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12-13-2010, 11:40 PM | #1 |
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stepside vs fleetside mpg???
hey yall well i havea 83 lwb fleetside as a daily driver right now but her 13 mpg is killin me and ive heard that stepsides get better mpg so i was hoping someone could help me out on this because after my blazer project i might convert her to a lwb stepside if it will help at all and any other mpg tips helpits a 305 motor 700r4 trans thanks
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" Last edited by Billybob13; 12-13-2010 at 11:41 PM. |
12-13-2010, 11:42 PM | #2 |
Robert Olson Transport
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
I dont see how there would be much of a difference if any but ive been mistaken before
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
12-13-2010, 11:53 PM | #3 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
x2 what old Rusty C10 said.
305/700r4 is a good base for decent economy. What gear ratio? What size tires? Is that 13 city, mainly highway, or mix? You driving easy or aggressive? Has it had a tune up recently? If the 305 is in good healthy condition and you have a good gear ratio and drive it easy, you should see atleast 15. My 87 with the 305/700r4 and 3.08's gets 18 mix but it is TBI.
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87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch Last edited by chevymotocross; 12-13-2010 at 11:54 PM. |
12-13-2010, 11:59 PM | #4 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
31 inch tires she could use a tune up dont know why i didnt think bout that she is good motor carb is a lil on iffy side thats a mix number and mostly easy but i show her off sometimes and no idea about gear ratio
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" |
12-14-2010, 12:05 AM | #5 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
31'' tires are definitely bigger than stock c10 tires. Your mileage readings may be off due to that. Also, 31'' is a big tire for the common 2.73 - 3.08 found in most c10 trucks. If it has a 3.42 or lower ratio, like a 3.73, then that shouldn't be too bad. The glove box numbers should point you to the ratio with a decoder, if the sticker is still there.
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87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch Last edited by chevymotocross; 12-14-2010 at 12:06 AM. |
12-14-2010, 12:09 AM | #6 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
whatelse could i do to check ratio the oldman i got truck from peeled off sticker
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" |
12-14-2010, 12:25 AM | #7 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
If anything, the stepside will get worse mpg at highway speeds, since the exposed fenders would create more aerodynamic drag.
You really need to figure out your gear ratio. If you had a working tach and gps you could give us your reasings and we would figure it out, but what you would do is jack up the back of the truck, then you mark the tire in one place, slowly spin it one revolution. At the same time you need to watch the driveshaft and count how many turns. If it turns 3.5 times, probably 3.42, if it turns 3 times, most likely 3.08 and so on.
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1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh! |
12-14-2010, 01:04 AM | #8 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
My 78 250/ 3spd manual stepside gets 12mpg in mixed driving. These aren't the vehicles for you if mpg is a concern.
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12-14-2010, 01:08 AM | #9 |
God Bless America
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
I agree, if your concern is fuel economy, maybe you should get a car that does not have a V8.
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1972 Chevrolet Custom/10...my first truck and first project. Semper Fidelis |
12-14-2010, 10:41 PM | #10 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
i cant get rid of em love tomuch and im 6foot 303 lbs so cars aintmy friend haha i just wanted to see if i cant raise any cuz no matter what its my dailydriver
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" |
12-15-2010, 12:40 AM | #11 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
Easiest way to get better fuel mileage from a v-8 is get a diesel.
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1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #1 -357 / 700r4 1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #2 -350 / TH350 Last edited by lindstromjd; 12-15-2010 at 12:40 AM. |
12-15-2010, 12:43 AM | #12 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
stock 5.3 and 4l60e. should put u in the 20s.
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2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks.. |
12-15-2010, 01:01 AM | #13 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
Boo for computers. :P
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1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #1 -357 / 700r4 1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #2 -350 / TH350 |
12-15-2010, 09:47 PM | #14 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
a older detroit diesel conversion is always an option right? or are they perty bad on gas themselves
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" |
12-15-2010, 09:58 PM | #15 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
Don't think you would notice much if any of a difference but like mentioned above the turbulence from the fenders would cause a slight loss of MPG.
