Zimmers 06 LLY

[76zimmer]

Dmax did real well the whole trip to Moab...
Even over the Eisenhower pass/tunnel over the Rockies.
9mg avg for the trip. I got a bit concerned towing through the snow and a bit of hard packed/icy surfaces. Chain/ snow laws were in place It wants to spin the tires pretty easy on wet slippery conditions. I just kept momentum up to 40-45 and was careful w the throttle.
a couple big rigs run off the road, so it was a bit exciting!

 

[76zimmer]

Return trip was much easier, although I saw a concerning rise in engine and trans temps. Engine up to 235, trans almost 230. Luckily after that climb in the Rockies, we hit a downhill descent and things cooled off. Blew a trailer tire once we got out of the Denver area, and changed the spare and noticed another looked like it was just a matter of time, so we stopped and put a new set of 12plys on it. The set that blew out had less than 2500 mi on them and were only 3-4 yrs old. They were Interco blems...10ply ST235/80/16. New set are chinese made for Cooper.... not betting any money on these ones either!
Truck averaged about 9.5mpg for the trip... 9 going west, 10 coming east. Truck performed very well for 257k, trans braking is awesome at times, a bit concerning in the snow though. Just kicked it out of tow/haul to get better control in manual mode.
Overall, I couldnt be happier with the performance of the Duramax/Allison

 

[76zimmer]

Putting both trucks to work this weekend...
Putting all of my downspouts underground and getting ready for a new concrete driveway.
White truck is pulling a trailer of stone and black truck is full of drainage piping hose and parts, and will go pick up a trencher in the morning.

 

[76zimmer]

Trip to Kerts for a dragracing weekend....

450 miles showing 18 mpg, mostly 75mph, except for the parking lot on I80 west of Chicago where 2 semis and 2 cars piled it up....had to wait almost 30 minutes for them to clear the road....I was about 3 miles from the accident when I stopped.

I’ll try to refigure the mileage total for the trip when I get back home....about 1400 miles.
I ran the tank down where it was showing 27 miles left. I could only squeeze 21.5 gallons into the 26 gallon tank. I kept topping it off until I could see the clear fuel level in the filler neck, it wasnt taking anymore. Anybody put more than 21 gallons in a shortbox truck?

 

[max 02]

Trip to Kerts for a dragracing weekend....

450 miles showing 18 mpg, mostly 75mph, except for the parking lot on I80 west of Chicago where 2 semis and 2 cars piled it up....had to wait almost 30 minutes for them to clear the road....I was about 3 miles from the accident when I stopped.

I’ll try to refigure the mileage total for the trip when I get back home....about 1400 miles.
I ran the tank down where it was showing 27 miles left. I could only squeeze 21.5 gallons into the 26 gallon tank. I kept topping it off until I could see the clear fuel level in the filler neck, it wasnt taking anymore. Anybody put more than 21 gallons in a shortbox truck?

I’ve done 96 litres once. Holds 98!
Never been that low since that time.

 

[BadDog]

Anybody put more than 21 gallons in a shortbox truck?

I think the most I've put in was about 50 gallons in my short crew.

 

[streetrodchev]

I usually fill by an 1/8 tank and get 20-21 gallons in my 04 lly short box

 

[76zimmer]

Measured fuel used averaged 17.25mpg for the 1385 miles.
mileage indicator showed 18.1
Had a guy in central IA ask me if I wanted to sell it, he's knows rust well, and was surprised to see the solid body. I told him its history and my purchase of it. I turned him down.
I love this truck!

 

[max 02]

Measured fuel used averaged 17.25mpg for the 1385 miles.
mileage indicator showed 18.1
Had a guy in central IA ask me if I wanted to sell it, he's knows rust well, and was surprised to see the solid body. I told him its history and my purchase of it. I turned him down.
I love this truck!

View attachment 379836

I like how your honest with the fuel mileage. About what we seen with ours.

 

[red EOD]

I like how your honest with the fuel mileage. About what we seen with ours.

Honest fuel mileage, you mean the 3/4 and 1 ton Dodge trucks with a Cummins don't get 30mpg towing 40,000 lbs at 80mph!?! What is this nonsense hahaha.

17.25mpg isn't bad, that including some towing or empty average?

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

Measured fuel used averaged 17.25mpg for the 1385 miles.
mileage indicator showed 18.1
Had a guy in central IA ask me if I wanted to sell it, he's knows rust well, and was surprised to see the solid body. I told him its history and my purchase of it. I turned him down.
I love this truck!

View attachment 379836

what's the story on that Shasta camper?

 

[76zimmer]

Well, I got rid of my 28’ travel trailer, because everytime I wanted to camp and wheel, It was hauling two trailers back and forth to do so, or renting a room. Buying a slide in, I figure I can have a place to sleep, and haul the Maiden on a trailer in tow. This was planned for the 76 dually with 8’ bed, both of my trucks now are 6.5 and it hangs on the tailgate.

 

[76zimmer]

I like how your honest with the fuel mileage. About what we seen with ours.

Best tank I’ve ever had was 19.1 with AMS OIL CETANE BOOST and INJECTOR CLEEN On 245/75 tires.
Right now I have 265/75 Duratracs. I dont know how some are getting upper teens towing?

Honest fuel mileage, you mean the 3/4 and 1 ton Dodge trucks with a Cummins don't get 30mpg towing 40,000 lbs at 80mph!?! What is this nonsense hahaha.

17.25mpg isn't bad, that including some towing or empty average?

This was an empty truck, no significant weight.

 

[red EOD]

Best tank I’ve ever had was 19.1 with AMS OIL CETANE BOOST and INJECTOR CLEEN On 245/75 tires.
Right now I have 265/75 Duratracs. I dont know how some are getting upper teens towing?

This was an empty truck, no significant weight.

Right RPM and the injectors spray pattern/pressure will drastically affect the fuel economy. The 6.5 in my C3500HD gets 16-18mpg empty cruising at 2350rpm (winter fuel, summer fuel). Crank it up to 2500rpm and it drops to 13-15mpg. Best fuel economy on that engine is from 1750-2000rpm but I can't cruise there due to 4.63 axle gears haha

 

[centexk5]

My parents 15 dmax and brother in laws 14 Cummins both get better mileage at 90-95mph than they do at 65-70mph. Both are spinning around 2500.

 

[Big Ray]

Whats up with the square body crew cab Dave? Still a work in progress?

 

[76zimmer]

Yes, I’ve certainly been dragging my feet getting to that Ray. Honestly this truck is pretty sweet, and does everything and more I could want from a tow rig, that the Cummins conversion has dropped in priority. But not giving up on it either!

Got a new set of tires, Blaines had a deal that was pretty good, and the front Duratracs were getting a little worn and they’re 12 yrs old and didnt stick like they were new, so these Generals got the call. Great reviews on Tire Rack, and out the door for $778. We’ll see of the mileage is any different with the new skins. Took a trip to the UP w my grandson and averaged 18 for the whole trip. Some of that was 60mph, some 75. still cant get more than 21.5 gal in it when its running with the warning light on, showing no miles left on the tank….oops! Might need to check the tank out to see if there is something going on there…..next time its on the lift!

 

[76zimmer]

In cold storage for winter. Should I plug the block heater in and leave it? I don’t plan on moving the truck again until April. It has 50/50 antifreeze in it, and a battery tender on it.

 

[streetrodchev]

No need to plug the block heater in.

 

[Truckman4life]

It would just jack your power bill up and not help with the truck at all.