3500 DRW 4x4 MPG

B

Big Chris

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New guy here, but I've been on some other sites for quite a while. Anyway, I'm looking to buy another truck. I'm looking for a 05-08 CCLB DRW 4x4. It's going to be used promarily as a tow vehicle and some DD. My current truck will be a work truck with some occasional play.

What kind of mileage are you getting with your CCLB DRW 4x4? LLY? LBZ? LLM? Loaded and unloaded.

How about the Cummins? CR 5.9 and 6.7? 6 speed and auto? loaded and unloaded?

How is the exhaust brake on the 6.7 compared to the Allison grade braking? ( I know you can tune the turbo vane position for braking with efi live on GM's)


(I plan to keep it mild with a tow tune, exhaust, and CAI. Would also delete the DPF with a turbo back exhaust on the LMM and 6.7.)

NOT looking to start a war... just want to know the numbers. I'm leaning toward the LLY or LBZ because I know alot more about them and already have EFI LIVE to tune them.

I don't know that much about the Dodge trucks either so I'm trying to learn.

Any help would be great!
 
2005 Cummins CCLB 3500 DRW Auto turning 295-70-17 Nitto Trail Grapplers. Stock would get 14-16 driving around town, 19-21 highway empty. Towing 25' gooseneck (tandem Duals) with 6500lb pulling truck 15mpg highway. Towing trailer with Bobcat skid loader and Mini Excavator 10-12mpg.
Added Smarty on Catcher#2. 15-17 around town. 20-22 Highway empty. Haven't pulled the trailer with it yet. Goes for new trans with billet shaft and HD clutches next week (Thanks Lavon!). Trans has been on it's last leg for some time now LOL Hoping to get a couple better on highway while towing.
 
Ive got an 06 dmax gets 14-16 city 19-21 highway. Got a 97 12valve 3500 dually gets 14-17 no matter what you do haha. 4:10 gears will do that tho
 
That's better mileage than I expected Shaw expecially with the big tires. My 05 3500 srw dmax gets 17-19 on the highway. If I keep it to 60 mph and less I can get 21-23 mpg. That's with a mild tow tune. My race tune doesn't do as well.

How much better if any is the 6 speed manual in the 5.9? If I went with the Cummins that's what I'd get. Thanks for the replies. Keep em coming...
 
I'm happy with the mileage, and I plan on going back to stock size tires. Hopefully it might get a tick better hauling. I'm just tired of driving on a "sponge"!
 
08 6.7 G56 4x4, Same size tires as Shawdrainage, s&b intake, straight 5" exhaust, and Smarty on sw9 I get about 16-18 in town, and 18-20 on highway. Totally stock Id get maybe 14.5 highway and I don't even want to know in town! LOL! Haven't done much towing with it, so can't comment on fuel mileage while towing...
 
My 05 gets 13-14 hwy @ 70mph, and 14.5 hwy @ 65... no tune or part has ever really made a big difference. Its a 3500 4x4 w/G56, the G56 is what kills the mileage, because 2400rpm @70mph isnt the best combo for MPG... way too low geared.

I seriously do not see how some guys claim over 20 with a dually 4x4 6spd, my single wheel auto 04 doesn't get over 20MPG...
 
SPEEDSHIFT said:
My 05 gets 13-14 hwy @ 70mph, and 14.5 hwy @ 65... no tune or part has ever really made a big difference. Its a 3500 4x4 w/G56, the G56 is what kills the mileage, because 2400rpm @70mph isnt the best combo for MPG... way too low geared.

I seriously do not see how some guys claim over 20 with a dually 4x4 6spd, my single wheel auto 04 doesn't get over 20MPG...
Click to expand...

That surprises me. I figured that 5th and 6th would be overdrive gears. Does your truck have 4:10 gears or 3:55 or 3:73 ( not sure what comes on the ram)? I guess I'm just trying to find out if there is a big mileage difference between the Cummins and Dmax trucks in general.

I'm going to start hauling rv's part time when my business is slow so the better the mpg the more I make.
 
Early 04 5.9 cclb drw 4:10's auto 285/70/17's 14-15 empty 12-13.5 towing hand calculated
 
SPEEDSHIFT said:
My 05 gets 13-14 hwy @ 70mph, and 14.5 hwy @ 65... no tune or part has ever really made a big difference. Its a 3500 4x4 w/G56, the G56 is what kills the mileage, because 2400rpm @70mph isnt the best combo for MPG... way too low geared.
I seriously do not see how some guys claim over 20 with a dually 4x4 6spd, my single wheel auto 04 doesn't get over 20MPG...
Click to expand...

with the speedo adjusted with the tires. at 70 i'm @ 1950RPM
 
yea i have to agree with speedshift. I have owned 7 4x4 drw and the best i have ever gotten pulling an empty flatbed that weighs 8k is 12. loaded i have never gotten better then 11. They have been 24v and cr's. the worst was the 06 and 07 with the low od g56. They both got 15 with no trailer and about 10.5 with one. Best mpg was,my 03 with no trailer and that was 19. These are pretty solid figures since i used to hotshot and kept up with it.
 
01 3500 DRW on 285's gets 13.5 around town, 15 hwy(down hill with a tail wind), and 9 pulling 20k.:nail::lolly:
 
2006, 6-speed, DRW, 8' bed, Quad Cab, 4:10's, with Smarty Jr, II bag of parts, Dom M stage 1 nozzels, ED 64/71 S300, SBC Dual Disc, AFE Intake.

I am currently getting 19.5 - 20.5 highway unloaded and approx 14.5 - 15.5 towing the gooseneck loaded at 16K. I leave the Smarty Jr in tow mode even when I am not towing as I find it gives me the best milage period.

I have a Snow Mileage-Max kit, and a Banks technicooler with 3.5" boost tubes to the Monster Intake in the garage hoping those two items net me a little more mileage.

BBD
 
SPEEDSHIFT said:
My 05 gets 13-14 hwy @ 70mph, and 14.5 hwy @ 65... no tune or part has ever really made a big difference. Its a 3500 4x4 w/G56, the G56 is what kills the mileage, because 2400rpm @70mph isnt the best combo for MPG... way too low geared.

I seriously do not see how some guys claim over 20 with a dually 4x4 6spd, my single wheel auto 04 doesn't get over 20MPG...
Click to expand...

Mine is a 3/4 auto and the best Ive ever got was 19.5 goin to myrtle beach a couple years ago. Thats with stock fuel system and stock charger, 3.73's and 305/65/17's and running just an edge EZ and CAI. I think a lot of people are trusting their overhead displays. If that was the case I would be getting 22-24 all the time :woohoo:
 
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04.5 QC/LB DRW 4x4 3.73s Smarty, Air dog, stock size tires, 62/71 ATS manifold and 3.5 inch intake elbow. I get 19-21 empty highway, 16-17 in town empty. Towing my 32ft 20k trailer with a 8k pulling truck I get around 14 on the highway. I cant really complain
 
I usually 65mph everywhere too. It drops my mileage going 70 about 1.5mpg to 2mpg over just going slow pays if you can bear it.
 
05 cummins drw qclb auto.. highway 21-23 back roads 17-18 havent got to haul wit it yet
 
05 quad long 4x4

sittin on BFG mud terrains 285, tank, bumpers, rack and toolbox, i usually get 13-14 city, and about 19-20 highway at 65 mph, and about 17-18 at 70..

only mods are AFE stage II, five inch magnaflow, and smarty on 5
 
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