I am currently averaging 28mpg and I can get 350miles out of the tank if i push it, tank is a 13 gal tank. I commute 100 miles round trip to work. I want to get more MPG out of the tank.

Truck is a 90 22R federal emissions 49 state truck and has new spark plugs, wires, cap rotor, air filter, fuel filter, all oils everywhere have been changed and tires are at 32 psi.

To my knowledge the carb has never been rebuilt, truck has 227k on it, I got it with 214k. when I 1st got it i was getting 21-23mpg freeway.

What are some ideas as to improving gas mileage?

I am looking into having the carb rebuilt, but am hesitant because the truck is running really good right now.

 

I have the same set up getting about the same mpg in an 1988
couple things i've been considering

LT 185R14 tires. They can be pumped up to 55-60 psi for extra load. they would roll a lot harder and should get a bit more mpg vs std 44psi Passenger tires.

lowering the front improving aero drag.

Mine is currently w a 4spd. i drive 55-65. Maybe if it breaks, look to find a 5 speed.


maybe a homemade hydrogen cell and leaning out the mixture a little?

theres a few ideas

 

I would pump your tires up to a good 45 50 psi. if they are in good shape. you will see a differance. But im pretty sure the only thing you can do to get better mileage is slow down on your drive. find your trucks sweet spot cruising speed.I would fill your tank up right before your commute and fill up again when you get back, and do that every day but change your speed a little, and see which one is the best.

 

I'm getting 24 pretty consistently. I've gotten up to 28 for a single tank on the highway keeping off the gas going 65-70 mph. that's with FI, 5 speed, and freeer exhaust. Since the gearing is pretty aggressive (almost 3k @ 70) speed is going to be the biggest killer. getting more than 28-30 mpg is going to take a lot of effort (like swapping 5th gear from a W58 for the 2-300 rpm drop at 70)


FYI the 4 speed/3.08 combo gives the same highway revs as 5 speed/3.73.

 

If your truck is federal, then its got the 4 speed more than likely. Swap the 5 speed in and 5th gear will give you a little better freeway rpm drop.

Dropping it low as mentioned will also improve mileage as aerodynamics are improved.

I would leave your carb alone. Unless you experience issues, you still hsve lots of trouble free miles left on it. You can run a k&n filter if you want to improve air flow and lessen the restriction. With it, a good free flow exhaust will help out as well.

Synthetic oil would be a good upgrade and you can also see a change in mileage as well. As for your tranny and diff, synthetics will also help in the same way there.

 

Its a 5 speed i'm sure of it, lol unless i'm changing into an imaginary gear, lol
as far as the axle code and Trans they are F382/G57 - a 5 spd with a 7.5" rear and 3.417 gears according to the vin decoder on 4x4 wire. The carb I will be leaving it alone for now.
I'm going to try the stock size wheels and see how that works out as well.
I'm also trying different shift points too.

 

When my 82 was bone stock, I got 32MPGs easy IF I drove 55mph. That 55 is on the speedo for a reason. Its the sweet spot

Now with my big holley it gets about 20. But its significantly faster.


Oh and when I swapped a 4 speed for a W58, my gas milage went down. I think it got it out of the torque peak.

 

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Exceed the posted presure for the tires. You should always set your tire presure to the factory vehical specification. Over inflating your tires might increase gas millage but at the risk of control. All car manufactures spend millions on tire safety. Is gas millage worth risking your life, maybe? But your not the only one on the road.

 

I got a W58 + 8" 3.41's (xcab 22re btw) and with the incorrect speedometer and odometer, i got calculations (incorrect) of 20 something mpg's... that's with driving around hard. I'm sure I get better...


I do 2000rpm's at 60mph and ~2500 around 70mph.

 

Well my speedo doesn't work but I drove to Bakersfield an back on one tank which is close to 500 miles. Which is averaging about 28mpg don't kno how fast I was goin but I have over 200,000 on my 22re

 

Anyone know if a 17 Gal extra cab tank will fit a single cab? Im going to look at the trucks at the pick a part and see if they can fit with some work.

 

I'm gonna say it won't but I cud be wrong. Maybe with some new
brackets it will

 

I get a soild 19mpg city buy like Cinn, I drive hard (Yes it's all about cornering) I have a stock 22re, stock exahust, Stock ratio, on 8.5 wide tires. Highway only goes up a little to 21mpg. But every stop light is a drag race and every interstate is an excuse to shave off a little time. I'll try free flowing exhaust and battery A/F neter swap soon but I think it will be worth an un-noticable amount. I do know that an ignition upgrade would help alot in all aspects; better starting hot or cold, better gas millage, more complete fuel burn (you can run a larger gap on the plugs so that will improve the flame travel in the cylinders), and most important all this means more over all horse power. other than that you could try bumping up the timing a little, it would help top end economy if you spend alot of time in the upper RPM range. You will loose a little on the bottom end because drivability will suffer slightly. you could also try a pour in millage improver, however this might off set the fuel cost savings. Just like a timming adjustment a taller tire will help improve top end fuel millage but at a cost of having to work a little harder to get going from a stop. I will say that shaving a few inches from the ride height, and putting on a chin spoiller did give me a full 1mpg.

 

Every tire has a max operating pressure on it. As long as you dont exceed that your fine. Usually better tires have a higher max pressure as well...

 

Yes every tire has a max value, however just because you can dose'nt mean you should. I have to agree with the last post though the chalk test works best, but just plain over inflating the tires to decreese rolling resistance by making it ride on a smaller contact patch is not smart............... ........ It's not a matter of overcomming the presure raiting of the tire, it's about lowering the ability of the tire to grip the road safely.

 

I stand corrected, your right the chalk test wors best. BTW nice truck.

 

Anymore pics of tht runner!?

 

Be happy with your mileage lol.


Also be happy your not paying $4.20+ for a gallon of gas, over here you can even find it for up to $5gal.