I should have just written up a single post - but perhaps a few shorter
posts is best - forgive me.. its 3 am CST and I'm not totally awake... and
very bored.
My MPG is intolerable. I'm averaging 8.5 MPG... I'm pretty sure the
problem is one or two things.... I isntalled teh instrument cluster with teh
tach guage... and it seems to me that the RPMs are too high for a given
MPH... which would suggest screwy rear differential gears correct?
I am turning about 2000 RPM at about 45 MPH... on the highway - its turning
about 2800 at around 55-60 MPH... is it just me or does that sound - - not
right?
My best gas mileage reading was just over 10 MPG, worst was 5.3 MPG - but
that can be attributed to the day I did snow plowing. I have been keeping
cosntant watch on my gas usage. Since Jan 13th, I have spent $115.72 on 87.7
gallons of gasoline.
My other thought is the overdrive on the transmission. the transmission
shifts gears fine... but it doesn't sem to want to go in, or stay in
overdrive. I can get it into overdrive occatinally, above 30 MPH (as its
supposed to kick in over 30)... when I push the OD off button on the dash...
it goes out of OD and the RPMs go up. when I turn OD back on... still above
30 mph... it will not shift back into OD>
My 2wd 1989 Dak would shift in and out of OD anytime the switch was turned
on or off. Could this be a vacume problem with the overdrive unit? I'm not
very transmission savvy... so forgive me if I sound like an idiot heh. Also
- the transmission will at times (more frequent than not) slam into reverse
with a less than desierable WHUMP... - not a smooth shift into R.
ANd yet more problems...
When I went snow plowing.. I had teh front of the truck all decked out. THe
night before I spent 8 hours wiring up some cool front end lights... cost
over $100 bucks.. and with one violent impact to a protruding manhole
cover... all the lighting was wrecked. Plastic snapped etc... I was not
happy... but what made it worse.. was I realized once and for all.. the 4wd
indicator light problem I had.. was not wiring.. but that the truck was not
staying in 4x4 mode. I clearly had pathetic traction... the front wheels
wouldnt stay powered. WHich was why I slid into the light post in the alley
- I gunned the engine and slipped sideways.
I was able to get the truck to stay in 4x4 a couple times. I gunned the
engine and would occationally hear a loud bang <metallic> which could also
be felt. I cant be sure - but thats when it seemed to stay in 4wheel drive.
This made plowing lots very difficult.
I have come a very long way in one year with this truck. I got it driving..
I got it plowing snow... but I have a long way to go. I am desperatly trying
to have it ready for some DML meets this year. Most notibly the DML BBQ at
Jon's place.
Anything that anyone can offer in the way of advice or comments is
appreciated as always. Even if you think I have this covered. Let me
know... I think my mechanic is honest. I was pleased with the work he did
with the truck so far... but I want to make sure I know exactly whats
what... so I get it fixed right, and at the right price.
have I covered everything?? I hope so!!
Oh yeah... I had 20 rolls of film developed that had been laying around on a
shelf in my house. On many of those rolls... are pics of my trucks... and a
roll had pics from teh DML Ohio meet from last year. Plus I have 3 rolls of
film from the 2002 CHicago auto show!!
As soon as my scanner is working again.. I'll have a flood of photos on my
web site. Stay tuned...
-----------------------------------
"That one has a strange blue neon thing... I'm guessing theres cocane up
there" - Eddie Vedder
Tom (Silver98)
http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/
1989 Reg Cab, V6, Auto, 8 footer, 4x2
1989 Reg Cab, V6, Auto, 8 footer, 4x4 w plow
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