Road Buster I'd love to have an exhaust brake. It would have really been nice when I lived in hilly areas. I think if you have hills or mountains and tow frequently it would be worth it.
Love this video. Great info. Were these hand calculated miles? Im looking to get an 03 2500 Crew Cab with the 5.9 197K miles. It would be my first diesel. What is the typical yearly maintenance cost and any MPG mods that you would suggest (that keeps me legal in all 50 states)?
These were all hand calculated. I would suggest a free flowing exhaust of sorts. Straight pipe is the most common but it allows the truck to breathe and will net you a small gain in both power and mpg. You should be in the clear as far as being 50 state legal as a 03 truck predates emissions regulations by quite a while. Check out this video I did for what I've had as far as yearly maintenance: ruclips.net/video/U81TcyqdUO0/видео.html
Have you thought about doing some intake side cooling upgrades to help with mpgs? Intercooler, water meth injection? Unfortunately I retired my 03 HO NV5600 to mostly city; school and work, she was pulling gooses in Alaska before I got her. So im trying to squeeze every mpg out I can, I keep a captain's log every time I turn her on and off and note anything in between to keep an eye on. running roughly 15.7 -16.1 city with a 2 Micron Fass 95. I really need to get around to archiving on excel. Do you think your lift had any affect on your mpgs? Are you 2" leveled or 3" lift? I'm sitting on the stock HD rake on the stock tire size.
Did you re calibrate your speedo for each different tire size you have ran? If not there will be a mileage discrepancy from your odometer to actual miles traveled. up to 10% from stock tires size to the 35 inch tall tires.
Okay. I think you could see an increase in MPG with 50 horsepower or 100 horsepower injectors and a mild tune. Try it if you like or not but I would be interested to see what it does because when I get one of these, I do want to modify them.
@@jackalay23 it’s a bit low but if you idle a lot, drive in the city a lot, or have large tires especially if the speedometer isn’t calibrated for the size that may bring it down. Also if you live in a hilly or rugged terrain area that might explain it. Or a very cold climate too.
@@jackalay23 what’s your rpm’s at 70mph? With 4:10’s and stock tires, I’d imagine pretty high. Upgrading to taller tires like 35’s will lower your rpm’s and increase full economy on the highway, but you might notice a little less power since the tires. So pick your poison. Depends on how often you tow
@@issacgarcia4216 I got a 04 n I'm getting like 14 - 15. I dont see how every1 getting alot more. It's a auto. I have a 2nd gen 5 speed n the same route to work n back I got 18
My dad has a 06 3500 dually with a oversized cab with about 2000lb of tools in it and we REGULARLY get 22 to 26 mpg. It's all stock and bought it brand new. Parts have been replaced when broken but with just oem parts. It's a work truck and does very little towing. Trans was rebuilt at 125k. Currently has 198k on the truck. If you dont hammer down you will increase fuel mpg. Also these trucks dont like anything above 65 to 70 mph. My buddy has a 04 2500 diesel and gets 23 mpg consistently. It's all in how you drive and maintain your vehicle. I have a 2019 accord hybrid as a daily driver. Car is rated at 47 mpg. I average 49 to 51 mpg. Its ALL in how you maintain and drive. And I dont see how you went from stock tire to a bigger tire and got better mileage then went to a very slightly bigger tire again and the floor fell out on your mileage. 5 mpg loss over a 1 inch difference? I'm calling bs. That's worse mileage than rigs I know towing 14k. All over a roughly 3 inch tire diameter? No way. If it were a gas truck I could believe it. Either you lied about recalibrating for tire size or you are stomping it everywhere you go. The math doesnt work out correctly.
Yeah what trail said it’s about how you drive city these trucks really don’t like city driving and anything above 68-mph you gonna start dropping mpg the sweet spot is 62-68 highway also you start adding wheels or anything that will add weight to the truck you are going to lose mpg
Amazing job. Thank you for taking the time to share this information. Doesn’t go unnoticed!
Appreciate your posting this level of detail!
Wow. Nice break down. Just imagine if u had a programmer!!!!
With a programmer probably get 23 or so
I enjoy your channel, what do you think about adding a exhaust brake on a 2003 5.9 Cummins? Are they worth it?
Road Buster I'd love to have an exhaust brake. It would have really been nice when I lived in hilly areas. I think if you have hills or mountains and tow frequently it would be worth it.
