Fuel Mileage..

[northfacetraveller]

Hey, this is my first post on this site but I have found lots of useful information in the past and find myself visiting more frequently. I want to take a trip from Lower Mainland B.C. up to the Arctic Circle, into Denali, Alaska then take the ferry back down to Vancouver Island. This trip im planning will be approximatly a month in length and about 10,000+ kms. I would really like a fullsize rig, I have had a couple cherokees in the past that work really well for trips like these but I am getting a little too tall for them and long distance drives makes it uncomfortable.

So I want to know what kind of fuel mileage you guys get in your full size rigs, Suburbans, F150/250's etc...?

Ive been looking at late 1980's fullsize suburbans 3/4 tonne with a 350/auto. And Single Cab F150/250s with a 5L or 5.8L. Id like to know what it costs roughly to fill or size of tank and how many kms or miles you get out of it?

I know driving a full size truck will not be the most fuel friendly of all vehicles but it will be able to accomodate myself and the wife most comfortably. But fuel mileage is my #1 concern considering fuel prices hover around $1.00 a litre. Ive got about $6500 to spend on the truck and on the mods, and will do all the work myself. Also any more good expedition rig reccomendations would be appreciated!


Thanks!! :victory:

 

[Rot Box]

Sounds like a great plan I'm really jealous! :coffeedrink:

I have owned two full size trucks that would get over 20mpg with a decent load--no trailer. One was a 95 K2500 with a 6.5TD (automatic) and a few performance/reliability mods the other was a 92 Dodge with the Cummins Turbo Diesel and a 5 speed. I would never have taken the GM on such an expedition because it was a basket case, but I would have taken the Dodge in a heartbeat.

Because both trucks were regular cab models I now have a 91 crew cab F350 five speed with an ATS turbo. With the Centurion interior it is very comfortable with lots of power and room, but so far the fuel economy is worse than I expected @ 15mpg.

I will say that late 80's early 90's gas models are either underpowered or get terrible mileage--usually both. If you like Suburbans you should look into the 82-91's 3/4tons with the 6.2 diesel. You will have the heavier axles, they are very easy to work on and find spare parts for and by installing an aftermarket turbo you will be set for good fuel mileage and power. Just a thought :elkgrin:

 

[strider3700]

I've got a 97 F350 auto 5.8 crew cab. It's getting 12 mpg average 10.5 with a few thousand pounds in the box. No canopy as of yet. I haven't tried towing.

It holds 142 L, I run it as close to dry as I feel comfortable since the gauge says empty at 1/3 tank left for both tanks. Each fill up is usually about 120 L This has me filling up at around 600 km. So 10,000 km is about 17 fill ups at $120 each or roughly $2000 in gas for the trip. You sure you want a full size?

 

[Metcalf]

My dodge (see build in sig) gets 17-20 without thinking about how I drive it at all pushing the 39" tires around at 70+. If I take my time and slow down, don't let it idle when its colder, etc...the mileage goes up to 22-24.5

I only have about $3500 in the truck, maybe a little less. I would highly recommend the 91-93 Dodge Diesel trucks to anyone. I would get a 4wd, Diesel, 5-spd, regular cab, with 3.54 gears and watch for the rear Powr-lok.
Throw a used camper shell on the back and enjoy.

 

[northfacetraveller]

My dodge (see build in sig) gets 17-20 without thinking about how I drive it at all pushing the 39" tires around at 70+. If I take my time and slow down, don't let it idle when its colder, etc...the mileage goes up to 22-24.5

I only have about $3500 in the truck, maybe a little less. I would highly recommend the 91-93 Dodge Diesel trucks to anyone. I would get a 4wd, Diesel, 5-spd, regular cab, with 3.54 gears and watch for the rear Powr-lok.
Throw a used camper shell on the back and enjoy.

My first choice was actually a 94-97 12 valve cummins single cab 4x4, but realized that a decent one is about $8,000 with around 300,000+ kms. I have also looked at the first gen ones and they dont have enough cab space for a guy my size (6'5) My buddy just bought one and I took it for a spin, really nice truck, just a little on the small side. I would buy one with an ext cab if i could find one with less then half a million kms on it and a decent body... Plans for a suburban would include a 6bt swap in the winter of 2010 after my first long haul trip.. Im only assuming that its gonna get horrible mileage.

