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Andy VanH
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
10:45:44
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 Subject: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
I know some people will say "what do you care about gas mileage?" Well, 16pmg on cruise, no A/C, no tonneau, 3.9, Auto, 3.55 on an ext cab 99 SLT sucks!! I gotta live with this cause I love the truck but hate the mileage. I put on a home brew cold air intake (it's great!), and I just had diagnostics done on it at a local Dodge dealer (32,000 miles), it had Champion 9YC plugs. Of course the dealer found nothing wrong even when I told him I have black sooty smoke out of the pipe. Mechanic said "16mpg on a Dak is about normal". Not im my book. I'm shopping for headers and exhaust systems.
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TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
12:18:12
|  RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
MPG's are important to me too, as I hate throwing cash into the gas tank! You might consider a new ignition system. Also, some smaller tires (low resistance) will probably be your biggest gain in MPG's. Headers will help too.
If your truck is 2x4, you should be able to add some mods to it and get around 20. I have a 4x4 and I'm getting 18.75 on cool nights on the highways, and I have a 2" lift and 31" tires.
Oh and one more thing. If you dont have any oil leaks (yet), go with some high quality synthetic oil and use their filters. I'd recommend the Amsoil line, but RedLine and others are good too. I'm talking about the synthetic oils that arent found in typical auto parts stores...all these mods should get you another 3 mpgs's I would think.
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konfushus
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
12:30:42
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
tonneau was the biggest gain in MPG's on my 4.7L 4x4.
I increased my mpgs from 15 to 18 MPG's on highway. and from 14 to 16 MPG's in day-to-day driving.
You'll pay for your tonneau in no time. I went with an extang soft 'snap-on.' best investment to my gas tank since I bought it.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
16:12:08
|  RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Get rid of the fan and go electric is the biggest thing you can do. Why such a cold plug? My 99 5.2 4x4 went from 16 highway stock to 19-20 highway with the fan mods and a couple of top secret mods.
Jeff
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Duke
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
16:28:14
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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I have a 96 2x4 5.2L SLT. It was getting 16 all the time. It has 136,000 miles on it. It's stock. But I did remove the fender well rubber flaps. I noticed that it lowered my under hood temps. MPG's went to 17. I then put on new all season tires, stock size. MPG's went 18. I put in a K&N replacement filter and took off the black plastic cover on the grill wall. This is designed to prevent water and large objects from going into the intake hose. So now I have direct cold air going into my stock intake.MPG's went 18.5.
I've got the Extang on order. Hope that It'll get up to 20.
So the only money spent to increase my mileage is the filter and cover. The tires were a necessity so they don't count.
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Curt
Dodge Dakota
10/20/2001
09:46:18
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
I have a 2000 SLT 4.7 auto, I get bout 16 aound town and bout 18 freeway. I installed a Flowmaster SUV series 50 dual 2 1/2 out and now I get bout 16 around town and 20 freeway.
Last week I installed a F.I.S. (Fernco and pvc) LOL. That DID make a big difference on bottom end, I will be checking MPG and will let you know how it works.
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BMac
Dodge Dakota
10/20/2001
11:41:33
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Hey Andy,
Those plugs are too cold unless you're racing. They are for 273-4bbl's and 340's.
People here say Autolite 3923's are they way to go. If you still want to go Champion, all I ever used, go with 14's or 12 at the lowest. You have to get your combustion temps UP to stop blowing black smoke.
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
10/20/2001
12:18:34
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
I've been driving my parents old 90 4Runner for the longest time, so I'm used to crappy gas usage -- the Dakota is actually a step up! Try working as a bagger at SMITH'S and trying to pay for gas in an SUV...OUCH!
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
10/21/2001
00:06:45
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
autolite 3923 are a performance drop on a stock motor. They move the flame kernel because the don't stick into the chamber as much. The comp. will compensate but it has to run richer to get the same burn. Just did it on a 5.9 - new champs. (stock range) drove for a day then put in 3923's. Instant miss but cleared up after a few miles, put champs back in and a slight instant power gain. Unless you are pinging stay with stock plugs or I've also had good luck with ac rapidfire.
