Improving Mileage

[Gray Ghost]

I have a ’03 F250 with the 7.3 L diesel engine. So far I have installed a K&N open-air intake, 4” exhaust, Super Chip set on Safe-Tow and put on LT285/75R16 tires and had the speedometer adjusted. I have been getting around 14 MPG in the city and about 18.5 on the highway and I need to improve this. I have been looking at Zillaraider, Bully Dog 6 Position 4 Bank, and the Edge Juice w/Attitude Monitor. Please let me know what your preference would be to get the best improvement, other options, where can I get the best price and are there any used ones on the market? THANKS

[MartyB]

I don't think any of those will help your mileage much. You're getting pretty good mileage now. You didn't mention your rear end ratio but if you're really after better mileage, you might want to consider a Gear Vendor Overdrive unit, and run double overdrive on the highway. Lowering your speed on the highway will also help, but from the numbers you mention, it appears you already know how to drive for fuel mileage.

[Gray Ghost]

Originally Posted by MartyB

I don't think any of those will help your mileage much. You're getting pretty good mileage now. You didn't mention your rear end ratio but if you're really after better mileage, you might want to consider a Gear Vendor Overdrive unit, and run double overdrive on the highway. Lowering your speed on the highway will also help, but from the numbers you mention, it appears you already know how to drive for fuel mileage.

What is a Gear Vender Overdrive Unit?

[Dave]

Hypertech is a good programmer for fuel economy, although i cannot complain about my BD chip i get 20 to 24 on #2 diesel winter blend i drop to about 16

[Dave]

what ratio is your rear end

[MartyB]

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

What is a Gear Vender Overdrive Unit?

Gear Vendors under/overdrive transmissions the most awarded auxiliary transmissions.

Check out their site. It's an overdrive unit that adapts to your transmission that allows gear splitting and double overdrive. My dad has ran one for years behind an older IDI 7.3/C6 truck, and it works well. A bit pricey, but nice unit.

[Marty]

He has an F250 - stock it's a 3.73 10.25 sterling rear.

You have 33" tall tire. You will get better mileage if you go back to 265's since they weigh less, and have less rolling resistance. That will be the best way to get better mileage.

The next thing is to keep your RPM's UNDER 2000 ALL THE TIME - very hard to do.

After that, minimize your braking. The less you brake the less kinetic energy you've produced w/ the burning of diesel will be taken away.

Another thing you can do is run HIGH PSI in your tires = less contact with the road = less resistance.

You can also do fuel tank mods that will increase your mileage.

Keep everything up to snuff and well maintained IE: all filter changes, oil, ball joints etc...

Bed cover usually helps too...

[MartyB]

Originally Posted by Maintain

He has an F250 - stock it's a 3.73 10.25 sterling rear.

You have 33" tall tire. You will get better mileage if you go back to 265's since they weigh less, and have less rolling resistance. That will be the best way to get better mileage.

The next thing is to keep your RPM's UNDER 2000 ALL THE TIME - very hard to do.

After that, minimize your braking. The less you brake the less kinetic energy you've produced w/ the burning of diesel will be taken away.

Another thing you can do is run HIGH PSI in your tires = less contact with the road = less resistance.

You can also do fuel tank mods that will increase your mileage.

Keep everything up to snuff and well maintained IE: all filter changes, oil, ball joints etc...

Bed cover usually helps too...

How about a little more elaboration on the fuel tank mods.....

[Marty]

In tank: gets rid of mixing chamber and the possibility of sucking air in when fuel is 1/4 tank or less. Also allows you to fill up much faster.

Pre-pump Mod: gets rid of the "quick connect" lines that tend to suck in air and cause Cackle (refer to last mod in this post for another way to help solve problems with the dead end fuel setup.)

Shims; Fuel pressure: each truck varies, but somewhere between 65-70 psi seems to be a sweet spot for many trucks. Some like less, some like more.

Also look at this instead of a full Reg Return setup (not as good but worth the time...)
The fuel mod (FX mod) is linking the fuel rails together (head to head). I have seen very little written about this mod. The idea is to not starve the injectors for fuel.

check this out

[MartyB]

Originally Posted by Maintain

In tank: gets rid of mixing chamber and the possibility of sucking air in when fuel is 1/4 tank or less. Also allows you to fill up much faster.

Pre-pump Mod: gets rid of the "quick connect" lines that tend to suck in air and cause Cackle (refer to last mod in this post for another way to help solve problems with the dead end fuel setup.)

Shims; Fuel pressure: each truck varies, but somewhere between 65-70 psi seems to be a sweet spot for many trucks. Some like less, some like more.

Also look at this instead of a full Reg Return setup (not as good but worth the time...)
The fuel mod (FX mod) is linking the fuel rails together (head to head). I have seen very little written about this mod. The idea is to not starve the injectors for fuel.

check this out

How much of a mileage increase do you think all of these mods combined will yield?