I know different folks have used different performance adjuncts, so here is my question. Can some of you give me information as to how to increase mileage and possibly power, in the most cost effective way.

I have 2003 Dodge, quad cab, 4 X 4, diesel, 2500, short bed, 5.9L, automatic with 4/10 gears, drop in Airaid filter. I get about 15 to 16 mpg driving foothills east of Sacramento, California, in El Dorado County and up to about 17 highway with cruise and doing 63 to 65 mph.

I am looking at putting the Edge Juice with attitude and a transmission module with it, looking to get better mileage and more power. I am also looking at changing the gear ratio to 354's or in between looking to get better mileage.

Can some of you give experience as to what you have done and what results you have gotten? Maybe even what other brand chips or trans modules you have used and how you feel they have done. One person I know just changed to the Banks exhaust (after the Cat) and feels that it will increase his HP and MPG?

Some thoughts and experiences, PLEASE!

Thanks
Scott

 

scootin,

Welcome to DTR you'll find a wealth of knowledge here!!

If you are driving at 63-65 mph around here you are a traffic hazard and you know it!!

Your 4.10's are perfect in these hills and you'd not gain mileage by a gear swap sorry.

First I'd check your tire pressure as it is critical to mileage. Run your tires at 80% inflation at all times.

Second get a real intake instead of a drop in filter or at least swiss cheese the bottom of your air box.

Third exhaust once you open it up from stock you'll realize why.

Fourth use a diesel fuel injector cleaner regularly my favorite is Howes Meaner Cleaner (one of the few that works as described on the bottle) Use it it works!!!

Fifth change your transmission filter and fluid at 20k mile intervals. Eventhough your truck has 4.10's the fluid still heats in the hills.

I have pm'd you my information feel free to give me a call.

Rick

 

I'm in general agreement w/ all the above but I'm a cheapskate on the air intake.

Do the swiss cheese & put in an AFE proGuard 7 dropin. You'll save $2-300
on that little maneuver. If you still feel you want an aftermarket intake after
that, feel free to make the rich man richer. You'll be out only the cost of the afe filter.

I use power service additive found at tractor supply & wallyworld. Use grey
bottle in warm weather & white bottle in cold. White has anti-gel stuff in it.

Go with Quadzilla Performance. This guy is on the cutting edge of technology
& thier customer service is the best.

 

runamuk / koogala

??? Swiss cheese - what size and how many holes?

Exhaust suggestions? larger pipe for the full length? Different muffler?

Trans - I was thinking of going to amzoil synthetic for the trans, but not sure it would be any better and it is surely more expensive, especially changing it every 20k miles. Others have talked about after market pans that have drain plugs to make it easier to change fluid, and ports for trans temp gauges to be installed without having to tap it?

Air filter - someone else had recomended the AFE progaurd also, is there that much difference?

What is the "power service additive" and what does it do?

Thanks for the information
Scott

 

Scootin,

Do a search on "Swiss cheese". Several guys have had good luck doing this.

Power service never helped my rig do anything. So I tried Howes and finally got results and relief from a ticking #1 injector. Plus Howes guarantees a 4.8% increase in fuel economy.

After market exhausts are too many to mention but I'd preferably go with a turbo back 4" system with performance muffler designed for diesels. Straight pipe it if you like them LOUD!

Rick

 

Scootn That's a question I've asked lots of people. Can't seem to get a consistant answer. Most people who have extra fuel added claim improvements in mpg.
I'm no scientist or have any special training. I've had 7 of these diesels is my best reference point, and common sense. Some of my 12v were modified, only fuel, not tires, and I didn't see better mileage than stock. All of my trucks have gotten around 18mpg on the hwy at 65mph. Two of those 7 had 4.10 gears, all were manual tran. Also make sure your odomiter is correct and hand calculate.
Are you on stock tires or bigger wider aftermarkets? Narrower stock or just slightly biger diameter if you had 4.10 should help improve mpg. Why did the 1st gens get good mileage? Not enough power to make you think you could go fast "when stock" and narrow stock tires. 2nd gen wider tires more hp so people take off fast and have more tire on the ground 1-2mpg less economy. 3rd gen more hp more foot on the floor driveing less mpg losts of people mad because of poor mpg. Put narrow stock of close to stock size tire if you have a 4.10 and drive it like you stole it on "occasion" or pull a heavy load for a while to burn the carbon out and wow better mpg. Also when the 1st gens were new speed limits were mostly 55mph now there 65-70mph wind resistance.
Considering all the factors against us in the newer trucks its a wonder we can get 18mpg, if it weren't for tecnology improvements I'm sure we wouldn't.
Try driveing 55mph and watch the guys cutting the grass pass you, but you'll get 18+mpg. I did that once, got over 20mpg in my 04. Rolling terain in southern MO.

