Don't get me wrong I love these trucks and I would never go back to a gasser. If I was penny pinching for mileage only I would get a motorcycle. I just think that there is room for improvement for fuel economy on all vehicles ours included.

Case in point:

Lets see a 55 chevy with a small V8 and emission levels that allowed half the fuel to go out the tailpipe, weighed 2/3rds of what our trucks do, has the aerodynamics of a sheet of plywood, accelerate well and would still get 13+ MPG. My wifes 2001 Acura MDX suv with the latest engine technology, aerodynamics and lightweight unibody construction gets 15MPG. WOW we have come a long way in 51 years have'nt we.

I think that our fuel has gotten so watered down with additives and cr&p that it's output is nowhere near what it used to be.

 

My truck makes 500hp and will get 20mpg. When new it wasn't too bad arround 16-17mpg on the road. It averages that now. The mods that helped milage the most were the timing the tst adds and a turbo with a less restrictive turbine housing. Big aggressive tires look great on our trucks but they rob power and fuel. I had to use restraint and went with 33" ProComp A/Ts. You have to check your milage with a gps to get a true figure. The O/D is a bit off. I have to stay under 65mph to get the best milage but when I'm on the interstate I run 75 and loose a couple mpg.

 

Don't discount the effect emissions equipment has on fuel economy. Take away emissions devices and you'd see a big increase in mpg.

 

Exactly! Give me a good breathing camshaft and an economy box and lets see what this beast can get. I'd bet 25MPG easy when cruising.

 

The TST does all that, on level 1 it is timing only for mileage. then it starts adding power on level 2 and up. My truck has 35" tires w/4.10 gears putting 457 hp to the ground and still get 17 mpg if I can keep my foot out of it(thats next to impossible).