If you could build a diesel for gas mileage and still have a usable truck what would you build and how would you build it? I know there will be definite trade offs such as towing capacity etc but just curious how you would do it? Im thinking of trying to build a Cummins that is still usable to tow my boat and maybe a car trailer yet still get well above the average gas mileage. Average it seems that most trucks are getting in the low 20's unloaded and if you can stay outta the throttle. Please chime in.

 

i put gas in my truck once on accident.i made it about one mile before the engine tried to jump outta the truck.luckily no damage.just about ten hours of work to drop tank and flush fuel system.i made that mistake once.

 

Haha diesel trucks never get good gas mileage. However you can get good fuel mileage. A cummins 2wd with a gear vendors od unit will help alot on mileage and be still able to tow your boat. Change the fluids out with synthetics. Advancing the timing will get you 1-2mpg A set of injectors like 5x.010 will get better performance than stock and better mileage.

 

Let me alter the title a little bit so it doesn't look like you want a multi fuel version truck.

 

everything moneyman_09 said and a better flowing exhaust, and a better flowing air intake

 

Thanks guys. I was thinking 6spd 2wd maybe with hwy gears in it as well. Any thoughts on how good a mileage you could see with a set up like this? 30? More?

 

The first thing I would is get a little bitty body for it so I wouldn't push much air.

 

Thats what I'm working on right now. At the moment getting 29mpg highway!

But seriously I am going for a setup like Jeff Garmon. He has a 07 1500 Dodge RC SB with a 700hp twin turbo 12v, running 32 degrees of timing, and 3.31 gears helping him run 1300rpm at 60mph. Claims to have achieved a max of 55mpg on straight highway driving, and still averaged 35-40mpg in mixed driving.

Im figuring that by putting in higher gears, and advancing my timing a bit (more when I get head studs) I can hit mid 30's highway.

 

Perfect. Is your truck 2 or 4wd? I have an opportunity to pick up some decent projects for this right now. I like the idea of the hwy gears myself. Now Im wondering if you think there would be any benefit to an auto, 5sp or even a 6spd? Im thinking maybe a quick spooling turbo becuase you shouldnt see to many rpms with the highway gears in there. Maybe a 50-100hp injectors, nice intake and exhaust and then depending on what year of truck a tuner or pump work or both. This is interesting and I may try this to see if I can beat those little cracker boxes! What are you getting in town for mileage?