| From | Message |
KIRK
Unregistered
4/22/2001
15:52:53
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 Subject: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
What's the checklist for improving the mpg on my 2001 Dakota Quad Cab, 3.9L, A/T, 3.55 rear end, P255/65R16's. Town driving during the winter has been 12.5 - 14.5 with 100% gasoline from Pilot. Mileage with Shell or Amoco was at least 1 mpg worse than with 100% gas. The best highway mileage I've had so far was 18 mpg (outside temp was in the 60's). EPA rating was 20 highway and 16 city. When I complained to the dealership, they suggested I keep a fuel log and come back in about six months if it was still bad. They also didn't record my complaint in their data base.
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Doug
GenIII
4/23/2001
02:24:48
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Kirk:
you might start by replacing your distributer cap and rotor, especially if you have a rough idle. Replaced mine after about 2000 miles with Accel, the factory one is aluminam with a laqure coat and mine was really pitted both cap ands rotor. You need one with brass or copper contacts.
Doug
99 Dakota Sport, 4X4, Auto, 3.9
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Big G
GenIII
4/23/2001
13:06:06
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Just got back from my performence center.... they have no listing for the Accel cap or rotor for my truck..... What give's ? ... anybody know what part nuumbers I should get for my 2001 3.9 ?
2001, 3.9, 2WD Auto, Loaded SLT Club Cab, Sport Suspension
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Kris
*GenII*
4/23/2001
14:04:43
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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I ordered the Borg-Warner cap and rotor from Carparts.com, the 3.9L cap part # is C273 and the the rotor is part # D223. Everyone else I can think of on this board prefers the Borg-Warner.
Kris Harnack
1994 Dodge Dakota SLT
V6 / RC / SB / Auto
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Harvey
Unregistered
4/23/2001
14:15:51
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
I checked with Pep Boys and another auto parts dealer and the same here. The guy at the auto parts dealer said that the '99 and '01 distributers are different. I tried going back a couple of years to see if they carried a cap and rotor thinking they might be the same but no dice. Has anyone tuned up a '00 or '01 and changed the cap and rotor? Does Borg Warner make a cap and rotor? I just read from an old post Taki said he bought a cap and rotor w/ brass contacts from NAPA. Going to check it out.
'01 QC, 3.9L, 5sp, 4x2, K&N drop in.
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RonW
*GenIII*
4/23/2001
14:26:36
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
Nope, no changes. BW C273 for cap and D223 for rotor.
Ron
00 PB SLT QC 4X2 5.9 46RE 3.92 LSD
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Kris
*GenII*
4/23/2001
15:55:49
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
I got about the same for mileage this winter also. Did you let your truck warm up on cold days?
Kris Harnack
1994 Dodge Dakota SLT
V6 / RC / SB / Auto
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Kirk
Unregistered
4/23/2001
20:38:35
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
I just let it idle a minute until the RPM's fall to normal idle range. Thanks for the information about the distributor; I hadn't heard about that. Anything else?
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95DakotaV8
*GenII*
4/24/2001
07:02:55
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Napa has brass cap and rotors, P/N is M029 for the cap, M026 for the rotor.
Kevin Rants
95 CC SLT 4x4, 5.2L, 5spd
Family Man!
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Harvey
Unregistered
4/24/2001
08:55:26
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
Thanks all for the info. I ordered the BW cap & rotor from Carparts.com. I hope it fits. It's just funny how Borg/Accel/Standard/NAPA don't list them for '00 & '01.
Kirk, I get about 17-19 mpg highway driving. I have a '01 QC, 3.9L, 5sp, 4x2, 3.92 gears, P255/65R16. EPA suggested 16 city, 22 highway. I only have about 1500 miles and I installed a K&N drop in filter for now. Planning to change the cap, rotor & wires (MSD). I hoping to make mods in the future to increase mpg when the budget allows i.e. K&N GenII (need to wait for possible '00/'01 model or mod the current v8 GenII), swap in a stock V8 TB(need to modify the linkage as recommended) and Gibson stainless catback exhaust. I hope this does the trick, but like everyone has said, more power, more mashing on the pedal. Everyone told me before I bought the QC, it's a truck don't expect it to be a car.
Quick question on stock v8 TBs. I called a dealer and asked for a 99 or 00 5.9L TB but he wanted to know if I needed anything else besides the TB. Fuel rail? Sensors? Should I just order a bone stock 5.9L v8 TB? Thanks in advance.
'01 QC, v6 3.9L, 5sp, 4x2, K&N drop in
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joey
Unregistered
4/24/2001
09:19:07
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
I bought a cap and rotor for my 93 3.9 its a BlueStreak got it from auto zone. Local hi-po store said they dont make a MSD cap and rotor for it. Try the Blue Streak! (goes great with my MSD 6a ignition and super conductor wires, another thing that brought crisp power was a Accel Super coil!
