear and tear)and less noise on the 6.0, f350. only had the unit on the truck for 1700 miles and no problems. my truck is a daily driver 20 miles to work in mixed driving, no long solo trips yet but im getting around 1/2 to 1 mpg better with the unit under these conditions. additionally my gcw is about 21000 lb fully loaded. forgot to mention i have the 4.30 gears.
2008 F450 LARIAT 4X4 (JOB 3 BUILD)
2005 Coachmen Catilina 734FKS
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BigDawgBarkin'
Augusta, Ga.
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donn0128 wrote:Actually this is kind of a funny post. The OP goes out and buys a vehicle that weighs in excess 4 tons that has a reputation for guzzling fuel. to tow a monster fifth wheel. And now is complaining that his fuel economy is too low and wants to put some sort of additional overdrive on the truck. Anybody else see the irony of this question?
I went back and read the original post and it didn't sound like he was complaining. The original poster only asked if the product would increase his fuel mileage. I see nothing wrong with getting a big truck that will do the job you need it for AND trying to squeeze as much economy out of it as possible. In fact it seems highly logical to do that.
BDB
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G & G Shelton
North Central Florida
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Joined: 11/16/2006
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RCMAN46 wrote:How about just lifting your lead foot a little? Will not cost you anything and will save more fuel than a taller gear.
Can tell you are not an 08 F450 owner. LOL! Even putting around town I only get 13MPG at the BEST. Has nothing to do with a lead foot. 
I wouldn't trade it though. I truly believe I could tow the earth into reverse rotation. >
2007 Raptor 3712TS Toy Hauler
2008 F-450 Lariat W/ Lots-o-Options (Became mine on 2/22/2007)
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