my 4,000 mile trip

[toddlnrd]

My estimated 4000 mile trip was really only 3976 from my driveway to Mount Rushmore back to my driveway last night.

Odometer before leaving: 236,038 miles
Odometer upon returning: 240,012 miles

The "big girl" did awesome. The only time that I saw temps above 193 degrees F was on long steady climbs up a mountain. It did reach 206 going up the mountain to see the mugs on a rock. But that was 25 MPH on a steep grade. I was very impressed with the truck overall. The new thermostats and clean radiator, condenser, tranny cooler and oil cooler did the trick on keeping her cool. I never heard/felt my fan engage (maybe it is broke or it just did not need it).

I am a little disappointed in the fuel mileage. I averaged 17.5 MPG's over the entire trip. I probably need new injectors (I don't know how many miles are on these), the A-Team Turbo and a new computer from Heath. I could buy many gallons of fuel for that $2000.

Overall, not bad for a truck with 240,000 miles.

Oh ya, we had a great time on our trip. I would recommend going to Mount Rushmore, if you have the opportunity.

Todd

 

[JiFaire]

Nice, Todd - glad you had a good time!

If you have that many miles on your injectors, you'll definitely see a mileage increase with new ones, and the ATT is good for some better airflow and fuel mileage, too. I found that adding a Heath computer upgrade added power AND mileage to mine, but I was pulling and I'm not sure if you were?

Any way you slice it, these old trucks are just sweet when they travel so well on a long trip like this!

 

[HighSierra86]

Glad your trip went well!

On the subject of fuel mileage....what gearing do you have? and what was your average cruising speed??

I would have to imagine with a trip like that you were loaded down with some gear/clothes etc. which deff adds alot more weight to pull around. That mileage sounds good to me, especially if you compare it to a gasser

 

[toddlnrd]

I don't really know if these are the original injectors. I probably should change them out. How difficult of a job is that?

We did have some "stuff". A wife and 4 children. It all fit in the Suburban with room to spare. Suburbans are awesome!

I believe that I have the 3.42 gears. Yes, the mileage is good compared to a gasser, but I think I can get 20 mpg with new injectors.

In South Dakota the speed limit is 75 MPH, I was running 80 MPH. Is that too much for these engines, 2200 - 2300 rpms for several hours?

Outside of SD, I was running about 65 - 75 mph.

Another thing, I only had to add 3/4 of a quart of oil to the crankcase for the entire trip!

Todd

 

[Tookie]

In South Dakota the speed limit is 75 MPH, I was running 80 MPH. Is that too much for these engines, 2200 - 2300 rpms for several hours?

Outside of SD, I was running about 65 - 75 mph.

Todd

That engine is happiest around 1800 RPM, 2200 won't hurt it but mileage
will suffer. Slow down to about 60, and you'll see a couple more MPGs

 

[toddlnrd]

Tookie, I understand and agree with what you are saying, but that speed would have made my trip sooooo much longer.

 

[HighSierra86]

Tookie, I understand and agree with what you are saying, but that speed would have made my trip sooooo much longer.

haha I have that same problem sometimes ):h

Ive got 3:42 gearing in my 1500, and at 65mph the mileage is great, usually above 17. But with my heavy right foot and 75-80mph the mileage drops off quick. New injectors prolly will help you, but if you go easy on the throttle, gaining some mpg's is cheap and easy

 

[Gunner0812]

I try to stay around 65-70mph.

 

[nvmtnlion]

65-70 will get you run over on our freeways, or pulled over by Nevada Highway Patrol to ask "What's wrong with you, boyah?"