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Kris
*GenII*
4/24/2001
16:39:33
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
Hey Harvey,
Get the bone stock TB, your existing sensors should be able to bolt right up to the the 5.9L Throttle body. After you get it, before you bolt it down check and make sure the blades don't hit the manifold at WOT.
Kris Harnack
1994 Dodge Dakota SLT
V6 / RC / SB / Auto
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Sean Dilamarter
Unregistered
4/26/2001
15:13:22
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
These tips are great, because I'm planning on buying a dodge dakota 3.9L V6, but I've heard they were gas pigs. Do you think I should look at a different make, or should I get the V8 instead of the V6 in the Dodge.
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Wayne
GenIII
4/26/2001
17:06:46
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
Kirk, what are you refering to when you say "100% gas"?
Sean, from the above MPG numbers, I'd say to get the V8. Me and my son's get better than that with '98 5.2/5 sp./3.90, '99 5.2/auto/3.90, and '99 5.9/auto/3.90.
Wayne Van Metre
'99 CC SLT 5.2/auto/3.90 anti spin
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Kirk
Unregistered
4/26/2001
17:55:04
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
IP: Logged
Message:
By "100% gasoline", I mean "no ethanol added".
Here are some of the suggestions I've gotten off-line for the question I originally asked :
1) Increase tire pressure.
2) Reduce air intake restriction.
3) Reduce exhaust restrictions.
4) Install tonneau cover.
5) Advance timing 2 degrees (but the 01 distributor is not adjustable)
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Wayne
GenIII
4/26/2001
18:13:03
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
O.K. Now I understand 100% gas. I was thinking octane.
Those suggestions are all good but check $ spent for $ returned such as: will X amount of added MPG pay for a tonneau cover. # 1, 2,& 3 are proven winners for added performance AND MPG. I have never discovered anything that will give you a big increase in MPG. Most of the time I lost money trying things (gagets). Fine tuning what you got and using a light foot is about all you can expect. :-(
Wayne Van Metre
'99 CC SLT 5.2/auto/3.90 anti spin
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Kirk
Unregistered
4/26/2001
22:36:46
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
IP: Logged
Message:
You're right, Wayne. I've already been thinking about cost vs savings. Considering that I drive less than 10,000 miles per year, it doesn't make sense for me to do much of anything until parts start to wear out. I kept my last vehicle 12 years, and I expect to do the same with this one.
P.S. I really like this truck.
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Harvey
Unregistered
4/27/2001
08:48:14
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
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Message:
Kirk,
I knew the 3.9L is dog on gas, but a little better than a v8. The first thing I did do was installed a tonneau cover. I went inexpensive, Downey SST cover for about $189 or was it $199 from www.tpcarguy.com. I read a while back on these message boards that this would provide one of the best aero dynamics. First would have been a special modified cap. Second tonneau, and least expensive flipping the tailgate down. Surprisingly, the cargo net or no tailgate had worst effects.
The tonneau cover gave me the benefits of covering the bed and hiding anything in the bed. I guess the best thing (and cheapest) you could do is open the tailgate and see if that will increase your MPG. I guess alot of us on these boards like to tinker and make improvements almost to the nth degree, but you can be reasonable. Good luck.
'01 QC, v6 3.9L, 5sp, 4x2, K&N drop in
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DAK 2
Gen III
4/27/2001
09:17:14
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
IP: Logged
Message:
I just got back from camping in KY. 360 mile one way trip.I avgd 22 MPG while towing a 1200lb popup
camper. I do have a tonneau cover on and I also
have the 3.21 tail gear. This mpg was at 65 to 75
MPH. You must also remember tha with these gears
I only turn 2000 RPM at 70 MPH that equates to less gas usage.Before I left on trip I regapped
the plugs to .040 as when I checked them they were at about .050 (wear & tear).truck does have
11000 miles on it and still stock.Not for long
though.
Y2K DAK,CC,3.9L,5Spd, OS/2 keeps going & going & going
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mopahh92
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/16/2011
11:01:43
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
IP: Logged
Message:
Hi I have a 99 dodge dakota 3.9l 5spd 4x4 195,xxx I get roughly 18city and 24 highway in my truck.
Mods list.
-5.2l v8 tb
Electric fan swap
-Edelbrock 9" round aircleaner for carb setup bolt on
-Flowmaster 40 series 2.5in 2.25 dual outlet
-Gutted out cat
When I first got my truck I was geting about 15 city and 18 highway I'm a budget guy and I do all my own work. A l after all the mods I did I only spent around roughly 300 bucks and it was deffinatly worth it. The new found power and fuel mile for the cost wasi couldn't be any happier
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MaxG27
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/05/2011
07:04:25
| RE: 3.9L MPG Improvement
IP: Logged
Message:
Try a power chip or somthing of the sorts, ive found them for
around $150-250 and they claim to give you an increase in
hp anywhere from 25-100 and up to a 25% increase in MPG
1997 dakota, manual, 3.9L, Thrush glasspack, spectre cold
air intake
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