Cactus Red's Build - 2009 Power Wagon

TwinStick · Post by **TwinStick** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 1:44 am

I can't help but wonder what mpg the 1500 Eco Diesel I drove would get towing 3200 lbs. I clocked 28.9 empty & i drove it about 30 miles - city & @ 55-80. But yeah, it would suck the big one for any type of real off road travel.

Post by **Cactus Red** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:06 am

The few reports I've read say they do better than the Hemi - low end torque rules when towing.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

Post by **Cactus Red** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:49 pm

The DiabloSport Intune I-1000 arrived yesterday, and I went thru the update and installed the Economy Tune last evening. Short term testing, 70 miles today on the daily commute, netted 13.8 MPG, about 1.5 MPG better than normal. If that continues I'll be happy. Hope to hook up the trailer and take it for a spin soon to see what the 91 tune does for towing. I also sent off a request to Diablo for more detailed info, and got some help, but not really enough to make sense of all the options available. One nugget is:

Issue: I see no way to select 4.56:1 gear ratio.
DiabloSupport: The 09 Ram does not care about gear ratio, no need to tell it you have changed them

So, all that's required is to do a Quick Adjust for Tire size to correct the speedo. I used the Tire Height format, and used 34.5" to start and found that to be about 2% off, yet the 34" size is still under actual by about 1%. They don't allow for 1/4" increments. GPS now shows 63.9 with the cruise set to 65. That's close enough.

azracer · Post by **azracer** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:33 am

May I sugest that biasing that error to the high side rather than the low side? This can only help with the shift points for towing. Mine reads dead on but I have a different program that I use to set mine.

I bought a used old Diablo Predator tuner and it makes a huge difference in power and shifting with the 91 tune. However the economy tune is what I use now as it does not hinder MPG but removes the torque and shift limitations as well as the top speed limiter and gives similar performance gains as the 91 tune. I plan to use White Lightening to do my personal tune as he gives more attention to tuning shifting pattern than Hemi Fever is willing to create. IMHO shift points under load are more important for economy and power than any minimal HP increase gained through tuning of HP for off road or towing use.

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Post by **Cactus Red** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:44 am

I'll switch back to the 34.5 height and see how it goes.

There are so many unexplained options for adjusting shift points, fuel, spark, and a host of other items in the tuner. I'm not one to play with trial and error on the truck; the consequences of an error are too steep.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

azracer · Post by **azracer** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:15 pm

I agree and the only change I made was the speed limiter (set it at the max) and I bumped up the maximum RPM by 500 because at times when accelerating to pass it seemed to bump up against the rev limiter just a fraction before the up shift. It only seemed to do that on a flat stretch or slight downhill stretch. It still shifts at the same RPM but does not hit the rev limiter at the up shift point anymore.

Other than that I left everything else alone (same concerns as you) and just loaded the canned tunes. I got a little ping/rattle on the 91 tune but did not have only 91 octane in the tank (about a 30/60 mix). I run the mileage tune now and like it better because of the slight bump in economy. I also see about 1>1.5 mpg better fuel economy. With the torque limiter and the throttle delay already removed by the canned tune, it really is a dream to drive now. I tried the 93 tune with octane boost added and was surprised at the increase in power it gave, it must have been way more than a 40hp gain. It was a totally different animal from the stock OEM tune!

As a side note I took my truck into the dealer today because the engine light came on few times over the past couple of months. It is just a code for the intake plenum "short runner valve". Seems there is a TSB on this, so they are going to follow the TSB and put in the new valve and pigtail today. The intake has to come off so I may not get it back until tomorrow. Yes I did remember to put the factory tune back in before I took it in for the repairs.

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Post by **Cactus Red** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 3:26 pm

Have you towed with the eco tune?