 

Scootn
I'm in the same situation as you, same truck but mine is an early 04 with a 5 speed manual, Yea, the CA 235 version bought in Reno.
I get about the same mpg as you maybee 1-2 better.
I have been lurking a while and searching tons of threads on this subject.
I just got my TAX return back and orderd a Juice with Attitude I went this route for the moniter included and all the good feedback.
I don't want the most powerful out there, just the safest and best value.
I also oderded a full MBRP exhaust. I already went with the Amsoil airfilter and will modify the stock airbox.
I finally ditched the stock 245's and got some open country 285's it looks like a real truck now, I hope that doesn't hurt the milage to much.
I will post what the mods do for my mileage on a trip to Reno for spring break,
if I can keep my foot out of it for one way at least
I told my wife I needed this stuff for better mileage.

BTW the synthetic trans fluid will make your tranny run cooler and it will last alot longer than 20,000 miles. 20,000 mile change would be for Dino oil.
I was one of the few that didn't blow my 2000 PSD auto tranny but I ran a temp guage and a cooler with Amsoil in it.

 

how much is an amsoil motor oil change on average?

 

I put 285/70's on it and did not recongnize a mileage difference.

Will try the fuel injector cleaner.

Amsoil oil ($18 - gal) change with filter ($17.40) is about $72. That was with a preferred customer discount.

I purchased the trans fluid thinking I would do that with amsoil also, and it was $132 for the fluid alone. But I have not changed over yet because of not feeling comfortable doing the change myself. I want to be able to flush it out of the torque converter to get a complete change. One shop would use thier flush machine but wanted $200 to do it and another would do it for about $120.

pinenut - One shop I talked to suggested that if I put the juice w/a on, I should also put a trans module to keep it locked up? Is the mod too much power without making trans modifications? Did you install it yourself?

Thanks all

 

I do want to start anything , but it would seem to me that there is no logic in the idea that gearing will not do anything , with the 4:10s you do not need any power unless you want more speed , I think that 3:54s or less with more power is the way to go , the engines are detuned and with more fuel can get better millage , a half way point is to change gearing with tires but pushing bigger tires with the orginal set up is a compromise , becouse it takes more HPs to push the bigger tires.
Its the old story of tryen to have your cake & eat it too.

 

scootn -I just orderd it so I haven't got it yet, I will do the install, sounds pretty strait forward + Tips or here also.
I have a manual trans so maybee someone else can help on the trans module.

Find a shop you can trust to do the tranny change or they may not even use your Amsoil.

 

Scott, run at least 4" exhaust out all the way turbo back. 4" should be more than enough to accomodate the edge/w juice.

Although I have amzoil filter, the research I did on here shows afe proguard flows the best. I'm opposed to ALL aftermarket intakes because they're WAY
overpriced. That isn't to say they don't flow good. A guy named Hoss has a great picture of the swiss cheese box when you do a search. I put about 25-30 3/8" holes in the bottom of mine. Was gonna use a 1/2" but 3/8 was biggest I could dig up.Amzoil filter filters everything out but germs.Nanofiber technology

Haven't done tranny stuff so I'm not gonna give any advice on that.

Power Service Diesel Kleen is one of several additives on the market. Many people use it with Marvel Mystery Oil. Keeps fuel pump lubed, boosts cetane rating, & the white bottle has anti-gel for cold climates. I don't know as ANY of this stuff really does much of anything other than the anti-gel formula. Its fairly cheap "Feel Good " insurance. Its not gonna hurt anything & it may provide benefits. Many swear by it but it really didn't make much of a diff for me. Good Luck

 

The biggest thing I have done is the Quad box on 60 h.p. A flat fiberglass cover made about 1 mpg. With the cover it gets it's biggest gain over 60 mph.

 

Scootn if you are dead set on getting 373's I have a local member in mind who might be interested

Rick