Special Economy Truck?

[BIG10]

I found this magazine ad (circa 1982) for a "Chevy V8 Special Economy Truck" that reportedly got 20 city and 28 hwy. Anyone know anything about this? First I thought it was a diesel, but the ad never mentions diesel or what size V8. Thought it was interesting.

[2tons of fun]

like any good promo add it lacks any specs.

probably the same setup my 86 had.

305, 700r4, 2.73. gutless wonder.

[BIG10]

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

like any good promo add it lacks any specs.

probably the same setup my 86 had.

305, 700r4, 2.73. gutless wonder.

I would think with 2.73's it would have to work too hard to get 28 mpg, but maybe not.

[Benelli]

I don't think the new pick ups with the 5.3's and new 5 speed's hit 25 MPG... how on Earth could a less aerodynamic, heavier pick up do that?

[BIG10]

IDK, I barely get that out of my 4 cyl, 5 spd Nissan.

[Benelli]

That's pretty much my point. Take them numbers and divide by two and that's what the truth is......

[bigblock73]

That ad looks familiar.

[BIG10]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

That ad looks familiar.

Oh, did I get from you? I'm really not sure. I've had it for a while, but I just paid attention for the first time and I just don't understand how 28 mpgs is possible. If you are the source, thanks for a great looking ad!

[78 Chevyrado]

At the bottom center of the Ad ---

"Your mileage May differ depending on speed, distance, weather. Mileage will be less in heavy city traffic. ACTUAL highway mileage LOWER."


In other words, the big numbers are meaningless and irrelevant.... lol

It all probably means 50MPH tops, drive on long stopless desert roads and do it while it's not raining. It has to have the light-duty everything on it.

[BIG10]

Originally Posted by 78 Chevyrado

At the bottom center of the Ad ---

"Your mileage May differ depending on speed, distance, weather. Mileage will be less in heavy city traffic. ACTUAL highway mileage LOWER."


In other words, the big numbers are meaningless and irrelevant.... lol

It all probably means 50MPH tops, drive on long stopless desert roads and do it while it's not raining... lol

Good eye.

[thirdstreettito]

There is a guy on another forum with a 2wd diesel burb getting 32mpg hwy. 6.2/700R4/3:08 or 2:9?

[old Rusty C10]

back then the formula was different for calculating the MPG so its prolly that fancy old math that just dont add up

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Grandfather had an 86 Jimmy with 305 2.73 700R4... drove it highway at 55mph.... got 25pmg. That's what they meant.... I slow truck thats geared to the max and cant tow or haul....

[BIG10]

It may be gutless, but would be okay for cruising back and forth to work. IMO.

[wfomkivdrvr]

i have seen a couple trucks with od manual trans in them but never drove one

[2tons of fun]

Originally Posted by Benelli

I don't think the new pick ups with the 5.3's and new 5 speed's hit 25 MPG... how on Earth could a less aerodynamic, heavier pick up do that?

better more powerfull gas for starters.

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

back then the formula was different for calculating the MPG so its prolly that fancy old math that just dont add up

like todays math that all has asteric's and specail notations attached to it, like a medication comercail.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Benelli

I don't think the new pick ups with the 5.3's and new 5 speed's hit 25 MPG... how on Earth could a less aerodynamic, heavier pick up do that?

I don't think the old trucks are heavier than the new ones; our 2002 GMT800 is quite a bit heavier than our previous trucks -

MHO

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by wfomkivdrvr

i have seen a couple trucks with od manual trans in them but never drove one

They drive great!

[ironroad9c1]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I don't think the old trucks are heavier than the new ones; our 2002 GMT800 is quite a bit heavier than our previous trucks -

MHO

K

Yea I just dropped a used 87 tbi 350 in my 84 and slapped a carb on it and it surprises me how quick it is even with 2.73's. Its will burn the right rear clean off the rim almost to 3rd gear if you don't let up....From a straight standing stop, hell you can't even try and make a right turn into traffic in a hurry cause it will just spin and you don't go anywhere..lol

[SSC's76]

Ive heard of this before. 305 2.73 rear end with the dodge 5 speed trans and the first attempt at electronic spark controll. Under perfect conditions its possible just not likely.

[Mr.Scary]

man i wish i could get this kinda mileage outts mine = (

[larrystone]

Originally Posted by BIG10

It may be gutless, but would be okay for cruising back and forth to work. IMO.

That's why I own two trucks. The one with 4.10 gears loaded down with landscape maintenance equipment and the other with 2.73 gears the is my car that also happens to be a light duty (5k gvw) truck.

My custom deluxe weights 3850 pounds empty on the local scrap yard scale. The 4.3/th350/2.73 drive line is perfect with an empty pickup in the mountains of NE PA. Gutless no way runs better than any 305 empty but put a 600 pound lawn mower in the bed and your wings get clipped. My fuel mileage is 17 between fill ups which equates to about 20 highway mpg.An overdrive 4 speed transmission would not be of much benefit in NE PA but if I was a flatlander I could easily achive 25 mpg highway with 4.3/700r4/2.73 combo.

My 1992 had 3.08 gears from the factory with 4.3tbi and a 700r4 and I WAS getting 25 mpg highway with a 500 pound motorcycle in the bed b/4 the 4.10 swap.

PS I just wanted to add that the smaller diameter of the tire the better the fuel mileage. I just went from 225/70/15 to 235/70/15 on the rear axle and at just a half inch taller the truck is working harder to rotate those slightly bigger tires.

[bighoss0331]

that is the 6.2 diesel mag cover

[gchemist]

My old 83 305 could hit 18.5 with a nonlocking converter at 70 MPH. So yea, 20+ was possible @ 55 MPH. My ZZ4 hits 18.5 at 70 MPH. At 65, it goes up some. Not sure how much, but I can see the fuel gauge move slower. At 55-60 MPH, I could probably hit a little higher. Problem is I can't drive 55 MPH!! A diesel at 55 MPH, could make them numbers.

[Corts60]

Wowsers, old thread back from the dead. It has to be a diesel truck. I can pull 22-23 MPG's in my diesel with overdrive and 3:73 at 70 MPH. If I were to slow down I'm sure I could pull 25+.