I get about 16 on the highway if I run bewteen 55-65. If I go 75 it drops to just above 14

I only use about 20 gallons in a 2 week period if all I do is back and forth to work in it. I do go to Casper (300 miles round trip) several times a year to help my mom out though. Thats where the better mileage of the 300 would come in.

Kapusta, I am thinking you got kind of a Dodge lemon on that 97 you had. I know a bunch of people who have owned 94-98 12V Cummins trucks and never had a problem with the engine or the truck body. The auto tranny however is a POS. If I go that way I will get a 5 speed. Probably get a 92 or 93 also but wouldn't turn my nose up at a 94-98

Chris

Chris

 

I never had an issue with my Cummins engine. I took care of the KDP before it could do any damage. I caught in time, because it was on it it's way out when I opened up the timing cover.
The NV 5 speeds have an issue with losing the 5th gear due to a design flaw. I think it was taken care of in the later versions. The 6 speed might be OK OTH.
I belonged to a Cummins forum and actually all the problems I had were fairly common.
I would still get another 94 to 98 6BT but not in a Dodge. This vintage has the better injection pump which is an inline pump as opposed to the weaker rotary pumps found in the 24V trucks. It's fairly easy and not too expensive to squeeze out lots more HP from that engine as well.

 

The GETRAG 5 speed had a problem, the retaining nut for 5th gear would back off. Almost all of the pre-94 Cummins equipped Dodges got a Getrag. Most of them have been fixed by now however. I would be looking for the New Venture 5 speed just in case and I am wanting closer to a 98 model anyway. I'm not looking to hop it up any. I don't spend money on speed anymore, I don't need it.

Chris

 

I wouldn't throw out a car as an option. My Monte Carlo handles the snow better than any of the pickups I've driven on a semi-regular basis ('03 6.0 Seirra, '98 5.7 Seirra, '99 5.4 Silverado, 2 '90 5.0 F-150s, '05 8.0 Silverado) . That's only on the road mind you, soon as the Monte steps off road it goes no where. My favorite car for the winter is still a nice AWD car.

Hell, I made it back to Laramie during that snow storm that shut down half the state last weekend in the Monte. The canyon road between Wheatland and Laramie was closed coming out of Laramie once I got back. 8-10" of snow and the only problem I had was the snow plow effect of the front air dam.

However, if you don't like driving a car than the point is moot. I learned to drive in RWD fullsizes and that was all I knew until I started driving dad's Camaro and got hooked on cars. I just don't care at all for SUVs now, either a car for everyday use or a pickup for offroad/haul duty.

If all you're really looking for is MPG why get a new pickup? Have you considered setting up your 351 for better milage? I'm not very familiar with the engine, only the experiences that I've had with the 70's 351w that's in our boat (total pain in the ***). I know changing the intake and exhaust on my Monte opened up another 1-2 mpg but that's usually been done on these pickups already. What about a different cam? Less power but better milage could be possible.

 

I don't like a car because they are too low to the ground. The lack of 4WD has nothing to do with it. AWD is NOT 4WD also, totally different. I want to be able to move a lever, or push a button and I am in 4WD. Waiting for some computer to decide I need it isn't good enough.

I am not going to attempt to get better fuel mileage out of my current truck beyond the 3" cat back exhaust currently on it. I don't believe I can do any better than the computer alraedy on it for controlling timing and air/fuel mix.

I have decided that what I am going to do is just keep my options open. When I am ready to get a different truck I will look and whatever comes along first, that I like, will get the nod.

Chris

 

I know, AWD is a constant All-Wheel Drive system where as the 4WD is an on demand type of set up. I'm not a fan of the full-time 4WD setup where the computer chooses for you, that sort of stuff can stay out of my cars.

Sounds like a good plan for keeping your options open. That's what I plan on doing once I get my F-150 sold.

If all you need the mileage for is your jaunts to Casper, then why not look into a cheap beater car for those when it's nice out? You don't have to worry about pickup mileage on the highway but can still have that pickup power for your everyday use.

 

I get about the same MPG with the 5.0. It might be a tad better, but if it is its not much.

 

I keep my engine tuned up with higher quality parts and drive with respect mostly. I rarely get into it hard and know the lights around here well enough that I don't need to stop mostly and if I do I barely touch the brakes. I also make sure my tire inflation is where I want it (about 35 PSI) and run mid-grade fuel. All of that helps the MPG's.

Chris

 

I generally try to do the same thing.