Jeff
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Flash
Dodge Dakota
10/21/2001
12:29:29
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Andy,
I have a 2000 equiped like yours. Skip all the BS. The best plug I have found for the 3.9 is the Autolite 5224. The 3923's were terrible. I have done most of the things folks here say will result in more mileage and most of it don't work. I got about a half mpg with the hard tonneu cover and an exhaust system actually reduced the mpg's. The 3.9 has to have backpressure to function correctly in a normal environment. Unless you are racing- skip the exhaust. The 3.9 does not have an EGR like the rest of the world, that is why the exhaust is black. It's DC's way of getting more out of an engine, cheaper. Like me, you'll learn to live with it until you buy something else. Remember, Magnum means more. No, not more power- more gas. Dodge- it is different.
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Andy VH
Dodge Dakota
10/23/2001
08:47:30
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Hey, thanks everyone for the replies. It helps to know others feel the same way. MAN! Don't that sound like group counselling. I recently changed to Autolite 3924's. The first change to Champion was to get rid of the pinging (which I can't believe is "normal"). The K&N intake is good, but I'm still going to go with a Flowmaster Deltaflow system. Tonneau for sure, especially up here in Wisconsin. Flash, like your sense of humor in this. It's frustrating. My girlfriends 91 Olds (3.8V6,auto,102,000) got 28mpg on a recent trip, even when we were doing 80mph. Thanks all.
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Dakota 2 Time
Dodge Dakota
10/23/2001
09:18:57
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
The gas mileage on the 3.9 V6 generally is no better than with the V8. A lot of people think the V6 will save gas but since the engine output is so marginal you have to push it and there goes any chance at gas mileage. The only thing you can really do is drive like an old lady. Slow at all times. A lid is a tradeoff. On one hand it improves the airflow thus improving mileage but it adds more weight eating up the mileage. I have a lid (GEM GT Classic) on my 97 and noticed no difference in mileage.
Trade it in for a V8 and forget gas mileage and just have fun.
97 CC SLT 5.2 Auto 3.55 Brilliant Blue/Silver
01 CC SLT 4.7 Auto 3.92 LSD Flame Red/Silver
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/23/2001
13:36:43
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
My 5.9 gets about 12-15 mpg on highway. Its a nice brake from my camaros 4-6mph with 4barral carb.
Gas is somthing you and i need to buy to have fun and to run. Insurance is where my hate goes.
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
10/23/2001
15:51:44
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
I have a 1990 V6. Lifted and run 31x10.50's. I get about 12-15mph depending what I do while driving. It sucks. But I love my dak and I shell out the $25.00 a fill up. Beats the $32-34 bucks a few months ago! I am with Mar, I hate paying Inscurance! Gets me no where while I have no probs. I am 19 so I pay 125.00 a month. That is with a "Good college student" discount, and never being pulled by the cops. How are your insc. bills? I want to know if mine is high.
Thanks, Joe E.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
10/23/2001
16:10:46
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Mar,
You only get up to 15 on your 5.9? Almost got 20 mpg the other day - 70 mph and also hilly Pa roads (wasn't all highway). 01 5.9 4x4 QC
jeff
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
10/23/2001
17:51:18
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
I just got mine checked out today for a 2002 Dak 2WD, SLT (State Farm didn't check for engine size for some reason) and it's going to be ~180 full coverage, 250/250...this is WITH good student discount and a few others. Beats what I would pay for a Camaro or Prelude of the same year though...
Too bad you didn't drive a stick, I would say just switch gears at like 2000 and drive slow and be easy on the gas and DRIVE LIKE YOU ARE NOT IN A DAKOTA...lol.
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Andy VH
Dodge Dakota
10/25/2001
10:55:05
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Thanks again everyone. This Dakota Group Counseling helps. Maybe a light wieght tonneau is the best balance for mpg gain and minimal weight gain. I have been trying the "drive like an old lady" idea, not much gain so far. Maybe I shouldn't have put that nice sounding intake on my Dak (go pedal, DOH!). Insurance??? Don't get me started. But, I guess I can't complain. But being 44 with a clean record helps. I have full coverage and pay $425 a year. The older you get, the faster you were, and you pay less for it.
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/25/2001
11:17:32
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
jjj Is that the instant of the avrage. If you got the avrage to be 20 then please post how you did it. Because what it sounds like to me is that either your computer is wrong or someone switched your v8 for a 6. I have never seen more then 15 on the avrage. Fill ups proove it.
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
10/25/2001
12:03:02
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
425?! My insurance is over three times that!
