Best mpg truck

[pwrpapa]

Looks like I have to get a better mpg truck.
I only get 11.5 with my 99 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4
I've tried all the gas saving mods with no success.
Nelson tune
mobil one
air intake
yadda yadda yadda.
I do need a full size with a 8ft. bed.
Whats the best mpg. truck out there?

[Ape0r]

8' bed here, reg cab. 5.3. Usually 19-19.5 highway, once hit 21.5 drafting off a trucker at 75-80 mph for three hours.

[silveradoman]

You have a 2500 like me, I think the 1500 are a little better.

[chuck16]

Two strikes against you 3/4 ton and 4x4; because your carrying the extra weight around it's harder to have good mpg. My truck gets between 15 and 20mpg but, mine is a 1500 and non-4x4.

Just my two bits worth, sorry man.

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by pwrpapa

Looks like I have to get a better mpg truck.
I only get 11.5 with my 99 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4
I've tried all the gas saving mods with no success.
Nelson tune
mobil one
air intake
yadda yadda yadda.
I do need a full size with a 8ft. bed.
Whats the best mpg. truck out there?

Greetings Pwrpapa,

A 99 makes a difference as does the 4 x 4. But the axle ratio choice also makes a difference. And a tonneau cover.

I myself have a 2004 Chevy 1500 ext. cab rear wheel drive. I have the 6 liter V8 high output engine. I chose the 3.73 ratio (SS's come with a 4.10). Gives better low rpm at 55 with "plenty" of torque.

I'm getting on average about 20 to 20.5 on the highway.

Heres a thread just about gas mileage efforts and measurements:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...1&page=1&pp=20

White Lightening

[pwrpapa]

My truck has 373 gears a 2002 nelson computer, looks like I'm just going to get a 2 wheel drive for fuel economy, with a stick shift.
Why would a 99 get less mpg than a 2004 or newer?
It's a 6.0 eclb.

[pwrpapa]

Originally Posted by White Lightening

Greetings Pwrpapa,

A 99 makes a difference as does the 4 x 4. But the axle ratio choice also makes a difference. And a tonneau cover.

I myself have a 2004 Chevy 1500 ext. cab rear wheel drive. I have the 6 liter V8 high output engine. I chose the 3.73 ratio (SS's come with a 4.10). Gives better low rpm at 55 with "plenty" of torque.

I'm getting on average about 20 to 20.5 on the highway.

Heres a thread just about gas mileage efforts and measurements:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...1&page=1&pp=20

White Lightening

White Lightening,
I would like to get a truck like yours, what should I expect to pay for one. With the fuel prices so high around here, 2.10 for 87.
There's a big market for making these trucks get better mpg.

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by pwrpapa

White Lightening,
I would like to get a truck like yours, what should I expect to pay for one. With the fuel prices so high around here, 2.10 for 87.
There's a big market for making these trucks get better mpg.

Greetings Pwrpapa,

MSRP on a truck like mine with the following items included is about $32,900. Then you minus out rebates (mine were $5,000) and you have the balance before negotiations and before trade-in. Recognize that my truck has several add-on items not required to get the performance features (automatic climate control, XM radio, fog lights, cassette/CD radio, tire lock, engine heater, power seat, locking rear differential, power heated auto diming folddown mirrors, trailer towing package).

2004 1500 series LS - Extended Cab - V8 6 liter High output 345 hp engine - rear wheel drive with locking rear differential - Z60 high performance suspension - heavy duty auto transmision (matched for V8 high output engine - like the SS does it) - 20 inch wheels and tires - 3.73 axle ratio - plus all the items listed as add on features from the prior paragraph.

The above items in the paragraph above are Chevy packages - not available individually - a Silverado Performance Package includes the engine, suspension, transmission,wheels/tires. Or you could go with a 5.3 engine instead and get the Limited Appearance package with that (there are more 5.3/Limited Appearance Package trucks than Silverado Performance PAckage trucks out there).

Either choice is ONLY for rear wheel drive and ONLY for extended cab (requires either an LS or LT model). You can't get it with 4 x 4 - you can't get it in crew cab or regular cab.

But - as I've told anyone (including pictures and descriptions in my Gallery info) - don't expect to find one by just stopping into a single dealership. These trucks are out there - but you'll have to spend time and effort to find them. Don't be surprised if salesmen tell you they don't exist. don't be surprised that they aren't mentioned in the brochures - and not mentioned on the GM/Chevy website. They are out there - if you want one - they are a great truck - but it takes work to find them. I spent many many many hours searching on the internet - reading every 1500 series window sticker on the internet for every Chevy dealer in a 175 mile radius of where I live. I found a total of 4 trucks with the Silverado Package in that 175 mile radius and a dozen or so with the Limited Appearance Package.

Again - I love the truck - handling is excellent - cornering - smoothness - quiet ride - lots of smooth acceleration - and I have great traction even in Wisconsin's winter of this year with ice and snows. I'm lighter than an SS by 350 pounds or more - I'm rwd - I'm not as stiff as an AWD - I have beeter handling (because I'm lighter) than an SS and I get better mileage too. An SS comes only with a 4.10 axle ratio - I didn't want that either - I wanted the 3.73. Was it worth the effort it took to find one? - absolutely. Was it easy or something everyone would be willing to do? - no.

20.5 MPG on the highway and 15/16 in town and 345 horsepower and exceptional handling and it sits lower and level without any modifications - it was my desire - I WANTED rwd (I wouldn't buy a 4x4 nor were these options available in 4 x 4) - nothing else would do (I test drove all the competition products for weeks to make sure exactly what I wanted - including many Fords, several Titans, Dodges etc.). I got what I wanted - but that doesn't mean its what everybody else would want (most want 4 x 4). "To each - his own" is my motto.

I don't mean to make it sound like my truck is the only choice - there are many fine choices out there - and my choice was much much more than MPG issues. But I do mean to indicate that a truck like mine is a lot of work to find. I like unique - it was worth the effort for me.

Hope this helps - further description in my Gallery.

White Lightening