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

azracer · Post by **azracer** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:19 pm

Nothing really heavy yet I have only had the programmer for about a year. I towed about 6000 pounds and really didn't notice any problems/issues. It was not high profile trailer like a travel trailer so no wind resistance to deal with either. It was building materials and two pallets of sacks of concrete. It wasn't a long tow, about 30 miles is all, so the MPG was not something I can attest to. The throttle torque limit being gone did make it feel like it was not so much of a load as throttle response was still good and shifting was firm. I didn't feel the need to use the tow haul mode or OD off either so it may have improved it more than I thought. It was flat to mild hills until my property but that section was 3>5 mph in 4 lo due to loose dirt and a very steep hill.

I like the mileage tune much better than the OEM stock tune as it is more responsive and has a firmer shift that seems to be better suited to a truck.

PS: The dealer tried to call me on having a programmer but they could only say that I had code resets and settings like tire size and tire pressure limits that they can't or wont do because of liability or Dodge star tester programming limitations... so they reasoned that I must be using a programmer. I told them that I have the Auto Enginuity scan tool program on my PC, that lets me set all those same parameters that they can but without limitations as to range or threshold they have. Their case then fell apart and they did the warranty work as they should have done in the first place. Since they stopped all work due to tampering allegations, I won't get it back until noon tomorrow now. I also got the air bag recall done too. They said it required a re-flash for the air bag recall. So had I not put the OEM flash back in the computer there would be major problems for me to face!

If you get any flack from your dealer just tell them about Auto Enginuity and that you have a friend in Tucson that set those items for you with the Auto Enginuity scan tool. Send them to the site to verify.

https://www.autoenginuity.com/products/ ... -ei04.html

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Post by **Cactus Red** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 12:14 am

Thanks! I'll do just that if needed.

I'll be gaining 2400' from here to Williams, but will try it first with the MPG tune and 91 octane.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

Post by **Cactus Red** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 12:09 pm

91 tune netted 8.7 mpg. Power wise, it made a big difference on the grade from Ashfork to Williams - only downshifted to second twice vs staying in second for most of it.

Biggest improvement is in every day use. On either the economy or 87 tune mpg is staying at 13.6 or so. That's OK by me.

On another note, we traded in the '16 RPOD trailer on a '15 Mini-Lite 2109s. The RPOD was just too small. Our popup had way more room in it. So, we'll she how the truck handles another 1000 pounds behind it; the new trailer will be over 4k loaded.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

TwinStick · Post by **TwinStick** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 9:26 pm

I just looked at a u-tube video of one. That is a nice camper.

That is still no kinda weight. We are still diggin ours. HATE the dinky fridge. I got a couple of fix'es for that coming in the mail. 3200 empty. We can add another 1000 lbs easy between the camper & the truck. Prob a couple hundred pounds easy for the cap. Another 150 in plywood & casters & 2x4's for my slide. 82 qt & 50 qt ARB fridges, batteries, etc..
It adds up quick.

Post by **Cactus Red** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 12:07 am

Got about 8 mpg...

Is what it is. Trailer is awesome compared to the RPOD. Should have a 2-5/8" lift kit for it tomorrow, and a second Fan-Tastic vent cover soon. That's all it needs to serve our needs!

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

Post by **Cactus Red** » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:32 pm

The Diabo Intune is worth every penny. The economy tune is netting over 2 MPG. The 91 tune is awesome for towing, and nets about .75 MPG over stock. It really helps on grades - less down shifting by far.

And on a side note, I played with a new 6.4L 2500 4x4, and blew his doors off, twice, in a 8100lb truck. Sorry for you new owners, but between the intake, exhaust, the tuner, and most importantly, 4.56 gears, you don't stand a chance... Unloaded, it would be flat out freak'n fast.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

2wagons1driveway · Post by **2wagons1driveway** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 1:10 am

Damn that's crazy man that's good news I likey my 4th gen 5.7 I've been letting it sing the last few times we've been out just keeping it in second with the diablo in tune on 87 hemi fever custom it sings at 6000rpm lol http://youtu.be/6dmZ33SA9-M

Sent from that big land mass the rest of the world hates

Post by **Cactus Red** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:07 am

I think we have the same motor - the 5.7 VVT came out in 09.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

2wagons1driveway · Post by **2wagons1driveway** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 11:46 am

Cactus Red wrote:I think we have the same motor - the 5.7 VVT came out in 09.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

yes we do I just like the 5.7 the 6.4 is a good towing motor but for the increase in hp I couldn't see switching. It's only like another 40hp I thought?

