Posted by Jim Ferguson on June 21, 1997 at 01:45:03:
In Reply to: GAS mileage posted by Garrett Wurzbach on June 13, 1997 at 22:40:11:
I would recomend the the locking hubs on your truck reguardless of mileage concernes, as you should notice an improved drive as a result. To get better MPG, one has to really know what your truck's primary function is, and how much you are willing to spend on it. One can do many small things to his/her truck to improve mileage. Switching to narrower tires will allow the truck to cut into the air better, and will result in a little better mileage. So will the removal of of road lights on your light-bar or roll-bar; anything to improve the aerodynamics (even on our older trucks)will result in better MPG. Switching to headers from your old exhaust manifolds will improve performance and give you some extra MPG's as well(if you have some extra $$$ just sitting around your house, dual pipes would help you also). What is your ring and pinion? Too (numerically) low a ring and pinion with tires that are too large will cause MPG loss; the converse is true also. Now, if you have a little $$$ to spend, the right tranny swap should boost your MPG's as well. Many off-roaders are looking toward the NV4500hd found on the 3/4 and one ton dodge trucks. Another alternative is a 5 speed transmisson off an older model school-bus(check if it has overdrive first). You can also look into an overdrive kit to install on your t-case. And also, don't forget about Jacobs Omni-pac, they claim increased performance and mileage as well with their product. I realize that I left out a lot of other things, and perhaps some of my suggestions can be argued about, but I do not claim to be a mechanic by any means...these are just suggestoins I have read throughout the years in various 4-wheel-drive magazines. I hope this was some help to you.