1st roadtrip, now some ?s

[chromehound]

Just got back from a 1,060 mile round tripper. Mileage was 14.79, 14.39, and 16.35 at 65-70mph with no chip and 4.10 gears. Temp was dead center on the gauge but has always ran like that since I replaced the t-stat, o-ring and neck. Checked the oil when I got home (still hot) and was between at least 1/2 to 1qt lower than the add mark and since I see no leaks I assume it's being burnt due to injectors(?), going to re-check when cooled off. Truck ran great but do need some ideas on some issues. The piece of the radiator that the overflow tank hose connects to broke off and I just wedged a barbed splice in thats too small for the hose but worked ok aside from some spray at higher speeds - any way this can be fixed or do I just need a diffrent radiator? (I don't have the piece that broke off) Do these trucks have a low fuel light? The only other issue was hitting a deer about 7 miles from home causing me to have to pull my bumper out of my tire.

[madpogue]

Mileage is low even for a 4.10 truck. Manual or automatic? Were you towing? Steep hills / mountain passes, or fairly flat? Both our trucks are 5-speeds with 3.55s, and on the Interstate we get at least 20 MPG.

No low fuel light. Like with any vehicle, you sould consider the bottom 1/4 tank an emergency reserve. When you reach 1/4, switch tanks and fuel up before the other tank reaches 1/4. That's the beauty of dual tanks; even at your mileage, that's over 400 miles range, without either tank going below 1/4. You can also install a larger rear tank.

[chromehound]

Yeah I think alot has to do with no chip and my injectors are going south, I think (factory w/ 181xxx). Sloppy auto that needs rebuilt due to the PO not changing oil for 70000 (was dark but not burnt or stinky when I got it). Flat ground up to steepish hills of Northern Colorado. Normally I don't run my tanks under 1/4 but wanted to know my max range so I ran them both to the E and got 442 miles. My exhaust is in the way of the rear so unless I make it exit elsewhere I'll have to get a bigger front tank. Thinking about going to 3.55s when I do my Dana 60 swap up front.

[Gruss]

No low fuel light, a quart in 1000 miles isn't too bad considering 180K. I would think new injectors are in order and that should help the mileage and oil consumption a little

[chromehound]

Yeah turned out the oil was just above the add mark by ~1/2 qt but I added another 1/2ish since I like it alittle fuller. Just waiting on $ and to see if the injectors I want would pass emissions test - after I fix some other things for the tests and put in a new radiator to fix my whoops. I could be wrong but didn't the gassers have a low fuel light, I could swear my '93 did.

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by chromehound

I could be wrong but didn't the gassers have a low fuel light, I could swear my '93 did.

They figure diesel drivers are smart enough and don't need it....

[chromehound]

I was just thinking what if the gauge stopped working or was wrong but I suppose the light functions off the gauge, oh well at least I know not to try to fix something thats not broke.

[Jbs96Stroker]

My '96 4X4 SC LB PSD w/ 4.10 gears has 213K on her and I only get 14.2-14.6 empty running 72-74 mph. doesn't use or leak a drop of oil and injectors have 50K on them, to me that is like NEW...LOL I got 16 mpg on a 300 mile drive but I had a tail wind. won't know the rest till friday. I think alot of our fuel mileage is due to **** fuel. My other '96 2 wheel drive dually with 4.10 gears got 17 mpg pulling a 14K trailer then they changed the lubricator in fuels and BAMB **** mileage. Anyways those are my thoughts...LOL

[madpogue]

Hmm, never thought about the fuel lubricity affecting mileage. Suppose it could. I make up a mix of 3 parts ashless two-cycle oil and one part Power Service White Bottle. Put an ounce per gallon of that at every fill-up.

[Jbs96Stroker]

Does that seem to help with your mileage?? Cause when I use veggi oil I get about 15 to 17mpg.