2004 3/4 ton Suburban with the Big Block 8.1
Hi Folks, Some of you might remember about a year and a half ago, I was contemplating buying the Suburban in my subject line. Well I've got it and while I like the vehicle, I've come to unders...
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I just bought a 2002 E-450 based shuttle van because it only had 52,000 miles, and the cost was only a few dollars more than a 800 pound wheelchair lift that it had installed in 2002. . . Much less expensive than buying a new wheelchair van.
But I am also getting 8 MPG with the thirsty 6.8L V10 and 4.60:1 rear axle ratio. I like that the van is only 9600 pounds with all the kids and 400# wheelchair inside, but still I wanted better MPG. Perhaps changing to a 3.73:1 rear end will help me with the MPG, as it would with your Sub, but changing both axles would not save you $750 in gas over 100,000 miles. .. . I would hope to see 10 MPG with the high reving van that is only about 2/3 of it's designed GVWR. GVWR on mine is 14,050 pounds, and GCVWR is 22,000. But if I end up getting the travel trailer that I want, it would come in around 10,000 pounds, needing the 4.10 or current 4.60:1 rear axle ratio again. . .
So given the choice of paying much more than $1,000 to change the rear axle, or upgrade to another higher MPG vehicle, I would rather pay for the 8 MPG for a while, and wait to trade in the van for another one.
Good luck,
Fred.
But I am also getting 8 MPG with the thirsty 6.8L V10 and 4.60:1 rear axle ratio. I like that the van is only 9600 pounds with all the kids and 400# wheelchair inside, but still I wanted better MPG. Perhaps changing to a 3.73:1 rear end will help me with the MPG, as it would with your Sub, but changing both axles would not save you $750 in gas over 100,000 miles. .. . I would hope to see 10 MPG with the high reving van that is only about 2/3 of it's designed GVWR. GVWR on mine is 14,050 pounds, and GCVWR is 22,000. But if I end up getting the travel trailer that I want, it would come in around 10,000 pounds, needing the 4.10 or current 4.60:1 rear axle ratio again. . .
So given the choice of paying much more than $1,000 to change the rear axle, or upgrade to another higher MPG vehicle, I would rather pay for the 8 MPG for a while, and wait to trade in the van for another one.
Good luck,
Fred.