Kinda reminds me of the old trucking companies that owned box trailers with ribs on the sides. After purchasing a fleet of new trailers with slick sides and seeing the difference in MPG along with noticing how much easier they were to pull they sold all the old ones and upgraded to all slick sides. Catching less wind and being as straight as possible is a good thing.
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John M. Ayers |
12-15-2010, 10:07 PM | #16 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
they arent bad on gas at all...they wont run on it either lol. sorry i couldnt help it. the 6.2 i think should be around 17-18mpg highway maybe city too ? just depends on how heavy your right foot is. (or left if you're missing your right)
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Jason 1989 Crew cab 2wd 8 lug and staying that way 88M 638th ASB Lafayette, IN |
12-15-2010, 10:18 PM | #17 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
so ditch stepsideidea and the detroit conversion seems like to much for 5mpg havin to do motor, trans, axle, etc. but hell itd give me somthin to do also it has rochester q-jet if i put a small edelbrok 4bbl would that help seein as how massive the rear jets are and two fifty i have a tach installed on her and i have my bros gps so yah
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" |
12-15-2010, 10:33 PM | #18 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
My '76 shortbed used to be a stepside, and when i swapped in a fleetside I lost 2 mpg instantly. I was able to remove the stepside bed by myself because it was so light, and the fleetside bed is much heavier.
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Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB |
12-15-2010, 10:37 PM | #19 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
well still nun to major of increase
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'83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea" |
12-16-2010, 04:06 AM | #20 | |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
Quote:
I don't think you're going to get better fuel mileage out of an aftermarket carb. Q-jets are made to be extremely fuel efficient, as long as you stay out of the secondary barrels. The diesel conversion is actually really simple, and very straight forward. It bolts right up to whatever transmission you have, and only requires a different, "diesel-style" torque converter to make it work. The power curve on them is almost identical to a SBC, too, so you're not going to be at any loss if you do want to do a swap. I just swapped a 6.2 into my truck to replace the 350. I love it.
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1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #1 -357 / 700r4 1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #2 -350 / TH350 |
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12-16-2010, 04:55 AM | #21 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
i own both 1986 stepside and fleet. Both are pigs with fuel. Both run 373's with 33 inch tire. No way around it, they both weigh over 4,000 lbs. my 1970 gets better fuel mileage and weights 31 or 3200
For better fuel economy up date to the new engines. Thats what im looking into already. This forum of shared know hows have made it simple. That too, thanks for the shared info!! |
12-16-2010, 06:34 AM | #22 |
Old Heap Driver
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
My 454/700R/670 Holley equipped Stepper gets 16-16.5 with the cruise on at highway speeds. The truck does around 13 in town using 3rd gear.
When it comes to fuel economy your right foot can be friend or foe. I love driving my truck, driving sensibly and following the speed limit gets me a few more minutes behind the wheel. But, if gas mileage is the main concern, go hug a tree and by a Prius.
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_____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver. |
12-16-2010, 11:51 AM | #23 | |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
before you start on anything do a tune up first i see alot of people complaining about there veichel is getting bad millage but mostly its because they dont maintain them proberly
change all the oils Motor, Trans, and differential, plugs, wires, cab and rotor and use some high quality stuff not some cheap brand you wont belive that its the same truck
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12-16-2010, 12:17 PM | #24 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
your going in the right direction with a 4 speed auto but you gotta figure out your gears bigger the number the worse your fuel economy. if your gears havent been touched you'll probley have 3.08 or maybe even 2.73s like chevy motocross said. and if you dont wanna go that route you could always take the tranny to a tranny shop and have them lower the gear ratios. you wont be lifting the front wheels of the ground but itll improve it. also lighter is always better. if youve got junk in the back for no reason toss it every pound counts. and if you wanna take that to dramatics there is a company that makes a full front clip including hood for 2200 and it only weighs 45 pounds or so compared to our steel fenders and hood.
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12-16-2010, 12:31 PM | #25 |
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Re: stepside vs fleetside mpg???
I get 10mpg on the highway if it's flat with no wind. I'd be loving 12-14! Granted, i've got a 3/4 ton 4x4 with 4.10 gears or so and a th400. No wonder, right? My other car's an old datsun 210 and gets 35-40mpg so I make up for it there when I commute.
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