My truck's got 7K miles on it now all empty miles. I do have a toolbox that's probably loaded up with about 250 or 300 lbs. I've got a couple of dozen 100 lb tractor weights and I got to thinking what if I loaded up the bed of my truck and drove it around with those in there for a few thousand miles? What do you guys think? Would a 1000 lbs or 1500 lbs of these weights in the bed help with breaking it in or maybe some more? Or would that be a waste and what is really needed is a heavy tow (not an option for me)? Has anybody broke one in with weights in the bed like that before?

 

Load it up...
Secure the load...
Drive it like you stole it...

 

Ok I've got my redneck leveling kit with 10 of them back there in the bed I'll leave them in there a couple thousand miles then take em out see if that helps my mileage any.

 

What kinda mileage are you getting by the way? I have the same truck .
Just curious

 

Hand calc without the overdrive it was 16.5 now its running 19 with OD. I live and die by the "drive it like you stole it" creed. I could do a little better than those numbers but I like to have fun when I'm driving and have no self restraint at all

 

Getting 17-18 out of mine... just can't keep my **** foot out of it. I used to say the sound of the turbo was worth the cost of the fuel... but I don't know about that anymore.

 

I saw a big jump in fuel mileage at 30k. The weights will help, but only while starting out from a stop light. Once rolling it won't make any difference (harder to stop) A big trailer works so well, because you have a constant wind resistance while driving, the truck is always working. I wouldn't worry too much about improving your fuel mileage, it is what it is, and will improve a little with time.

 

I did not do it to break in but I did do it to pull the inlaw's camper b/c there were clearence issues with the neck and the bed ( espesially after it broke)
but i left the in for about 2 months, seemed to improve the ride but with +-900 lbs of dead weight in the bed I was worried about having a wreck and all of thet coming throught the cab

 

Chris, See if you can find a buddy or relative with a really heavy trailer and load it down and go find some steep hills. You might even consider renting a U-haul trailer (car transporter maybe?) and put a heavy car on it. You mainly just need to get your water temps up. These Cummins engines sound so good while working and pulling a heavy load!

 

The easiest is to go get the U-Haul car transporter and put on a minivan or something boxy and have fun towing for a while. Can take up to 4000 lbs.
I hope the link works.
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...-autotransport

 

I just got a new short block and rebuilt head put on mine. I also have been wondering about putting enough strain on the engine to break it in. Would driving up and down from sea level to 1800 ft and back to get to work do it? I've been thinking of 1000 lb of sand in the bed too. I guess the real answer is to put a sheet of plywood standing straight up to simulate that trailer. Just don't drive too close behind me in case its not quite strong enough.

How important is this whole break in thing and do I need to worry about it with a daily driver that will seldom tow or see a real load?

 

It'll help seat the rings better and sooner IIRC. Go to the BORG and but a pallet of sand bags, about 1500# worth. Drive to Santa Cruz and back daily for 3 weeks... drive it like you stole it.

 

How did you know I'm working in Santa Cruz? I'd better hurry, the project ends in about 3 weeks then I'm working from home for at least a month.

Thanks.

 

I'm sorry, I thought everyone knew by now.
Oh, and I remember a buddy of mine that hauled a load of sand for a few weeks, then returned it. Not making a suggestion, here.