The plans I have for a suburban would consist of a 1988-91 3/4 tonne. It would have between 4-6 inches of lift, the lower the better. Would like to run the new Goodyear Wrangler tires with kevlar sidewalls either 37x12.50R17 or 38x14.50R17's, Trailgear Rock Sliders, a full length roof rack, custom built front winch bumper with lights, rear tire carrier bumper that also holds hi lift jack, shovel and axe. 5.13 Gears, probably stay with the factory LSD because ARB lockers are ridiculously expensive. Build some sort of platform in the rear for storage and sleeping. With an awning off the side of the rig for a little bit of shelter on those long stays. A few Jerry cans for extra fuel/water etc.. All spare parts and tools. Thats what I have in mind right now anyways.. Any more input would be great!

Here are some pics of my old rig that I took up into the cariboo/chilcotin summer of 2009

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0572.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0094.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0151.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0153.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0181.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0191.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0193.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/IMG_0338.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/northfacetraveller/DSC_0024.jpg

 

[charlieaarons]

, probably stay with the factory LSD because ARB lockers are ridiculously expensive.

Detroit NoSpin?
Easy to fit into a 14 bolt full floater, not very expensive; full locker of course.
I love Detroit Lockers.

Charlie

 

[Metcalf]

If you do some junkyard hunting you can also fit the detriot No-spin from a factory pre-72 (?) Eaton rear axle in the later 14 bolt. You have to use the 17 spline axle shafts also, but everything just drops in. Sometimes you can find those old eaton axles for $100 or so.

Or you could just weld the rear and spend your money on a locker for the front. A lunch-box locker is more than enough for most front axles unless your crazy about hard core off-road. If your running a D44/60/70 I would also recommend a dana Powr-Lok differential. They are affrodable and fill the gap between a full locker and a limited slip....they can transfer about 80-90% torque to one tire with the proper setup. I really like the rear Powr-lok in my dodge and my old Willys MB. I will most likely be adding one to the front of my dodge at some point.

 

[Stan the Man]

I have a '96 Bronco with the 5.8L and average 13 MPG. I've gotten a solid 17 MPG fully loaded on the highway. I've also gotten 4 MPG in the dunes :bike_rider:

 

[mcgall83001]

88 Suburban

88 Suburban 350, 3 speed, 4:10"s just bought it but I'm getting 10.5mpg

 

[earthmuffin]

I'm currently rockin an 84 suburban with a 6.2 that seems to be getting close to 20mpg.
The older chevy diesels seem to get a bad rap, but after doing a little work to this one and putting some miles on it my confidence in it is growing.
Naturally aspirated and mechanical injection = reliable in my book.

It will be interesting to see what my mileage does with the mods that are coming up.

 

[imua]

250

I have Dodge 2500 5.9 Diesel with camper shell and 28" tires. On flat land I get about 20-22 mph when going 70 mph. That of course was after break in. When I first got the new truck it was about 16 mph, around 20,000 it started to get better milage.

I just recently completed a 4,000 mile hunting trip. With 3 guys, camper shell with 900 pounds of meat and 200 pounds of gear going about 80 mph going up and down hills it averaged about 16 mph. The temp was around 30 degrees and alot of wind.

Good luck on your choice.:victory:

 

[mtnbike28]

1993 Dodge

After reading Metcalf's build, I ebayed the models he suggestted. this guy is VERY proud of his truck!

$19k but only 61,000 miles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Ram-2500-LE-Club-Cab-1993-Ram-250-Club-Cab-LE-4X4-Cummins-Diesel-61k-1-Owner_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a5e78a74QQitemZ230416681588QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#v4-31

 

[Metcalf]

You just have to find the right one. Mine is NOT that nice at all. The body didn't have rust, but one fender needed replaced and the 'paint' was terrible. I did get the truck for $2K though Oh, and it needed a front drive shaft. Deals are out there, but if you want a nice one now you end up paying for it.

 

[bftank]

try looking into local auctions or on craigslist depending on where you are willing to travel, and the 89-93 trucks had extended cabs as well.

 

[Snafu]

88 Suburban 350, 3 speed, 4:10"s just bought it but I'm getting 10.5mpg

I had an 86 K5 Blazer with the 305 and 4 speed and I got about the same mileage as well. I had 31" BFG AT's on her so I can't imagine what all my plans for her woulda done to the mileage!!

But...those old chevy's had huge gas tanks. My K5 had a 31 gallon and I do believe the Suburbans came with something like a 35 or larger.

I love the old 80's Chevy trucks though. I'm dreaming of the day I own another one. But I'd love to stuff a Cummins diesel inside and ditch the gasser.