Ghearic

Hey guys, New to the site here.

I own a 2005 2500 w/ the H.O. and am looking to boost my mileage as much as possible.

I have put in a EDGE Mileage Max Chip and an AFE air intake system.

What is going to get me the most bang for my buck?

Muffler? Synthetics?

What do you guys reccomend to have for such a set up also? I'm referring to monitoring gauges and such.

I'm pretty sure I have the 3.73:1 back end also. Is this better than having the 4.10:1?

I'm sorta new to a lot of this so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have already planned on changing all my oils to synthetic. I have heard getting rid of the catalytic converter can help immensely also.

thanks in advance...

Ghearic

I also had another question...

I bought that EDGE Mileage Max chip and I have noticed a small increase in mpg. However, my onboard computer is going crazy!!!!!

Before my computer was showing like 20...21 mpg (when in actuality I was getting like 17) and now with the chip I'm showing like 28...29 mpg (when in actuality I'm getting like 18 to 19 mpg).

I am worried about my onboard computer showing these outrageous numbers. Is there a way to reset my onboard computer or possibly my fuel pump computer????

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

snoyes

Alot of discussion on this very subject if you do a quick search. Basically, yes the 3.73s will give you better mileage on the highway. One of the best things you can do to get better mileage is slow down, keeping it around 60-65. Tall skinny tires help, and maxing the air pressure out of those tires also helps. If you have towing mirrors, swapping for the non-towing mirrors will help. If you can, a tonneau cover may help to increase your mileage slightly, been some debate on this after the Mythbusters eposide which sad it had no improvement. Muffler has alot of restriction, replacing that with a high flow will help, but I have not gained any mileage out of that. Cat removal may help to decrease EGTs, but I have no seen any gain out of that. Additionally, and more expensive, you could change the gears out for 3.54s. Guys have also swapped out the hubs in the front end for the warn type manual hub, which has given some about a .5 MPG increase. Just some ideas, the best mileage gainer in all this is slowing down. As for the Edge Programmer, hopefully someone can chime in that has used that product. I know the dealer can re-flash your mileage computer, but that would cause some issues with the Edge on their. And for gauges, depends on what you like. Digitial are nice, I am a personal fan of the old dial type. Been using them for years with no failures.

chwhit

I got a little help from my edge juice, I have also heard many good things from installing a tonneau cover, and running synthetics in your drivetrain as well. I agree with "snoyes", driving a bit slower and accelerating a bit slower will greatly improve mileage. My computer goes crazy too, I've just always hand calculated mine, I don't really worry about it but the dealership might be able to do something about it.

98whitelightnin

I think every body's over head goes nuts when you add a box of some type. I dont worry about it just dont trust it either.

Ghearic

I agree snoyes, with the speed issue.

I live here in VA and they are cruel on speed limits anyways so I drive about 63 mph all the time on the highways.

I have Tall Radials with high pressure in them and that helped some for sure.

I want to do the synthetics I think, especially since I think the previous owner of my truck never EVER brought the truck in for its initial tune ups and checks when buying a new vehicle.

I was thinking of getting rid of the Cat since the piece is only about $65 on genosgarage.com. I was told its a very quick easy fix that can give you more power and mpg's...and makes the truck sound pretty cool also...which is obviously the area of concern! ...that was a joke

I agree with you on the dials also snoyes. The old style gauges are better anyways because you tend to notice when a dial is not in its normal position better than a digital readout. The navy keeps the old dial gauges even in their reactor plants for important monitors.

One of the guys on my ship is doing his front hubs right now for his truck...the entire concept behind it makes total sense, but $1600 for the set up and all the work is a lot of money.

Are there any situations I should be wary of concerning a 2005 Ram? Any recalls or engine/chassis/drivetrain problems I should look out for concern?

Thanks for the info so far guys.

-G

snoyes

One of the biggest concerns some have are watching power adders and how they react with the transmission. Do you have the auto or manual? While the NV 5600 tends to be a little more accomdating to power (manual), the 48RE (automagic) may have more issues with it, and the costs go up significantly with serious mods to the auto. If you don't beat on the truck, stop light racing or attempt to drag race it, and be careful when you tow you should be fine (ie, not slipping the trans). However, no for sure with power adders and the trans. Some have lasted 100K with them, some go out in 3K with them. Traditional issues then to be ball joints failing prematurely, U joints/driveline vibs, and some have experiences the awesomely scary Death Wobble (DW) which you can read about on here. Basically a self perpetuating oscillation which you have no control over, though there is some discussion of new front end parts which may help to prevent this event. There may be more 05 specific information available, hopefully someone can jump in here with an assist.

cdennyb

Driving in the summer produces slightly less MPG, (The tires seem to stick to the road surface more) driving in the winter with wet cold roads produce more MPG, (Tires are less 'stuck' to the road, thus less resistance to rolling.) Synthetics do help a bit, mainly because winter has less effect on the resistance of the engine warming up than conventional oils and lubes do...and... slow down. simple...shange your driving habits and watch the increase. BUT... keep in mind this, you can drive all week at 50-55 starting and stopping real smooth and slow, coasting as much as possible and then one jack-rabbit start or passing some semi with wide open throttle and you loose what MPG you saved over the coarse of several days.
Resist the temptation of using that "box" for HP and enjoy the benefits of the increased timing. More boost, less MPG, is a good rule of thumb. The more boost you're making the more fuel you're burning to make that boost... didn't think about that did you?
Cruising down the highway empty I pull about 5 psi boost at 55-58 mph, but if I turn it up to 65 my boost increases to almost 10-12 psi...and the MPG goes down about 15% or so.
When you hook on to a trailer, forget fuel mileage.

db

Texas Crew'd

After everything is said and done I think it all comes down to wind, rpm and lastly load.

MOAGGIE

Pretty much what everybody has said, slow down and keep the rpms below 2000 and it will help, as far as during the winter..here in Missouri on winter fuel we lose mileage, picks back up on summer fuel. It all depends on where you live, environment and use of the truck. good luck. if you find any real mpg savers let us all know.