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/25/2001
14:01:52
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Same
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
10/25/2001
17:44:12
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Mar,
Actual at the tank don't have the trip meter.
Full coverage 01 QC 4x4 5.9 - $551
1. K&N drop in filter
2.ARE tonneau cover
3.No belt driven fan and it never overheats - water wetter added - incl. towing 2 jetskis to florida through WV mountains and putzing around in FL.
4.believe it or not slick 50
5.Syn. diff fluid - redline
6.msd 8.5 wires
7.Last but not least 6 deg. extra timing - slight ping with 87 octane under load ie. uphill pulling
only 5K on it so I am hoping for more. These are the same mods done to my 99 5.2 RC 4x4 and it also got a high of 20 and regularly 18.5@75mph loaded. Also fillup method.
Jeff
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
10/25/2001
22:03:45
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Ok. you made it sound like you were stock. Who knows maybe you have found the right combanation to get economy out of the 5.9.
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Andy.VH
Dodge Dakota
10/26/2001
11:39:17
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
I got to thinking about the tonneau "weight" comment in another reply. Actually, the weight would be immaterial, at least at highway speeds. A 200lb tonneau (as an example) would only add about .05% to the total weight (my Dak weighs 4,000lb). Since aerodynamic drag has more impact at speed than weight I'd say the gain with any tonneau is positive. In fact, a lowered truck should also show some highway mpg gain, since aero drag is also dependent on height of the vehicle's frontal area. Just some engineer rambling. AVH
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Duke
Dodge Dakota
10/26/2001
17:24:33
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
A soft cover only weighs about 20 to 25 pounds. So the weight is not the issue unless you're talking about a hard cover.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
10/26/2001
17:34:37
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Mar,
Sorry, but it is close to stock. Bone stock I only got about 16 or so highway. The nice thing is with this setup power is up and in town economy is in the 14-15 range. The filter was off my 99, the wires were put on due to the fact my dad needed new wires for his 92 and I like the idea of thicker wires (if you have to reroute to prevent crossfiring then you need thicker wires), fluids are new though, cover is needed to securely store things in the bed while travelling, and the extra timing helped all around. Total cost $850-900. Your fuel mileage seems about right, what plugs are you running?
Jeff
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Andy VH
Dodge Dakota
10/29/2001
11:00:01
|  RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Anybody get any better mileage with a shift kit in their automatic? Seems to me this thing shifts pretty mushy. And I can't resist the feeling that it spends too much time out of lockup. Just my butt-dyno telling me, but I'm curious if a shift kit might help mpg.
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akaproph
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/29/2002
09:16:18
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH! Insurance
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Message:
Im not sure on what Im getting for gas mileage with my 99' 3.9 Dak but Im sure its not good. I have a 40 series Flowmaster installed on it with a Quick D intake in the mail to get here on Friday. What gives me the red ass is my insurance. I pay $215 a month with no tickets, no violations... nothing. My downfall is that I am 20, I just cant get over that, and believe it or not that was the cheapest there was...
akaproph
US Army
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akaproph
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/29/2002
09:19:18
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH! Insurance
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Im not sure on what Im getting for gas mileage with my 99' 3.9 Dak but Im sure its not good. I have a 40 series Flowmaster installed on it with a Quick D intake in the mail to get here on Friday. What gives me the red ass is my insurance. I pay $215 a month with no tickets, no violations... nothing. My downfall is that I am 20, I just cant get over that, and believe it or not that was the cheapest there was...
akaproph
US Army
http://members.sounddomain.com/akaproph
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Todd Bouton
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/30/2002
23:25:47
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Overhead consoles are NOT actual ga mileage. YOu gotta do a little long division.
My 01 QC 5spd LSD, no belt fan, home brew true cold air, and AIT (usually Off), gets about 16-18 combined, 20+ hwy only,doin around 75-80.
Got State Farm, old man discount (41y/o)
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Bosolevu
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/31/2002
00:49:15
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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My insurance is $360/year, that's full coverage
for a 2002 Dakota CC 4.7L...
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/03/2002
13:33:24
| RE: Gas mileage? HAH!
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Message:
Have a 5.2 (318) 2001 Ram short bed off-road reg.cab. 410-gear ratio....only get 9.5 city miles and 12 highway miles....Is this normal? Does the gear ratio have something to do with it? thank for any input
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