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Just bought a K5 for 280 mile daily commute.

Why not just get 2 k5s and park one at each end of your commute and then get a cheap commuter to save on gas? You could buy those three vehicles and easily offset the cost of gas from driving a heavy truck over 200 miles per day. Plus you don't even need to get your hands dirty.

Also, I've been hearing these earthquake stories since I was a kid. All that talk of "the big one" is just to scare foreigners into moving to another state and make the freeways less crowded. ;)
 
I guess I never really thought about that. It sounds stupid simple but it never crossed my mind. I just purchased a diesel so I may get a cheapie commuter car. That is probably the best thought so far!!! Thanks!
 
bu2chlc said:
I guess I never really thought about that. It sounds stupid simple but it never crossed my mind. I just purchased a diesel so I may get a cheapie commuter car. That is probably the best thought so far!!! Thanks!
Click to expand...

Some statistics for reference:
240 miles commute per day x 14 miles per gallon(optimistic) = 17 gallons per day

17 gallons x $2.90/gallon = $49.30/day

$49.30 x 5 days a week = $246.50/week

$246.50 per week x 4 weeks a month (average) = $986/month
 
Not that it addresses your current vehicle but what about a 4-Runner? Tons of aftermarket support, 85/86 models are SFA and EFI (avg. 25mpg), probably easier to drive in traffic. Not as strong as 1-ton running gear but in relativity it doesn't need to be.

Just a thought. :dunno:
 
Well if you guys go underwater, then us peeps up in the north dont have to send you any more of our water.....

There is a bright side to this.....


-Doc
 
Thunder said:
For a MPG gain and durability/simplicity.
A good Exhaust system will do the best for you.
The Edelbrock TES system is a very good upgrade plus its CARB approved. Replace the stock cat convertor with a high flow cat. The stock cat on the 89s does not flow well. Performance muffler like flowmaster, magna flow dynaflow, ect whatever is your choice.
MSD coil is good. Give you a bit more fire and better at higher rpm than the stock coil. it is really the only ignition upgrade you need besides. A Tune up with quality cap rotor and wires.
Get the power plate and power charger from here:http://marine-performance-parts.com/gmtbiperformance.aspx. Gives a bit more power and low end torque.
Synthetic lube in the drivetrain.


As far a diesel goes. In a 1989 i think you are stuck with the GM 6.5. I dont think you would see much of a MPG improvement over TBI to justify the swap or the added expence of a diesel.
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Isn't that about a $900 list of mods? That seems like a good start on a diesel swap (even though it would still require the exhaust mods). Obviously the 6.5 is a more involved swap than the 6.2 would be, but I'm not sure it wouldn't bring more bang for the buck fuel economy wise. Maybe somebody has some $$ or MPG numbers

Edit: I see we already found that the 6.2 was available and he is swapping over. No brainer.
 
besides the diesel swap to increase MPG dont forget about;

Reduce weight.
Sounds like you have gutted it already.

Reduce rolling resistance.
Those 33x12's are a killer. Try to find something 10" wide or skinnier. Then inflate the snot out of them. Better yet, buy a set of 31x8 E load rated tires on steel rims and run those at 80 psi. Keep your 33's in the back if you need to go wheeling.
Synthetic oil will help reduce losses in the drivetrain.
Make sure your brakes dont drag. Im a big fan of doing a disc conversion in the rear, but drums dont drag like discs do, so you might wanna stick with drums for that one sole reason.

Reduce wind resistance.
Slow down.
Lower your truck. Obviously a slammed frame dragger wont be the answer for you but there are adjustable ride height airbag systems for jeepers that allow you a nice low stance for highway, then raise it up to 6" for off road. Building a system like that might be worth looking into.

And if you are going with a 6.2 do a SVO conversion on it and throw a big tank in the bed. Find a few restaurants along the way that you can pick up oil at and have "free gas". If you wanna talk about this option more, i can let you know what i have done and some other options.
 
skark_burmer said:
besides the diesel swap to increase MPG dont forget about;

Reduce weight.
Sounds like you have gutted it already.

Reduce rolling resistance.
Those 33x12's are a killer. Try to find something 10" wide or skinnier. Then inflate the snot out of them. Better yet, buy a set of 31x8 E load rated tires on steel rims and run those at 80 psi. Keep your 33's in the back if you need to go wheeling.
Synthetic oil will help reduce losses in the drivetrain.
Make sure your brakes dont drag. Im a big fan of doing a disc conversion in the rear, but drums dont drag like discs do, so you might wanna stick with drums for that one sole reason.

Reduce wind resistance.
Slow down.
Lower your truck. Obviously a slammed frame dragger wont be the answer for you but there are adjustable ride height airbag systems for jeepers that allow you a nice low stance for highway, then raise it up to 6" for off road. Building a system like that might be worth looking into.

And if you are going with a 6.2 do a SVO conversion on it and throw a big tank in the bed. Find a few restaurants along the way that you can pick up oil at and have "free gas". If you wanna talk about this option more, i can let you know what i have done and some other options.
Click to expand...

you run veggie oil in your oil burner?
 
i run 33x10.5x15 tsl thornbirds using 3.73 gears in an 88 jimmy w 350 tbi lifted 4" with leaf springs all the way around with headers and new high flow cat exhaust and get pretty good gas mileage try runnin a setup like i have upgrade your tbi too and new plugs wires and all and thats about as good as it gets runnin a k5 for gas mileage and drive 65 instead of 70 it helps the most really
 
you should seriously just leave the k5 or a dual sport at work and drive a diesel vw to work every day, or how about an ultra-light airplaine, i mean it soounds stupid but you seem to feel very strongly about getting to your fam in the event of a disaster flying over traffic and huge gullys would be the fastest way to get there. ;-)
 
Just a little point i wanted to throw out there, And maybe this is void due to my Gov. compter network not showing 90% of pic on here but.....

You have 2 K5's and not 1 single picture yet???? We need some pics, Thems the rules man, Thems the rules.
 
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