5.9 Ram2500 Thanks
Agreed it’s great on the 6.7 but I’m gonna sell mine and roll back to a 5.9
Love this video. Great info. Were these hand calculated miles?
Im looking to get an 03 2500 Crew Cab with the 5.9 197K miles. It would be my first diesel. What is the typical yearly maintenance cost and any MPG mods that you would suggest (that keeps me legal in all 50 states)?
These were all hand calculated. I would suggest a free flowing exhaust of sorts. Straight pipe is the most common but it allows the truck to breathe and will net you a small gain in both power and mpg. You should be in the clear as far as being 50 state legal as a 03 truck predates emissions regulations by quite a while. Check out this video I did for what I've had as far as yearly maintenance: ruclips.net/video/U81TcyqdUO0/видео.html
Have you thought about doing some intake side cooling upgrades to help with mpgs? Intercooler, water meth injection?
Unfortunately I retired my 03 HO NV5600 to mostly city; school and work, she was pulling gooses in Alaska before I got her. So im trying to squeeze every mpg out I can, I keep a captain's log every time I turn her on and off and note anything in between to keep an eye on. running roughly 15.7 -16.1 city with a 2 Micron Fass 95. I really need to get around to archiving on excel.
Do you think your lift had any affect on your mpgs? Are you 2" leveled or 3" lift? I'm sitting on the stock HD rake on the stock tire size.
Did you re calibrate your speedo for each different tire size you have ran? If not there will be a mileage discrepancy from your odometer to actual miles traveled. up to 10% from stock tires size to the 35 inch tall tires.
Yep. It was re calibrated for all sizes.
Good mileage. Are your wheels lighter than stock?
The wheels are actually 4lbs a piece heavier than stock
Okay. I think you could see an increase in MPG with 50 horsepower or 100 horsepower injectors and a mild tune. Try it if you like or not but I would be interested to see what it does because when I get one of these, I do want to modify them.
What gear ratio is your truck?
3.73
@@OutpostCTD I am getting 12-13 unloaded with 4.10 gears stock truck. Seems low to me what do you think?
@@jackalay23 it’s a bit low but if you idle a lot, drive in the city a lot, or have large tires especially if the speedometer isn’t calibrated for the size that may bring it down. Also if you live in a hilly or rugged terrain area that might explain it. Or a very cold climate too.
@OutpostCTD it's mostly highway calculated manually. Tires are stock size. I guess I need to do some troubleshooting. Has new stock injectors.
@@jackalay23 what’s your rpm’s at 70mph? With 4:10’s and stock tires, I’d imagine pretty high. Upgrading to taller tires like 35’s will lower your rpm’s and increase full economy on the highway, but you might notice a little less power since the tires. So pick your poison. Depends on how often you tow
well done
Is this truck automatic?
Yep it is
@@OutpostCTD I have an 04 and I am only getting 13mpg. Not sure why
@@issacgarcia4216 I got a 04 n I'm getting like 14 - 15. I dont see how every1 getting alot more. It's a auto. I have a 2nd gen 5 speed n the same route to work n back I got 18
My dad has a 06 3500 dually with a oversized cab with about 2000lb of tools in it and we REGULARLY get 22 to 26 mpg. It's all stock and bought it brand new. Parts have been replaced when broken but with just oem parts. It's a work truck and does very little towing. Trans was rebuilt at 125k. Currently has 198k on the truck. If you dont hammer down you will increase fuel mpg. Also these trucks dont like anything above 65 to 70 mph. My buddy has a 04 2500 diesel and gets 23 mpg consistently. It's all in how you drive and maintain your vehicle. I have a 2019 accord hybrid as a daily driver. Car is rated at 47 mpg. I average 49 to 51 mpg. Its ALL in how you maintain and drive. And I dont see how you went from stock tire to a bigger tire and got better mileage then went to a very slightly bigger tire again and the floor fell out on your mileage. 5 mpg loss over a 1 inch difference? I'm calling bs. That's worse mileage than rigs I know towing 14k. All over a roughly 3 inch tire diameter? No way. If it were a gas truck I could believe it. Either you lied about recalibrating for tire size or you are stomping it everywhere you go. The math doesnt work out correctly.
Yeah what trail said it’s about how you drive city these trucks really don’t like city driving and anything above 68-mph you gonna start dropping mpg the sweet spot is 62-68 highway also you start adding wheels or anything that will add weight to the truck you are going to lose mpg