Looking to actually gain some MPG

[Justin Nachazel]

Hey guys and gals,

 

I know I didn't buy this beauty for MPG but it wouldn't hurt to have some gains in that department Just want to get a poll as to if anyone has added some mods that will gain mpgs? I have a 3" leveling lift on it and a Tonneau Cover already. Again, I know lifting it doesn't help for mpg but I couldn't stand the rake of the truck and I like the height! That being said what have some of you done? Here are my questions:

 

1) Ive heard adding an exhaust will add a couple mpg because the truck "Breathes" better. Has anyone experienced this?

 

2) What about an Air Intake?

 

3) Fuel additives?

 

4) Switching to Synthetic Oil?

 

5) At 3" lift is the Air dam helping or hurting me now? I know it helps move the air when there is a rake and its low to the ground but what about when its 3" up? Is it just causing turbulence?

 

6) Ive heard tuners but those are pretty expensive right? And is there any real point?

 

Im not really interested in gaining horsepower since I don't race this or anything so any suggestions would be great

[newdude]

Exhaust makes no difference. Additives are a waste of $$$. Intakes just make more noise. Everything is pretty much synthetic as far as fluids go in these trucks (engine oil is semi-synthetic). Your 3" level could be hurting it, do you have larger or aggressive tires? (3" is extreme for the front components too) Those will kill it as well. If you are tuning for MPG's, go custom.

[SILVER SLED]

Agreed with above. Intake and exhaust will give you noise, no performance or economy. Get it tuned, there is more of a point to that than anything else.

[Justin Nachazel]

Exhaust makes no difference. Additives are a waste of $$$. Intakes just make more noise. Everything is pretty much synthetic as far as fluids go in these trucks (engine oil is semi-synthetic). Your 3" level could be hurting it, do you have larger or aggressive tires? (3" is extreme for the front components too) Those will kill it as well. If you are tuning for MPG's, go custom.

I don't have larger tires I just have the stock ones that come on it. So tuning is the best option? What Tuner should I look at and what kind of gains did you see?

[fondupot]

any way you cut it, you really wont gain much MPG. the truck weighs too much. Lose about 1000lbs and then we can start talking.

[Justin Nachazel]

Remember the first post that I wrote that stated the obvious? You should probably read that again

[fondupot]

Remember the first post that I wrote that stated the obvious? You should probably read that again

 

I read it and I'm telling you, I have all the mods you reference and my mileage is not any better than to be expected.

 

I have an intake, exhaust, custom tune, synthetic oil, bed cover. 15-17 around town. 20-22 highway. Exactly what is to be expected.

 

These mods will help increase horsepower. But since you said you aren't interested in that, then you'd just be waisting money.

[LongrangeLauber]

3" level is quite extreme for an IFS truck, honestly id recommend deceasing it for longevity.

 

That being said, no need to attack other members. He was simply stating a fact and trying to help out, just like you asked for. Tuner is the best way to go, disable AFM and increase tq/ hp. Everything else is just a waste of $$

[tnchevy]

If you plan on keeping the truck like it is then you will not be able to gain any measurable mpg's with any add on, tune, etc. The only options are to drop it back down to factory height and put on a set of pure highway tread tires or just live with it like the rest of us.

[Justin Nachazel]

3" level is quite extreme for an IFS truck, honestly id recommend deceasing it for longevity.

 

That being said, no need to attack other members. He was simply stating a fact and trying to help out, just like you asked for. Tuner is the best way to go, disable AFM and increase tq/ hp. Everything else is just a waste of $$

 

Can you explain the IFS problem please?

[LongrangeLauber]

 

Can you explain the IFS problem please?

The cv axles and tie rods as well as ball joints are at such an extreme angle they will wear prematurely, they are not in their "comfortable" homes so to speak

[Justin Nachazel]

The cv axles and tie rods as well as ball joints are at such an extreme angle they will wear prematurely, they are not in their "comfortable" homes so to speak

Ohh ok ya they told me at the shop that it wouldn't even be a problem until around 60k miles as long as I'm only doing highway driving which i am. Is that true?

[beetle]

OP, what kind of mileage are you getting? The best and cheapest way to increase your mpg's is to change your driving style. BTW, beautiful truck.

[txab]

Ohh ok ya they told me at the shop that it wouldn't even be a problem until around 60k miles as long as I'm only doing highway driving which i am. Is that true?

You can only hope. Some have worn out well before that

[nadrojcote]

There's really nothing you can do to a gas truck, they're tuned to get the best mpg already. Why would GM not incorporate everything they could with these trucks to improve mpg.

 

A tune helped me a bit, but it was minimal.