FORD 150 VS. CHEVY SILVERADO

[Jeff H]

Anyone getting bad gas mileage with the 5.3 may want to look into the Diablsport Predator programmer. My 2001 Z71 stepside reg cab was getting 14.8 mpg when I first got it in March. I had an old Predator sitting around that was VIN locked that I used to monitor my 2000 SS Camaro and it worked to monitor the 5.3 as well. I could tell it was running really rich so I bought a new Predator for $275 shipped and installed their performance tune and tweaked the fueling, overtemp, shift speed and pressure and now I'm getting around 17 mpg with better performance as well. The GM trucks with the 5.3 and automatic are set up to pull timing between shifts(torque management) and that also hurts the economy. Oh yeah, I'm running bigger tires (295/75/16) vs the stock 265/75/16 and it's slightly lifted.

[Justbad Joe]

Are we all running 4x4 or 2wds? I had an 02 that on its best day got 13 mpgs. Just bought a 10 with the fuel mgmt. with 6sp auto and have 1300 miles on it and the best is 17. What are you guys doing to increase mpgs.?
Joe

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Justbad Joe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are we all running 4x4 or 2wds? I had an 02 that on its best day got 13 mpgs. Just bought a 10 with the fuel mgmt. with 6sp auto and have 1300 miles on it and the best is 17. What are you guys doing to increase mpgs.?
Joe </div></div>

Both the trucks I mentioned were 4x4s. The only thing I did to the 5.7 truck was add a K&amp;N filter. I DO think those help some, although I have yet to get one for this truck.

[Jeff H]

Mine is a 4x4. I've heard about the oil burning problems with the 07 from other people as well. Another thing to increase mileage is to switch from the stock clutch fan setup to the newer (I think 2005 and up) electric fan and radiator. I heard it can help pick up 1-1.5 mpg but it's not the easiest/inexpensive upgrade so I haven't done it yet. My truck is actually pretty loaded with power seats, power windows, power windows, etc. which is a little odd for a reg cab pickup. The other thing that is actually cool about getting a programmer is that with the automatic with the tow/haul mode you can give it 2 different tunes and use the tow/haul mode for better performance at just the touch of the button.

[Tommy]

Dad and I pulled an empty trailer with a Z71 6.0 liter to Mississippi to pick up a 69 Camaro last year and even empty the truck was constantly downshifting on small hills. With the Camaro it was worse of course. Gas mileage was about the same as flushing a toilet... Dad bought a 2500 with Duramax and it was night and day.... I pull a 24 ft trailer 500 miles a night all week with a 97 Dodge with the 12 valve cummins and love it. I was using a ford with the 5.4 and it was like the chevy 6.0, revved out of control on hills.... I still pull 16x8 1/2 haulmark with my 95 silverado (5.7, 4L60E) with no problems but it also struggles compared to any diesel...

I'm not much of a Dodge fan but I sure do like the Cummins engine and to be honest, how much of the truck is Dodge?? Not that much in my opinion. Cummins engine, Dana Rear, New Venture trans... I think the Frame may be possible outsourced as well because the same upside down numbers are on it as Dads 2500 Duramax.... It leaves me to believe that only the sorry electronics are Dodge [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]



Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

[Jeff H]

I think most of these trucks downshift too soon with the factory computer setup. Another good use for a programmer, you can adjust the downshift speed setting and/or the throttle position before downshifting. But that's talking about the 4 speed automatic, the newer 6 speed autos probably make it a completely different combination that doesn't have that bad behavior.

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tommy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm not much of a Dodge fan but I sure do like the Cummins engine and to be honest, how much of the truck is Dodge?? Not that much in my opinion. Cummins engine, Dana Rear, New Venture trans... I think the Frame may be possible outsourced as well because the same upside down numbers are on it as Dads 2500 Duramax.... It leaves me to believe that only the sorry electronics are Dodge [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] </div></div>
Well, unfortunately the front end suspension and interior *are* made by Dodge! Otherwise, I'd be inclined to own one...

[Tommy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Well, unfortunately the front end suspension and interior *are* made by Dodge! Otherwise, I'd be inclined to own one... </div></div>

I'm not big on the interior either... I am having to replace a few front end components as well but I would relate mine to miles and the weight of the engine in the truck. It is the roughest riding truck I have ever owned but I suffer through it... I would like to find a mid to late 90's Chevy truck and swap in a 12V Cummins and a 10 speed Eaton/Fuller Road Ranger Trans. That would really be something. The NV4500 trans I have now is strong but I find myself needing more gears as 1,2,3 are close and strong but 4th and 5th are a long stretch and something in between would be really nice... I will say this, between the Powerstroke, Duramax and Cummins engines, they all work well but the Cummins sound IMO has the perfect sound. The Powerstroke sound has never been anything special to me. I have a 4 inch diameter straight pipe on my Cummins and I get caught up in listening to it as much as I do my small and big block chevies [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]


Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]