Though I haven't driven that trip in my wife's 4x4, we've done it
a few times in my '95 SLT 4x2 (5.2L, 5 spd, 3.90 gear) CC, and
our former '99 RT CC. We netted a BEST EVER of 20.64 mpg from Flagstaff
shell (on old Route 66) to Barney's fuel in Yuma AZ. I did the same
trip with my wife's RT, ran exactly the same speed 70 mph... the RT
got 15.5 mpg...
As far as the 4x4 goes...our '99 4x4 has 242 transfer case with 2 HI,
4 PT (HI), 4 FT (HI), N and 4 PT (LO). It gets the same mileage in
2 HI or 4 FT (HI).. Around town my wife gets a miserable 11-12 mpg.
The truck has 3.55 gears and is an automatic. I've used the truck
to tow about 4800#, and 65 mph in D @ 3000 rpm nets about 13.5 mpg on
flat level ground... We just ran from San Diego- Vegas- San Diego
(23.5 hours from leaving our house, get there.. see a friend get married,
drive home)... Ran 80-85 mph there, and 72-78 back.. 15.6 mpg. Not
bad considering the speeds, and YES with 3.55 gears the truck will
fall on it's face up the hills without a downshift to D from OD...
But then we can run 70-75 in drive @ 3200 rpm all day if need be. It takes
some getting use to for sure... I've got an RT that I put at 75 mph on
cruise and it NEVER needs to downshift, unless I want to REALLY blast up
a grade...
If you run 65-70 mph on a road trip, on predominately level ground you'll
get gas mileage in the high 17s... The slower you drive the better
it will be. Generally your gas mileage will be better than any 3.92
geared Dakota... The 4.7Ls seem to run pretty good on mileage, so
if it's a 4x4 though, it might be closer.
With your truck behing a 5 spd, running in 4th gear should be very
close to our Auto. in D... as D and 4th are supposed to be a 1:1 ratio.
So, unfortunately on gas mileage-- get use to it.
Sam '00 RT & '99 4x4
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of Tim J Koth
> Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2000 10:01 PM
> To: dakota-truck%buffnet.net
> Subject: DML: 2000 4.7 CC 4X4 highway Observations - Long
>
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