Sent from that big land mass the rest of the world hates

Post by **Cactus Red** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 6:10 pm

It's 383 to 410 HP, 404 to 429 ft/lbs.

Sent from my A1-840FHD using Tapatalk

2wagons1driveway · Post by **2wagons1driveway** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:38 pm

Ya that ain't worth it in my books I'll keep my engine...

Sent from that big land mass the rest of the world hates

Post by **Cactus Red** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:11 am

Ordered a set of Cooper ST Pro E2 rated 315/70-17's today. The Toyo AT2XT's were fine tires, but are not only way more $$$, but locally unavailable. Pics later when they are on the truck...

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

azracer · Post by **azracer** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 3:55 am

Dam dude... You eat tires faster than I can even contemplate. While I retired my truck as a, DD it still gets used for construction duties and dare I say it fuel changes. Yup just like oil the fuel is a product that goes bad over time. I love driving my truck but hate to pay the fuel bill. Once the house is done all bets are off as this truck will be my best friend at that point and get the wheels driven off her.

That said I was forced to buy the new design BFG AT for the wife as she loved the old ones that she ran for nearly 8 years on her 2001 WJ. Different tires were not an option. I guess that mentality is why we are still together after 36 years LOL.

In your neck of the woods I would have thought the Toyo RT would have caught your attention LOL. Hmmmm?

Quote:
"Off-road performance meets on-road comfort with the all-new Open Country R/T. Built rugged for any terrain, this tire offers excellent off-road traction, durable construction, and aggressive styling. Its ability to tackle dirt, sand, and rocks is inspired by the legendary Open Country M/T, while its quieter ride is a nod to our best-selling Open Country A/T II. These tires are 100% American-made at the state-of-the-art Toyo Tires factory in Georgia"

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Post by **Cactus Red** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:20 am

$$$ the R/T Toyo's are a lot more $$$

Actually got over 30K on the Toyo's - they were the longest wearing tires I've had by far.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

Post by **Cactus Red** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 5:42 pm

Tires are on, but it's been raining since Friday, so no pics yet. Did get a good road trip on'm Saturday - 150 miles of Interstate followed by 50 miles of dirt. Initial impressions are good! I also aired one tire down in 5 lb increments to see how they do. Started from 42 PSI street pressure, dropped to 25 to start with. Thy showed a very slight sidewall bulge at that. 20 PSI looked like a great place for standard trails, 15 PSI would be the lowest practical pressure, and at 10 and below, they were too low to use without loosing a bead seat. Highway ride is smooth (they are actually round..), and the heaviest weight to balance a tire was 3.25 OZ, lowest, 0.5 OZ on one side. The light mud we encountered was no challenge, and at 20 PSI, the dirt trail ride was very comfortable.

Post by **Cactus Red** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:01 pm

Had a request for some photos of the Y Pipe and muffler install. Threw in a tire pic too.

azracer · Post by **azracer** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:12 pm

How do you like the tires so far? Are they E rated?

I'm not even close to needing tires yet but curious minds just gotta know LOL.

Looks like your rubbing the spare on that diff cover. My spare is almost bald and it still hits my cover. I have on board air and run my spare nearly flat. I also use a ratchet strap to pull it up against the hitch but I still rub my cover as my axle is relocated 0.5" back on my truck.

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Post by **Cactus Red** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:40 pm

The spare makes light contact at high speed only when the axle goes straight up. That's years of wear... The current spare doesn't touch at all except at top out due to most of the tread being gone.

The Cooper STT Pro is E rated - that was one of my criteria for picking them. As far as rating them, I'll give ya'll my opinion after a few thousand miles of use. Initial impressions are good, but pretty much any new set of tires feels better than a beat up set at 50% tread.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

Power Wagon Registry

Cactus Red's Build - 2009 Power Wagon

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