Hell, if you can get in the upper teens with a 1 ton 4x4 diesel you're ahead of most others. Big block would get what...10mpg while a small block might do 12 or so?

Diesels don't have butterflies to block of the intake like gas motors do. That means they are pumping full cylinders of air all the time. "Choking" the motor with the butterflies is where nearly all of the compression braking comes from. Diesels don't choke the motor when you're off the throttle which is why big rigs have jake brakes.
My CTD tow rig has hardly any compression braking. Downshifting helps a little bit (probably mostly from internal friction in the motor and spinning the fan faster).
I'm pretty sure I don't have a ton of pressure blowing out the intake and air filter when I decel, and I'm pretty sure the intake and exhaust valves are still closed during the compression stroke while the pistons are trying to compress that air 2-3 times as much as a normal gas engine.
you mentioned needing a 32 spline t-case for the nv4500. do you know that the 4l80 is also 32 spline just like th400's?
I'm pretty sure I don't have a ton of pressure blowing out the intake and air filter when I decel, and I'm pretty sure the intake and exhaust valves are still closed during the compression stroke while the pistons are trying to compress that air 2-3 times as much as a normal gas engine.
My DD gas truck has very little compression braking also, even if I put the auto down into 2 I still usually have to use the brakes quite a bit to control speed while hauling my 9,000 lb. trailer around.
I'm sure if gas engines were common in 80,000 lb. tractor-trailers they would have some type of engine brake on them also.
The reason you dont have much compression braking is bc your driving an auto, and even manually shifting down into a lower gear doesnt prevent the transmission from constantly slipping by way of the torque convertor to allow good driving characteristics/manners etc. Try driving a stick gasser and say there is no compression braking.
Remington
I know gearing multiplies compression breaking, but if diesels had no compression braking then it wouldn't do this ( zero x million = zero).
The reason you dont have much compression braking is bc your driving an auto, and even manually shifting down into a lower gear doesnt prevent the transmission from constantly slipping by way of the torque convertor to allow good driving characteristics/manners etc. Try driving a stick gasser and say there is no compression braking.
Remington
Maybe so but it is possible to get good compression braking form an auto.
I'm currently running a th-400 that would rival any standard out there for compression breaking.
CUCV2 - If a 700r seems like a reasonable option for you, I've got one you can have.
Was said to be good when I got it but I'd still rebuild it.
I am currently putting a 700R4 in my M1008.
It is a straight bolt-in so far concerning driveshaft lengths.
I needed a new flexplate, TC, and TV cable/rod/bracket.
I already had 36s on my and that was not enough OD to make me happy.
I am not done yet, so take what I am saying with a grain of salt.
adam
I am currently putting a 700R4 in my M1008.
It is a straight bolt-in so far concerning driveshaft lengths.
I needed a new flexplate, TC, and TV cable/rod/bracket.
I already had 36s on my and that was not enough OD to make me happy.
I am not done yet, so take what I am saying with a grain of salt.
adam
Not enough OD? Really?
According to the gear chart, a 700r, w/4:56 gears and 36" rubber should get you right around 1900rpm's on the highway @ 65mph but being a diesel maybe you want it lower still.
That combo will also get you out a 79:1 crawl ratio too.