| From | Message |
Greg
Unregistered
2/24/2001
15:47:07
|
 Subject: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
I am thinking of removing the tailgate on my new Dak and replacing it with net/webbing type material. I am assuming this will increase gas milage due to the decrease in wind resistance. Is my thinking correct and if so would it be worth the trouble/expense of making the change? Thanks.
Greg
|
Blizzard
GenI
2/24/2001
16:56:49
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
From what I've read on other sites they say that with the new aerodynamic engineering and styling that you're better off to just leave the tailgate on (so long as you don't have a bunch of junk in the box disrupting airflow). What I've read anyway.
2001 Black Quad Cab 4x4, 5.9L, 3.92 ratio, loaded for bear
|
Schulzie
GenIII
2/24/2001
17:00:03
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
I would leave the tailgate on. I couldn't imagine getting any better performance from a webbing net since the airflow coming off the back of the cab isn't exactly laminar anyways.
Matt
98 Sport 3.9 5spd Breathing help
|
Bob
DakotaEnthusiast
2/24/2001
19:16:19
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
Greg leave it on[over time the spot welds will brake lose on the bed sides]you can get a tonneau cover that will look much better than taking of the TG and help you save a little gas..Extang makes a vary good one,I have one on my Dak. and had them on my Rangers.
Bob
00 Dak.CC SLT Plus 4.7L 235hp 355 L-Slip Auto. #9
|
dakotapta
Unregistered
2/24/2001
19:31:54
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
From what i haev read that by taking the tailgate
off is just as bad as just leaving it on. A
tonneau cover is on the best things to do....a
study i read a guy did testing with a tonneau and
a cap, and the flatter you make the top of the bed
the better and an increase in gas milage. I have
seen an improvement by putting one on mine.
|
Steve
GenIII
2/24/2001
19:38:16
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
I was getting 15.5 mpg. Added the Extang Tonneau cover and that went up to 16.5.
2000 SLT CC 4.7L
|
Hojo
Dakota Enthusiast
2/26/2001
08:59:27
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
I also added the Extang. Looks awesome. The only way you will see an added increase in MPG would be on highway driving. Not going to do anything about the city driving.
Steve
|
Jim Nolin
GenIII
2/26/2001
18:25:08
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
dakotapta is right don't take it off. Adding a air gate will actually make your gas miliage worse. the best thing to do is add a tonneau cover. My gas miliage since its been cold has gone up 1 mpg. So once it gets warmer it should go up even more. Last summer I was getting 16.4 mpg so this summer I am expecting it to go over 17. And I am running the 2000 slt V8 4.7.
Jim
|
dakotapta
Unregistered
2/26/2001
20:18:18
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey jim, how are you geting that kind of gas
mileage??? I can only get at best about 14 mpg!!!!
and that is combo of highway and city....what
kinds of mods do you have?????
|
Bernd
GenIII
2/27/2001
08:48:39
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
Don't bother with the "Turbo Nets". I ran one for about 6 months. They look neat but the MPG suffered as well as the performance at the track (slower). I run with the tailgate up at all times.
Bernd D. Ratsch
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT
Supercharged w/Nitrous
|
bean
Unregistered
3/02/2001
04:09:29
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
My 01,quad cab,4.7,4wd started out about 12.5mpg new. At 2600 miles the best avg is around 14.5mpg with driving habits varing.I am thinking on buying a computer chip to see if it changes any.Also my truck doesnt have the AWD option in which I did not want thinking It would hurt fuel mpg more.
|
Black98Dak
DakotaEnthusiast
3/02/2001
09:23:14
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
my 98 5.2 RC 1x4 auto gets about 14-16 in town, 16 if I am good, and 18 to a best of 24 (yes, 24) on the hiway (it was a 230 mile trip on the interstate, I was behind a uhaul trailer that was going 60 the whole trip) I used to average 20 or better, but I have the 17" RT rims and they seemd to have cut that all back to 18-19.
I noticed my biggest increase in MPG when I added my Stockland fiberglass tonneau. Bedcover is the way to go. I
Black 98 5.2l RC with lots of toys
http://members.home.net/ggaskin
|
Russ
GenIII
3/02/2001
17:31:44
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
I am getting 18 mpg,that is hwy only 65mph,very carefully tested and like I say hwy only,I am afraid to check city mpg.Some things are better off staying secrets!! Oh and thats with a cap that does not stick above roofline,blends well with cab lines.
2000 CC SLT 4X4 4.7 L-SLIP AUTO 3.55
|
Jim Nolin
GenIII
3/13/2001
08:23:01
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
dakotapta I'm not running any mods. Only a K&N air filter in the stock box, mobil 1 oil and a soft almost flush tonneau cover(only up an inch and no curved bows). I've been getting good miliage since I got the truck. But those few changes have knocked it up a few miles. Now if this cold weather would go away and can get back to my higher numbers.
Jim
|
Cory
Unregistered
3/30/2001
15:28:55
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
How many mpg can I expect from a 5.2L V-8 on about 70/30 highway/city? How about a 3.9L V-6? How is the power on the 3.9L?
|
CyberWolf
GenIII
3/30/2001
17:36:33
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
Here is some info that I found from a test in a wind tunnel that some college performed using the stock Dakota with the tailgate up as a base platform.
Tailgate up = Base
Tailgate down = 3% increase in drag
Tailgate off = 6% increase in drag
Camper = 11% increase in drag
Tonneau cover = 13% decrease in drag
They had pictures too but I can't remember how to get to the site. It was pretty cool. They inserted a red dye in the air that showed the aerodynamics. As you can see by the results, the tonneau cover is the only way to go. Otherwise, just leave the tailgate up. They also custom design some sort of funny looking camper that gave a 33% decrease in drag.
'01 4.7 CC, 5 speed, Sport , 3.92 limited slip, Intense
|
Jim Nolin
GenIII
3/30/2001
17:54:25
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
And I will agree that the Tonneau cover saves gas. Since I put mine on my gas miliage has gone up.
|
Kenny
Dodge Dakota
8/24/2001
04:37:33
| RE: Tailgate and MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 2001 Dak Club Cab with a 3.9 auto. I average from 15.5 - 17.5 with 40/60 city/hwy driving. That is constantly using the a/c in Phx. AZ. So far have not had it in winter. Best I have gotten so far is 19.3 almost totally hwy miles. Looking forward to seeing what I get when I don't have to use the a/c.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
