Better gas mileage

[JoeyNick]

I recently got my best fuel mileage EVER. Driving from Virginia Beach, VA to Lewes, DE I averaged 21.2 MPG. Yes, 21.2 MPG.

The drive is entirely at sea level (no hills) and there were very few stops along the way. Also, I have the 6.0 diesel reprogrammed with my SCT LiveWire (for Economy), a 3.55 rear end, stock size tires, 2 wheel drive (ok, ok, 1 wheel drive) and drive with a very light foot. My speed varied between 45 and 65 mph.

Oh, I have about 70k on the odometer.

[jrtozer]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

The gear ratio you have can affect mileage, but usually not much. The power needed to go a given speed doesn't change and it takes about the same fuel to make the same power.

But, to clarify the gear ratio question, can you tell us how many RPM's you turn at 60mph? We can figure the gear ratio from that.

Mike

Hi Mike, My van turns about 1850 RPMs at 60mph.
-JR

[Ford_6L_E350]

1850 rpm @ 60 mph sounds like a 4.10 final drive and 32-33" tall tires. My van has 33" tall tires and 4.10 gears and turns about 1800 rpm at 60 mph.

The 4wd conversion (4" lift and more weight) cost me about 1mpg. Steady 60 mph cruise on level ground can return 22-23mpg for me. Unfortunately, I have start up, get up to speed, go up hills, stop at lights, etc. My best tank ever was 19.8mpg. Throw in some off road and the mileage drops into the single digits.

None of us bought a 4wd SMB to save money or fuel. Unless it was a Sprinter.

Mike

[dave_in_delaware]

Originally Posted by JoeyNick

... Driving from Virginia Beach, VA to Lewes, DE ....

Aww, man! You drove right past me! I would have loved to meet you and check out your SMB.

Sounds like great MPG, too!