Mods to increase milage?

[SUBTITAN]

Originally Posted by sleightofhand

Covers help out a pretty good amount. Removal of the tailgate can actually cause you to lose gas mileage not save it. http://www.truck-bed-covers.com/Tonn..._save_fuel.htm read the article its interesting.

Again all speculation and no testing. Theories are like opinions are like you know what everybody has one. Just because the physics say it should be doesn't mean it will. From what I've seen the MPG increase is minimal at best with the bed cover and would take several years to make up for the price paid for the cover. Get the cover because it looks good and makes the bed more secure not for improved gas milage.

[PHOEBISIS]

I still don't think there is much-beyond proper tire pressure and driving like an old man- that can be done to improve the mpg of a modern vehicle,but if you want to give it a try ,look at your wheels.
Lose those 18" wheels and find the lightest set of 17" wheels you can with the smallest,lightest(quietest) tires you feel comfortable with.I wish wheel manu mentioned the weight of their wheels,it would make it much easier.Same with tires.I weighed 10-12 MC tires a while back,there were 10% differences in the weight of tires that were very close to the same size,but from different manu.There were 5% differences in the same tires,same manu.
I think our tire-wheel combos weigh~65 lbs,and the 18" are effectively even "heavier".Get some light forged wheels-less weight,less spinning weight,less unsprung weight.
Wheel-tire Weight loss is a free lunch-faster and better mpg and better handling!!Any other weight loss is good also,but wheel tire weight loss is the most bang for the effort.
Luck,Charlie

[cardesigner]

When I took automotive aerodynamics, I learned something interesting:

1. Dropping the tailgate does not make your truck more aerodynamic.
2. A full tonneau cover does not help either.

What does help, surprisingly, is a half tonneau, where the the 1st half of the bed closest to the cab is covered and the back half is open. I have no idea why but it's a proven aerodynamic study.

Don't quote me on it, but I'll check my book on vehicle aerodynamics to be sure. My instructor is Paul Glassner, and he was one of the aero guys on the stealth aircrafts.

[pciley]

hmm. well I hope I'm not imagining things. My milage shot up well after break in when I installed the exhaust and intake (except the first tank where I was driving the truck like a sling shot from stop light to stop light ) I get almost 2mpg highway increase, nothing noticable around city