My gas mileage

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Topic author
pengyou
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:20 pm

My gas mileage

Post by pengyou »

Is 20 mpg for a stro good for freeway driving? I drove from Portland to Seattle and then around a bit, for a total of 400 miles on 20 gallons of gas. I used cruise control as much as possible and stuck to the speed limit.
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: My gas mileage

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Yup, that is on the upper end of what an Astro or Safari will get.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Topic author
pengyou
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:20 pm

Re: My gas mileage

Post by pengyou »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Yup, that is on the upper end of what an Astro or Safari will get.
Cool...but...I want more...more...more power...more control....and a daily allowance of graham crackers for my snack break please :)

=D> :guitar: :bounce: :cheers: \:D/ :rock: :supz: :partyman: :muhaha:
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: My gas mileage

Post by ihatemybike »

Doesn't sound too bad.

Of course you want more. You could try some underdrive pulleys. Slowing down the accessories puts less strain on the engine.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Smiliesafari
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Re: My gas mileage

Post by Smiliesafari »

20 MPG is excellent. Remember, you're pushing a box through the air. At the cost of diesel fuel and the cost of a diesel conversion, it will be a very long time before you realize any savings. Then add the expense of a transmission swap. It sounds like you're backing up. If you just want to do a swap, then put a small block Chevy in it. And stick with the 4L60E. It's a proven setup. \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

Topic author
pengyou
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:20 pm

Re: My gas mileage

Post by pengyou »

Smiliesafari wrote:20 MPG is excellent. Remember, you're pushing a box through the air. At the cost of diesel fuel and the cost of a diesel conversion, it will be a very long time before you realize any savings. Then add the expense of a transmission swap. It sounds like you're backing up. If you just want to do a swap, then put a small block Chevy in it. And stick with the 4L60E. It's a proven setup. \:D/
If I go for the V8 swap should I find a V8 version of a 4L60E? Things seem to be doing OK for now but I want to try to be a little proactive with this. Come June of next year I will be on the road a lot during the weekends so I am hoping to take a close look at all parts of Jane and see what, if anything, should be addressed first. I also want to pick up a trailer, which is why I am focusing on the tranny.
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
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Smiliesafari
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Re: My gas mileage

Post by Smiliesafari »

If that transmission is the original (200,000 miles) it's due for a rebuild. There are some upgrades that should be done at the same time. Bill (lockdoc) is better versed on that subject than I. Maybe he'll add his expertise. \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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