Chip / MPG
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Lunchtown
Chip / MPG
Looking for opinions on chips. The cost of Diesel is killing my budget!! Truck is in my sig.
Would a chip gain me anything for mileage? This is my daily driver and even a couple MPG would help. I'm hoping to get a down pipe sooner than later.
Would a chip gain me anything for mileage? This is my daily driver and even a couple MPG would help. I'm hoping to get a down pipe sooner than later.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
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From: AZ
Economy mode will get you a little better MPG along with a little better power. This really is a crap shoot, I've done lots of mods and I don't get better mileage, just better power. Other do claim better mileage, I really don't know what to tell you.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pugetopolis
First things first: Fix the nut behind the wheel. 
Most mods will do what Glenn says, get you more power for the same mileage. I honestly count this as a major win.
Smaller tires can net you an emmpeegee or two, but mostly it's how you drive. Do you stick your foot in it and flog your truck? Do you goose it down the road and then hafta use your brakes because you're running up on someone?
Driving it smooth and easy will take you farther on fuel economy than anything else. No magic here, just boooooring physics and common sense.
I still do the mods because I like doing it and I want the most from my truck. I tend to avoid the mods that kill towing/street performance because that's how I use my truck. YMMV. Pun intended!
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Most mods will do what Glenn says, get you more power for the same mileage. I honestly count this as a major win.
Smaller tires can net you an emmpeegee or two, but mostly it's how you drive. Do you stick your foot in it and flog your truck? Do you goose it down the road and then hafta use your brakes because you're running up on someone?
Driving it smooth and easy will take you farther on fuel economy than anything else. No magic here, just boooooring physics and common sense.
I still do the mods because I like doing it and I want the most from my truck. I tend to avoid the mods that kill towing/street performance because that's how I use my truck. YMMV. Pun intended!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Elkhorn, WI
Take your 10k mod out if you do end up putting a chip in.
Like these guys said I have lots of mods but I make sure I use them so my mileage isn't so great
You may see a small increase but don't buy the banks n edge advertising saying 3-4 mpg increase. Also your going to want a free flowing exhaust and guages if you tow
Like these guys said I have lots of mods but I make sure I use them so my mileage isn't so great
You may see a small increase but don't buy the banks n edge advertising saying 3-4 mpg increase. Also your going to want a free flowing exhaust and guages if you tow
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From: Lunchtown
Thanks for the input. I'm thinking more power with steady speed down the highway would give me more MPG (at least a bit).
I try to drive pretty conservatively, but my son is now going to school 20 miles from home and we're almost always running late (he's 5 and in his own world when it's time to go). I've gotten as high as 20 on longer highway trips. We're heading for the Black Hills this summer pulling our camper (about 8 hours driving). Just a 6 person pop-up, so not very heavy. The truck won't even notice it. I'm curious to see what kind of mileage I get. I'm thinking I'll do the DP before then since it's pretty inexpensive.
I don't tow anything with any weight. The most I've ever done is hauled a couple loads of dirt about 20 miles doing some landscaping around the house.
I try to drive pretty conservatively, but my son is now going to school 20 miles from home and we're almost always running late (he's 5 and in his own world when it's time to go). I've gotten as high as 20 on longer highway trips. We're heading for the Black Hills this summer pulling our camper (about 8 hours driving). Just a 6 person pop-up, so not very heavy. The truck won't even notice it. I'm curious to see what kind of mileage I get. I'm thinking I'll do the DP before then since it's pretty inexpensive.
I don't tow anything with any weight. The most I've ever done is hauled a couple loads of dirt about 20 miles doing some landscaping around the house.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,791
Likes: 99
From: Ashland City, TN
Intake and exhaust make great MPG's gains.
The rest is up to the driver and the efficiency of the fuel or fuel system.
I'd check the fuel pressure on the FPR and clean the fuel bowl and fuel filter.
If you got some money saved up, i'd put a downpipe on it also.
The rest is up to the driver and the efficiency of the fuel or fuel system.
I'd check the fuel pressure on the FPR and clean the fuel bowl and fuel filter.
If you got some money saved up, i'd put a downpipe on it also.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Western NC
Open up the exhaust for sure. I'm gonna put on the 5" dia pipes plus the down pipe. I had a friend open up his exhaust to 6" & he gained quite a bit, he's driving a SD.
Oh & my son (4) has his own sense of time when it comes to leaving the house for anything that has to do with Church, school, etc. so I feel your pain!
Oh & my son (4) has his own sense of time when it comes to leaving the house for anything that has to do with Church, school, etc. so I feel your pain!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 782
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From: Olympia, WA
The best mileage mod you can do is buy an old commuter car for daily driving instead. You will pay it off in no time when you cut your fuel bill in half or better. My $800 Civic has saved me over $6000 in fuel in the 5 years I've been driving it. That's just fuel alone at an average of $3/gal.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
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From: AZ
The best mileage mod you can do is buy an old commuter car for daily driving instead. You will pay it off in no time when you cut your fuel bill in half or better. My $800 Civic has saved me over $6000 in fuel in the 5 years I've been driving it. That's just fuel alone at an average of $3/gal.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
I think the first thing you need to come to understand is you are driving a crew cab 4x4 pickup... Secondly, a chip is going to cost you 400, so assuming the numbers you posted, its going to take you almost 8 months to even break even before starting to gain back your investment. The chip might get you one or two but like said above, it's kind of a crap shoot.
Best thing you can do is make sure your tires are running the proper air pressure, Make sure nothing is dragging, Make sure your fuel pressure is properly set. Drive the truck EASY!
Best thing you can do is make sure your tires are running the proper air pressure, Make sure nothing is dragging, Make sure your fuel pressure is properly set. Drive the truck EASY!
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Postmaster
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From: Lunchtown
The best mileage mod you can do is buy an old commuter car for daily driving instead. You will pay it off in no time when you cut your fuel bill in half or better. My $800 Civic has saved me over $6000 in fuel in the 5 years I've been driving it. That's just fuel alone at an average of $3/gal.
I'll prob. pass up on the chip for now and just do the downpipe/exhaust. The muffler is rusting and is developing a hole, so something needs to be done about the exhaust anyway. I'll have to order a pre-bent exhaust. None of the local shops do anything larger than 3".
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Dongola, IL
If you can find a shop that handles 3 1/2 or 4 inch pipe (they don't have to be able to bend it) Just install a 3in DP and straight pipe the cat and muffler, it should save you a fair amount over a complete exhaust system. The stock 3 1/2 pipe flows plenty for a stock or slightly modded truck.
Postmaster
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From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
If you have the skills. Any exhaust shop should be able to get you a 10' stick of 4" pipe for a decent price. Buy the downpipe, then straight pipe it back from there and dump it before the rear tire or something. Cheap and effective.